Something in the air

¡Buenos dias!—Good day!—from San Juan, Puerto Rico, site of the 26th International Nursing Research Congress, sponsored by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. I look forward to being your cultural correspondent for the next several days. I will be sharing sights and sounds of San Juan and Puerto Rico.

From the moment I stepped off the flight to San Juan, I could feel something in the air. I know, if you have ever been here, you are probably thinking “Humidity!” You would be right, but that’s not what I was thinking. I was immediately reminded of the proud and vibrant culture of the island nation I experienced during my last visit some 10 years ago.

The ride from the airport clearly demonstrated that, although the vibe has remained the same, many changes have occurred since my last visit. Obviously, significant investments have been made in infrastructure and other growth to support tourism, one of the island’s primary industries. A host of new hotels now line Condado Beach just east of downtown San Juan. My ride to town ended at the official congress hotel, which is located directly across the street from the exquisite, brand new Puerto Rico Convention Center, meeting site for congress.

Puerto Rico Convention Center

The place to be in coming days!

Like many conference attendees, I enjoy true local experiences. With that in mind, I got some change, dropped 75 cents in the meter, and caught the local bus down town, saving a little cash by not taking a cab. The buses are new, clean, cool—yes, they have air conditioning—and safe. I exited the bus just outside the main plaza in Old San Juan.

According to the locals, the plazas are the heart and soul of Old San Juan. Walk through any plaza, and you will see people gathering, artisans displaying their creations, and musicians filling the air with the sweet sounds of local tunes. The free trolley that runs around Old San Juan is extremely useful for getting your bearings. It provides a great overview of the sights and, on hot summer days, a welcome opportunity to take a break from walking.

Stroll around the old town, and you will find a plethora of outstanding restaurants specializing in local fare, gift shops that meet any need, and duty-free shops that carry high-end goods ranging from fine leather to fine jewelry. Keep in mind that San Juan is a popular cruise ship destination, so if shopping is on your agenda, it is best to get out and get it done before passengers disembark from a ship or after they return to it.

For me, the best part of walking the old town during the daytime is soaking up the architecture. The Spanish-style buildings, which date back hundreds of years, are ornate and, in many cases, brightly painted. Occasionally, you spot locals in windows watching the world go by, just as they’ve done since the colony was established. I guess what I’m really trying to say is, be sure to look up. It’s not all about T-shirts and diamonds.

Yes, I am attending the research conference, not just sightseeing. Although it is not my assignment to report on specific congress events, I must note that President Klopper did an outstanding job of kicking it off by reinforcing the importance of global collaboration and how, for those just embarking on that journey, this event is the perfect forum for connecting with peers.

The first day ended with a reception that facilitated networking and taking in some local, live music. Ah, live music, something you will hear more about in tomorrow’s post when we explore Old San Juan at night.

Until then …

For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. Comments are moderated. Those that promote products or services will not be posted.