Premiers pas à Old San Juan

I first notice the gorgeous blue tiles - that's where the cars drive, not the sidewalk. I have never seen those anywhere else. I wonder what they are made of.

You know you are somewhere in the New World when there is a statue of Columbus.

You get a schizophrenic feel at first glance in Old San Juan. It's an American territory, so stamps, license plates, etc. are American. But the rest is Caribbean. Road signs are in Spanish. Men stand in groups at street corners or sit on the ground in entryways. The Cuban behavior with the Western hustle and bustle. It's odd, but definitely not unpleasant.

There are magnificent courtyards. The Spaniards have left some nice influences behind.