Feel the Magic: 3 Emotions That Await You in Old San Juan
Have you ever picked a vacation sight based on the emotions you may have the possibility of feeling?
The emotions that lie outside the expected happiness from being out of the office and your normal routine.
In my eyes, one of the most significant rewards of a vacation is experiencing the magic behind the life of the locals.
If you want to experience something more profound than surface-level happiness and fun in the Caribbean Sun, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a city to consider for your next travel destination.
Why Travel to Puerto Rico?
No passport is needed if you are a U.S. citizen.
You want the Carribean Sun with plenty of non-salt water Swimming options.
You love Plantain!
You love diversity! A mixture of Taino Indians, Africans, and Spaniards resides in Puerto Rico to make an extensive and inclusive culture.
El Yunque! The only rainforest in U.S Territory.
The Bioluminescent Bay!
What is unique about Old San Juan?
Extremely Walkable - You can create self-guided tours, or you can book an Airbnb Experience
Old Fortifications and Cobblestone streets give a feeling of standing on undisturbed history.
Pop of Color- The amount of color you see in one block is nothing short of energizing!
With all this in mind, let's explore
3 Emotions That Await You in Old San Juan
Enthralled
There is something about standing on a piece of land that lies between three fortresses, Fort San Felipe del Morro (El Morro), Castle San Cristóbal, and El Palacio de Santa Catalina (La Forteleza), which gives you an all-in feeling!
A 150-foot wall connects all the forts.
The Spaniards wanted to protect the prosperity inside this city, and the fortresses offered this protection in the late 1800s.
There are some parts of the city where you can look up or down to the wall, and there are parts of the city where you are standing on top at the edge of the wall.
Walking into a city that went to this extent to provide protection makes you feel like you are walking in something extraordinary.
The visuals of the grounds of the fortresses with present-day Puerto Rican families flying kites on those grounds showed me the strength, security, and pride these families may feel when visiting the grounds.
Vibrant
Old San Juan packs in so much color per square footage that I began feeling energized as I walked the cobblestone streets.
Before writing this blog, I wondered if vibrancy was an emotion or an adjective and where the term vibrant fell on the wheel of emotions.
"Emotional vibrancy is the quality of harnessing zest, positive energy, and radiant, glowing health. Emotional vibrancy can offer us calm and inner peace even during life's challenges."
I noticed more warm colors than cooler coolers within the city. However, all the cool colors were quite soft on the eyes and featured soft pastels.
If you frequently see the muted palettes of concrete, industrial buildings, and city skyscrapers, Old Juan may be a great place to consider if you want to evoke a sense of vibrancy in your life.
Enchanted
I still remember the chills when I saw the Governor's Palace in Old San Juan.
The light blue palace had a slight glow from reflecting the light bouncing off the water from the San Juan Bay.
Below the palace resided the Old San Juan Gate, the gate the Spaniards used to enter the city.
Looking at something almost out of a movie set, I couldn't believe this is the daily reality for the locals living in Old San Juan.
Are we still choosing a vacation destination solely based on surface-level attractions and experiences in 2024?
Consider Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, a unique and enchanting option.
From its diverse and inclusive culture to its colorful and vibrant streets, this city offers much more than a typical tourist destination.
With its rich history and fortifications, you can't help but feel a sense of wonder and enchantment while walking its cobblestone streets.
Pack your bags and head to Old San Juan to trade monotony for magic!
References and Resources
Hussain, Rohaan. “The Psychology of Color: Exploring How Different Hues Affect Our Emotions and Behaviors.” Sportskeeda, Sportskeeda, 17 Apr. 2023, www.sportskeeda.com/health-and-fitness/vibrant-insights-unraveling-psychology-color-influence-emotions-behaviors.
O’Brien, Elaine. “Emotional Vibrancy Explained.” High Performance Institute, 2 Jan. 2020, www.highperformanceinstitute.com/blog/emotional-vibrancy#:~:text=Emotional%20vibrancy%20is%20the%20quality,peace%20even%20during%20life’s%20challenges.