Puerto Rico Destination Weddings: No Longer Reserved For The Wealthy

 

For a long time the destination wedding, a wedding combined with a vacation for the couple, wedding party, and guests, was an exotic treat attainable only by the extremely wealthy. This is no longer the case as destination weddings have, in recent years, become an attainable and attractive alternative for more and more couples seeking to put an enjoyable romantic spin on their nuptial occasion. Destination wedding planners like to advertise that the destination wedding can cost thousands less than a traditional wedding. While this may or may not be true, depending on what a particular couple plans to spend on their traditional wedding as opposed to what they’ll have to spend for a destination wedding, it is certainly a fact that a destination wedding is no longer completely out of the question for the average couple. If you’re interested in celebrating your own marriage ceremony with a destination wedding, here are some helpful pointers that can have you enjoying your wedding in a vacation locale without completely emptying the coffers.

Your Destination Doesn’t Have to be Distant

One of the truly beautiful things about living in the United States is that we have vacation spots nearly everywhere. By planning your destination wedding in a place that is relatively close to home, you can save considerably on airfare or other travel arrangements. Do you live on the East Coast? Make Orlando, Florida your destination and enjoy your honeymoon with Mickey Mouse. Already in Florida and been to Disneyworld far too many times? Set your sights on the Big Apple and enjoy a destination wedding in the City that Never Sleeps. Maybe you’re in the Midwest? If so a destination wedding in Chicago may have just the right romantic touch for you. You could also consider heading south to Texas to visit the Alamo. Live in the Southwest or Northwest? Then Las Vegas and Los Angeles are mere hours away by plane. The point is that your destination wedding doesn’t have to be held in London, Paris, or Munich to be an event you will remember fondly and cherish forever.

Plan Ahead and Get Group Rates

Everyone knows that air passage costs less when booked and purchased well in advance. Be sure to make the reservations for your destination wedding far ahead of time to get the best value for you and your guests. Also, utilize the services of a talented travel agent who can negotiate your airfare and hotel accommodations all together. Doing so can save you an amazing percentage of the overall cost of your destination wedding.

If There’s an ‘Off Season,’ Take Advantage of It

Many of the vacation spots around the country have an off season where the rates for hotels, airfare, and attractions are quite lower than they are during their busier times. By planning your destination wedding during these non-peak times you can save money and enjoy your destination when there are fewer tourists getting in the way of your enjoyment.

Puerto Rico Destination Weddings

Puerto Rico Destination Weddings, Inc., is Puerto Rico’s leader in small weddings and elopements. We perform more destination weddings on the enchanted island of Puerto Rico than anyone else, and we are experts in the legal and documentation requirements to get married in Puerto Rico. We have intimate knowledge of the most scenic and beautiful locations and are always on the search for the most beautiful places for a Puerto Rico destination wedding. We believe in small, simple, stress-free wedding experiences, and letting the beauty of nature speak for itself.

Achiote Puerto Rican Restaurant

 

Achiote Puerto Rican Restaurant

12325 S. Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando, FL 32837

HOURS:
Tuesday - Thursday 12AM – 8 PM
Friday and Saturday 12AM – 8 PM
Sunday 12 AM –8 PM
Closed on Mondays

CALL: 407-219-4089

• ​Full bar
• We cater to you
• Order ahead and pick-up
• Families welcome
• Private dining areas for groups
• Open for lunch and dinner
• Special music nights

Achiote is authentic.

A restaurant owned by Puerto Rican chefs who want to share their cuisine and the Puerto Rican experience, with everyone who visits or lives in Orlando.
Foods not often found off the island, are here.
Every day we make them from family recipes, from scratch in the restaurant kitchen.
No shortcuts, just a love for Puerto Rican food.
Our full bar even has cocktails you can't find elsewhere.
Come for lunch or dinner, meet us, taste our food, and you'll know and love Puerto Rico.

Our Menu

Achiote is famous for our made-here Mofongos!  Choose dishes with pork, chicken, steak, shrimp, fish and many other options - including lobster.

Achiote Puerto Rican Restaurant

Celebrate at Achiote​

Ask About Our
Live Music, Holiday and Special Menu Items

​We know our customers like to celebrate and we hope you choose us. We have areas of the restaurant that are semi-private or depending on the date and time, you can take over the entire restaurant.
We also cater to you! Please ask for details.

An Introduction to the Tarot

 

What is the Tarot?

The tarot is a deck of 78 cards, featuring illustrations that can be interpreted in various ways. The deck is divided into two sections, called the major arcana and minor arcana. The major arcana features the 21 trump cards, and the minor arcana is divided into four suits (wands, pentacles, cups and swords) each with cards featuring the numbers 1-10, an ace and four court cards (the Page, Knight, Queen and King).

Origin of the Tarot

The oldest known tarot cards originated in 15th century Italy. The tarot appears to have started life as a card game, and was at first restricted to the wealthy upper classes, although after the invention of the printing press, the cards became more widely available. Some writers have claimed (despite the apparent lack of evidence) that the imagery of the tarot cards suggests a more ancient origin, and have connected the tarot with such cultures and traditions as the ancient Egyptians and the mystical Hebrew Kabbalah.

Later Developments

It was not until the 18th century that the cards became associated with the occult and mystical activities for which they are often known today. This began in 1781, when the freemason Antoine Court de Gebelin made the claim in his work 'Le Monde Primatif' that tarot cards contained hidden meanings (which he associated with the ancient Egyptians) that could be used for divinatory purposes.

Since then other mystic and magical traditions, such as the Order of the Golden Dawn, have claimed that the tarot has ancient roots, together with hidden wisdom to impart to those seeking enlightenment. The tarot was especially popular among such groups in the 19th century.

The tarot became more widely known with the publication of the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot in 1910. Arthur Edwards Waite was a Golden Dawn member, and in this new deck, drawn by the artist Pamela Colman Smith, images with occult symbolism were included on the numeric cards, as well as the trump cards. This deck was very successful (and remains popular today), and since then, hundreds if not thousands of diverse new decks have been published, with many enthusiasts creating their own.

Uses of the Tarot

The tarot has several distinct uses, including:
1. Games
This was its original use, and it is still used for gaming purposes in some European countries.

2. Psychology
Carl Jung was the first mainstream psychologist to attach meaning to the tarot cards, when he associated them with the fundamental archetypes that he believed to reside in the collective human unconscious. Several therapeutic techniques involving the tarot have developed from this insight.

3. Inspiration
Many artists and writers have produced works inspired by the tarot.

4. Divination
Fortune telling is perhaps the most common use associated with the tarot. The images on the cards may help the person seeking the reading to tap into their own subconscious knowledge. Others believe that the cards themselves hold some kind of inherent divinatory power, which may be read by a skilled person. For this reason, handling another person's cards is generally frowned upon in occult circles, as their energy could become contaminated.

Doing a Reading

There is no set method for performing a divinatory tarot reading. However there are several popular layouts or 'spreads', with perhaps the most well known being the Celtic cross. This is usually the first method taught to beginners, although it is by no means the most simple. Experienced tarot readers will often invent their own spreads, with their own means of interpretation.

Once the cards are selected by the person receiving the reading, the reader lays them out in a spread and analyses them, taking into account the positions relative to each other, the symbolism of the individual cards, and their position (upright or reversed).

Meaning of the Cards

There is no generally agreed upon interpretation of the tarot cards. They all have imagery of varying degrees of complexity, and the wide range of decks available makes the situation even more difficult. Nevertheless there is a huge amount of writings available on the symbiology of the tarot, and on the most basic level, the 22 major arcana cards are thought to represent the journey of the Fool from ignorance to enlightenment.

In addition, the minor arcana cards have their own symbolism. The numbers are most obviously associated with numerology, and the suits are linked to the four elements (Swords=Air; Cups=Water; Wands=Fire; Pentacles=Earth). The tarot has also been linked with other mystical and occult systems such as the I Ching, astrology, and the Kabbalah.

Choosing a Tarot Deck

There is a huge range of tarot decks to choose from. The symbolism-rich Rider-Waite deck remains extremely popular, as does Crowley's Thoth deck. The early Marseille deck (used by Gebelin to illustrate 'Le Monde Primitif') is another important deck, also. There are also many less conventional decks to choose from.

Feminists, for example, might like the Motherpeace Tarot with its round cards and exclusively female imagery, whereas some of those interested in Paganism might enjoy the Witches deck or the DruidCraft tarot. Tarot decks can be found representing animals too, as well as various sports, natural imagery and
other common activities. In fact, there's a tarot pack available to suit every taste, and most can be bought online as well as from bookstores, new age shops etc.

Where to Start?

If you're interested in learning more about the tarot, I recommend checking out some of the numerous excellent tarot-related sites on the net, as well as online and local book stores and new age stores. One thing's for sure - there's no shortage of information available!

Puerto Rican Cuban Festival 2022

 

PUERTO RICAN & CUBAN FESTIVAL 2022
PRESENTING SPONSORS: MICHELOB ULTRA

Date and time and Location

Festival Puertorriqueño y Cubano

Sábado, 15 de Octubre, 2022.

Desde las 12 mediodía hasta las 10pm.

The Crown Festival Park
18355 Southwest Fwy
Sugar Land, Tx 77479

Our mission is to disseminate the Puerto Rican, Cuban Dominican Cultures within the City of Houston and it’s surrounding communities. We want to enlighten and educate the audience through dance, art, music and food. Our event supports and promotes other ethnic organizations and their mission, by providing a venue for unification for our Spanish Caribbean citizens and the general market. Most importantly, the PRC Festival empowers our youth to become accomplished, self-directed, and collaborative citizen who boldly contribute to an increasingly complex and evolving world by engaging in leadership roles, relevant experiences and building positive relationships while embracing the uniqueness of each individual.

This festival is done annually to support the continuous efforts to disseminate the Puerto Rican and Cuban cultures within the city of Houston. We also want to teach our children about our roots, assisting them with their self-esteem, identity and letting them know that they have a strong support group. Additionally, we are educating the citizens of the City of Houston about who we are and asking them to embrace our cultures in a friendly and festive environment.

What to Avoid Doing in Puerto Rico

 Puerto Rico is an incredible place to visit, with its stunning beaches and beautiful scenery. However, like any other tourist destination, there are some things you need to know before visiting. Take a look at a few things to avoid doing in Puerto Rico.

Taking a Tourist Bus

Simply put, tourist buses are just not worth it. They're expensive, slow, and generally offer very little in the way of a tour experience. Instead of taking a tourist bus, consider renting a car or motorcycle and exploring Puerto Rico on your terms. You can always consider taking a romantic walk by the beach with your partner instead of using public transportation.

If you do decide to take a taxi while in Puerto Rico, make sure that they turn on their meters before starting the ride. The last thing you want is to get scammed by an unscrupulous cab driver who uses tricks like "the meter hasn't been working" or "my company's rates don't cover this area."

Forgetting to Take Local Currency

Before you get on the plane, this is another thing you should avoid doing in Puerto Rico. Upon arriving on the island, make sure you have enough cash to last your stay. Everyone has heard that ATMs are not guaranteed to work in Puerto Rico, and it could be difficult finding places that accept credit cards if you need cash.

Make sure to have some cash with you in Puerto Rico

If possible, use a credit or debit card instead of carrying large amounts of cash on you. You can use a debit card at most businesses and restaurants in Puerto Rico. However, do not rely solely on this method because some places may charge high fees for using them (a common fee is $5).

Avoid drinking Tap Water

Drinking tap water in Puerto Rico might not be a good idea, and there are a few good reasons why:

• Harmful bacteria or parasites can make their way into your body and cause illness.
• You don't know how long the water has been sitting in a tank before it's delivered to you. It could be contaminated with things like hydrogen sulfide, manganese, chlorine, and nitrates.
• If you're sick or have any kind of digestive issues, it's best not to drink tap water at all. In case you want to try authentic Puerto Rican coffee, make sure to do so in a verified restaurant that’s recommended by locals.

Buying Jewelry or Electronics Without Tax-Free Forms

If you're a US citizen, there's no need to worry about taxes on any jewelry or electronics that you buy in Puerto Rico. The island is a duty-free zone for US citizens so long as they have the proper forms. You can get these from the airport or online before your trip and will need to show your passport when purchasing any items that qualify for tax exemption.

Don't forget to bring an umbrella

It doesn't rain every day in Puerto Rico, but it does rain often enough that you should expect it to happen at some point during your trip. When the clouds roll in, be sure to have a waterproof cover for your bag and camera, so they don't get soaked!

[ Keep in mind that traffic can be pretty jammed on this island

Also, make sure not to forget sunscreen or bug spray either. While the island receives plenty of sunshine throughout most months, it can also get pretty hot during peak hours of the day. If you plan on spending time outdoors after dark, consider bringing along some bug spray as well, because mosquitoes love Puerto Rico!

Don't drive without a map

One of the things you should avoid doing in Puerto Rico is driving without a map. Maps are available at gas stations and tourist centers, but you can also download them from the internet and have them printed before you come to Puerto Rico. Keep in mind that maps here are in Spanish, so it's good to ask for help if needed.

Learn what to do here before arriving

Before you arrive on the island, make sure to learn more about Puerto Rico, its local currency, and its language. If a restaurant doesn't have a sign in English, most likely, the staff won't speak English either. Don't be afraid to try new things or ask for help when you need it!

It's best to know what to expect from the weather before arriving on your trip as well. The island's average temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius), but it can get quite hot during the summer months (June through November). You should pack sunscreen and water if you plan on spending time outdoors!

When packing for your trip, bring clothing appropriate for both warm and cold weather. You'll want lightweight clothing made with natural fibers that allow airflow. This way, no matter what the temperature outside may be, your body will stay cool enough throughout your adventure.

Avoid venturing out at night in isolated areas.

Puerto Rico is a relatively safe place, but there are some precautions you'll want to take when traveling at night. If you're on your own or with a small group of people, try to stay in populated areas and avoid being out after dark in isolated places. You should also try to learn some Spanish words and adapt to a new language to communicate with locals.

In case of an emergency, knowing the language will help you get around and find your hotel. If you are alone during the night in Puerto Rico, make sure to stay close to populated areas.

 

If you're traveling alone, make sure to stay away from isolated areas at night. It’s definitely something to avoid doing in Puerto Rico

Conclusion

Visiting Puerto Rico can be a great adventure! On the other, moving to the island could take some time to get used to. If you want to find a home and relocate to Puerto Ricco, professionals from Relosmart Movers suggest planning your move well in advance. New culture, daily habits, and new housing could significantly change your lifestyle. During this process, you might need some help packing and transporting your belongings.

Hopefully, this article will help you learn what to avoid doing in Puerto Rico. If you are planning a trip, research everything before arriving to know what to expect when you get to the island. The last thing anyone wants is their vacation ruined by a silly mistake or misunderstanding.

 

How to Make Your Humble Abode Feel Like a Vacation House

 

It's an age where remote teams and business management have given employees and business owners the opportunity to work from home, which means your humble abode effectively becomes an office. While most people see this as an absolute win, it can become surprisingly challenging to stay motivated when the lines are blurred between work and rest.

In such a scenario, it's never a bad idea to start shifting toward home improvement options that can help transform your home into something out of a Puerto Rican lifestyle magazine! It can help those who spend much more time at home feel like they're on vacation, offering the opportunity to fully enjoy their humble abode in new and exciting ways. Here's how you can make your home feel like a vacation house.

1. Tackling the bathroom

First and foremost, the bathroom is one of the most crucial parts of ensuring your homestead is as comfortable and accommodating as possible. If you want it to look like more of a vacation home, you can install luxury upgrades, such as a 700 x 700 shower enclosure. The good news is you'll barely have to do any work to install these upgrades, and they're much more reasonably priced than you might think.

If you’re able to make meaningful changes to the bathroom, it can effectively transform your house without the effort. It’s a fantastic way to start things off, as you’ll really feel the difference.

2. Looking for ways to fully transform the master bedroom

The master bedroom is where you'll want to put most of your effort, as it's crucial to keep the bedroom as exciting—and comfortable—as possible. For example, compared to the rest of the house, you can go for the log cabin look, which is easy enough to achieve with a little bit of ingenuity. After all, there's no need to actually build a log cabin, as there are professional services capable of transforming rooms into specific themes.

If you don't want to put in too much effort, something as simple as making significant changes to the bed can elevate the rest of the room. Vivid colours work well, as they can make you feel like you're in a vacation home.

3. Adding a dash of nature to your home

Last but certainly not least, what better way to make your house feel like a vacation home than adding a variety of exciting house plants? Even better, there’s no need to go for the real thing, as they can be a challenge to maintain for those with busy schedules. Feel free to add as much as you want, as it’s the easiest way to transform your home without the effort. Adding a dash of nature to your bathroom with the help of quality products like those from JTSpas can make a world of difference.

A few honourable mentions include painting your furniture and personalising your house with novelty items, though there's no need to get carried away. The above tips are more than enough to help transform your humble abode into an exciting vacation home.

Money and Education

 

Education Funding

We like to think of public education of our children as a pure science that is populated by people who are above the humdrum worries of life and live only for the joy of filling young minds with truth. But like anything else, schools do well or poorly largely driven by money. Now one of the justifications for government funding of schools is you take out of the educational process any graft or influence peddling by private interests. In theory if corporate interests or even wealthy individuals can influence the schools because of wealth, they could also dictate the curriculum and the “slant” the lessons might take and as such put a spin on the truth because the schools become dependent on the funding source.

So, again in theory, our public schools should be above funding issues because tax dollars should pay for everything so no one political or cultural influence can set the agenda of what is to be taught in school. But that concept only holds up in theory, of course. If you spend any time in association with pubic or private schools, you know that money and education are intimately intermingled and there is plenty of influence going on all the time.

Sports Program and Money

At the public level, sports is one of the big factors that drives public education, particularly at the high school level. In big cities, the high school sport teams are often feeder schools to colleges who have a vital financial interest in recruiting the best high school players. So money flows from professional sports to the colleges and even to high schools to influence schools to pour a lot of time and money into their sports programs. The intense rivalry and interest in high school sports in your town reflects that emphasis.

So what’s the problem with loving sports? Nothing except that very often large high schools will divert huge percentages of their budgets to the sports program that only serves a fraction of the students of the school and those funds are taken away from academic and arts programs which suffer as a result. So while a hundred boys might benefit from a well run football program, thousands of students suffer with smaller classes, inferior classroom equipment and underpaid teachers because the sports teams get all the attention and the money.

At the private level, money buys influence even more blatantly. While your tuition and fees do pay the basic bills of the school, private schools are entrepreneurial and ambitious so the more wealthy parents and parents who can put a lot of money into the school naturally find their way to the school board to make decisions about curriculum and the direction the school will take as an educational institution in the future.

Wealth and Education

This means that well meaning parents who are not wealthy are not able to help the school stay focused on their primary calling which is to bring the highest level of education to the student body. The situation can also be aggravated at both the public and private school level when corporate interests get involved and you see corporate sponsorships of school programs resulting in subtle advertising occurring all around the campus. It sends a message to the students that the school can and has been bought and those corporate interests can have an influence over curriculum as well.

As parents, it’s your job to monitor the extent to which funding changes the quality of education of a school. At the public school level, you can voice your concern at school board meetings or in other public venues. But the ultimate proactive way to get an education for your child that is not tainted by financial influence is to leave the public school setting and seek a private school that has not succumb to those temptations yet. If you fund such a school, get involved heavily and do all you can via fundraising to try to minimize the influence of wealthy individuals and corporations so the school that is there to serve your child can do so without the burden of influence from the ones that pay the bills.