United to the mainland by three bridges, Old San Juan is the oldest settlement of Puerto Rico and a historical settlement of San Juan. It is also the most charming place I’ve visited in a while. Aesthetically, there are two things that stand out upon first setting foot on Old San Juan (and I’m not talking about the gigantic cruise ships that are visible from several miles away). Blue cobblestone streets lead to vibrant and colorful buildings that house residents, artisan shops, airy cafés and restaurants, museums, and tree-shaded plazas. And pastures of green make way for historical forts and structures that overlook ancient cemeteries and the sea. All of these elements make just taking a stroll through the streets one of the best things to do in Old San Juan. I was practically drooling over the different textures, colors, and hues that surfaced with every minute I spent walking around. And to top it off, it was pretty overcast that day so the sky went back and forth between storm clouds and a blanket of light gray.

I’ve been fortunate enough to visit many places (with no intention of stopping anytime soon) but I was especially happy to have my camera on me that day. The colors that surrounded us were quite lively and provided a unique kind of access to a life that existed long before we did. I think about New York in that context and am bummed that a lot of the city’s landmarks and character — the very history it is built on — have been replaced over the decades to make way for the “new” and the “now”. To walk on TriBeCa’s cobblestones and look up at the exact storefronts that were present when the first stone was laid is a powerful visual. But I guess that’s what photographs are for.