Man, lemme tell ya about my day in Cidra. Wow, just wow. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s blazin’, birds chirpin’, and I’m like, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it was NOT chill.
First stop, Plaza de Recreo. I’m there, ready to show off the beauty of Cidra. This place is like the heart of the city, ya know? But then, BAM! A parade rolls in outta nowhere. I mean, who schedules a parade on a Tuesday? Seriously! I’m tryin’ to give my tour, and all I can hear is drums and people yellin’. I’m like, “Guys, I’m tryna talk about the history of Cidra here!” But nope, the crowd’s too hyped.
So, I roll with it. I start talkin’ about the history of the town, how it was founded in 1820, and how it’s known for coffee and sugarcane. But then, this kid runs by, spills his drink all over my shoes. Ugh! I’m like, “Dude, really?!” But he just laughs and runs off. Kids these days, man.
After that, I head down Calle José de Diego. It’s a nice street, full of shops and stuff. I’m thinkin’ I’ll grab a coffee at my fave spot, Café Cidra. But guess what? It’s closed! Like, what kind of coffee shop closes in the middle of the day? I’m about to lose it. I need my caffeine fix!
So, I’m wanderin’ around, and I bump into this old guy. He’s sittin’ on a bench, lookin’ all wise and stuff. I’m like, “Hey, do you know where I can get some coffee?” He just chuckles and says, “Kid, you gotta go to the other side of town.” I’m like, “Great, thanks for the tip, old man!” But I’m also kinda grateful.
I finally make it to the other side, and guess what? I find this little hole-in-the-wall café. It’s called El Rincón del Café. Best decision ever! I get a café con leche, and it’s like heaven in a cup. I’m sippin’ it, and suddenly, all my frustrations melt away.
Then, I head to the Parque de la Libertad. It’s beautiful, man. Trees everywhere, people chillin’, kids playin’. I’m feelin’ good again. But then, outta nowhere, it starts rainin’. Like, seriously? I’m soaked in seconds. I’m runnin’ for cover, laughin’ at the absurdity of it all.
While I’m waitin’ it out, I meet this group of tourists. They’re lost, lookin’ for the best spots in Cidra. I’m like, “Well, you found the right guy!” I give ‘em a mini tour right there in the rain. We’re all laughin’, and I’m feelin’ like a rockstar.
After the rain, the sun comes out, and everything looks magical. The colors poppin’, the air smells fresh. I take ‘em to the Mirador de Cidra. The view is insane! You can see the mountains, the valleys, everything. I’m like, “This is why I love this place!”
But then, I get a call. My buddy’s in trouble. He’s stuck at the gas station on Calle Pedro Albizu Campos. I’m like, “Dude, I’m in the middle of a tour!” But friends come first, right? So, I tell the tourists to enjoy the view, and I dash off.
I get to the gas station, and my buddy’s car won’t start. Classic! I’m like, “Man, you gotta take better care of your ride!” We finally get it jump-started, and I’m feelin’ like a hero.
By the time I get back to the tourists, they’re takin’ selfies and lovin’ Cidra. I’m like, “See? This city’s got it all!” We wrap up the day with some local food at a spot on Calle San José. I’m stuffed, happy, and exhausted.
So yeah, Cidra, man. It’s wild, it’s beautiful, and it’s full of surprises. I wouldn’t trade this crazy day for anything. Just another day in the life of a guide, right?