This past Sunday I learned what chiringa means in English. If you look closely at the photograph you might be able to tell, If not I’ll put you out of your misery. Chiringa means Kite. If you go to El Morro in Old San Juan any given Sunday (weather permitting) you will see not just a few but dozens and dozens of chiringas (kites) flying in the open area in front of El Morro.
If you have some time to spare, this is definitely a sight worth seeing and if you feel the urge to try your hand, you will not have far to look as must of the small food stands have a selection of small chiringas for sale.
Because the area is so open and close to the sea, the breeze is perfect for launching those chiringas. You will see kites of all shapes and sizes and flown by people young and old. Just a word of caution; if you decide to walk around the open area, keep your eyes open for kites that are about to crash. Having seen some close calls this past Sunday, you definitely need to watch where you are walking.
If kites are not your thing, there is always the fort El Morro; which is a must to walk around.
El Morro is located at the top part of Old San Juan and you can get there using the free trolley service, walking if you are feeling energetic or by car. If you go by car, you may be lucky enough to grab a street parking, but as this is a popular spot for locals, these parking’s are hard to find. The other option is to use the underground parking on Calle McArthur (I believe), close to El Morro.
