While you reflect on your break, regardless of where you went, I’m sure you’ve brought with you a remnant of your travels. Maybe it's some sand in your tote bag, tan lines (or a sunburn, that’s okay too) or even a souvenir you’ve since put up on your shelf — you’ve inevitably returned familiarized to a culture you potentially hadn’t interacted with before. As we make our return to campus, you may have a lingering feeling that you hadn’t gotten to know the place you visited well enough — and that’s okay! A week is barely enough to scratch the surface of what an entire country has to offer. That being said, I invite you to stay curious about the culture you’ve just witnessed and take the time to learn and answer any questions you may have as you settle back into your routine.
As for me, I spent my Spring Break back home in Puerto Rico. A vacation destination for many of you is, alas, my home sweet home. Thus, I offer my unique perspective as a local to keep you, fellow tourists, in touch with the culture you’ve just experienced, as well as some tips on how to keep your visit as respectful as possible. Puerto Rico is a stunning Caribbean island that has gorgeous beaches, a vibrant night-life and many architectural gems; however, it’s important to recognize its rich history of complex political issues, including the colonized status of the island and current displacement disputes among land developers and locals — and most importantly, you must remember that it’s not just a destination, it's a home to many. This is partly why, when visiting Puerto Rico, you should be mindful that you’re a guest on the island, practice ethical tourism, and give back locally! I’d like to point you to an article written a few years ago by Cornell alum Claudia León for The Sun, where she dives into the complexities of ethical tourism in Puerto Rico — I encourage you to give it a read.
If you loved visiting PR but a week just wasn’t enough for you, I’ve compiled an array of song recommendations that’ll prolong your trip's delight into the last few weeks of spring semester. These songs span genres such as salsa, reggaetón/trap, indie pop/alternative, bolero, reggae, psych rock, electronic and protest ballads. This selection is in Spanish, so whether you’re fluent, learning or here for the vibes; I promise the rhythm will speak for itself — no subtitles needed.
Oh, Qué Será? by Willie Colón
Originally written by Chico Buarque, Willie Colón’s 1981 version of “Oh, Que Será?” is a nostalgic salsa track that sonically feels like a romanticized montage of a trip to Puerto Rico (ideally shot in 35mm). The song itself deals with uncertainty as he asks himself repeatedly, “Que será? / What could it be?”; it depends on your interpretation, but, for me, the lyrics deal with questioning what greater force drives people to be passionate and keep living… Hint: it’s love.
El Apagón by Bad Bunny
It was impossible to pick a song from Bad Bunny’s perfect summer album Un Verano Sin Ti, however, it’s undeniable that this song does it all. It’s simultaneously a club anthem that mixes several musical genres — reggaetón, bomba and house — while commenting on the displacement of native Puerto Ricans due to US colonists, as well as other socioeconomic issues (“apagónes/blackouts”). Ironically enough, it’s the only song in this line-up you could “frat-flick” to.
Lejos de Ti by The Marías
Found on The Marías album Submarine, “Lejos de Ti” translates to “Far From You”. The song opens with a hazy “underwater” sound of dissonant guitar plucking before bursting into the full force of a cathartic chorus. In this song, the lead is calling out to her lost lover, pleading for him not to forget her even though a great distance separates them. I like to think of this song as a metaphor for being far away from Puerto Rico, in a cold and distant place— much like this chilly April we’re having in Ithaca. So, if you’re ever scrolling through your spring break pictures and missing the tropical weather, just know María Zardoya misses it too.
ALBUM: DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS by Bad Bunny
The hardest decision I had to make on this list was deciding which DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS song to include… which is why I decided on the whole album! This album is an outstanding body of music that celebrates Puerto Rican culture from top to bottom. Just giving this album a listen will give you a solid introduction to the vast musical genres of Puerto Rico. Some of my favorites are: “EoO,” “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii,” “DtMF,” “BAILE INoLVIDABLE” and “TURiSTA” (which has an incredible music video that comments on guest’s manners, or lack thereof, in AirBnb’s… subtle shade intended).
“Durmiendo” by Chuwi, “Mayagüez” by Los Walters, “Los Perros Van Al Cielo” by Epilogio, “Un Millón” by The Marías
These are my sunset/late-night driving songs that share a wistful, warm, surreal and dreamy tone. They feel like a drive back from the beach, windows down, maybe a few of your friends have been rocked to sleep by the breeze in the back of the car, but those that have managed to stay awake are vibing to the music and staring out at a beautiful sunset — sharing a reflection of life, love and loss.
Some very honorable mentions that 100% deserve a listen are:
- “La Complicidad” by Cultura Profetica
- “Hijos del Cañaveral” by Residente
- “LOKERA” by Rauw Alejandro
- “Latinoamérica” by Calle 13, featuring Totó la Momposina, Susana Baca & Maria Rita
- DATA by Tainy
- Los Rivera Destino, the artist
- Cosa Nuestra by Rauw Alejandro
- “Ojos Color Sol” by Calle 13 featuring Silvio Rodríguez
- “Tu Ritmo” by Eladio Carrión
- “Olas y Arenas” by Sylvia Rexach and Tuti Umpierre
- “Brujería” by El Gran Combo
If any of these songs sounded interesting to you, here’s a playlist filled with these recommendations and more!
Paulina Delgado is a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at pmd99@cornell.edu
