non-Californians have sympathized with home owners’ annual summer fears, as mountainsides burst into flame, leaving charred property its wake. Here, in western Puerto Rico, it is not uncommon for a property owner to simply burn away the pica pica. The result for us ex-pats, snowbirds, vacationers, and the like is a disconcerting experience. The first time one is awakened to the the smell of smoke wafting through pane-less windows is unsettling, especially when one realizes that there isn’t a firetruck for miles. Pica pica fires are but one of the interesting experiences one faces when locating in another area of the world. During the weeks that follow, I’ll share others (good and bad), andhope you’ll enjoy telling me about yours.
What the heck is pica pica?
Pica pica is scrub growth, characteristic of a number of tropical islands in the Caribbean. One can drive past it, day after day, without paying it any mind. However, the locals are concerned, lest a California chaparral-like situation develop. All of us non-Californians have sympathized with home owners’ annual summer fears, as mountainsides burst into flame, leaving charred property its wake. Here, in western Puerto Rico, it is not uncommon for a property owner to simply burn away the pica pica. The result for us ex-pats, snowbirds, vacationers, and the like is a disconcerting experience. The first time one is awakened to the the smell of smoke wafting through pane-less windows is unsettling, especially when one realizes that there isn’t a firetruck for miles. Pica pica fires are but one of the interesting experiences one faces when locating in another area of the world. During the weeks that follow, I’ll share others (good and bad), andhope you’ll enjoy telling me about yours.
non-Californians have sympathized with home owners’ annual summer fears, as mountainsides burst into flame, leaving charred property its wake. Here, in western Puerto Rico, it is not uncommon for a property owner to simply burn away the pica pica. The result for us ex-pats, snowbirds, vacationers, and the like is a disconcerting experience. The first time one is awakened to the the smell of smoke wafting through pane-less windows is unsettling, especially when one realizes that there isn’t a firetruck for miles. Pica pica fires are but one of the interesting experiences one faces when locating in another area of the world. During the weeks that follow, I’ll share others (good and bad), andhope you’ll enjoy telling me about yours.
Very interesting Mark. Fire is very scary at any time. While you and Marla enjoy warm weather and sun it’s in the single digits back home!! You’re so lucky!
The first time I saw the pica pica burning I looked around to see if anyone was as panicked as I was. Nope, everyone kept swimming in the pool and nobody seemed overly concerned with the burning hillside or smoke-filled air. We soon adopted the no-worry attitude of the locals, and now when we smell smoke we knowingly say, “ah, it’s just pica pica.”
The first time witnessing pica pica is like having an out of body experience. Panic sets in only to have the locals calm your fears. My visit to Rincon would not be complete without pica pica! Interesting fact I learned about the pica pica. Every spring/ summer the pica pica grows back and the mountainside returns to a lush green.
This part of Puerto Rico is a tropical savannah, which means rainy springs-summers-early falls, followed by dry late falls-winters. This sets the stage for the pica pica fires we’re experiencing.
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This is intended to be fun, Read This. I’ll keep posting as long as I have something to say . . . which may take quite a while. As soon as that’s no longer the case, I’ll stop. Remember, write because you love it . . . it shouldn’t be work.
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