Darrel F.
Yelp
Check Out Our Full Video: https://youtu.be/Hyb4A1juBes
On a walk up a corridor, leading to a subway, exposed to the elements, yet, still sheltered by a glass dome - it's a massive train station in New York City - we come across a pigeon resting on a hand rail [I should really say Jay when referring to we]. The pigeon is closest to me as Jay's on my left side; we are holding hands, and she notices it [the pigeon] before I can acknowledge its presence. Under normal circumstances, any human being would ignore it as it doesn't harm anyone whether disturbed or not, but Jay is beyond normal (which is why I love her).
Pigeon are remarkable animals - they're intelligent to an extent. During World War's, and even prior, they were used as carriers in the transport of secretive messages - very much like Game of Thrones and its ravens. In New York City, they're considered pest. Not many New Yorkers enjoy their company, but they're tolerated. On the other hand, Jay doesn't have a tolerate/hate relationship; she has a hate/hate relationship.
In that corridor, in Coney Island, New York City, I experience something I didn't think was possible - anticipation of the world coming to an end based on someone's [Jay's] facial expression.
What face is synonymous with surprised - outrage? It's a slow-motion facial expression. The brain is an amazing tool; when faced with danger, it slows an incident to the millisecond. So, you may ask, where am I going with this? Jay reacts with shock when she comes across birds, insects (especially, or weird looking animals (opossum), and the individuals that suffer are the ones in her company. You'd think she just encountered a wild tiger based on her reaction.
That day, in that corridor, I thought I was going to die. Jay reacted with what I can only describe (for lack of a better term) an O face while also hitting my shoulder. I have no idea why she's reacting this way, although, I'm anticipating death. I turn to my right to face the catalyst of the end of my life; it was a chilled-out pigeon.
Fast Forward to Old San Juan. Puerto Rico and Parque de Las Palomas - Pigeon Park.
If you suffer from Ornithophobia (a fear of birds), then Parque de las Palomas in Old San Juan is not for you.
For those who are okay with being near Pigeons then Parque de las Palomas makes for a great stop during your walking tour of Old San Juan.
The park is located next to Capilla del Cristo at the end of Cristo Street. It is only a small park but offers a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of Old San Juan and provides the pigeons of the area a great place to find shelter and food. As is typical in cities around the world, where there is a large gathering of birds, there will be someone selling bird food. For $1 you can continue this worldwide tradition.
To my surprise, Jay agreed to visit Parque de Las Palomas. The following video is a what happened.
Our inspiration of for the title was Alfred Hitchcock, "The Birds". In additional credit goes to Home Alone 2 (pigeon lady), and Snow White.
Instagram: @SomeWhereFarFar