In this episode, Juan travels to Puerto Rico and interviews people affected by Hurricane Maria. He reminisces on his own encounters with hurricanes and how Hurricane Maria’s destruction reminds him of these experiences. First, Juan visits the town of Utuado to meet with Ruben Ramos, owner of a coffee plantation. The Puerto Rican coffee industry suffered a devastation from the hurricane. Mr. Ramos was among the hardest hit. Then, in San Juan, in the Santurce District, Karla Quiñones and Abner Roldán—owners of Cafe Comunión—tell us how the shortage of Puerto Rican coffee due to Hurricane Maria is affecting its quality. Finally, Juan sits with Tony Ayala—co-owner of Aqui Se Puede bar— in Old San Juan. He recalls how his community came together during the days following the hurricane.   

This episode is produced by Juan Ramirez. Music is by Blue Dot Sessions, AF the Naysayer, Bandurriator, and Ray Baretto.

LINKS DU JOUR

• Support Local Puerto Rican Economy by Buying from Here.

• 'This Was A Beautiful Place': Puerto Rico's Coffee Farms Devastated By Maria Via Merrit Kennedy.

• The Status Sham of Puerto Rico by Julio Ricardo Varela.

• This Trans Chef Is Putting Rock 'n' Roll into Puerto Rican Cuisine by Alicia Kennedy.