I’ve traveled to Puerto Rico many times to visit my wife’s family, and every trip has taken us to the serene, mountainous regions on the quieter side of the island, far from the usual tourist spots. For me, my in-laws’ home has always been the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of both my everyday life and the island itself. At night, the soothing sounds of the coquis and the gentle sway of mango trees create a peaceful backdrop. It’s the kind of place where I’ve experienced the best sleep of my life, as if the island invites me to shed the old exhaustion I carry with me.

Puerto Rico often stirs memories of my parents’ homeland, Cuba. The two islands share so many similarities, and I always say that Puerto Rico is like Cuba, only aged by a century. I can’t help but feel that Puerto Rico represents what Cuba could have been. So, even though I enjoy my visits, I often leave with a bittersweet feeling, knowing my own family continues to struggle on their island.

This was my first trip to Puerto Rico since my spiritual awakening and the deepened awareness of my mediumship. I was curious to see the island through these new eyes. My wife, knowing this trip needed to be different, crafted an itinerary that she believed would awaken something within me—and she didn’t disappoint.

Driving the winding mountain roads of Puerto Rico has always been a terrifying experience for me. One wrong move could send you plunging down a steep cliff. But this time, I found myself surrendering to the mountain, allowing my fears to melt away so I could fully embrace the experience.

One of the most profound moments of the trip occurred just outside of Ponce at the Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center (Centro Ceremonial Indígena de Tibes), one of the largest archaeological sites in Puerto Rico, believed to be the last inhabited by the Taíno. As I walked through the grounds, I was swept up in a whirlwind of emotions. I could see visions of men, women, and children living their lives—playing, working, and bathing on the land. I saw how the landscape had evolved over the years and how it was once used for ceremonial gatherings and tournaments. It was as if the spirit of the place had transported me back in time, showing me what it once was.

Later in the week, we visited Gozalandia Falls, where dipping into the cold, clear waters triggered another powerful vision. This time, I felt the presence of spirits from the island’s past—perhaps the same spirits from Ponce, though these seemed more protective, guarding their land with a seriousness that contrasted with the free-spirited energy I’d sensed at the ceremonial center. As we explored more locations across the island, I became overwhelmed by the presence of those who had once ruled this land. The pride they felt for their island was palpable.

For most of the trip, I found myself physically silenced, overwhelmed by the emotions I felt from the ancestors who had cultivated this land. It was the first time I had truly felt the spirits of the island and shared in their joy for what they had created so long ago.

For years, I had listened to many friends, both from Puerto Rico and the mainland, talk about their deep love for the island and the powerful emotions it stirred in them. Because I wasn’t born and raised there, I never fully understood what they meant, even though our islands share similar ancestral footprints. But now, having felt and seen it for myself, I have a new appreciation for the vibrant culture that still lives on in Puerto Rico. The experience has stirred a longing in me to return to Cuba with my newfound gifts, to see what the island holds for me now.