Humacao Community Garden

I walk with Miriam, a local, around the garden commenting on how beautiful everything looks. ‘In some neighborhoods, rich people move in, clean up the lots, and put up shiny benches. It’s all good and all, but they destroy the character,’ she complains. Pointing to a small altar bearing a traditional Madonna, she explains, ‘This is Caridad del Cobre, the patroness and guardian of all sailors.’ Images of my father pass before me. Did he ever encounter this Madonna in his travels, and did it ease the squalls and storms?

333 E. 108th Street, between 2nd & 1st Avenues

Neighborhood gardener Miriam holding a bucket of freshly picked apples

Crocodile made out of garden material; tongue made out of red sock

Scarecrow made by local children to keep away birds and thieves

Caridad del Cobre, Madonna of sailors