La Perla (The Pearl) Neighborhood, From the grounds of El M…

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From the grounds of El Morro, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Another shot from a wonderful week spent in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. From Wikipedia: "La Perla is a slum neighborhood outside of the northern historic city wall of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, stretching about 600 meters along the rocky Atlantic coast immediately east of the Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery and down the slope from (north of) Calle Norzagaray. La Perla was established in the late 19th century. Initially, the area was the site of a slaughterhouse because the law required them and homes of former slaves and homeless non white servants - as well as cemeteries - to be established away from the main community center; in this case, outside the city walls. Some time after, some farmers and workers started living around the slaughterhouse and shortly established their houses there. La Perla population are mostly working class families. In spite of its oceanfront location (where in most cities such properties would be home to the wealthiest individuals), in recent years La Perla has become known because of the high rate of illegal drug trafficking and crime. Despite this, local Salsa and Reggaeton concerts are being held each week with the intention of shedding the bad image of the community."