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DARK DISCUSSION BLOG 

paranormal, lit, stay lit
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Writer's pictureFull Dark Amy

Ermita Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria del Plantaje, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico


Palm trees, turquoise ocean water, soft sandy beaches...this is why I had joined my friend on a vacation to Puerto Rico. The thing is, including enjoying all of that, I wanted more. Before I left, I took a chance by reaching out to a film maker and paranormal investigator named Bruce Jay Otero.His work filming with both Pilgrim Studios, (specifically on Ghost Hunters International and Haunted Collector), and independently was invaluable during the hours the 3 of us spent together.

I was interested in finding a place to visit, maybe record a few audio clips for a while and take some photos. We ended up investigating the oldest existing Hacienda architecture on the island. La Ermita, or Hermitage, is an original building first documented in 1719, constructed on a massive former sugar plantation complete with an unmarked cemetery, and 2 farm buildings constructed in the 1920's during its later use.

Behind a locked chain link fence, down a completely black and deserted road, our little rented Hyundai bounced along to arrive at one of the most unimaginably unique structures I've ever visited. The only people allowed on this property are the local residents of the island who still honor the Virgin of the Candelaria once a year there. No one besides Bruce himself has ever investigated this location before. With over 40 known tragic deaths, acres of surrounding tropical forest and an unmarked cemetery, I could not have asked for a more culturally impressive, and downright spooky experience. Check out the video of our experience in Puerto Rico's hidden hermitage ruins on YouTube and please subscribe!

Thanks for reading,


ARCHIVE
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I'm Amy L. Bennett-Bradway, a writer, multimedia artist, recovering archaeologist and YouTuber from Upstate, New York. I've been invested in all things strange and unusual since my dad gave me the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark trilogy when I was way too young. Along with my husband, Ryan, we've explored countless haunted locations in the US and abroad in search of the Weird.
             
                Stay in touch:
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