1 - The drivers are insane. There are no lanes for motorcycle drivers. A car will never slow down to let you in. It's kill or be killed, eat or be eaten.
2 - There has never been a ferberized baby. Ever. These families are sooooo close. Everyone pitches in. Siblings take care of younger siblings. Everyone helps out. The love is everywhere you look.
3 - Gringos tailgate. Puerto Ricans BBQ. And they do it everywhere. The beach, public parks. The entire family comes out with fantastic foods and table and chairs and balloons and music and volleyball and soccer. We could take a page from their book the next time we spend an afternoon out with a sandwich, a bottled water, and a frisbee.
4 - It's expensive. Nearly everything on the island is imported. Food, clothing, furniture, you name it. Be prepared for sticker shock.
5 - Artists are celebrated!! Everyone plays an instrument or paints or dances or acts. Everywhere you look there is art and sculpture. Aesthetics of public parks and buildings is of the utmost importance. In Old San Juan there is a beautiful large building with three floors, and on Saturday mornings there are music, voice, instrument, sculpture, painting, dance lessons taking place throughout the building. Mom and son carry their instruments to their lessons in the beautiful outdoor courtyard. Father and daughter carry their sketch pads from class. A group of people of all ages walks around the plaza taking photographs with their professor. I found so little to do with sports and so much to do with the arts - it was fabulous!!
6 - Everybody dances. I mean everybody. When Jon is saying, "OMG. I need to learn to dance." Then you know it is everywhere. Men leading women through tornado like spins. If there is music playing, there is dancing.
7 - There is always music playing, and there is only one volume for Latin Music - deafeningly loud. Perfect example - in Guavate there are Lechoneras. These are restaurants for pork on a spit. They line the streets. Saturday afternoon each one of them has a live band. And they are blasting the speakers, people are dancing, eating, drinking, and enjoying the afternoon.
8 - Puerto Ricans celebrate everything. There are festivals, spontaneous parties, and fireworks on any given day at any given time.
9 - Use GPS, paper maps, oral directions from locals and your instincts to get around. Once you get out of Old San Juan it is a maze worse than Boston to get to and from places. Jon did well, but I was always in some state of being lost.
10 - It is completely safe and cops are so friendly. They take serve and protect to a whole new level. You feel completely secure with them on every corner, and they'll help you find a good restaurant!
11 - It's breathtakingly beautiful. The bright sun, the crystal clear water, the architecture. And it's as spectacular underwater as above. First class snorkeling and scuba, and don't forget the glow in the dark biobay!
12 - You don't need to know Spanish to get around. But if you read my prior blog, you'll have a much better time getting to know people if you at least try to learn the language.
13 - Puerto Rican food is indulgent. It's a lot of fried, salty, heavy carb food. Takes comfort food to a whole new level. These people know nothing other than to completely enjoy life. It isn't a journey for a fitness model, but you'll be having such a great time - who cares. Eat up and then take a long walk in the perfect 85 degree sun.
On my last day in Puerto Rico, I took my usual walk to the beach to get in my final workout. When I got there, I decided that sitting and meditating and taking in every sound and sensation was more of what my mind, body, and soul needed. On the walk back , stopping in front of the capitol building and looking at the ocean crashing into the rocks, I cried and cranked U2's Beautiful Day on my phone. Puerto Rico is one of many locations Jon and I will visit exploring this large and fantastic planet. But your first always has a special place in your heart. Thank You, Puerto Rico for being the best "first" we could have ever hoped for.
From Puerto Rico: Enjoy.
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