First things first: Puerto Rico! What a blast! Once again it seemed we weren't going to make it. We got the the airport Sunday (March 18th) night and when we got to the gate, we found out our flight was delayed. It was delayed long enough that we would miss our connecting flight. I was like "oh no! not again!" what does the airlines have against us going to Puerto Rico? Or is it a vendetta against me personally? But then...we had a small miracle. At first the ladies at the counter were saying we'd have to come back in the morning and catch a flight. I didn't like that idea at all. But then she got the idea to do something different and it turned out there was room for us on a flight to San Francisco and then onto Charlotte and San Juan. The flight to San Francisco was leaving in five minutes. We just barely caught it. So many hours and two flights later we made it to Puerto Rico! We had a blast! The area our hotel was at is beautiful! We got to watch a beautiful sunset. After being vertical for the past 24+ hours, due to flying all night, I can't say how great it was to be horizontal on a bed. In paradise.
The next day we took off to the west side of the island. I had made Jeremy promise that he would take me to see a lighthouse. So off we went to find one. We stopped in a town called Ponce for a little bit and had pizza. I discovered Puerto Ricans make really good pizza. YUM! We also toured the old firestation there. It was fun to see all the old tools the firemen used to use. After lunch there we took off to Cabo Rojo and found the lighthouse by the coast. We also discovered a beautiful little lagoon. After hiking up to the lighthouse and looking around, we changed and went to play in the water. I never knew water could be so warm! I guess when you've only played in the Pacific Ocean (in Feb or March) and Bear Lake, you don't know what warm water is. Jer and I had a ball. I played in the water, and Jer played in the sand. We stayed there for a few hours until it started raining and so we thought we'd better hike back to the car. I was so sad to be leaving my new-found piece of heaven on earth. I wish I could just box it up and take it home with me. I think it'll fit in the backyard....
The next day was touring the rainforest. El Yunque is the only rainforest in the United States. There was so much green! It brought back alot of memories for Jeremy and his days of hiking through the jungle in Brazil. We saw a couple of waterfalls and this really cool observation tower built in 1600-something. We went to the top and watched the rainclouds come in. Then got rained on...again :-) Never seen such large raindrops! It was really beautiful. I enjoyed the rainforest. The rain made it difficult to go hiking but oh well... We also had hoped to see the bioluminescent bays, but we found that everything was booked for the next week. That was a disappointing.
On our last day we toured Old San Juan. We had lunch at a traditional (as traditional as a touristy spot gets) Puerto Rican Resturant. I tried Fried Cheese. Jeremy would always tell me stories of vendors in Brazil selling cheese that they would roast over a fire. He said it was a favorite of his. So when we found it on the menu, I thought we would give it a try. I actually really liked it. I was surprised! I think next time we have a campfire we'll add cheese to the list of things to roast. Right next to marshmallows and starburst. :) We also toured two old forts that were built in the 1500-1600s that protected San Juan from invaders until the Americans conquered them in the early 1900s. It was so fascinating all the work and strategy that went into building these forts. Puerto Rico is the halfway point from Europe to the carribean/central America, and anybody needing to go there had to stop at Puerto Rico for supplies. Spain held onto Puerto Rico to maintain their control of the Central and South American continent. These two forts helped Spain maintain its control for over three hundred year. It was really fun to learn about. We also went down to the gate that was the entrance to the the city. We got rained out (again) so we didn't stay as long as we wanted. We got to the point of being tired and soaked so we called it a day. We did have a lot of fun. Driving in Puerto Rico was another adventure! Roads there are barely larger than a single lane is in the United States...and they are treated like two way streets! There were some scary moments for us. We were grateful we decided to pay insurance for the car! It came awful close to coming in handy! Then driving in Old San Juan was even tighter. There were one way roads with room just big enough for us to pass through, next to the parked cars. There was one point where we we found ourselves going down a super steep hill, there was a puddle at the bottom (who knows how deep) and a wall or a 100 degree turn. Jeremy was driving...thankfully. I covered my eyes and made sure I didn't have any last-minute repenting to do! So scary!!!!!! I was grateful when we found a parking spot. I preferred walking. Somewhat safer. It required some tricky parallel parking, but Jer managed it.
I had a first...I have now seen my first cockroach. Not sure that's something to brag about...but its something. Jeremy also had a first...he hit a chicken. The poor thing was trying to cross the road and Jer didn't see it until we were almost on top of it. Jeremy says it made it to the curb ok....but I'm not convinced. I heard a thud. I think he's trying to make me feel better :-) My latest joke is "why did the chicken cross the road? It didn't, Jeremy hit it." Jer isn't as amused as I am :-D
We went to the beach one last time before flying out. And I got sun burnt. I almost made it without getting fried. It was nice to be heading home. Puerto Rico was alot of fun. Jer loved the fruits, some which he hadn't seen since Brazil. I enjoyed the greenery and beauty. It was good to get away. We made a deal that he wouldn't talk about work while in PR, and I wouldn't talk about school. We managed it :)
Here is the link for our Photos
Some have captions explaining (or poking fun) so just put your mouse over the pictures and it will show it. Enjoy!
After my wonderful vacation, it was back to the grind. I've been super busy with school. Its finally starting to wind down. Two and a half weeks of school...but I'm not counting down. I've almost got all the major projects done, so all thats left is studying for finals.
I had a special treat. My Mission President hosted a reunion. LOVED IT! It was so refreshing to see President and Sister Pfile. I missed them so much! I also had a ball seeing Elders and Companions and dear friends. Can't wait for the next one (hopefully in October)
I felt like there was so much to catch up on, but now that I'm writing it doesn't seem so. Life just goes on. Jer works, I go to school. Jeremy is reading Children of the Promise Series. We both just finished Unbroken. Loved the book. Its about Louie and his life as a POW in Japan in WWII. Extremely well written. I miss reading. I want to read Heaven is Here. Has anybody heard anything about it? I'm also looking for a summer job. Sort of. I hate filling out applications. Right now I have a crazy urge to find a job in a bookstore. Any will do. Does anybody know of any openings?
My brother got his mission call! Congrats to him. He will be serving in the Kentucky Louisville Mission.
Jeremy will spoil me for my birthday. :-) Tickets to Les Miserables I can't say how excited I am!
We also are discovering uses for self-rising flour. I told Jer to grab a bag of flour. He did, not realizing it was Self-rising flour. So far we have made Biscuits and homemade pancakes. Both of which were met with success. I need more ideas! There is 5 lbs to go through!
Well I can't think of anything else that's going on... back to the grind!
I always love reading your blog! It reminds me of your wit and fabulous sense of humor.Glad to hear about your fabulous vacation and that you got to goto the mission reunion. Hope your finals go well! Love amy
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