I arrived safe and sound on the island at noon Atlantic time. I had quite the adventure in trying to get here though. I woke up at 3am to get to the airport in time for my 6am flight (Thanks Lili!). Made it to Albany about an hour before my flight and found the security line going all the way out into the parking garage. I have never seen the line that long before. But luckily for me the line went really really quickly.
I got onto my first flight fine. Switched into a window seat and tried to sleep on the way to DC. BUT Albany airport decided that they didnt want to send us flying just yet. We had to wait 50 mins on the plane on the runway because the air around NY was really crowded apparently. Already having a tiny 30 min window to connect in DC, I was sure I would miss the connecting flight.
We left and I let myself get used to the thought of having to wait just a little bit longer to see the beautiful island. BUT luckily for me my flight went super fast and we made it just a few minutes after we were supposed to arrive. The plane was super tiny so we all got to talking while waiting to lift off and since everyone knew that I had such a limited window to connect to my next flight, as soon as the plane landed they all remained seated and let me run from the back of the plane to catch my next flight.
My plane landed in the wrong terminal though and my carry on bag still was under the plane. So after waiting impatiently for the bag carrier to bring it to me, I grabbed it and took off running. I had 14 minutes before the plane left so I ran and ran. I ran to the shuttle so it could take me to the right terminal and ran to the gate D5 and AGAIN luckily for me the boarding was stalled for 30 minutes. The plane was booked so I checked in at the gate, printed my new ticket and breathed.
On the plane I started to feel like it was really happening, I was going to Puerto Rico. I got really nervous and excited. It was a good mix of emotions. I tried to sleep on the plane but didnt because of the emotions I was feeling.
I opened the window screen a few times and looked out over the ocean. It was wonderful. (I will add photos later!!!! Im borrowing a computer and the pics arnt loaded onto this one) This was the first time Id ever seen the ocean. It was huge and blue.
Once the plane started to lower into San Juan I caught my first glimpse of the island. It was beautiful from the air so I took lots of pictures.
It took a while for me to meet up with my Uncle Ramon, Aunt Lucy, and cousin Ramoncito (Jr!) because I couldnt find them and that kind of freaked me out. BUT I did eventually find them.
It was incredibly weird walking into the airport and hearing NO english spoken around me. I found my Uncle and they took me on a quick tour of San Juan!
We went to a beach, the Castillo, the Island Capital, ate at a food stand, got some piragua, and drove through Old San Juan on 300 year old brick roads. It was amazing. I was in awe just looking around.
Then my Uncle Ramon took me to my Uncle Orlando's house in Bayamon, where Im spending my first night. As soon as we brought my things up to the 4th floor of his building, he told me in Spanish to get ready to go the beach. I barely understood but I heard "playa (beach)" and understood. I dressed and 2 of his daughters (my primos (cousins)) picked me up a bit later. We drove about 20 minutes to the beach and swam!
I kept thinking in my head "Wow. Im swimming in a beach in Puerto Rico!"
It was quite an interesting and relaxing experience after a day of traveling. Something swam against a few of my cousins legs and then mine so we jumped out of the water for a while. But it was great. The water was cool and the beach was gorgeous with palm trees and coconuts being used as toys in the water. Wonderful, wonderful day.
We washed off the salt water and drove back to my uncles house where he had a nice dinner cooked up for us. Now I am fed, showered and ready for sleep.
Today was fantastic. I dont know how Im going to top this but I have 2 months to try. :)
Its absolutely beautiful here and I feel like Ive been here for my entire life (besides not understanding alot of what people are saying to me). Family is great. My uncle Orlando looks alot like my father!!!!
I found out that my dad is actually the oldest child according to family here, but he maintains that he is the youngest... hmmm! Its funny everyone I ask has a different number for the number of siblings he has. I think this will take longer than I thought. All this complication and mystery is exciting for me.
You are Welcome!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your adventure beautiful!