My last days as a rica chica...

The original plan was to go to the rainforest and the bioluminescent bay yesterday. But after finding out that it would be a $200 taxi ride, we were all a little turned off by the idea. So then we decided to search out the local Costco, but again it was really far away. So we just head the opposite way of the tourist Old San Juan and went into “New” San Juan. It is a cute city, with the same latin flavor similar to Costa Rica, but definitely not as poor. We just walked the streets for good part of the afternoon, not really seeing anything in particular other then just “seeing real puertorriquenos” in their elements. We took the beach back to the ship. Although I did absolutely nothing, I didn’t feel like I wasted the day in anyway. I just experienced the daily hustle and bustle of the people of PR.

I was dragged to a very expensive Latin Asian fusion restaurant and spent way too much money (One of the guys I was dining with likes the whole ‘dining experience’ and is willing to pay like 4 times more then I am to dine… this could definitely be a problem in the future but we will see…) It was good by all means but far too above my taste buds: duck-something nachos and sushi (lobster and salmon). Ohh well! You only live once!

The girls and I went back to Senor Frogs for a bit, while the boys went and gambled at the Casino across the street. I met a guy from the Coast Guard who I ended up to talking to for quite awhile, while my friends “got friendly” with the natives. I was totally unaware of any military presence on the island since we were staying on the Navy Pier and there was no Navy present. When the boys came back, we headed to the Salsa bar we didn’t actually go into on my bday. The alley was like a house party. There were so many people hanging out in the alley! The bar was okay. I had fun, and I actually ended up salsa-ing with one of guys that worked on the ship in the dining room. It was kinda random but whatever.

My last day in PR was spent at la Isla Verde, which I guess it a famous beach. I was not impressed at all. It was just a hotel strip with planes flying overhead constantly, and dried algae-plant stuff all over the sand. I liked PR a lot better before I visited the beach, but at least now I know where not stay if I ever return to PR.

Finally thoughts: PR is very charming but after the first day of exploring I ran out of things to do. This would be a great vacation spot, but Old San Juan is catered to tourist, so in my opinion it voiding its own culture.

PS my room number 4058, so put that on the envelope when sending mail, which you all are required to do.