So, I just returned from what will forever be known as "The Best Vacation of My Life" (for the foreseeable future, at least). I spent a week in Puerto Rico with some dear friends of mine and cannot believe how much fun I had. We walked through the old city. I learned how to surf - or at least got a good start at learning. We stayed up until almost sunrise every night. I learned some great Puerto Rican slang. And I met some of the most hospitable and kind people ever. But before I go any further, I really have to back it up a bit.
Just over a year ago, my friends Shannon and Kelly moved to Puerto Rico. They really weren't my friends but rather people I had met through my friend Jake. I hung out with Shannon a few times and had eaten at the restaurant Kelly worked at - always when Jake was around and usually when there were libations present. Though we had some choice memories of time spent together, we remained sort of distant friends - the kind of friends you think of at Christmas, but only fleetingly. And certainly not someone you'd actually send a card to. So, imagine my surprise when, at their going away party, they fervently suggested I come visit them in PR.
Now, I don't know many people who would turn down an invitation to a warm, tropical destination with a place to stay, but I sort of dismissed their request thinking, "That could be fun, but I don't really know these people. I'll politely accept the invite and decide later if it's worth the trip." Sure enough, the sub-freezing temps typical of a Minnesota winter and a follow-up email from Shannon re-extending the invite proved to be persuasion enough for me to buy a ticket. And off to San Juan I went on January 23rd.
Upon my arrival, Shannon greeted me at the airport with a giant hug (and the best, cheap Puerto Rican beer money can buy) and we headed to his and Kelly's little barrio on the beach just East of the airport. While we were enjoying the warm ocean air on their patio, Shannon confessed that he was interested to see how the week played out. We both chuckled at the fact that we were a tad nervous to find out if we actually enjoyed each others' company without our mutual friend present. With that, he and Kelly wished me good night and we all headed to bed.
The rest is history. Turns out I was a splendid guest and Shannon and Kelly were formidable hosts. We spend the week playing in the water, relaxing in the sun, eating amazing food (Kelly is the next big thing in San Juan foodie history, if you ask me) and really enjoying our time together. I have never laughed so hard, slept so little, or swallowed so much salty, ocean water in my life. Turns out we didn't need to have Jake around in order to get along, although he was sorely missed. I also met some incredible new friends who are already helping me plan an extended return trip.
All in all, this vacation re-ignited the undeniable joy that traveling brings me. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the hum-drum routine of life that an experience like this vacation is a kind of match-strike to the soul. It allowed me time to play, to be a kid and a tourist, to take pictures of everything, to read an entire book in one sitting. I was so overwhelmed with excitement and happiness that I found myself a little emotional as the plane taxied down the runway on its way back to Minneapolis. And my tears weren't only tears of dread that I was heading back to -22F weather. They were tears of gratitude. I will always be grateful to Shannon and Kelly for their invitation. The trip that it resulted in reminded me that I am an adventurer. I am a world traveler.
And someday, I might actually be able to call myself a "surfer".
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