Last weekend, I was lucky enough to have Paul come visit! He flew in on Thursday morning and we had a nice, relaxing weekend. We stayed at the Isla Verde Marriott and I thought I was in heaven. It was so nice and I can't wait to stay there again when my parents come after Thanksgiving.
On Thursday, we hung out on the beach and went out for a Puerto Rican dinner at a restaurant called Metropol. As a joke, all us super cool nursing students call it "metoprolol" which is, of course, an anti hypertensive med. Paul was impressed with the mofongo, rice and beans, and fried pork. I love that stuff too, but it's really heavy and fatty and artery-clogging, not to mention it makes you feel like absolute shit. After dinner, we hung out on the hammocks on the beach, which was also relaxing.
Unfortunately, I had class on Friday morning, but after that we went back to the Marriott to hang out. After soaking up some sun by the pool, we decided to venture off to Casa Bacardi, the Bacardi distillery. Getting there was a headache and I was sure that we were going to miss the last tour. I had never really been in a driving situation in Puerto Rico, but I quickly learned that the roads are not easy to navigate around. The maps on our phones didn't match up to the highway signs and everything is in a different language. Thankfully, we made it on time. The tour was pretty interesting and we got two free samples! Haha.. we got to try a few flavors that I had never had before: Wolf Berry rum and Bacardi Oakheart. The Oakheart reminded me of Southern Comfort, but better (SoCo is nasty... sorry siblings). The Wolf Berry was pretty good too. I bought 2 liters of rum at the gift shop for only $20! All semester I had been avoiding Bacardi because only the tourists drink it, but I couldn't resist that deal.
After the tour, we got back in the car and headed to Old San Juan for dinner. Getting there was also pretty stressful, but we made it. I took Paul to the Old Harbor Brewery for a beer and some wings, and he was impressed. I love that place, probably just because it's the only place in PR where I've found "real" beer. We went to a restaurant recommended by my weirdo roommate, Katie (LOVE YA), Vaca Brava but only wound up getting some appies because we were full from the wings. After dinner we hung out at the Marriott again.
Saturday was devoted to getting our bronze on by the beach then by the pool. I have always wanted to go to a swim up bar and lucky for me, the Marriott had one!! We spent a little too much time there and also enjoyed some of that Bacardi rum. Don't judge.. we were on vacation haha. While hanging out by the pool, we made friends with an iguana and even got some pictures with him!
Hanging out with Paul was so refreshing. I loved hanging out with him and beating his ass in cards (kind of...). Being away from Paul has been really hard but its nice to know that I have someone so awesome waiting for me when I get back :) It made me really excited to get home, but I'm still looking forward to the plans that we have for the rest of the semester, including a bike tour of the rain forest, a catamaran cruise, and of course my visitors- Meg and Gosi then mom and dad!! I'm going to enjoy the beach and sunshine for as long as possible. I do miss the cold weather, but I might as well take advantage of living in the tropics while I can!
Paul brought me some goodies, most importantly TayTay's new album! My roommates and I have all been listening to it non stop. After hearing samples of the singles that she had been releasing, I was disappointed but after listening to the CD I love it. Now if only the JoBros would hurry the hell up with their new album.
We have five weeks and two days left till we go back to the motherland!!! That means three and a half weeks of clinical, one week of Thanksgiving break, and a week of finals. It seems so close, yet so far away. There are things that I have loved and hated about this semester, but I'm sure that if I was home there would be plenty that I would love and hate about that too. Getting around the city is still a hassle and being cooped up in the apartment is annoying. Tonight since we don't have cable, we're streaming in the election results thanks to NBC.com. Everyone's tweets and facebook posts have been so mother effing annoying, but not as annoying as the "Puerto Rican Pride Parades" that have been passing through our neighborhood every night since we arrived. Basically, trucks that are sponsored by the candidates with massive speakers have been driving by our apartment. Last night there were so many of them up until at least midnight. Today has been even crazier and the nurses at the hospital told us not to go out tonight because things can get dangerous. I don't understand it. They don't even vote for the president here! I guess they are just really serious about selecting their governor.
Well I hope everyone survived the storm and is prepared for this so called Nor'Easter that's supposed to be hitting this week. I must admit, I'm jealous that you might get some snow!
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