Mission Accomplished: Trip Report

We left for Puerto Rico eight days ago with an unclear mission. Goals were vague and revolved around a little sun, some pina coladas and a cleared mental state. Detailed itineraries, typical of previous travels, were non-existent. Regardless, much was accomplished. Our trip began in El Yunque, Puerto Rico's rain forest. We stayed in a three bedroom, mountain-top guesthouse, Casa Flamboyant. The current owner remained well marinated in Gordon's vodka for the duration of our visit and provided details of this home's colorful history. Former guests included artist Maplethrop and his cronies. It was also the proposed setting for a South American super-model reality show and backdrop for an adult film. This last week it was host to two weary parents in search of a little adventure...minus the cameras. We were lucky to keep company with several of the mountain's residents including one who led us on a seven hour hike to remote waterfalls. Various fruits and leaves said to cure everything from kidney stones to ringworm helped sustain us as we traversed the rain forest. Another resident, Hernan, shared his secrets to making rice, beans and plantains (the Puerto Rican triumvirate) as well as fried pork chops. An expected highlight of our trip, surf lessons, didn't disappoint. We learned terms such as "goofy foot" and we walked away addicted. This Midwest duo had some abilities on the boards - no joke. For the first time in ages I felt "cool". After three hours in the water, two wipe outs, emerging sunburn and mysterious bruising, we started to feel decidedly "uncool" and capped off the day with Coronas. We explored beautiful Viegues off the eastern cost of Puerto Rico. A convertible jeep was our mode of transport as we off-roaded to several desolate beaches. We explored the bioluminescent-bays in the moonlight (as close to an acid trip as this straight-laced girl will ever get). We ate mufungo, we salsaed until way past our bedtime and most importantly, we were able to reconnect with the old "us". The day before we came home a sense of sadness came over me. Did we do everything, be everything that we needed to be during this short week? What did we have left to discuss, to experience before we entered into the chaotic world of self-employment, business trips and deadlines? Did Jerry and I accomplish all that we needed to accomplish? Yes. The vacation met all expectations and then some. I return home with great anticipation to get back to life. I look forward to bath times with Ella, mid-week grocery runs, even seeing my clients. And isn't that exactly the function of vacations? To provide a break but to also help us appreciate the day to day. Jerry, you are an amazing travel companion and the best life companion. I know, a bit sappy to put on a site that is public domain, but I don't care. Looking forward to our next vaca Love.