Heading to my Island!

As the year is finishing I am very happy to return to "Home". Home, where the morning always smell like coffee and "caressed" bread, or how we call it "pan sobao" . Home, where our mothers or our elders will scream in the mornings to the rest of the house, yet they just really want to wake you up so they can spend quality time with you or get you to participate in shores.

Home, where either the beach is close enough, or you have the mountains as a view or the city view of colorful buildings. Home, where nothing is boring, not even our clothes. We wear colorful busy designs, specially in the holidays, and we can easily single point who is not, by wearing solid earthy colors or just trying to much with the big flower shirts and visors.

I am so eager to feel the sun on my cheeks for just 15 seconds (to not get burned), because I have indeed frozen my little butt cheeks for a while. Just watch me complain of melting out by the end of the night and pumping my air conditioner up. I will be craving all the delicious carbs, consciously knowing I must lose more than 10 pounds, but it's the Holidays at home, and how can you say no to your grandmas or aunts food?

Splitting and juggling time is going to be another challenge. Days and hours are counted for, but you must visit those you said you would and parties are a must. Blessing for those who have party-families and strength to those “party-orphans” who will go with the highest bidder, or make your own silly plans praying it will all go well. 

And don't you hate that you are in an island, but all your friends are now scattered. Oh and the weddings and babies you must see. Because we are on our twenties meeting thirties and that's the thing to do nowadays. I bet you, you either going to one wedding, or knowing some of your friends are getting hitch this Christmas, the only time we can all gather in the island. And Godparents, you better fetch a good gift to your godchildren, they are expecting it!

For those who won't be traveling for Christmas to the island this year, I know it will be a tough one. A white Christmas because of snow, instead of of white because of rum. Soft melodic songs, that will definitely make you tear-up, because either its too sad it self or it so beautiful it will make you melancholic instead of the loud orchestra with instruments made by any reaching object that can be found. 

Yet, you know it will be a special one, because you will make it special. You will make the “coquito”, or arroz con gandules (if you can, and let me know). You will learn to do flan for the first time, calling you aunts for their special recipe. You will gather with other home-islanders that as well could not make it "home". The 3-kings tradition will continue to be seen in the house. Because no matter what life bring us, we don't stop being puertorican because we leave our “home” Island in seek of a better future.

The day we stop being puertorican, is the day we stop teaching about our culture. [This is the “coquito” we drink, or this is the “sandwichitos de mezclas” we take to parties.] To hell if we speak spanglish, if at least 75% of the words are in “español”. 

The day we stop being puertorrican, is the day we forget how rum tastes like. How we forget to call our loved ones in the middle of a busy party. The day, we forget to say “Te quiero” or “Te amo” when the new years come, the Island's new years, because you know you will celebrate that hour more than the actual hour of wherever you are.

So in overall, you will never stop the inner boricua in you, no matter where you have your holidays.

Home, yes, it will be warmer. But you definitely will be flipping coins with your partner or family to either where to go together or go separate ways to visit loved ones. You will have to carry your luggage, and hold your breath you have space for when you go back. And we can continue going on and on. But I bet you have a pretty good darn reason for not coming home for the holidays, a special new one, a new job, a new memory to make. Not because we are building our future, means we will destroy our past, that is not possible. As long as you make it however you wanted it to be, that's what counts.

Yes, I look forward to going back "home", to my new apartment I haven't spent much time in. Looking forward to kiss my family and hug my friends. Because, I am sure someday,  I will too be buying that "one way ticket" we often say and I will have to spend some Holidays freezing my behind. 

I don't looking forward to packing out today and checking out from the hotel to take my belongings to the kind soul who is giving me some space in their house. But, that’s part of it for now, someday, everything will be different, for better, never the worse. But for now, I will be back in Atlanta for three-kings day and for all,  coquito up and Salud! 

2014 I am ready for any travel you bring me!

WEST JET, HOLIDAY MIRACLE!

Check what WestJet did for one whole Flight!!!!!!!!

Question is, why Delta, South West or American does it?! It is great promo.

I know what I will ask! Either two first class tickets to Japan! or a shopping-spree Visa card. Maybe I should just ask them to pay-off my debts... But I think I would definitely go with tickets for Japan :)

Check it here!

WEST JET, HOLIDAY MIRACLE! or click here

Summary of Orlando!

We wen't to mostly all the Disney parks, except Magic Kingdom! and we also did Island of Adventures. A big surprise was that my Navy friend who is stationed in Okinawa, Japan! Natalia, was literally, 2 doors down from my hotel room. Not only did I get to see her pretty face, but she and her hubby joined us on Island of Adventure trip!

 

Orlando FL!

This past weekend I spent it with my best friend Emily, her boy friend and my Jojo. I also had a spectacular surprise and met with other friends! But I will post on it later this week.

No play, No Game! It's time to get back to work!
But I am excited to share my weekend-vacation!

Fly with me! Read some interesting posts!

Read it up! Catch up!

Fewer people traveling for Thanksgiving

Checkout this article at CNN.COM, By Katia Hetter, CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/20/travel/aaa-thanksgiving-travel-predictions/index.html?hpt=tr_c2


CNN Exclusive

Also... The Worlds Bussiest Airport! Guess where?!

http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2013/11/travel/atl24/?hpt=hp_t1

Rock City (Georgia/Tennessee)

Rock City is worth the ride.

It was very pretty, and the walk was good too. I am glad I can still fit thorugh the rocks.
They where very close though, need to go on a diet ASAP!

The Lovers Leap was romantic and tells a story:

Nearby Yonah Mountain is the site of a Romeo and Juliet-like legend that Nacoochee was a beautiful Cherokee "princess," who fell in love with a Choctaw warrior named Sautee. When their love was forbidden by the Cherokee elders, a war party followed the eloping lovers and threw Sautee off the mountain, with Nacoochee then jumping to her death, a Lover's Leap.

[Reference: Wikpedia :)]

Ok, so it was a very tragic romantic story, but the view was awesome.

I also liked the "seven states" view. Its pressumed you can view a bit of these states: Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky and Virginia. 

On the trail there is a hanging bridge, which was scary but safe (there is an alternate trail). We also saw a white deer!

We had dinner in TN, at a brewery place, Big River Grille, it was delicious and did the beer sampling, very good!

Rock City is very close to Ruby Falls, which we haven't been yet. But I promised Emily I would take her when she comes for Thanksgiving! So we will definitely be going up again!

Also, Yuani and I realized, we will be spending another Black Friday in Atlanta! Can't wait!

Pictures Below!

Jacksonville and St. Agustine Recap!

Really Quick Summary.

Football rocks! #godawgs. Me and my bestfriend Emily, tail gated and partied the whole weekend. She was a head to toe Gator fan, and obviously I was with the Georgia Bulldogs. (Gotta stick with bulldogs, which is my alma mater is also a bulldog).  People looked at us and yelled at us, that we shouldn't be seen hanging together, that it was wrong. But we weren't the only ones. I am so glad Georgia won, since we were in enemy city haha!

St. Agustine reminded me of San Juan! It had a little fort like the Morro. Made me homesick. Pretty little old town. It had the oldest built school. We went engagement-ring-window-shopping for Em. And that old town has beauty jewels! We also went to a winery, San Sebastian, and did a wine tasting. I must say I have finally found a red wine I can sip! Vinters Red.

Some pictures Below!

Jacksonville, FL!

This is my first time riding a bus. Taking Greyhound to go see my BFF Emily. So excited because will be tailgating for a Georgia/Florida football game. She will be rooting for the gators, And I, i'm a Bulldog forever! (Just temporarly red for GA and Green for Mayaguez :p ) so excited! Theres wifi, and comfy seats, I think I will be okay for this 6hr trip.... 

Either Megabus or Greyhound had awesome prices. I think Im going to get addicted to these. My friend from NC is coming to visit me and her ticket was just $1.00!!!!! So jelaous. I can't complain, but I got my tickets for 48.00 (roundtrip). And i get to sleep and uSe wifi.

Im planning a trip back again to go to Disney with Jojo, he has never been to there. So we are still thinking on either driving or taking the bus.

Pros of driving, we are not limited to a schedule and we can come and go as we please. Plus, we don't pay gas so it will be basically be a free ride between us. And we can choose our pit stops.

Cons. We have to drive 6hrs, ourselves.

Pros of bus, we don't have to drive, we will just sit back and relax. Hopefully it has this same good wifi im enjoying and we can sleep as we please. Wonderful if we take red-eyes. We can sleep and wake up in another city.

Cons. Price of tickets, it might cost me $100 for both of us. We can't choose our pit stops and the enviroment is a bit stressful at first. 

I honestly thought it was worst. The reviews i read were bad. I was expecting rude people, and they were quite polite. I expected it to be gross, but if you have traveled a bit, you might find it decent enough. Chairs are comfortable, and the free wifi, just makes it enjoyable. Howerver, I left my headphones at my desk yesterday. #epicfail

Can't wait to cross the Georgia-Florida line!

New York, New york!

Fun from beginning to end! It was great seeing my friends from the Island.

The Subway was not my favorite, and never will it be, but it was interesting. We got lost so many times! I spent most of the part with Jojo, and my friend Ely. On the trip, I can say, I learned that Jojo and I have the same temperament, and we both like to question everything! And we are both bossy. Why I mention this? Because put us together on the NYC subway and if you have ever taken it, you will understand us! In the end, we got to our destination, even though it meant extra walks for Ely and me, Jojo of course, didn’t mind (hugs!). Behind the rough patches, we survived NYC!

On Friday we went to the New York ComiCon at the Javits Center. It was a blast. I had a Batman T-shirt, and Jojo had identity issues, with a hoodie of Captain America, but underneath it wearing a Batman t-shirt. Because of course, batman rocks!

The line to get in the Convention Center was impossible! We walked about five blocks just to get in line. Once inside it was amazing! I had the chance to go to  steampunk panel about its literature. I got free impress nails (5 kits, thanks to Jojo). And I saw about three Carmen Sandiego. Which inspired me! Guess what’s my costume for the Super Heroes Vs Villains Havana Club Party is going to be?! It can't be more perfect! But I leave tha subject for this upcoming weekend's post. I have been way behind with the posts, which only means I am busy with work, dance and my honey!

The true highlight of the trip, was having my dream come true! Broadway! (*you have to shout “Broadway” with a singing high pitch and long stretching sentiment*). Come on, say with me! *** BROAD-WAYYYYYYY*** Yes! I got the privilege to see “Wicked”! Such an awesome performance!

I even teared up! We got the tickets through stubhub, and somehow they screwed up our seats. They canceled our tickets, it was about 1 PM and show started at 2 PM. But Jojo had the amazing patience and got his girl what she wanted! They gave us better seats for the following day and we where in orchestra, center orchestra! They paid the difference! The tickets got to be about double the price we paid for. Lucky? maybe, or I have the most determined boyfriend ever!

The trip ended up with watching a Latin American parade on 5^th Ave, shopping on Broadway St (which I loved, and I got my statue of liberty Pandora Charm!). And of course we saw Time Square. (Where Jojo bought his new nintendo 2-ds and the pokemon game, and I have become a pokemon oberver nowdays. (I watch him play, that's all).

Since the Statue of Liberty was closed because of government shut-down (Bad timing! Bad lucj! I know, poor Jojo and Ely). We got to see it from afar, and on our way back we went to Chinatown and Little Italy where we stopped for some coffee and “gelatos”.

I forgot to mention! I got to see Natali! She came by the hotel! And also Andres and Janelys! Andres took us to a great sushi resaurant, where Janelys got me hooked on Plum wine. Now I need to try all the brands. I have been hunting those wines on Atlanta. Can't find one comparable to the Hane Sushi of NYC! Andres and Janelys later that night joined us back to our hotel, for the roof top bar. Amazing view, great buzz, great time!

I just wished I had spent a little more time with my island friends, but I am so out of energy, I am getting old! Thanks! Gi, Bryant, Lida, Rose (Happy Belated Birthday!) for the trip! And of course the roomies, Francine and Ely. And to my loving boyfriend, which made it possible!

Pics Below!