Hola Mis Gentes. I have another story for you today. I want to chat about a trip I went on that was quite impactful and magical. when I was eleven years old I went to Puerto Rico with my mother and my grandfather. I had never been to Puerto Rico before then and it was such an exciting prospect to be able to go. My family is from Puerto Rico, they live in Cataño, a small town near San Juan. Sadly, since hurricane Maria, the family home is not there anymore. But, I did get to see it on that trip.

     My grandfather was already there for a festival staying with our family. My mom and I stayed in Isla Verde and it was a drive. I thought the hotel and area were so pretty, I remember swimming in the big pool on nice days. Sadly it rained for most of the trip. However, we were able to enjoy a few things. We went and saw the family. had great dinners, and days just chatting. We also walked around the neighborhood and saw the real Puerto Rico. It was nice to be where my family was from. We even got to go to the Bacardi factory, sadly I did not get to drink. But, it was still pretty cool. There is so much history there, I bought a shirt that I love dearly. 

     The trip was very special to me. I loved seeing Puerto Rico, it was everything I wanted it to be. We got to go to El Yunque, a beautiful rainforest, but it was raining that day. It was hard to walk up, and I was scared. But what I did walk was so pretty. It was dark but full of life. Then we had a home-cooked meal from the shack down below. Very different from places in the United States. I also got to see my mom’s favorite beach, Luquillo beach. So blue and so clear. I really loved the sea life.

     We also got to visit the rich history of El Morro. I recommend everyone look it up and learn, it was a “defensive military fort”. I went there with my mom and grandfather. It was really special because he taught me all about it. He has since passed away, but looking back I love that on my first trip to Puerto Rico he was there. A funny memory, there was a girl wearing a long dress shirt and no pants, but the shirt wasn’t very long. My grandfather was like, “Never, ever wear something like that”. I laugh about it because it was pretty funny and she did look weird. I think about that when I go to put on a questionable outfit, ha.

The rest of the trip was just trying to enjoy the nice weather when we could because it rained so much. 

     I loved getting to meet my cousins, and family I had never met before that trip. I remember I loved my cousin’s pasta. I wanted her to keep making it every single day for me. Another funny memory was when we were leaving Catañoone night to the hotel, my grandfather told my mom, “do not stop at stoplights. You will be robbed”. Well, we didn’t get robbed, but we did get very lost. We took many turns, took a long time but we eventually made it back and my grandfather was so scared that we had been robbed. But no, just bad drivers, ha. 

     It was such a special trip. I wish I could go there again with my grandfather, but I will always have the memory. Puerto Rico and my home town Cataño are very beautiful.

I have not been back since, but I hope to go back soon, after COVID-19, and enjoy my culture and family.