I’ve always felt that Puerto Rico was an underrated vacation spot. If you are based in the US it’s most likely a short plane ride away, and because it is a US territory you can use your dollars and your cell phone with no problems. The island has rain forests for the adventurists, malls and outlets for shoppers, and quiet beaches for the romantics single or paired. Then there’s the amazing food. I had so many pictures of my meals I decided to save them for another post.
My favorite part of Puerto Rico is Old San Juan with its cobble stone roads, colorful buildings and museums. I drive all the time when I’m at home so I like places like Old San Juan where most of the attractions are within walking distance.
I had a strange experience while I was there. I was enjoying a great meal thinking about what my word was going to be for 2016. I like to pick a word to inspire me for the year. My word for last year was bold. In a muddled kind of way the words go, move, get and do were popping into my head. All of a sudden I saw all of the men in the restaurant running out the door. I looked up and saw an elderly man with a two hand walker standing in the street, and an elderly woman on the ground with all of the men from the restaurant around her. It seemed like a scene from a movie. From what I was able to gather the woman somehow fell as she was walking towards the restaurant. The guys helped the woman get up and helped the couple into the restaurant. The waitress seated them right in front of me. They were both impeccably dressed and seemed fairly well to do. If I was a betting woman I would bet that they were husband and wife, and that they came to this restaurant every week around this time. I watched the man try to soothe the woman who kept rubbing the back of her head and was visibly shaken. He kept stroking her hand and telling her not to worry. I low-key scoped them out until they finished eating and watched the waitress escort them back to their car.
I stayed in the restaurant a while longer thinking about how getting old is not for sissies. I thought about how the longer I live the more I realize that there is no point in putting anything off. I thought about how scary it must be to one minute be walking and then have your feet give out from under you the next. I thought about how I wish I knew how to say I think you should go to the hospital because you might have a concussion in Spanish.
That happened on my first day in San Juan and the rest of the trip was uneventful. I left the island with not one word to inspire me for the months ahead but four: go, move, get and do. I have a funny feeling that it’s going to be one hell of year.
Have a great week and as always thanks for stopping by!
Stardate:160010.01
Wow, Puerto Rico is so beautiful I enjoyed every one of those stunning pictures. I was trying to think of an inspiring word for the year, too, but I couldn't seem to narrow it down to just one word either. That must have been something to witness that poor woman fall in front of the restaurant that day. I'm just glad she seemed to be okay. You summed it up perfectly, though. Getting old is not for sissies… 🙂
Hi Dee. I'm glad you liked the photos. The older I get the more I agree with that quote. Take care.
Hiya,What a lovely holiday destination! Travel offers sweet escape and new experiences.These photographs are breathtakingly beautiful, did you take these with Max- your Nikon? Did you use any editing software? I want to learn how to take sharper photographs for my blog.I enjoyed reading about the elderly couple, there was something heart-warming about that story.Ah! I love the sound of "Bold". You've inspired me to pick words for this year, "DO" and "LIVE" are perfect. I want to do more and live life to the full. :-)Great post, have a fabulous week!
Hi Nedoux. Thank you very much:) I took some of the pics with Max and some with my I-phone. If I need to edit I use the picture editing software that came with my laptop. There are a lot of great free resources on line that can give you general info on taking pics(aperture, f stop etc.)Good lighting has been the key to some of my best photos. I didn't have to do much editing with these pics because I had a lot of good natural light. Thanks for stopping by.
Amazing pictures and intriguing story – reminds me of that saying "once an adult twice a child". I hope your year is full of promise and adventure and its so cool that you pick a word/phrase for the year 🙂 !!
Thank you. Yes that saying sums up that scene perfectly. I'm looking forward to your posts for 2016 🙂
I agree, Getting old is definitely not for sissies!! Some mornings are better than others. Your destination is amazing. I so want to travel with you. Where to next?
Ahhh Neo tell me about it! I don't know yet. I tend to be somewhat spontaneous when it comes to traveling. Have a great week!
I love the idea of having a word of the year. I started my own little tradition , too. Every year I will buy more of something. This year is shoes. The story about the old couple is very sad. And you are right, being old is not for sissies. These pictures are beautiful ! !
I love that tradition Nerline!