Near Death, Puerto Rico Driving, and Getting Lost: Our First Day in Puerto Rico

Ahem. I know I said that today you’d be getting a run down on what we did and saw on our vacation in Puerto Rico. But, I just had to tell you about our time before we even officially got started. Apparently, I had a lot more to say than I thought, and it became a post of its own.

Soooo, you’ll be getting four days of Puerto Rico instead of just three. Lucky you!

I promise I’ll get into the details of our week and tell you about all the wonderful places we visited. But today, I will tell you about our first travel day.

The Plane Ride

Oh the flight. The flight that nearly killed me. And I’m not.even.exaggerating.

First let me tell you that I’m not really a nervous rider. I only get a little anxious on take-off and landings. Something about the bumpiness of it all and feeling those wheels lift off the ground just shakes me a bit. I always have to hold someone’s hand. (So, who volunteers to get me through the flight to BlogHer?) Once we’re in the air, though, I’m fine.

However, when the plane starts to jerk this way and that way, and just a little more than what you’re used to, you begin to get a little nervous. And sure I’m used to the pilot officially announcing “we’re experiencing some turbulence.” That’s all normal.

But, then the plane suddenly dropped. Dropped as if I was on the freaking Tower of Terror ride at Disney. In case you’ve never been on it, your butt lifts off the seat as it drops.

That’s exactly what happened on the plane. That’s never happened on any flight I’ve ever been on. Ever.

Of course you know that I was crying my eyes out. You know how people say that they see their lives flash before their eyes? I didn’t. Instead I saw my baby girl’s life…or what would be her life. And I just kept thinking “I’m not ready. There’s so much to see her do still.”

And do you want to know what my husband said? He took my hand and said, “What does it matter? We’re together.” It shocked me into calmness.

Trekking Across the Island

Ok enough dramatics. Oh no, wait wait. One more story.

The SUV we rented online said that it would fit 5 passengers and 5 large bags. But, we quickly realized that it only fit 2 bags comfortably and maybe 3 if we squeezed it in.

(Here’s where I would insert a picture of the trunk and us trying to fit all 5 bags, had I taken one. But, I’m pretty sure that would have royally pissed off the husband who was desperately trying to make it work at the time.)

After much struggle, the company gave us two intermediate sedans. But, that meant that I would have to drive one of them 3 hours across to the other side of the island.

Me? Driving in Puerto Rico? Oh.hell.no. I was not at all for it.

Of course, I got lost just trying to leave the airport and finding a spot where we could meet my older brother who had flown in with his family from Milwaukee. And my husband who has never been to Puerto Rico was following me.

It was an awesome start for our trip. Absolutamente-freaking awesome. And me coming off the shakiness from the plane ride. Oh yea, I was a JOY to be around at that moment.

But, we finally found our way after some guidance from my older brother and met up with them about halfway through the trek to the west coast of the island.

The House

Finally, we arrived at the rental house. Exhausted.

We stayed in Cabo Rojo, on the southwest corner of the island. The house we stayed in was actually really nice and comfortably fit all 9 of us. At last something was actually looking right for the week and I could actually begin to enjoy myself.

A quick run for dinner, some brief planning of the week’s itinerary, and our first day in Puerto Rico was over.

Come back Wednesday when I’ll finally tell you about our sightseeing.

*Photo from rental information page.