Uncategorized – Page 4 – Wander with Josie

Weekend Exploration

August 22, 2018January 20, 2019 Josie

My apartment is in Condado Beach. It’s steeped in hotels and tourist restaurants so I was excited to venture into Old San Juan. The cobblestoned streets, artisan markets, and prevalent parks did not disappoint.

These little stickers are all over San Juan

Gazing at the ocean with my iced coffee, post run.

Holy avocados!

I made this pasta “Josie style” with a side of red sauce.

That does NOT look right.

Settling Into My New Space

August 18, 2018January 20, 2019 Josie

I love visiting local churches when I travel. I lucked out that I chose one to visit that offers daily evening mass. It was lovely, even if I could hardly follow the Spanish. I certainly hope, 30 days from now, I can report progress.

It’s awkward being in a Spanish-first location that isn’t a foreign country. The majority of people I’ve encountered have been able to converse with me in English fairly well. However, at the market, I got flustered when I couldn’t understand the cashier. I actually think she was simply soft-spoken but my empathy flares for her (potentially) not speaking English clashed with my embarrassed for me sirens. So, I think I said something like, “I’m sorry, no hablo English.” Helpful, Josie. Very helpful. Anyway, she immediately repeated herself and/or translated, “Do you need a bag?” That moment of fluster is so discouraging. But, it made me look up ‘bolsa’ for ‘bag’ and I’m sure that knowledge will come in handy, soon. Probably when I go buy myself a bolsa because I, for some reason, thought I should bring my smallest clutch as my purse for the trip. Because, clutches are well known for their handiness in carrying Lonely Planet guide books, sweaters for chilly churches, spare battery chargers and cords, with room to spare for a bottle of water. My ability to outsmart myself is truly astounding sometimes.

After mass, I was led by a purple and pink sky to the beach. It was sunset and the locals were soaking up the last few moments of beach fun. I assume they’re locals because Midwestern tourists ‘know’ you don’t go in the ocean at dusk because you will assuredly be eaten by a shark. I then wandered along the main stretch of hotels and restaurants and shops. I found myself lurking behind families to blend in and not appear like a solo female traveler. I had enjoyed my late lunch so wasn’t very hungry. I stopped at the market in my building and grabbed an Amy’s frozen lasagna dinner and bottle of wine. Nothing but the best for me. However, as I sat on my balcony watching the rain pour down — the rain I had just luckily bypassed without any awareness it had started, I enjoyed the heck out of my microwaved meal.

I can feel the waves of my mind and emotions starting to settle.

My spiritual home for the next month

Condado Beach

Playing with my new camera’s selfie settings

Sunset at Condado Beach

Condado Beach

Puerto Rico Journey, Uncategorized

“You are approaching a sharp right turn.”

August 17, 2018January 20, 2019 Josie

It feels familiar, almost homey to be in an apartment I’ve never spent the night at, in a city I’ve only been once before — over a decade prior.

The other day I reflected to my mom that it felt as if I had just woken up from a dreamy fog and was trying to piece together how I had gotten “here.” At that point, it was how had I gotten to where I had called off my engagement and was heading to Puerto Rico for a month. (I refused to be one more millennial in her parent’s basement so packed my bags and remote-based job for a city that knows a thing or two about restoration.)

I had known I was making the right choice to leave (both the relationship and the pillowy comfort of family) but I wasn’t really sure what I was seeking. Sitting in lovely San Juan, I still struggle to find the right word to categorize my time here — it’s not really a vacation, maybe a retreat, a pause, a reset? A friend of mine told me to enjoy my discernment and perhaps that gets close. Surely, the purpose of this journey will reveal itself by the time I head home in a month. Until then, I am trading my typically anxious anticipation for pensive patience. Let’s see how it goes.