Song: Miguel - Waves (Tame Impala Mix)
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Recently took a trip to Puerto Rico for Ceces birthday and judging by how sleepy and done with everyones shit I am today, I either contracted zika or the beautiful beaches and tropical sun are calling me back and I’m dreading the grey, cold soupy weather that Virginia greeted me with.
On Saturday we flew into San Juan and picked up the rental car followed by some incredible alcapurrias and coconut soda at a spot called Donde Olga recommended to us by our rental car driver.
We swung back to the airport to pickup our compatriot, Danielle, who after many mimosas and a go pro strapped to her chest made several friends on her flight over. We began the 2.5 hour trek from San Juan airport to Rincon.
I remarked several times on how much Puerto Rico reminded me of LA, what with it’s feast of open air brick and tiled buildings, shops and markets also littered with Burger Kings and Taco Bells.
The drive was smooth enough and we arrived just after sunset. Upon checking in our airbnb wasn’t ready so we showered quickly in the scalding hot water and walked across the street for drinks and dinner at Tamboo.
Tamboo is a great open air bar/restaurant that sits on the beach overlooking the surf with a second story rooftop deck. Which Danielle lovingly referred to as Shamu, since it reminded her of the name (PS Fuck Seaworld, amirite?). We ordered grilled mahi tacos and steak kabob and I had an emotional experience because they were so good. Danielle did as well since she ordered the kabobs about 4 more times in subsequent days and shared them with almost everyone living person in Rincon.
Around 10:30 a dj began a great set and a little dancing happened while we chatted up our neighbors in the airbnb who were set to leave back home to San Juan the next day. A great band began to play in between sets of the dj and after a bit, the g&ts peacefully resting alongside the tacos in my stomach began to lull me into a post-travel day sleepiness so I headed back to the Airbnb to rest up for our bright and early start on Sunday.
We began at Jakes Java, a brightly colored open air coffee stand about 1/4 mile from our airbnb. We sipped our mama javas en route to the supermarket to pick up supplies and then headed to the beach across the street.
For how beautiful the day was, there were few other people on the beach, giving us almost an entirely private experience, aside from a few random body surfers and families taking photos on rocks. We lulled around on the beach for a bit before heading back to make our way to Domes beach for a surf competition.
Our beach (sandy beach) had some pretty tumultuous waves but nothing like Domes. The surf competition had brought a little festival of vendors, setting up shop along the perimeter of jungle and sand. Starting at one end with a little boutique on wheels, The Bikini Bus, a soft pink school bus painted with tropical leaves including rows upon rows of beachy boho attire. We made our way through tents selling all things from handmade goods to sponsored/logo products. A band on a stage played a variety of reggae and chill rock as we made our way to a sandy spot near the announcers stage where judges watched tanned bodies some riding, and sometimes crashing into the shore. This was also
There were good vibes all around and we finished our drinks and laid out watching what I can only assume was what Pac Sun used as their inspiration commiserating all around us. We made friends with the group next to us and took shelter under their umbrella as the rain set in.
Behind us was a tent offering facials on the beach. $20 for 20 minutes. SOLD. I took shelter under the tent and struck up a conversation with Annette, the owner and a local who had moved here with his wife from LA before laying on the table and beginning the best 20 minutes of my life. Annette had this energy that somehow was a culmination of the laidback surfer lifestyle, a comforting abuela and mother earth herself all at once. I was immediately at peace as she gently told me we were about to begin. I laid there as the last drops of rain pattered gently on the tent. Music floated down from the band and in between the waves created a gentle rhythm. Feral, curly blonde haired children squealed with glee on the skate ramp behind me and somewhere above it all the surf announcers rattled off scores in english and Spanish. I could hear the light, playful barks of the dogs that had been let off-leash and danced around between groups of people playing and wrestling in the sand. Annette applied all of her organic products with the most caring and skilled hands and I was tempted to ask if I could double my money and time and how much it would be if I just stayed there all night.
Soon enough it was time to go so we packed into the car and drove back to the airbnb to catch the last few rays of sun from the pool. I worked on emails from the comfort of the little bistro table set below the thatched tiki umbrella next to the house. While Cece napped, Danielle and I went on a mission to Jakes Java for more coffee but by that time it was closed so we settled on Monster energy drinks from the little beach shop/convenience store down the street.
That night we made our way to Big Kahuna Burger Bar/Casa Verde Bar & Grill. I’m still not 100% sure what the actual name was since both signs adorn the building, but after a few drinks it didn’t really matter anyway. Our bartender, Jared, was from Baltimore and provided us some spectacular entertainment in the form of a magic show (illusionist if Gob has anything to say about it). We drank the night away and I headed back and tried my best to chug the gallon of water I had by my bed.