Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Puerto Rico

Well, my trip is finalized now. I've arranged all of my housing, and mapped out my itinerary. There are still a few details I need to iron out, but I at least have an intelligent route that makes sense, and a place to sleep each night. I'm starting to get really excited, and I think the anticipation is just as good for my psyche as the trip will be.

I had trouble booking a hotel in Rincon, which is on the west coast, but I just booked a second story studio apartment that is right on the beach. I plan on doing a midnight swim--I think that will be fun, assuming there isn't a rip tide. I'm going to be asking the hosts about that, but as they say, you just swim along the shore. I think a pina colada at a local bar, a cigar stroll, followed by a swim. Man, I think it's going to be just great.

Speaking of swimming, now that I reflect on it, I don't believe I've ever swam in salt water. I've only ever waded at the ocean. I wonder how it differs from Lake Michigan.

I'll soon find out! Giddy up!

3 comments:

Montana Sherry C said...

Please, please, please be aware that a midnight swim, if there is any surf, can be incredibly disorienting. Swells seem to hit at odd angles in the darkness and currents tug at you from beneath the surface, making it easy to get turned around.

I'm not saying don't do it, as I actually love swimming in the ocean at night (although I don't think I'd do it alone). I spent all of my teen/college years right on the Pacific coast and swimming in the surf was one of my favorite activities. But just make sure it's only one umbrella drink before you go in, ok?

-- Your (slightly overprotective) friend in landlocked and cold Montana.

Montana Sherry C said...

Oh, and as far as how it differs from swimming in Lake Michigan...

Other than the tides being a bit stronger, the coolest difference is the added buoyancy of the salt water--very fun.

Just don't try to open your eyes underwater.

And do take a shower after you swim; you'll feel much better afterward with the sticky salt washed off you. The beaches might have open showers available.

Puerto Rico, you lovely island...

Now you're making me envious.

Dan said...

Hi Sherry,

Thanks for the input--yeah, perhaps it will be a midnight wade rather than a swim. Someone who lived in California once said to me that you never turn your back to the ocean--you never know what kind of swell might be coming your way. Though I love the thought of staying a lot longer than a week in an island on the Caribbean, I'd prefer that it not be by being washed up on a shore! Oh, and from what I've read, most of the beaches do have showers where you can wash off, so I'll be taking advantage of that.

I worry about leaving anything valuable on the beach. I think the smart thing to do is leave the wallet in the car, obviously, and then just take the key with me in the water, without the remote activator, of course. Though have you ever noticed car rental companies put a wired loop through everything? I tend to cut that with snips, and I think I'll have to figure out a way to do that down there too.