#GIRLSTRIP2020

Cvg—>dtw—> San Juan, Puerto Rico

Protips

So I always recommend Delta if you can, but they allowed me to upgrade my sis at the last minute which was amazing. First class never gets old. But your first time in first class is super cool (right, Sarah?).

Packing for the tropics for me is minimalist. My sister has a more organized list, but here's mine:

- several sundresses

-swimsuits

-undies

-coverup/hat

-jeans one pair

-shorts one or two

-one sweatshirt/fleece/or cardigan

-couple t's

-2 pair sandals (one sporty, one comfy but can go with dresses)

-toiletries

-nausea meds/antacid/abx/and prescription drugs/electrolyte packets for when you try ALL the rum.

Picking a housing situation: I prefer local for these kind of trips. Puerto Rico has been hit with natural disasters and unfortunate economic issues in spite of them housing a good deal of our biochemical and medical supply plants. So, Airbnb, VRBO etc.

If you want beach: Isla Verde or Condado

If you want culture: Santurce or Old San Juan (our choice)

Read the bad reviews first. There's a reason and it isn't often that the renters are unreasonable. Ours was very nice in appearance, but when we pointed out non-trivial issues we got ZERO response.

DAY 1

We arrived and traveled to our Airbnb in old San Juan where more of the group awaited (the 2 that we had never met!). The drive to Old San Juan was beautiful, with old forts and walkways on the ocean. We drive down a fabulous colonial street to Calle de la Luna to our home for 4 days.

After dumping our stuff we went to Punto de Vista , a rooftop bar with mojitos and apps and full menu. We had empanadas, pulpo, local cheese, mojitos after a long day of flying. I wished it was later to get their mofongo though. We were waiting for our other guests to do a bigger meal but the several mofongos they brought out looked and smelled insanely good.

Oh so mofongo? What’s that right? It is fried savory plantain formed into a mould or bowl or whatever and topped with incredible stews and/or asapao (rice soup). It is a gluten free dream. Heaven on earth. It comes in 1000 varieties. More to come. Just CHILL...I will get there.

We were all a bit wiped out at this point having traveled all day. We were awaiting our last amiga and just couldn't hang. We made a charcuterie of local queso and salchichas, verduras, y miel and chilled on our rooftop desk with some cava.

I promise this gets more exciting!