The Amazing Race . . . 98 Steps

I climbed 98 steps this afternoon. Up into an observation tower mid-way up the mountain Yunque, the highest peak in Puerto Rico. Kevin waited below and helped tourists get their family photos taken in front of an exquisite view of the valley out to the sea.

A rain forest is just that because of the forest and high quantity of rain, and a tropical rain forest has to be located in the ranges between the Tropicorn of Cancer and the Tropicorn of Capicorn (in other words, near the equator). The difference in rain fall of a temperate rain forest (Pacific Northwest) and a tropical rain forest:  100 inches per year compared to up to 400 inches per year.  El Yunque is one of few tropical rain forests in the USA (some sites say the only, but Hawaii and the Virgin Islands have some, best I see).

El Yunque (or "yunk" as the GPS lady reads it instead of the Spanish "june-kay") was our destination today when we left our hotel at the base. We enjoyed the ride out to the country where most the surrounds remind us of the years we lived in Costa Rica.

"No somos molines. Somos gigantes."  Written on the side of a wall (there's a lot of graffiti here), this quote really caught my attention with its reto (challenge) and its literary allusion. I challenge you, the reader, to write me and tell me what is the translation, allusion, and challenge behind those words.

After that venture, we grabbed our Puerto Rican roadmap (tearproof and waterproof, from National Geographic...but still super hard to fold in the car). I navigated while Kevin drove and we explored the northeast coast of Puerto Rico between San Juan and Loíza ("louisa") and Luqillo. Luquillo was a beautiful short beach with rental cottages all along. When the winds picked up, and rain began to fall, we followed the tsunami evacuation signs back out to the main route. Naturally, it wasn't such a storm, but with those tall palms swaying and bending, I could only imagine.


Next, in Loiza, we found the oldest, continuously-used church in Puerto Rico--not a bit marked, but we found it all on our own discovery with the guidebook and map. Then we drove through Piñones National Forest, which is bordered by mangrove-style and low-growing trees right on sand-duned ridges. With cars parked right at the trees, Puerto Ricans covered the beaches with family and fun. (Oh, the rain had stopped by now.) Colorful wood shacks and advertising tropical fruits and "jueye" meat (crab). Then passed that point, we drive into Carolina, with its very manicured high ways and sparkling high-rises. A whole different world.

Kevin and I realized that neither of us have ever been on such a large island--even if it is only the size of Connecticut.

Finally, it was time to find our next hotel--San Miguel Plaza Hotel. We had not wanted to move yet, but somehow a mix-up of dates had occurred and we were forced to. It's not easy to find a hotel the night before in Puerto Rico--at least not on a middle class budget. Furthermore, when we arrived here in Bayamon, we were further discouraged when the elevator from the parking garage didn't work, and we had to climb a stairway--with luggage--to the lobby. Following that difficulty, we discovered that the advertised restaurant was closed.

I mentally prepared to write a scathing review of the hotel--which proudly displayed its awards from 2007, 2008, and 2010--on the three or four hotel sites I have become very familar with lately. However, in the fifteen minutes of rest that we gathered before venturing out for supper, the hotel had fixed the elevator. And Kevin is happy with the air conditioning, so I'm holding off for a bit. We'll see how this goes.

Having large, Puerto Rican style lunches, we usually eat supper at more familiar haunts. Tonight was Subway, a block or so down the road. In the first half hour we were there, just as many people came in for small coffees (and cookies sometimes) as they did for sandwiches. By 5:30, the sandwich line picked up more.

We have also learned today that the "amarillo" ("yellow" in Spanish) 

means "banana" (as opposed to a plaintain), 

and "china" means "orange" (as in, the fruit).