In 10 days, I was on a plane flying to Puerto Rico.
I don't know Spanish, I was pretty sure I had reserved a bed at a hostel online, and I had the full intention to take the city bus from the airport to the neighborhood where my hostel would be. Did I mention I don't know Spanish?
When I arrived at the airport in Puerto Rico, 99% of the signs were gibberish to me. The bus wasn't showing up at the times I expected it to. I went into minor panic mode. BUT, I managed to get a taxi and tried to pronounce to him where I needed to go. The driver was puzzled by me. He asked where my boyfriend was, I said, "Nope, just me." "Just you, by yourself? Trip to Puerto Rico?" Like that was unheard of. "Yep!" I said. "You're a crazy blonde girl," he told me. I just laughed. He's right.
I managed to make it to my hostel, and I did indeed have a bed reserved at The Palace Hostel. I met new people, pushed myself out of my comfort zone by joining a group to dinner, and by the end of the night, I was running up and down the stairs of the hostel, asking other travelers if they wanted to join us for a night of salsa dancing downtown.
Traveling alone does something to you. I read once that, "As you travel solo, being totally responsible for yourself, it's inevitable that you will discover just how capable you are." There's no one else to make the plans for you, or to give you a timeline. You have to speak up to make friends, you need to figure out the map to get to the grocery store.
What an amazing time Puerto Rico was. So sunny, so relaxing. I spent 3/4 of my trip simply lying on the beach, reading Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert, and journeling. The rest was catching rides in rental cars with other travelers who were exploring more of the island. The importance of making friends....waterfalls, new beaches, hiking through the trees.
I managed to make it to my hostel, and I did indeed have a bed reserved at The Palace Hostel. I met new people, pushed myself out of my comfort zone by joining a group to dinner, and by the end of the night, I was running up and down the stairs of the hostel, asking other travelers if they wanted to join us for a night of salsa dancing downtown.
Traveling alone does something to you. I read once that, "As you travel solo, being totally responsible for yourself, it's inevitable that you will discover just how capable you are." There's no one else to make the plans for you, or to give you a timeline. You have to speak up to make friends, you need to figure out the map to get to the grocery store.
What an amazing time Puerto Rico was. So sunny, so relaxing. I spent 3/4 of my trip simply lying on the beach, reading Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert, and journeling. The rest was catching rides in rental cars with other travelers who were exploring more of the island. The importance of making friends....waterfalls, new beaches, hiking through the trees.
My best memories tend to be the times I'm being called "a crazy blonde girl."
If you have any questions about my trip, need recommendations for where to stay or what to do while you're in Puerto Rico, or just need some convincing to GO here, head over to my contact page. I love hearing from you!
Happy travels!
Taylor
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