Puerto Rico was the hot place to be this spring break! Literally, because (unlike Pittsburgh) the weather never dropped below 70 degrees, and figuratively because it seemed like a lot of Carnegie Mellon students chose the island as their spring break destination. In a meet-cute of sorts, my friends and I even ran into another group of Carnegie Mellon students. They were exiting the elevator that we were getting into — it was fate.
Our trip started with a few luxurious days at El Conquistador Resort, where my friend generously offered her family’s Casita for us to reside in. The resort features seven pools, four hot tubs, and many poolside eats. I tried many dishes featuring plantains, including Mofongo (roasted meat atop a bed of mashed plantains). We also tried some baked goods the island is famous for, such as Pan Sobao, a fluffy brioche-style bread that melts in your mouth. Food is always my favorite part of any trip, but the weather and scenery gave the dishes a run for their money this time.
We explored three separate beaches with crystal clear water and soft, warm sand. Beach days stretched on lazily. We would arrive, set up shop, spreading out on the towels, and read. The hot Puerto Rican sun often forced us off our towels after only a few minutes, pushing us toward the water for a reprieve. This cycle continued until the sun drew low on the horizon. We packed up, brushed the sand off, and went back. There’s no better feeling than getting ready for dinner after a long day at the beach, and I’m glad our trip had a few days like this.
We also ventured to a few famous landmarks. First, we visited the rainforest — El Yunque — a tall mountain with many places to stop along the way toward the peak. At one point, we took a quick dip in a small lake under a waterfall; the flowing water was cold and fresh as it poured over our faces. Then, we climbed to the top of the mountain. It was laborious walking up the tall incline, but the view at the top was worth it. There was a stone tower atop the mountain, which we climbed for breathtaking views. Trees and greenery filled the horizon as far as we could see, and were dusted by a blanket of fog.
We also went to Old San Juan twice. This was my favorite part of the trip, mainly because of the delicious food and cute shops along the way. Old San Juan features cobblestone streets and pastel colored houses. It is also home to the popular tourist spot, El Moro, an old fortress overlooking the sea. Many people fly kites on the path leading to the castle. Fun fact: the “Wizards of Waverly Place” movie filmed the final battle at El Moro! We didn’t see any wizards during our visit, but we did get tasty piraguas at the bottom.
Overall, it was very nice to take a break from school and job searching to swim, enjoy the sun, and visit unique spots. Puerto Rico was a great place to spend my last spring break!
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