Puerto Rico! (Vamos a la Playa)

You know, going to the beach in January didn't used to be such a big deal. But when you're coming from New York and the cold, rainy weather (albeit pretty mild for January) it feels pretty good to get some sunshine. I got sent to Puerto Rico to help give some training sessions to the local FEMA and planning board people there. I was there for a week and would love to go back some time and explore more of the island. My Spanish started to come back a little bit while I was there, and I enjoyed the "Criolla" food they have down there a lot. Lots of plantains, beef and, of course, rice and beans.

Apparently they were just getting around to taking down the Christmas decorations in Old San Juan. We actually got stuck behind a truck taking angels down off of lamposts for about 20 minutes. Good times.

This fort was built about 500 years ago. Unfortunately, this is as close as I got because we ran out of time. I'll have to make time for it next trip.

My co-workers, Dan and Juan. Juan had the unenviable task of translating the menus to Dan and I at every meal.

Vieja San Juan (Old San Juan).

Cristobal Colon = Christopher Columbus