In Love with Old San Juan

My last couple days spent in Puerto Rico were with our Tia & Tio in San Juan. I love visiting San Juan because the old city is absolutely beautiful. It's full of history, art, culture... I could just get lost wandering the brick streets and be absolutely content amongst all the lovely houses with the interior courtyards. I always describe it as a cleaner version of the French Quarter.

Evan and I joined our Aunt and we walked through Old San Juan, in and out of several small shops and boutiques. It's great to experience it with a native Puerto Rican, because you hear all the little secrets and myths about the old city. We were mostly interested in the architecture, the history and the beautiful lush old trees, happily growing in between the houses and streets. We took several pictures (like at the Pigeon park, where you can feed hundreds of birds, and on the steps of the smallest house in San Juan). I'll have to upload more when Evan gets to Texas with his camera.

We went out to a fancy dinner for our last night together in Puerto Rico - since we are not spending Christmas in the same state. Evan is going home to Florida to visit his mom, but will later be traveling to Texas to spend some time with my family too. I do look forward to that day when we can travel to both destinations together.. My mother recently told me that my biological clock is ticking... I'm 23.

haha! One day..


If you want to visit Old San Juan, give yourself a couple days at least. There is so much to see, you can't do it all in a day. If you're feeling lavish, try to stay in one of the apartments in the old city. You won't regret it. Plus, who doesn't want an interior courtyard and vintage setting? I told Evan that I think I've found the location of my B&B upon retirement from science. 

Now I am back in Texas and I couldn't be more thrilled. I am so thankful that I have this opportunity to travel back home and spend time with family. It's a long distance (a 5 hour flight) and a large change in temperature and climate, but 5 months without seeing family is rough. I love the cold weather every once and a while. Three weeks is a perfect amount of time to enjoy the cold temps, the frosty mornings and the cloudy days. I'm not complaining about living on an island, but I certainly miss seasons.

I sure hope that one day I can own a little house back here.. perhaps in the hill country.. But this place is home, no matter where I go or where I end up living for the majority of my life. Texas will always mean family. I'm thankful for every moment I get to spend here.


Happy Holidays to those back in Puerto Rico! I know we started celebrating Christmas early (umm.. after Halloween?) and I know I'll be celebrating Christmas with you all once I return in January!