A Few Hours Later….
As Luz and Amity were sitting in their seats the intercom went off. Attention passengers. "This is your captain speaking. We are now making our final approach to Luis Muñoz Marin International time in Carolinas is 6 pm and it is clear skies with a temperature of about 85F. We know you have many choices but once again we would like to thank you for flying with Jetblue." With that the fasten seatbelt sign went back on. "See Amity we are just about to land. It wasn't so bad." Luz said as she looked over to Amity had filled up her doggie bag. " Wonderful I can get off this dreadful contraption." Amity said.
"Amity, look out the window." Luz said as she directed her wife to the window. As the two looked out they could see the beauty of Puerto Rico beneath them."This is gonna be the best vacation of our lives." Luz said. It didn't take long for the airplane to land. As the plane landed Amity was surprised as the plane was flooded with applause."Why are they doing that?" Amity asked."Not sure it's just a thing we do." Luz said as the two joined in the clapping. After a short wait the two were allowed to leave the airplane as they entered the terminal. It was around 6pm. "Luz the only thing worse than flying on that plane was going through what's it called again?" Amity said as she had forgotten the name of airport security. "You mean the TSA." Luz said.
"Yes, those people had me take off my shoes,belt and put my bag through their machines then they pulled me over to feel me up." Amity said clearly annoyed."It's a pat down search. They do it at random." Luz explained before giving Amity a kiss to calm her down. As they walked through the terminal they could see gift shops selling all sorts of Puerto rican merch. They had flags, hats with flags,shirts with flags, pava hats, hats advertising don q rum, shirts advertising don q rum, shirts advertising medalla light beer,hats advertising medalla light beer, and much more. In the center of the terminal was a display titled RUMS OF PUERTO RICO which showed the various rum brands that were made on the Island."Luz which one of these rum making places are we gonna check out?" Amity asked as the two made their way to the baggage claim." We are going to Hacienda Santa Ana where they make Ron del Barrilito." Luz said as they approached baggage claim 4.
Around them were their fellow passengers waiting for the bags. After about 10 minutes the sound of the carousel motor could be heard as bags began to make their way from the airplane. As the two looked around it didn't take long till they spotted their suitcases. 2 good witch azura suitcases which they grabbed. "Now that we're done here let's grab a taxi." Luz said. "But you told me we are renting a car." Amity said as they pulled towards the taxi stand."Amity, the hotel has car rentals, were doing it there." Luz said as she got the attention of a cab driver." Where to señoras?" The cabbie asked. "We are going to the Caribe Hilton." Luz said in Spanish. The cab driver nodded as he took their bags into his cab. Once the bags were loaded the two made their way into the back seat as the cab driver went off to the hotel. As they made their way to the hotel Luz and the cab driver made conversations in Spanish." What brings you two to Puerto Rico?" The cabbie asked."Were here on our honeymoon." Luz said as she gave Amity a kiss."Oh congrats. You two picked a good time to come. The weather is drying up after 3 straight weeks of consistent rain." The cabbie said." Well that's good. I'd hate to be stuck in the hotel the whole time." Luz said as they made their way to the highway. "So what are you doing on your stay?" The cab driver asked." Oh the usual tourist stuff. Beach,old san juan, Rainforest, hot springs, Distillery tour. Though I plan to visit my family." Luz said."You Boricua." The cab driver asked
.Half my dad's family is from Lares, my mom's family is from the Dominican Republic." Luz said as the cab driver pulled up to the Caribe Hilton."Well have a good time and if you need a ride call me my name is Hector." The cab driver said before handing Luz his card. Luz thanked him before paying him as the two exited the car and were in front of the hotel. As the two walked to the lobby desk they could see a bar nearby as well as Morton's steakhouse and a restaurant that made Italian and traditional Puerto rican food. "Hello, welcome to the Caribe Hilton, how may I help you?" the lady behind the desk asked.
"Were checking in." Luz said."Ok may I have your name." "It's Noceda." Luz said. The woman began looking through the computer."Ok I have you for 10 days. You have 1 bedroom with a king sized mattress and a beach view now may I have your ID." The woman asked as Luz and Amity handed over their ID's. "Ok you are all set, these wristbands will serve as your room keys and allow you to access areas around the don't lose them there is a $150 fee to replace them." The woman said as Luz and Amity wrapped their wristbands around their arms. "Your room is 1663. To get to it, go all the way to the end of the hotel by mojito's restaurant. We hope you enjoy your stay at the Caribe Hilton and if you need anything just let us know. The woman said."Oh yes 1 thing, you guys have car rentals correct?" Luz asked.
"Yes, it's next to the concierge desk by the ice cream shop." The woman said. "Thank you." Luz said and with that the two made their way to their hotel room passing a starbucks as well as some comically overpriced gift shops. As the 2 approached mojito's they saw the entrance to a set of the button the elevator doors opened."Ok Amity hit floor 16." Luz said but as amity hit button 16 the elevator didn't move."Luz it's not working." Amity said. Luz looked above the buttons to see a sign labeled please scan room key to activate elevator. Luz placed her room key in the designated area as Amity pushed the button again. Now the elevator activated and made its way to floor 16. The two exited the elevator and were quick to find their room. Opening the door they were hit with a blast of cool air as the room was kept at 68f. The room had an aqua green carpet with a large bed and 2 nightstands for storage. There was a large flatscreen with drawers for storage underneath as well as a mini fridge. "Luz it's perfect." Amity said as she dropped her bags by the bed. "Yes Amity,this is a perfect place to unwind after a day of excitement." Luz said as she noticed there was also a coffee maker which could make 2 cups at once. "Let's see the bathroom." Amity said as the two opened to see a walk in shower and with 2 sinks and a toilet. The bathroom was stocked with soap, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash and body lotion. "Oh this is nice." Luz said as she turned to see Amity head for the door."Luz i'm hungry let's get some food at one of the restaurant's" Amity said as the couple made their way back down towards the lobby. As they did they noticed a colorful statue of a pineapple and on a nearby wall a picture of a man pouring drinks. Next to this was writing detailing Ramon Monchito Moreno and his invention of the piña colada."Luz what is a Piña Colada?" Amity asked.
"It's the official drink of Puerto Rico and its amazing." Luz said as the two walked into the Puerto Rican restaurant. "Hi may I have your room number." The waiter it's 1663." Luz said as the man looked them up on the computer. "Ok ladies right this way." The waiter said as he guided them to a I start you two with some drinks?" He asked."Yes 2 piña colada please." Luz asked as the waiter went I don't know what to get." Amity said as she looked over the menu.I know how about some mofongo." Luz said. "Remind me what is mofongo again?" Amity said." It's fried unripe plantains that are then mashed with oil, garlic and salt then stuffed with meat. Trust me you will love it." Luz said as she signaled the waiter and gave their order with pork. As the two waited for their meal the waiter came with their drinks. "Salud Amity." Luz said as the two began to sip their cocktails. Amity was amazed by the flavors of the rum, coconut and pineapple as she drank her cocktail."Wow this is so good." Amity said as she took another sip."Well it's the first of many on this vacation." Luz said just as the waiter came with their order of mofongo. "Okay Amity let's eat." Luz said as the two began to dig into their food. "Oh my titan Luz this is so yummy." Amity said as she dug into the pork and plantain of her mofongo.
"I know I always would order it whenever we visited. It was my dads favorite." Luz said as she ate another fork's worth of mofongo. After about 10 minutes the two had finished their meals and Luz had asked for the bill. Upon receiving the bill Luz was shocked at the price. "Um Amity, I think we're gonna just stick to the local joints. They are asking way too much for 2 meals and 2 drinks." Luz said as she reluctantly paid the bill. The two who were exhausted after a busy day of travel decided to retire to their rooms for the night….
The next day….
Luz woke up to find Amity was not in bed looking around she saw Amity was on the balcony staring away at the sea. As luz opened the door she felt the warm salty air hit her face. "Good morning sweet potato. I see your taking in the view." Luz said as she wrapped her arms around Amity giving her a good morning kiss. " Luz the view up here it's so beautiful." Amity said as she breathed in the salty air. Before her she could see the old Normandie hotel under renovation. She also saw the hotel's beach and tennis courts. If she looked further she could make out the outskirts of old san juan as well as an old small fort.
"The view isn't the only thing beautiful around here." Luz said as she hugged Amity harder and kissed her neck. "Oh stop it Luz." Amity said. "I'll stop it when you stop being a cotton candied haired goddess." Luz said as she continued kissing her neck, sending Amity into a world of bliss." Ok I get it you love me now what is on the schedule today." Amity said as Luz stopped kissing her neck." Well today how about we check out old san juan and the forts then hit up a bar for the night." Luz said. "That sounds like a plan, Luz." Amity said." AMity My love this will be a honeymoon neither of us will ever forget." Luz said as the 2 left the balcony to get ready for the day.
I'm Back from my Puerto Rico vacation and now I can properly finish this story. Expect new chapters every 1-2 weeks