Why We Have Screens and Sr.

In Puerto Rico, not everyone has screens on their windows.  In addition to keeping dust, dirt, and mosquitos out- here are some pictures of WHY we put screens on our windows...

This guy was on the screen in KC's bathroom window.  Needless to say, she showered with the window closed this morning...

On the screen window in our living room, there is also this little cocoon.  We're glad it's on the outside of the screen, but not looking forward to seeing what emerges...

This little guy wasn't on our screens, but a new bug we haven't seen before.  He's better outside of the house than inside.

It's official- we live in Puerto Rico- our first piece of mail with Sr. as the title instead of Mr. arrived!

Recoup Weekend and Coco Frio

This was our relax and recoup weekend- after Brian and Suzanne's visit, Jake's travel week, and before KC's family comes on Tuesday.  We did all the boring, every day things we needed to do- grocery shopping, Home Depot trip, Walgreens, and other stores and then were able to relax a bit!

Saturday afternoon in the pool

Pizza from Sam's club for dinner

Here's the haul Jake brought back from Florida.  We each indulged in a pack of Sweethearts to celebrate Valentine's Day.  (They aren't like we remember them when we were kids, we're not fans of the new flavors.)

This came in the mail this week...  Well, we do live in Puerto Rico, but we don't think KC will ever be able to fill the role of being a Latina (maybe if she didn't have so many freckles)!  This magazine came for free, in addition to the regular one.  We got a good laugh about this! :)

After church on Sunday, we headed to the beach for a few hours.  It was nice to relax and enjoy a drink at the beach to unwind.  Beach days will never get old!

On the road near our complex, a man is usually there selling Coco Frio (Cold Coconut).  Friends had told us they buy coconuts for coconut water here, so we stopped and tried one.  Jake had the guy cut the top off, but not puncture it all the way, so he could do this later.

So, Sunday night Jake started the process of getting some coconut water from the coconut.

Cut the top off

Then, cut a hole in the top.

Get a jar, and tip the coconut over.

Be careful, some water was spilled here...

This is how much coconut water we got out! 

Sunset Yoga

Jake went to Florida for a meeting last week, and KC found out about a sunset yoga class right down the beach from our place at Pozo de Jacinto.

Leaving for yoga class

Walk to Yoga class

When KC got there the instructor and another student were looking at the water.  There were two whales spouting and breaching in the water!  The whales stayed around for about five minutes, and we enjoyed watching them.  It was the first time KC had seen whales in Puerto Rico, and they were so close to our house!  We're hoping to see more soon!

 KC didn't have the good camera with her, so these are the images from her phone.  You can at least see the white area in the water where the whales were!

Quick photo before class started

KC had only taken one yoga class before this one, and the setting was much better here! ;)  How can you not love sunset beach yoga?  It was a really good workout, and KC is looking looking forward to going back soon.  Yoga classes are offered here three times a week.  It was also a great way to meet new people who speak English- yay!

Beautiful sunset we watched while finishing class!

Brian and Suzanne Visit: Part 3

On Sunday we drove to Catano to tour Casa Bacardi.  We purchased the premium tickets so we would get a tour of the facility, and a mixology class for the ladies and a rum tasting for the boys. The experience started here where we got a drink and enjoyed the setting for a few minutes.  Suzanne and KC got a drink with cherry rum, and KC knew she had to buy a bottle since it was sweet!  

Then, we hopped on a tram for a tour of the facility.

Next, we were given a tour of a few buildings.  We learned about the history of sugar cane in the Caribbean, the Bacardi family, and the Bacardi distillery.  Also, we were shown the process of how their rum is made.

Part of the tour included a "bar tender" showing us how to make Mojitos and Cuba Libre.  He also talked a little more about the different types of rum Bacardi makes.  The room was a replica of a prestigious club in Cuba.

This plant makes 100,000 gallons of rum a day!

Once the factory tour was over, the boys had a rum tasting.  They were able to try four different kinds of rum.  Their favorite was the Bacardi Eight.  

The girls went to a mixology class.  Suzanne was a pro, and handled all the drinks with ease.  KC on the other hand- well, let's just say it was her first mixology class.  She had to put a lot of sugar in her drinks to drink them!

Before

During

After

Notice: not much ice in KC's drinks

The Pro

The end of the tour was the gift shop.  We purchased some cherry and dragon berry rum, and a bottle of the Bacardi Eight.  Then, we got a free muddler and a glass!   

Next, we drove to Old San Juan to go sightseeing.  But, it was SO busy and there weren't parking spots anywhere!  The Circle Festival was there, and parts of the roads were shut down.  Also, we experienced our first protest, which was for animal rights.  So, we had to skip Old San Juan and drive on...  The girls settled for some Cold Stone ice cream to smooth that over.  

We ate dinner at Salitre in Arecibo.  Jake had been to this restaurant before.  The "island time" phrase was used a lot as it took an hour for our dinner to arrive.  It was rainy, but we sat outside and enjoyed watching the big waves as they rolled in. 

A documented hug for the Honeywell crew! ;) 

We had a great time with Brian and Suzanne!  We had many laughs and great conversations.  They were able to experience some of the Puerto Rico inconveniences of "island life", and no one contracted "chicken marsala" so we call their visit a win!