It’s been two years since I left Puerto Rico because of Hurricane Maria. I’ve missed the sun, the food, the sands, the people more than words can describe. Throughout these two years, I’ve wanted nothing more than to go back to visit. Finally, I got my wish. I got to visit my home for a week during the summer!Â
Imagine this: you’re just about to start your junior year of college, you have a small online magazine that’s constantly growing, you’re talking with local brands and planning your next photography session, and all of your friends are less than ten minutes away. Then, it all changes.Â
Puerto Ricans divide their lives into two parts: Pre-Maria and Post-Maria. For some, these two parts are not drastically different. But for others, it’s like having two lives in one. I’m definitely the latter.Â
I’ve always wanted to leave the island. I never thought that I would be successful as a writer or filmmaker if I stayed in Puerto Rico. But right before the hurricane — right before we had to leave — was when I felt like I had my life figured out. I was almost done with my degree and I had this online magazine that was growing — I had a plan! Hurricane Maria ruined all of that. But, I’m not saying that at this point, two years later I regret leaving — because that changes constantly — but I can’t help but wonder.Â
I moved to New Jersey a month after the hurricane. Two of my best friends moved to Indiana, while the rest of my friend group stayed in Puerto Rico. I haven’t seen them since I moved. It’s been two long years. I was missing the island. I was missing my friends. I was missing everything. I wanted to go back so badly. Then, finally, this summer I was able to.Â
I was literally crying on the plane that I would finally be able to see and hug my friends for the first time in two years. Two of my best friends picked me up from the airport, and I thought we would have this big emotional moment. But… we didn’t, and we didn’t need to. It felt like we’ve been together this whole time, like we’ve never been apart. That perfectly describes this entire trip for me — it’s like I never left.Â
While the people I was with definitely made the experience amazing, the places we visited made it perfect. Here’s a list of all the places we went that you should go too when you visit Puerto Rico:
- Los Pinos in Miramar
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This criollo restaurant is open 24/7 — for when you just got out of the airport or have some late night cravings.
- Acapulco in Santurce
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The Calle Loiza in Santurce is one of the trendiest spots in Puerto Rico right now, with so many amazing local restaurants to choose from! This Mexican restaurant was ridiculously delicious.
- La PenĂşltima in Santurce
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This bar turned into one of my favorite spots this vacation! I went back here twice because of how much I loved the drinks and the vibe! There’s a little outside sitting area that’s perfect to chill and talk with friends.
- Metropol in Isla Verde or Guaynabo
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While this was definitely not a new discovery for me, it felt nice to go back to a familiar criollo restaurant! The plates are big enough to share and the churrasco is always delicious.
- Cayo Caribe in Guaynabo or Condado
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This criollo restaurant focuses more on seafood! I highly recommend the mofongo relleno de shrimp, but mofongo relleno de anything is always a great option.
- El Nie Bar in Santurce
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This bar has some amazing food, with really good happy hours and a backroom exclusively to dancing reggaeton. What else do you need?
- Abracadabra in Santurce
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Another spot in Calle Loiza in Santurce, this brunch place was absolutely amazing. I had the Montecristo Sandwich, and wow… I still think about it. It was so good, I’m sad I only ate there once on my last day.
- Club 77 in Rio Piedras
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If you’re looking for a trendy queer space, Club is the place to be! Loud, booming music and a huge dance floor — it’s the perfect place to let yourself go.
- Sombrilla Rosada in Old San Juan
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A staple that you simply can’t miss! This bar is famous for cheap drinks, $1 jello shots, constant happy hours and loud karaoke. Perfect for us poor college students!
I had the most amazing time on that trip. It was the best week of my life so far. I never wanted it to end. It was my friends, who are more like a family to me; it was the food; it was the sun and the beach; it was the roadtrips and the music; it was everything. I really hope I can go back soon. Â
I know a lot of you are probably asking yourselves, “Why doesn’t she just go live there?” But the reality is that my life is here now. My life is waiting for the third F bus to come to the Food Science building and praying it’s not too full to take me to College Ave. My life is working at Ulta. My life is always planning to go to the city soon — the city being New York, which all of you living in Jersey know, but for my friends living in Puerto Rico that just sounds insane. It’s crazy, but it’s mine now. And yeah, Puerto Rico will always be my home — it’s where most of my best memories are, and that’s okay. I can always go back. Even if it takes two more years, I know that it will feel like I never left at all.
As an aside, Puerto Rico is not doing too well right now: two earthquakes and a tropical storm in a span of a few days. This Hispanic Heritage Month, I ask that you pay attention. That, while there’s a lot happening in the US right now, you don’t forget that small island. A great resource to do this through is David Begnaud, lead correspondent to CBS This Morning, who’s always on top of all the news concerning Puerto Rico. He did an amazing coverage of the island during Hurricane Maria and the protests against the Governor.