The new year started and it was time for me to get back to work, so I greeted Michael Cadden and thanked him for his willingness to fill in at the Lewis Center next year.
The next day, Claudia Dybdahl and Suzanne stopped by in the midst of my day.
and then I had the final project report session for my class including Melissa Lan *11, Michael Traynor '11, Vikram Rao '11, Jay Parikh '12, Dan Li '11, Jared Crooks '11, Rebecca Lee '12, Daniel May '11, Jasika Bawa '12, Ankit Panda '12 and Lauren Zumbach '13
Having survived the disappearance of the sunglasses and the need to get up at an immorally early hour to leave the house at 515, we said goodbye to Ben who was none too clear
and welcomed the Kramers and Justs who arrived in the dark
as we headed to Philadelphia airport and a parking space in section W2.
The plane boarded quickly and so our only food were these bars
which fit well with the book I was reading
and these drinks of airplane coffee
and diet coke, neither of which could satisfy a needed caffeine addiction or an effort to overcome the effects of little sleep
but 4 hours quickly passed and we found ourselves landing in San Juan
where we were greeted by the Justs
as the Kramers slowly disembarked
and we made our way through the airport
to this food stand
and then downstairs for the wait for Cape Air as Peter rested on one pole
as Sara watched
and Steven (look carefully) rested on another.
We were led to our plane
and boarded
ass we enjoyed the scenery
and Sara wondered what her first ride in a small plane would entail
but we slowly left this plane in the dust
as we flew over land
and sea
until the pilot found the runway
and brought us down
which pleased Sara
as the group posed with Glen, the pilot
and then I did so that we could all remember the way we were when we landed on Vieques.
On the other side of the airport, we met Thom who posed with Suzanne
and then with his sidekick Alberto
as we made our way to the car rental place
where these cars
came to us from Joey at Vieques Car rental.
After a stop at the fruit stand
where I admired cabbage
bananas -- yellow
and green --
various fruits
cantaloupes
yams (or maybe something local)
another unknown vegetable
and tomatoes and red peppers
before we drove up the driveway
to our house where the sunset was reflected in the pool
and seen in the sky
as we say pool
broad view
sky
and moon
before the setting sun
reminded us that Suzanne could make the first round of pina coladas
in our slightly leaky blender
and they were poured (and drunk)
before we made our way into town past El Quenepo (a restaurant for another night)
and to Duffy's
where the menu
led us to have rum drinks
and a Pranqster beer
before our main courses came and we managed our way through then still remembering what it was like to wake up before 5 in the morning.
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The next morning, we awoke to some overcast
which Suzanne observed
before we went to the kitchen and noted the benefits of two coffee makers as decaf
and caf occupied opposite sides of the kitchen
as I prepared my breakfast
and we registered Steven
and Peter
before setting out for the day
but paused to see our local bird which we later learned is a cattle egret
even as Suzanne and Sara pondered the day ahead.
on our way to the beach, we stopped at Orquideas but somehow I forgot my camera and so had to record the menu from the beach
and once at Orchid Beach we admired the sea turtle that had washed into the sand
and the views of the beach
as the gang settled
and Seva and Peter made their way into the water
as I measured the extent of the beach by photographing our neighbors
even as Suzanne
and Peter enjoyed the beach, though it was windy and not as pristine as we remembered this beach.
We had lunch and enjoyed the beach a bit longer,
before heading away up the road to the yield (Ceda) sign
and then on to Blue Beach where we saw this hut for shelter
and this coconut on the sand
as Peter, Seva and Suzanne
explored
and wondered if this sculpture was enough to bring us back
(and indeed it was) but first we explored a bit more
and then we returned to the car and drove on
to the end of the road
where we observed the signs
and explored secret beach which attracted Suzanne
as she looked out
and Seva
as we explored the shore
and then admired the setting sun.
On the road back. we came across horses along the way
and stopped for a closer look
as we went over the 17 lomo's that defined the road and kept us going slow.
Closer to home we checked out Chez Shack
and then once home we had a round of pina coladas
except for Steven who insisted on a gin and tonic to accompany Seva's drink
as Suzanne
and Sara enjoyed their drinks
and when I took this self portrait
Sara insisted on capturing Suzanne and me together
before I recorded Peter
and we headed off
to Bananas
where the condiments were well set up at the table
and the menu gave a sense of our choices
as the assembled studied the menu
as Peter
and I
and the Justs
were excited to see Seva's bushwhacker
and the other drinks that arrived
and to admire the paintings on the wall that looked like they could have been done by Aunt Diana
(but not the banos sign).
A the banana dish
and salad
and plantain came
we were ready for a larger salad
grilled cheese with gazpacho
and a Key Wester sandwich
before we had our photo taken with the waitress even as she was dropping my credit card down the crack between the floor boards.
Our friends at the next table, who were not as they had been stereotyped, were kind enough to take our photo and so we took theirs.
As we left the restaurant, Sara posed within the sign by the door even as Suzanne and I had done many years before .
Thursday began with Suzanne reading her email on the iPad
as I had my coffee and book
and looked out at the views
before her book emerged
and Steven
Suzanne
and Sara
as they pondered the day
while I registered Seva
and ate my breakfast
before Peter could be registered for the day.
Suzanne and Sara were pondering the day ahead
which began as we drove into Isabella Segundo and recorded this sign
as we made our way to the natural foods store
which had an interesting collection of foods and signs
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and then our purchases grew
as we got a pineapple
and explored staples
and dried fruits
and grains
and nuts
before noting his facilities
and discovering his large collection of Feng Shui options. This was before we realized the dried edamame tasted like dust.
Suzanne got yogurt
and Chris rang us up, mentioned that he knew Tom Wright and sent us on our way.
We drove on to sea glass beach where we parked by the chickens
and this parklet
but then made our way so that Seva
could look through this terrain
as various samples were gathered
and the searching continued
as I noted the expanse of the beach in both direction
and the sea ahead
before we made our way past this local lime tree (not!)
and looked out at the island
as we walked through the chickens
and past this washer on its rinse cycle
before seeing a few roosters who had been guarding our car
so that we could drive on to the super market
and gather a cart
into which we put large quantities of water
and other foods
as I noted the ice cream
while Seva and Suzanne looked in the cooling units
and Sara got aluminum foil
and gathered in line
as we noted the incorrectly stereotyped couple in front of us in line
I took photos in all directions
before it was time to empty our cart
onto the belt and pay the grocer
so that we could return home, unload and wonder what the sky had in store for us as we headed to the beach.
ON the way to the beach, we stopped at the bar at Bananas where this sign
amused Suzanne
as we noted that they were well stocked
and spoke with the manager on duty about a mayonnaise jar
which was put aside
so that while we waited
blenders of pina coladas
could be poured into the jar
and delivered with cups
so that we could make our way to the beach and do a brief explore
before possessions were unloaded
and set up
so that the water could be tested
as conversations began
and I admired the breadth of the beach
as Peter checked out the water
Sara took Steven's photo
Peter went snorkeling
and I walked the beach to see what I could see
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settling into my seat
and getting a drink from Seva
before she realized that she should be doing the mirage lady imitation.
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and a lizard climbed on the wall by the green grocery store
we made our way back to see the sculpture Sara had made
on the kitchen counter
and unblended
for clarity so that we could have a pitcher of drinks
to go with our snacks
as the cigars
and carrots came out
along with the lettuce
which had to be spun in archaic form
as the salad began to be assembled
even as the avocado was being prepared
and more spinning (of arugula) had to be done
to get a complete salad
as Peter pondered his iPhone
as the table was set
and Suzanne
and Seva continued preparations
as the wine was chosen
and Seva chose the pasta
so that this was my plate
as the food
and sauces made for an excellent meal.
The next morning was Friday and I registered Peter
and Suzanne
as I had my coffee
and Cheerios
and milk
and looked out at the horizon
before registering Seva
and Steven
as we returned to sea glass beach and walked past the chickens
to begin the gathering process equipped with vessels in which to carry our findings
as the sea stretched ahead of us
and Seva went under the tree
as Peter headed to the opposite end of the beach
and within the stones
we saw coconuts
as Peter found a place to sit at the end of the beach
as Seva and Suzanne did the stooping necessary to succeed
as Suzanne
and Seva explored the beach
and I alternated between photographing stones
checking on Peter
noting driftwood
and looking out at the sea
as Peter continued his philosopher's stance
while sea glass was gathered by Seva and Suzanne
before Peter made his way back
where some of the days catch was observed
even as Peter led us off the beach
with one final photo
before we headed home and assembled the requisite ingredients in the mayonnaise jar
and headed to secret beach for the day.
We did the process of setting up
and then Sara entered the sea
and checked out the water
as I watched little crabs make their way into and out of little holes on the side.
AS the beach scenes evolved
it soon became time for lunch
and drinks (not mayonnaise) were served
as we watched the group of women down the beach and speculated on their group dynamic and their origins.
even while reading
as Peter walked down the beach
and was asked to take these photos of the group
as Seva in the water
wanted to be sure that I got this picture (which I did).
As the group left, they returned the favor and took these photos of our group.
Next I observed this conch shell
from this habitat
and brought it to Suzanne to explore
before looking at the jungle beyond
and then noting that our neighbor on the beach was doing a beached whale imitation
which Seva in the water was sure I would not photograph
but fortunately I had already taken a better photo than this before we left the beach
drove over the 17 bumps
and made our way into the pool at home
where I observed the scenery of the house from various vantage points
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and together we observed
and then saw that our cattle egret had returned
as Sara
and Suzanne prepared for dinner
as we looked out at the end of sunset
and gathered around our table
for a round of drinks
before heading to El Quenepo
where we were seated
and shown the menu
and bread (small portion with odd topping)
and wine were served
followed by salads
and inside out sushi
before the main courses were brought in quite elegant presentation
and as Peter movie his lobster
a movie was needed
even as we surveyed my meal with tofu but no pork
and the others
before we met the owner
and after delivering dessert menus
she led us into the kitchen for these photos with her husband (the other owner) and his other chef
after which Seva posed with Katie, our waitress
and they were joined by Suzanne
and then the other waitress
before we headed off but first took a few pictures of the garden next door.
It was Saturday and we were greeted by coffee -- decaf
and caf
and cereal
as we looked out at another beautiful day
that Suzanne
and I
and Peter
and the Justs
were ready to begin
as Suzanne and Sara posed in their riding attire
and so we went to meet the horses but first we had to pass by these horses in the road
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where horses were waiting for us
and being prepared by Elizabeth
so that we could have our ride on their backs
as Sara put on her helmet
and I was the first to be called
to mount my horse named Riscotti
and then Sara got on her horse
followed by Steven
and Suzanne
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Suzanne was ready
and so off we went into the jungle to begin our ride
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and from there to the beach
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for this group photo of the 4 horsemen
with the sea behind
and Suzanne mounted for action
as we paused
and then made our way
back to the starting point
where I dismounted
and then there were photos taken
as Suzanne waited
for the group photo
taken by these potential future riders
and so we were ready to consider which beach to attend to on that day. The decision was to go to Blue Beach where we were greeted by Sarah, Christina, Lily and Shannon, our friends from the day before who told of being waitresses from Plum Island but were unwilling to pose in alphabetical order.
Seva and Peter went for a walk in the water
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for lunch
and accompanying drink
and after a long day at the beach, we looked out and observed a man walking from shore to this island (over a tiny inlet of land and setting himself up to fish (gentle viewer: you need to go into high res and look carefully)
and after recording our neighbor in the water
and the broad beach
we noticed a yacht from Fajardo coming into port
near the island where the fisherman continued
and so we watched a few men get off the boat
said goodbye to the beautiful day
and headed home to turn on the television
and watch the Steelers game which had a happy ending
but not a quick ending which meant that we were quite late for our reservation at Coconuts
with its extensive menu
which made all of us
and especially the Steelers fan
happy to have our drinks
and salads
and comfort foods
and other foods
including vinegar for the fish and chips
before inquiring about a kitchen photo which turned out to be not possible though we could pose with Dorothy, the owner
and then have a photo of the owner with Jose, our waiter.
before checking out the town square
and the street sign
and the Mr Sushi chain which seems to grace only 3 cities.
The next day, Peter
and Suzanne
highlighted the morning views
as Seva prepared
my coffee
to go with my cereal
when Sara
and Steven woke
and we prepared to go to Media Luna where the scenery was good
though there were others at the beach
and the seas were rough
but we ran into Sarah, our waitress friend from Plum Island
whose friends were here
and the sand was beautiful
as I chose my sandwich
and opened it
which observing the beauty of the scenery
as the waitresses passed us by
and so my meal was complete
once drinks were poured
to go with sandwiches
and nuts
accompanied the end of the drinks
along with grapes
before Peter ventured in for another ride of the waves
and a group of neighbors appeared with impressive ink on their bodies
while their smoking caused us to consider a different beach and so we went to Sun Bay where the setting
made Sara smile
as the coconuts on the shore
brought Suzanne out of the water
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and see the coconuts
and ignore the broader view
so that among the coconuts
Suzanne could set a context
for these photos which Peter took of our most wonderful vacation which was getting ready to wind down.
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and ran into this man with a wonderful giraffe who didn't speak enough English to let us know where it came from or if it was for sale
and then past signs welcoming us to town
as we entered Al's bar and it's decadent zone
from which we saw a mixture of ferry views
encroaching sunset images
and sea scenes of birds looking for their dinner
with the realization that the ferry would depart
and the sun would set
to darkness
as our neighbors
took these photos of our group
as the sun was setting
the birds were dining
more sunset
flying birds
sunset
birds
and into the setting sun
we watched the ferry depart
and as the sun came down
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and add more particles to future sunsets
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before taking a photo of his sign (so that we could come back
and then observed the street scene
before looking into his window to see the evolving game
and headed down the street to note this sculpture
and after the obligatory phone booth picture (2 booths, 1 phone, no headsets)
we headed home where after a while Peter started on the project of making omelettes
as ingredients were gathered
and the edamame was sampled and determined to have the flavor of dust
as the wine was chosen, but unfortunately for us our chapped lips made it an unpleasant experience
but this was my plate of delicious food
as I continued work on my diorama describing the trip we were on.
After Sara posed with the mayonnaise jar
Peter and I realized that it was cigar night and so we gathered paraphernalia
and created long ashes
to enjoy
before declaring it a night.
Our last full day began with Suzanne
Steven
Seva
and me on the porch
as my breakfast came
and Sara joined us
while we noticed a fire in the valley below (perhaps trash being burnt)
as we made our way to Green Beach on the far end of the island
and admired the Atlantic side of things
as we roamed the beach
and saw the views
and most importantly the stones on the beach
and views
but focuses on the sea flowers
we could gather
and not the end of the beach or the mainland
but rather these souvenirs
against this backdrop
as the seas were elegant
and the gatherers did their thing
until we chose to depart
and get into the car
led by Sara
as we viewed our treasures and headed back to civilization
where the first gas station
did not have what we needed but fortunately the other gas station was abierto
and so we could get gas
if we paid first
and then we observed the horses who seemed incongruous at the gas station except for their statuesque appearances.
Along the way to the beach, we stopped at the grocery store
and went inside
but the real delight was in this sign outside
before we got back into the car
and made our way to Secret Beach
where we set up and were joined by Peter
as Sara demonstrated the wonderful fan I had found in the water
and while I was drinking my Diet Snapple, we realized that we had forgotten to bring glasses for the drinks
and so Peter improvised by taking the cheese container and rinsing it
and then cut the smallest of holes in its corner
so that we could funnel the drinks first into a snapple bottle
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even funneling the excess back into the mayonnaise container
when the soda can was full.
This didn't detract from the taste of the cheese
or from Suzanne's swim
but as the sky got dark at day's end,
we realized that we had to leave Mark and Nina, our new friends,
and head up the trail
beyond the rocks
and get into the cars
where we discovered the mustard we had left in the car
and drive up the hill
and down the road
with Peter guiding us
over the bumps
until we reached the gardens
of the W where they had exercise
and food
and graciously greeted us
and welcomed us through their doors
into W land
after we were done with the doors.
We all gathered
by the fire
and recorded the menu
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and we looked out at their beach which is often closed by rough seas
but this didn't stop us from enjoying our drinks
and the food we had ordered
even as the hotel brought us complimentary drinks
and snacks
and we observed the setting sun
and Suzanne posed for one last photo
before we did the Whatever/whenever bit and headed back for showers and preparation for dinner.
We went to Bili for dinner
were we ran into Mark and Nina from the beach
before studying the menu
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as Sara
and I
listened to the waiter
who convinced us to have the 2 sided medalla beer
and order various appetizers
and a salad
before the main courses came with fish that didn't quite run off the plate
some more tapas
and a large vegetarian paella.
Mark left and left his business card with me so that I could return the photo he took which unfortunately did not work out well
and then the waiter took our group photo
and served us a complimentary drink before we headed home.
It was our last morning and Suzanne was slow to rise
but Steven
Seva
and Peter were ready to go
as I finished my diorama (though I missed the beeping oven)
and took a last photo
before Sara appeared
and then checked out the view where the egret was
and after some misfires
recorded myself
before Peter began washing the cars
as Sara and Suzanne sorted the shells
and we headed out taking our bags
to Cape Air
where we gathered
and were checked in
and then sent to observe the last flowers we'd see for some months
as we sat on the benches and soaked up warmth
accidentally making a movie
before heading to the gate
and past the W entrance
to see our plane in the distance
as we made our way
and loaded possessions
and then ourselves
for the start of the journey back home
with a perfect landing in San Juan
before we disembarked
and headed into the airport where gentlemen were checking in chickens
and we made our way to the Sports Bar when we learned that our place was delayed
and Suzanne
Seva
and Peter studied the menu
before drinks
and food were delivered
to hep us cope with the plane ride where this was all we'd eat.
Once back, I coped with the reality that work beckoned but was delightfully charmed by a lunch with Gideon Rosen (Philosophy), Nicholas Turk-Browne (Psychology), Ulrich Mueller (Economics), Dorothea Fiedler (Chemistry), Stephan Fueglistaler (Geosciences) and David Bell (History) my first day back.
