Puerto Rico es bueno

Spending just three days in Puerto Rico should be a crime. It is impossible to experience even a quarter of the country in three days. Imagine trying to see everything in Pennsylvania in three days. You just can’t do it.
Arriving in San Juan on Monday morning was a beautiful site. As we rolled through the bay we passed one of the two giant fort that were used to defend the island from invaders. Since we came from the Bahamas, and Puerto Rico is a US port, we had to go through US customs and do face to face passport inspection. The process ended up being pretty painless and smooth and our ship was cleared about two hours after we arrived in port (around 10am). Since my first trip wasn’t until 1pm I went running around old San Juan with one of my residents to try and get some exercise and see the city. The city is beautiful, great colors and pristine beaches. Of course during our run I slipped off the sidewalk and fell, almost rolling into oncoming traffic. When we got back to the ship it was off to my kayak trip.
Now since this is SAS first trip into PR, we are in some ways guinea pigs so the mishap that occurred really wasn’t surprising. The tour guide and bus driver were a bit confused as to where we were supposed to be going because instead of ending up on the Seven Seas beach we ended up at Bob’s Backyard Kayaks. The brown river with stray dogs wandering around was a bit of a stretch from the beautiful beaches we were promised. So after a few minutes of Spanish chatter our guide and the driver got on the same page and we were off to the right beach. It was disappointing that it ended up taking two hours to get there but the place was incredible. I just hope the disposable camera I took worked properly (I wasn’t risking flipping the kayak and ruining my digital).
Pause… Okay I only have ten minutes to finish this so I have to give highlights again:
*Monday night I went out to a salsa bar and did what is probably the worst attempt at salsa dancing ever by a white man. It was fun though
*Tuesday I walked old San Juan and took lots of great pics. I had breakfast at a Puerto Rican bakery which and it was incredible.
Since I found out my phone worked I talked to many of you and it felt really good. I can’t wait to get back to the states and to Vegas. That is going to be out of control.
*Wednesday I spent the day at the El Yunque Rain Forest and Luquillo beach. The pics will speak for themselves. Just amazing.
Okay I have to go I’ll devote more time next time. I promise.

We're changing our course to Detriot

Today was a good day. I didn't get seasick for the first time in three day and the Steelers WON! I used up a bunch of my internet minutes watching the box score on the web but it was totally worth it. By the end of the game I had a crowd gathered around me watching together. Now the concern among the Steeler fans here is how we will get to see the Superbowl. I think we leave Brazil on Superbowl Sunday and because of the time difference we will probably leave port during the game.
Last night was our first Pub night where the students could drink. It went really well. No problems and I got to talk to many of them one on one. I found out one of my residents brought her dead goldfish with her on the trip so she could return it to the sea. A bunch of my fellow Pittsburghers also helped start the Here We Go Steelers chant. It was fun.
I am slowly getting together the instructors I need for my excercise classes and meeting as many people as possible. Some of the students have great stories. I've met a guy from the Citadel and the punter for the USC Trojans.
Okay that's all for now. I'll try and make some calls tomorrow from Puerto Rico and hopefully upload these pictures soon.

Nassau is awesome, Freeport sucks

Sorry for the delay in the time to post but things here are a bit crazy. I made it here Sunday with only a little bit of trouble in Freeport where they charged me for excess baggage and delayed the plane for almost two hours. Good thing was that I got the chance to meet a few SAS professors and was able to find someone, Holly, to share a cab with when I got to Nassau. The cab driver that we had was great. He gave me an update on the Steeler game and kept saying "Pittsburgh Steelers in the house," with that thick Bahamian accent.
When we got to the ship it was the biggest relief ever. The ship is beautiful but I didn't get to explore too much when I got here because it was off to meetings/orientation. When I finally got to my cabin I realized how great things were going to be. My cabin is pimp! I am on the fourth deck and I have a big window. Some of the other RDs don't even have a port hole. Okay I want to type more but these transitions are killing time and I'm in the Bahamass people and I have free time. So here are the highlights so far:
*I have the Arabian Sea. 106 students most of all the seas.
*I got bus leader on my Rio and India trip which means I get 40% off.
*The RD staff is great and we are getting along great.
*The food is awesome and I have to workout every day so I don't end up rolling off the ship.
*Lots of Steeler fans and I can't wait for Sunday. We'll be at sea so I want an email all about the game.

I miss you all.
j

24 hours to go

Strange to think that in 24 hours I will be touching down in Nassau about to embark on my around the world adventure. I am so excited I could jump out of my skin. I've packed and repacked about five times now. My flights tomorrow are probably going to be a little rough. I leave Pittsburgh at 6:30am and I have to fly into Atlanta, then to Freeport in the Bahamas and, after a two hour layover, I should arrive in Nassau at about 1:30pm. I'm a little nervous about everything going according to plan. (ie. Not missing a flight or having my bags end up in Iowa)
I was going to go to bed early tonight so I wouldn't be too tired at my 4am wake up call but I had too much fun last night and I'm way too excited to sleep. So I'm going to the P-Bar again tonight to see my friends. The worst thing about tomorrow is I will be missing the Steeler game. But don't worry I'll still be wearing my black and gold and stopping in the airport bar as soon as I get to the Bahamas to get the score.