Hm. So where did Summer go again?

It’s been ages since my last post. No excuses here, just a lot going on. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen that I was running around all summer for business and pleasure. Not sure if it’s too early for this kind of talk, but as 2016 comes to a close I definitely feel myself going into a bit of reflection mood. So, what really happened this year?

But let’s not get into that now!

Let’s talk about Vieques. This precious, little island is one of the most special places that Puerto Rico has to offer. In the midst of all the craze that was this summer, I was lucky enough to spend some days in this oasis.

Whether it’s drinking cheap wine and making new friends at a hostel or having (overpriced) mojitos and a relaxing stay at a wonderful hotel such as the W, there’s always so much to discover when you travel.  I’m all for adventures and activity, but every now and then we all need some well-deserved R&R. Just looking through my pictures makes me feel relaxed. I would be laying by the pool just looking at the palm trees and feel content. I wasn’t reading, I wasn’t listening to music, I wasn’t looking at my phone or talking to anyone… I was just being, and it felt both weird and amazing.

I will be sharing more about Vieques in coming posts, but for now I leave you with some of my favorite pictures of my stay at the W. Hope you can sense and appreciate the good vibes this wonderful spot has to share. 🙂

Photography by Cristina Nogueras ©

I chose to live in a city where summers are short and winters are brutal. I chose to live in a place where beaches are not as pretty as the ones you gawk at on Instagram… they are also far. I chose to live in a place where weather messes up your mood and the winds blow away your cheer.

Ugh fine, call me out, I am being dramatic. I also chose to live in a pretty amazing city that offers me endless variety in food, people and adventures. So yes, rough and candid, that is New York City. So I will close my eyes and think of warmer days that I can enjoy by the water while I eat oysters and drink rose.

In the meantime, enjoy these totally unrelated pictures from Puerto Rico. I blame them for my misery. Actually, I blame this stupid winter weather that decides to act up on April (Spring!!!).

Hey, it’s not my fault I really belong in paradise.

I don’t care too much for cars. I love that they take us from point A to B, but I’ve never really paid too much attention to features unless I had to  connect my iPod into the speakers. I know, I know, you don’t need an iPod to play music in your car. That’s just how long it’s been since I’ve had a car (#nycproblems).

This past holiday season, I asked my friend to choose an off-the-beaten path beach for us to explore for a day. She chose well, maybe too well. As she drove ahead of me, we stood upon a long, narrow and muddy road to “La Selva”. We’re getting dirty, no big deal.

But wait, these puddles are deep. I could then understand how other friends had attempted this same trip and failed so miserably that they had to get a tow truck to help them get their cars out of the mud. Still, there we were, facing the road ahead with total determination to make it to the beach. Bumpy road to say the least, but oh so worth it. My lovely white Xterra had gotten down and dirty and we got to enjoy the beach exclusively to ourselves.

Our friend Rocco here was having a blast and I was happily taking my parent’s GoPro on her first beach trip. You know, perfect day. Even the drops that got on the way look good.

Plot twist, it starts raining. No big deal if you are in the tropics, by the beach and already wet. Wrong. Rain means more water falling into the already deep mud puddles. Abort mission. This time, I got to record the experience with the help of my GoPro. A mess because, oh well, we barely made it.

Prologue, my dad days later sent me a picture letting me know that even the insides of my car got muddy, like right down in the engine muddy. He was not amused.

** Before **

** After **

Look at this beach and tell me it isn’t worth it.