The "Preparations Have Begun" Story

Foreword:  I can't believe my eyes!  Yesterday Carol and I made reservations for yet another trip with our traveling friends Jerry and Just Sue, and even called them with the infor- mation.  Today I open the Sunday newspaper and there on the first page of the "Perspective" section is this headline: Puerto Rico In Crisis.  Wow, how can that be.  Will be have to change our destination?  After reading the stories that accompanied the headline and large photo, I have a better understanding of their economic crisis.  Many islanders are heading to the mainland of the United States to find work, since jobs are hard to come by on the island.  After discussing the situation with my wife, we figured a trip to the island may add some income to some of the people who live and work there.  My story today will tell you about our plans for something new in our travel plans.

It was an ordinary day.  Making some of the necessary phone calls to find out about car insurance, medivac insurance and trip cancellation insurance.  After traveling for over 15 years now I kind of know what to do to prepare for a memorable vacation.  My wife Carol and I take a relaxing beach vacation every year and we also like to take another vacation with our traveling friends Jerry and Just Sue every year.  

Pool area at the InterContinental San Juan Resort.

Have been able to fit both trips in up till now and hope to continue with both in the future.  Our trip this year with our friends was supposed to be either a return trip to St. Thomas/ St. Martin or a return trip to Turks and Caicos, all in the Caribbean.  We visited with our friends recently in State College and just couldn't decide what to do.  It was finally decided that we try a place that we have never been to in the past.  A few suggestions were Belize, Aruba or Puerto Rico.  Jerry and Just Sue had been to Puerto Rico in the past with their son, and we all have visited Belize and Aruba while on a cruise, but I consider cruising' a big boat ride and not a true vacation on an island.  Well, Carol and I visited our trusty travel agent Karen at Liberty Travel in Lancaster, PA and made preliminary plans for a trip to Puerto Rico.  

Old San Juan in Puerto Rico.

Since it is a United States territory we don't need a passport and my car insurance covers me just the same as it does in Lancaster.  Medicare (yes, we reached that age years ago) covers us for medical problems should they arise, but will only airlift you to the closest territorial state if necessary so I have been searching for some basic air transport insurance just in case.  We have selected the InterContinental San Juan Resort for our home away from home and made our choice since it is right on a beach and also close to Old San Juan.  The photo possibilities in Old San Juan are exciting as well as a side trip to the island of Vieques.  If you have never heard of Vieques, it is an island about eight miles east of the Peurto Rico mainland and has one main town known as Isabel Segunda.  

Nearby Vieques has some of the most beautiful beaches
in the Caribbean and I will have my camera ready.

Translated, it's name means "small island."  It is also well known as the site of a series of protests agains the United States navy's use of the island as a bombing range and testing ground which led to the navy's departure in 2003.  The former navy land is now a national wildlife refuge with numerous beaches that still retain the names given to them by the navy, including Red Beach, Blue Beach, Green Beach and others.  The beaches on Vieques are listed among the top beaches in the Caribbean for their azure-colored waters and white sands.  I guess you can see what is in store for you when I return home from this photo-filled vacation.  Can hardly wait!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.