What Are You Wearing People?

Anyone who knows me is well aware that I am not a fashionista. I don't wear trendy clothes.  I gravitate toward comfort and ease when it comes to my clothing choices.  If I have thoughtfully accessorized and my hair isn't in a pony tail or hairband at least once during the work week, then I am doing well.  I tend to wear earth tones or items that match.  I guess sometimes I am pretty boring with monochromatic ensembles. I am pretty self-aware of my lack of fashion sense.  That said, I have to wonder about others' choices when they are traveling.  

Being stuck in an airport for a long layover or extended delays allows a lot of time for 'people watching.'  I was blown away at what I observed recently.  Now this isn't a commentary on another culture; this was a U.S. airport.  These were 'my people.'  At least every other person begged the question, "What were you thinking when you chose that outfit?"  

I saw no less than five women wearing strapless tops or dresses. This is just a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen. Only one woman looked fabulous in it and she had two children under the age of three, so that was grounds for me to be annoyed with her anyway.  I just don't understand how that is a comfortable option while traveling through airports. And what about the cut-off shorts that would require you to cut off a lot more just to wear them? I felt like the 'people of Walmart' just entered the terminal.  Got my toilet paper and magazines, now let's head to the airport.

Then there is the choice in footwear. I get that Europeans can walk all over in all kinds of shoes.  I've traveled to various countries and it's just how they roll.  But am I the only person whose feet tend to swell when flying?  How are you squeezing into the Candies stilettos circa 1980 and navigating the lengthy routes through check-in and gates? The only bonus would be easy shoe removal at security, but there are a lot of other sensible and fashionable choices if that is the goal.  Is the airport really the place to rock your new five inch wedges?

It doesn't seem to be an age thing either.  There were plenty of older women wearing crazy shoes and outfits.  One older woman walked by in an outfit clearly intended for a much younger person. She had overworked the Botox and makeup.  Maeve looked at her and said, "There goes Grandma Ga Ga."

Tourists don't seem to save these illogical clothing choices for the airport either.  When we toured the caves in Puerto Rico I saw a woman wearing a black cat suit.  Seriously?  How did that decision start? Should I wear the comfortable walking shorts, the flowy skirt because it's hot?....No, I think I'll squeeze my 230 pound body into this black cat suit with the lace accents. Perfect for a walking tour through dark caves. 

I know we will see a lot more interesting fashion choices as we travel internationally. I guess I was sort of surprised by the choices of my own country.  I'm sure that could be a blog all by itself. 

Old San Juan and Rio Camuy Caves

We packed quite a bit into our week in Puerto Rico.  Our first night here, we went to a local restaurant called Alavara. (I attached a clip of that on our home page vimeo video. I'll learn how to embed it soon.) It was the perfect introduction to Puerto Rico.  We sat outside at a picnic table, ate a variety of empenadas and listened to a local musician.  Good friends, traditional food - it was a beautiful evening.  

The next day we visited Old San Juan.  It was incredibly hot so we stopped for some piraguas or snow cones with local flavors like tamarindo and parcha (passion fruit). It was the perfect treat as we walked along the streets lined with walls that were originally built to protect the city.  

After a large lunch of tapas and sangria (yum), we visited El Morro.  This is a fort built in the 1500's which was designed to guard the entrance to the San Juan Bay.

Inside El Morro

Michael and Liam watching all of the kites flying outside of El Morro

Our next visit was to the Rio Camuy caves. This was an expedition into the third largest subterranean river system in the world.  The tour takes you through Cueva Clara which is a small part of the ten miles that was carved out by the Camuy River about a million years ago. From what I understood from the introductory movie prior to the tour, the limestone caves were only discovered in the '50s (even though the Taino Indians used them for shelter long ago) and turned into a public park with guided tours in the '80s.  We took a tram down a winding trail about 200 ft. to the caverns and then we were able to walk inside. It was a very slippery path, but it was amazing.  While my son didn't consider it a 'cave' due to more than one opening out, he was impressed that part of a Batman movie was filmed here.

From the tram on the way down

From the bottom on our way back up on the tram

One opening in the cave

Another opening....

Looks ike a cave to me....

A Week of Transition

Four days under our belt at our friend's house in Puerto Rico.  I'm very glad we planned this as our first stop.  The kids have play mates and we all have some time to adjust to this massive life change.

 The Garcias, our friends, have been AMAZING hosts and tour guides!  They've opened up their house to us and we couldn't be more appreciative. It is so nice to have someone with us who knows the island and the language. They have driven us everywhere and have been incredibly accommodating. Our children have been playing well together....let's hope that continues.  They still have a few days together so I'm hoping it all ends well and we don't encounter complete meltdowns.  

This transition has also taught us some valuable traveling lessons.  We have found that everyone needs to label their personal technology chargers and headphones.  The constant, "Have you seen my..... [fill in the blank with ipad charger, ipod, phone, headphones]?" questions have become quite frustrating. We have labeled all of the items not only to keep track of them, but to avoid future arguments about another family member falsely claiming them.  

We also have learned to be mindful of the impact of weather.  The heat can quickly zap energy and alter moods (and we thought we just had to deal with changing hormones).  Reapplying sunscreen and swim-shirts are necessities in tropical climates.  

This has also been a time for my children to truly understand what is happening.  This is not a 'vacation', although it certainly feels like it now. There will be many educational excursions and the balking has already started.  I have to say I was pretty shocked.  I thought we had prepped the kids well.  We had so many family discussions about every aspect of this trip. How could they be questioning and resisting outings? Only four days in and I'm getting all riled up channeling the dude from Captain Phillips saying "I'm your captain now!" I mean they don't whine and talk back when your teacher begins a new topic or subject.....hmmm, perhaps they do.

But upon further analysis, it makes sense. This is a huge adjustment for them. I can't expect them to make this transition flawlessly.  This isn't the first time our patience will be tested and it by no means will be the last.  We all still have a lot to learn. On the bright side, I'm sure it will give me plenty of blog topics. 

Maeve and Zoe selfie

Maeve and Liam outside El Morro (the old fort guarding entrance to San Juan)