Coming Home: Part Two
When last we left off, Blackwarren Art Director Ivy Beth Gladstone had touched down in Puerto Rico and had settled in - an emotional experience to be sure. Now, she starts a new day on the island and everything it has in store for her.
Day Two: A New Day Back
The night before, sleep was not easy to obtain. We finally get up around 8 am and I’m waiting for my father to start his day. Around 9, he’s up and does his morning routine with my brother and breakfast prep for him. A simple meal of toast and fruit. My father offers us to take us to El Yunque, and to show more of the east side of the island. We all jumble up in his car and we are off. The breeze was nice as we drove in the direction towards Canóvanas, Rio Grande, and approached the street way to head up to the mountains to see the forest. The moment we were surrounded by greenery, covering even the sky at turns and curves, the temperature felt so much cooler than the heat-stricken highways. We made it a little over halfway, passing the museum, at a little nook that doubles as a lookout point. We decided to get out of the car and take some pictures and I wanted to switch, putting myself in the back seat with my brother so that my partner could enjoy the rest of the ride. It felt like jamming in an extra sardine in an already semi-broken full tin.
After seeing all the flora that rounded these amazing hilltops we descended, turning and curving to go back on the highway and see Luquillo. A town that has beautiful beaches and a wire range of kiosks of food vendors by the beach sides., preparing fresh fried fritters for the beachgoers. My father treated us to some for all. Tacos (long empanadas) filled with land crab were my choice; my brother had chicken-filled ones, and both my partner and my father had octopus-filled ones. Always a true treat.
We headed back home, still going through more scenic parts where the beach was more predominant to see, and viewing the coastline of all the hotels, condos, and other modern infrastructure as we went. We arrived home and trying to get out of that car was so hard. My partner was still in pain, and I wasn’t far behind. My dad was doing his best to give a nice impression. You can tell that he doesn’t get many guests. Then I was waiting for my best friend to confirm when it was ok to go to her house. We waited till 6 pm when she finally gave us the “OK” to come. We got an Uber to travel a bit more comfortably. My father protested as to why I would pay for a travel service when he was willing to take us; I said: “I’m not trying to offend you, we just weren’t comfortable in the car. It was hard to get in and out of!” He looked at me and said: “Oh! Ok then, I understand. That’s a good reason.” And continued his conversation with my partner till the Uber arrived. My father spoke about language as he is not native to Puerto Rico, but was able to pick it up as the years passed living here. My partner was fascinated with his story of language learning and before we knew it, our ride came.
Finally, I got to see my best friend, someone I call “Sis”. I met her darling baby boy and we talked till her hubby got back from work. It’s such a lovely reunion. I was so elated to have my partner meet them finally after so long. I got to see her mom who visited briefly to see and tend to her grandson. The evening turned into an hour before midnight and we finally went to bed.
Come back next time for even more about Ivy’s long-awaited trip back home!