Faaaancy!

I just spent 2 hours writing this blog post..and it was deleted. Le sigh.

The planets are just not aligned. 

Lets see if we can do it again in 30 minutes! Okay, go! 

I'm alive! I know it's been 10 days, and some of you have been pretty worried, but I'm well-ish, and ready to explain. My absence hasn't been entirely due to unpredictable internet access. These past few days, I've had a fever ranging between 100-104F. I went to the ER two nights ago and was diagnosed with Tonsillitis. Hooray, a name for my mysterious symptoms! You can't actually imagine how reliving it is to have a name for it. I feel like I know it better already. Tonsillitis. I'm going to beat you. Tonsillitis. You don't scare me.

I wish I could have said the same 3 days ago. I was in pretty bad shape. I had extreme body aches, a fever, the worst sore throat in the world, and at one point, started hallucinating. I also have an extreme phobia of hospitals, so taking a moonlit ride to the ER at midnight isn't my idea of fun. Imagine the hysteria. Had it not been for the amazing support of the friends I've made here, there's no way I could have done this. They held my hand the entire way--which was precisely when I realized that my pre-bonderman fear of being sick alone wasn't actually coming true, and that I wasn't actually living out my worst nightmare--I had an amazing support group taking care of me.

So. This post is dedicated to them--the faaancy people that push me to jump of waterfalls, make sure I get my daily dose of STF (smoothies, tan, facials), and are constantly helping me learn new things every day. 

And not just philosophical bonderlessons, either--the day-by-day practical stuff, too. For example: what do you do when the tropical rainstorms come in, the manager is out, and the hostel begins to flood? We're talking three inches deep in the kitchen, people. Serious. Business. The answer is to grab a mop, broom, and dustpan, and literally begin chucking water elsewhere (preferably outside, but when your room is about to flood, instinct takes over, and you kind of just throw it). You can also grab some floor cleanser, and take the opportunity to do some deep cleaning. This is Billy, taking advantage of some opportunity. He's using the mop to guide rain to the drain, and making boss-lady-Brit a very happy lady--when she got back from Candado beach, there was hardly any aftermath (besides maybe a few stubborn corners). No stress, no stress!

Speaking of Candado Beach, this is a picture of Sam, Billy and I on our way there. Sam came with me to the hospital and helped me communicate with all of the nurses. Only the doctors speak English. Thanks, Sammy, you're a lifesaver! Sam and Billy are roommates here in Puerto Rico, and live about a mile from the hostel, which means I see them always. They were both there when I had my 104F temperature, and did a great job of accessing the situation (Dr. Sam's a dentist) and offering some much needed (though at the time, under-appreciated) comic relief. Gracias, brOs negativos. 

I've also been learning how to make some pretty delicious food! Exhibit A: Mango Salsa. It's hard to find food that isn't deep fried in Puerto Rico, so you can imagine how happy a spoonful of this makes me. Recipe is compliments of Bre, mi amiga artista from Chicago that's been making PR her home for the past few months--she also lives near the hostel, so visiting is easy. The flowers above Billy's head in the mop photo are actually her doing (the photo was taken before they were done, but you can see how talented she is). The salsa includes cucumbers, jalapeno, corn, lime, black beans, onion, avocado (which are HUGE here--literally, the size of mangos. speaking of which..) and mangos. Salt and pepper to taste. Try it out, people. It's amazing. Cooking with the people that I've met here has probably been one of my favorite experiences--I think I've also mastered mofongo, cilantro rice, and salsa verde at this point. Faaaancy!

One of our resident chefs is Louie--he's on the right. Louie has been heaven-sent to me throughout my sickies. He's brought me Halls, chicken noodle soup, and even orange/carrot juice (which was mysteriously consumed before it reached me. Ha.) It's entirely understandable--that stuff is good. This is a picture of Sam, Louie and I on our way to the San Sebastian waterfall. What a view!

Speaking of views, or rather, things that you don't necessarily see every day, this is an obligatory picture of one night out in Old San Juan. Hooray for good company! 

And the night after?

On second thought, this view isn't actually that rare. Typical Louie and Billy bromance.

My weekend was full of some pretty rare views, though. We went camping in Culebra, and spent the night on Flamenco beach. This is a picture of me on the ferry ride there--it costs $2 and takes approximately an hour to get there. It's also extremely windy (you can tell how much I'm enjoying this). We did pass the island that Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed at, though! (why is the rum gone? and where's johnny depp??) Perhaps those two things could have cheered me up. But in all likelihood, not. After all, this was the outfit I went to the hospital in, and i was feeling a bit off-kilter. Hola, doctor!

When we got to Flamenco, the night was dark and full of terrors (like this little crab fellow that Sam found!) It was also full of baby mosquitoes that laughed at your bug spray and made you their meal. 

Still, despite the 20 or so bug bites that I've just added to my collection, I wouldn't have traded that weekend for the world. Camping under the stars next to the waves was one of the most amazing things I've ever done. I've never seen the sky so clearly. Everything was just pitch black. It was like looking in a clear pool of water--the darkest pool you've ever seen--and being able to see layers and layers stars--closer stars, brighter stars, I even saw a few shooting stars. Anyway, sleeping under the sky, sharing stories with friends, and swimming in the moonlight were highlights I won't soon forget. And in the morning? Magic.

I wish these pictures justified the view. 

In the water at midnight, and back before sunrise.

You just can't beat it.

It's been a crazy few days with some truly amazing people. Now, its time for some rest, relaxation, and hopefully recuperation with my main STF girl, Brittany--she had Tonsillitis before me, and has been coaching me through it the whole way. We're going to knit some new headbands, watch a movie or two, and remind ourselves to keep things faaaancy.

Miss everyone at home! Hope you're all doing well and staying healthy! <3

ak