Day as a Tourist in Isla Verde

DAY AS A TOURIST

Balneario de Carolina 

For this activity, I decided to go to one of the many destinations many foreigners visit and are eager to visit when coming to Puerto Rico: the beach. 

Many tourists go to the beaches in the San Juan area due to the abundance of hotels in that zone. However, another popular destination is Isla Verde, Carolina. The Balneario de Carolina  is a "hot" area in Puerto Rico tourism. With many surrounding hotels and local Restaurants, it is attractive in the tourist's eye, especially those looking for a get-away in paradise. 

The day at the beach, in true tourist fashion, started out early. I woke up at around eight in the morning to be able to arrive at the Balneario no later than 10:00 am, knowing that it's never wise to get to any beach on or later than noon. 

Upon arriving at the destination, one could observe the characteristic heterogenous population that occupies Isla Verde's beaches. Tourists and foreigners were scattered around and mixed among locals. With the mind of a tourist, I decided to station myself where foreigners were more abundant as to not feel too unfamiliar.The aforementioned is based on observations I've made during my previous visits to other beaches. 

Of course, no day at the beach (especially a tourist's day) is complete without the appropriate equipment and lunch experience. 

I unfolded the the portable beach chair and took out some sunscreen. Many tourists who aren't familiar with the Caribbean sun apply on a heavy amount of sunscreen. I decided to do the same even though I knew I did not need as much. 

It was nearing lunch time and I opted for the typical food bought and sought after when visiting a beach in Puerto Rico.:  Pincho de Pollo and a Piña Colada.

The line was packed with foreigners, mostly Americans, who were trying out their broken Spanish when ordering their food. 

I ordered mine and then returned to my spot on the sand. It was truly blissful. I can see why so many tourists look forward to and are willing to pay quite a lot for an experience like this.  Apart from the wonderful lunch and view, I was also getting a slight tan, something that is desired by most, if not all, who visit Puerto Rico's beaches and do not reside in the island.

 A must for a tourist is to walk a long the shore while picking up sea shells that wash up to your feet. I did that for about half an hour and the returned to where I was. The sun was strong as was the wind. 

Time sure does fly by when you're at the beach. With nothing to provide you reference to the time of day, perhaps just maybe the sun's angle, there exists a disorientation in regards to space and time. 

In all honesty, a tourist could spend 4 hours in the beach and not know as it could feel like only 2 hours, let's say, have passed. 

When it looked as if the day was growing old, I took out my cell-phone and referred myself to the time. It read 2:00pm.  It was time for me to be heading out. 

My day as a tourist was spent in a very relaxing manner and carried a slightly reflexive attitude to it. 

I enjoyed just taking the day off and being a tourist myself.