Pandemic Getaway: Puerto Rico

May 02, 2021 by Shantece Gonzalez in Travel

I know some people may look at me like I’m coo coo for cocoa puffs traveling during a pandemic. To those people I would like to say…. You can still live your life, somewhat adjusted but still much better than we were a year ago. When I was asked by my best friend of 20 years to go to Puerto Rico for his birthday, there was no hesitation on my part. I have been vaccinated since January along with already having had COVID. I was pretty sure at this point COVID would not be dwelling with me. Even so, I still take precautions such as wearing my mask in public, washing my hands regularly and sanitizing things. I’m not here to convince anyone whether to get vaccinated or not because I think it’s your body, your choice BUT the plus side of getting vaccinated is peace of mind. I had no qualms about traveling. I knew it wouldn’t be the same as Pre-COVID but is it ever going to be the same again? I will definitely say that traveling during a pandemic is a little more of a hassle but I am so glad I did it.

Before you go:

So these suggestions are based on what I needed in order to be able to travel to Puerto Rico. There are different restrictions for every country and even though Puerto Rico is part of the United States, they also had their own regulations. If you plan on traveling abroad anywhere be mindful of travel restrictions and regulations and make sure to abide by them because they are serious.

I booked my flights online with American airlines. I was really happy to see that not only were the flights very reasonably priced, but regardless of how much you spent on your ticket, they were able to cancel or re-book your flights without charging a fee. This was great news considering anything can change in a moment’s notice. At least you don’t have to worry about arguing with the airline for a refund or change in plans. When booking the flights the websites do alert you numerous times that you need to check the destination’s regulations in order to enter.

Once my flights were booked I just had to wait about 72 hours before leaving for Puerto Rico in order to take a COVID test. Currently for Puerto Rico you have the following options

Have a negative COVID test result (PCR methods only/not RAPID) taken within 72 hours from arriving
Take a COVID test when entering the country and quarantine until the results are negative
Don’t take a COVID test at all and instead quarantine for 14 days.

Now, I know I mentioned that I have been fully vaccinated, but that didn’t matter to them. Even vaccinated people must present a negative COVID result or follow the two other options. Thankfully getting a COVID test wasn’t difficult. I did have to pay out of pocket because I don’t have traditional medical coverage and this test was for leisure purposes so depending on your situation make sure you plan for that. An out of pocket COVID test can run as much as $200. I got mine done through Passport Health which has a bunch of locations nationwide. They not only do COVID testing but also immunizations for travel.

So now I have my negative test results which I received about 48 hours after taking the test. Puerto Rico’s government has a website that you can go to fill out a Traveler’s Form which is also necessary to enter the country. You can do this ahead of time, which I recommend, or wait till you arrive at the airport and fill it out at a kiosk. I filled mine out ahead of time and once completed, I received a barcode that I presented when I arrived. The information they ask consists of who you are, ID info, where you’ll be staying and the ability to upload your negative results and vaccination information. This is one way that Puerto Rico is able to keep track of COVID numbers and tourists. You will also get a text message everyday from the government asking if you have experienced any symptoms.

Arrival:

I have to admit, although the process before getting to Puerto Rico seemed pretty easy, I was a little nervous still when I arrived. I was hoping I hadn’t forgotten something. It also felt kind of weird to travel outside of the “country” without a passport. There was no need to worry though. The flights were a cinch, and once I picked up my luggage I walked over to the exits where there were people waiting in line to fill out their travel forms at the kiosks but I had my handy dandy barcode on my phone! I got to skip the line and was directed to an airport attendant who scanned my barcode, asked me my name and boom free at last. The entire process from deplaning to hugging my friends at the rental car place took less than 30 min.

Transportation:

Our first few days in Puerto Rico were going to be spent in Dorado which is not as familiar and touristy as San Juan so we opted for renting a car and moving and grooving with the locals. Usually if you are staying at a resort or hotel they offer a shuttle and then there is always Uber. I personally will tell you that I am a terrible driver and the anxiety of having to drive unknown territory in another country is bananas to me so I did not drive the rental but I am glad that two brave souls did step up to the challenge. In general the driving was a bit hectic, often times there were no lines on the road so you weren’t sure what lane you were in but as long as you followed the car in front of you, you tended to be fine. The signs were easily readable and we didn’t get lost even once so driving is definitely doable there.

Dorado:

We got an amazing Airbnb in Dorado which was a short (like 5 min) walk from the beach. It was three floors and all of the bedrooms had a balcony! It was spacious, clean, smelled AMAZING, and fully air conditioned. We arrived and immediately toured the house with oohs and ahhhs. My favorite parts had to be the back patio which was definitely a vibe and the master bedroom front balcony which had a hammock! You can check out a walk through of the house in my Puerto Rico vlog. It was very easy to make yourself at home. Once we dropped our stuff off and picked our rooms we went to the supermarket where we bought far too much food and beverages. You would have thought we were living there for a month and not three days. As far as the supermarkets go, they were regular. The awesome thing about traveling to Puerto Rico is that the money is the same AND everyone speaks English. The prices were fairly priced to what you would see in the states with certain products which are probably local or at least easier to get being super cheap. We opted to eat in the first night and just kind of relax and catch up. My housemates consisted of my best friends Peter (the birthday boy), his fiance Ray, and Stephen who I met in the Navy and had yet to meet my other friends. Peter wanted to make dinner for us as a kind of thank you for coming and celebrating. I was all for it! We didn’t do much that first day or night but hang out, drink, eat food and chill. A perfect start to the vacation.

Other food options around the area included fast food, local restaurants and restaurant chains like Applebee’s. You could also order Uber eats but because Puerto Rico at the time was on lock down with a 10pm curfew all food delivery, restaurants, fast food drive throughs were closed by around 9pm.

The next day we decided to explore the beach and take in the sites of the town. The beach was incredible. Everything I had imagined it would be. The water was crystal clear and refreshing. The weather was perfect. Although temps were in the high 80s to mid 90s there was always a cool breeze. The water was surprising because I’m used to having to gingerly get my body used to the frigged waters in the states. I expected it to be similar to what I experienced in Cancun which was more like bath water temperatures. This water was more comfortable. I will say that the beach and sand did have a fair share of rocks and seaweed which did not feel that great on my bare feet. I was able to meander further out in the water through a beaten path though so I did get to enjoy the amazing waist deep tropical greatness.

On thing that jumped out at me was the fact that the beach was full of locals enjoying it too. The beach was alive and vibrant with salsa music blasting from speakers and meat grilling on portable barbecues. It felt so warm and inviting. I enjoyed the fact that the locals were so appreciative of this beautiful beach and resources and although it’s available to them all the time they were able to sit here and enjoy it as we did.

We made our way back to the house and changed then headed out for some food. I know that people are gonna judge when I say that I actually love going to fast food places when I travel abroad. I don’t order the stuff that I would normally get, I like to order whatever new stuff they offer. The fast food was actually much better than in the states. I feel like all of the food is made to order so it’s not as fast as you might want but it’s super fresh and tasty. My favorite had to be Wendy’s Coquito Frosty with Churro fries!!

Don’t worry we also went and frequented local eateries. We walked over to a local Mexican styled restaurant that was highly influenced by the fact that it was located in Puerto Rico. We had to have ordered one of everything off the menu. We sat outside and enjoyed the people watching and great conversation over $5 margaritas and rainbow shots. The food was to die for and I devoured every morsel.

Excursions:

So this trip was more of a chill vibe and not so much trying to cram every last second with as much site seeing and touristy things as possible. Don’t get me wrong I love doing both but seeing as this was not my trip, I didn’t want to over plan it. I started looking for things to do about a week before we were supposed to arrive. I do not recommend waiting till then especially if your doing a pandemic getaway. Due to COVID regulations, many places have limited capacity, altered hours or just closed. So one example of how COVID has changed things, El Yunque, Puerto Rico’s national rainforest is usually open to the public and is free. Unfortunately, because they have to control the capacity you need to register for a ticket and everything was booked until February of 2022. Your other option was to book a guided tour which can be anywhere from $45 to $100 per person depending on the tour you choose. We didn’t get the chance to take in those sites but we did get to do something else that I felt was pretty amazing in and of itself. While searching for things to do I used a great site, Viator, to help me figure out what was available. What was so good about this site is that not only was it comprehensive but it also helped you compare pricing between different companies. There was so much to do! I found ATV tours through the rainforest, jet skiing, snorkeling, historical walks, food tours and even an Instagram tour which takes you to all of the best insta worthy selfie locations the island has to offer. The one thing I knew I had to do before leaving the island was the bioluminescence kayaking. There are only six places in the entire world that is inhabited by these bioluminescent organisms and Puerto Rico has three of the six locations. We drove an hour from Dorado to Fajardo and the Rio Grande. I went through Eco Adventures for our kayaking trip. The guides were so insightful, pleasant and welcoming. The kayaking was easy enough for a beginner and the sites were beautiful. We meandered through the mangroves and into the open water as the sun was setting. Once dark, the guides explained what we were about to encounter as they lead us back through the mangroves under the darkened canopy above. As we paddled and splashed through the glass like ink the bioluminescent sparkles were magical. It was an incredible experience and I am glad that we got to do it.

San Juan:

This was the best way to end our trip in my opinion. After keeping it more laidback and local we decided to finish off the trip by coming to the tourist mecca of Puerto Rico. San Juan was alive and bustling with people enjoying everything the city had to offer. Pandemic where? You wouldn’t have known that anything was amiss despite the masks everyone was wearing. We arrived at our humble abode for the next two days, the Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino. Peter hooked it up and we got to stay on the top floor. The view off the balcony was something out of a dream. Over looking the city, the beach and the pool, you can’t beat that. The casino seemed small from the front but it was much larger than it looked. Having had my fun in Vegas on more than one occasion I thought CASINO like that but it wasn’t. It still had all the classics, black jack, craps and plenty of slots. The resort itself was incredible. It was clean, up to date and lovely. Again everyone I encountered was so friendly and helpful. There were two different pools, even one with a big slide. The resort was right on the beach and they provided towels and chairs. It was truly amazing. The rooms were spacious, the balconies were also pretty large and comfortable. I would definitely give this stay a 10 out of 10. I had zero things to complain about. Of course as soon as we got there we stripped down to our bathing suits and hit the beach and pool to drink and splash the mid day away. The sand here was very pedestrian friendly (no rocks) but the waves were a bit more excited to see us then they had been in Dorado. Regardless, we lounged, we laughed, we tanned our buns and took in the great memories we were creating. Night fell and we decided to change and see what night life San Juan had to offer. Unfortunately because of COVID and the curfew, there wasn’t much to offer. There were a lot of people out and about but that was it. Everyone was out in the streets with not really anywhere to go. Puerto Rico is taking the COVID regulations seriously which has served them well insuring that their bread winner, tourism, can continue while keeping their people safe. We walked the streets like the vagrants we are and moseyed our way to a restaurant that was still open to taking to-go orders. We indulged yet again in ordering just about everything they had to offer. I mean, go big or go home right? I can’t get this food anywhere in Kansas that’s for sure. We walked the rest of the strip waiting for our food to be ready and contemplating leaving our current lives to live the rest of our existence on the top floor of one of the high rises here in paradise.

The next morning Stephen and I decided to partake in some all-you-can-eat breakfast by the pool. The food was so good, not surprising. They had custom omelets, all kinds of breakfast meats, potatoes, baked goods and charcuterie. It was totally worth the $25. We were determined to take over Old San Juan ,which is the historical district, that day and needed to start off on a full belly. We took an Uber to the colonial town. It was beautiful. The cobblestone streets, the gothic, renaissance and baroque styles pop out at you at every turn. There is so much history and culture to absorb here. We visited one of the two forts that reside on this treasure of a town. They actually let me and Stephen in for free when I showed them that I was a Veteran! We walked around the fort imagining what life would have been like back then. The fort was very informational and enriching. This land has seen so much in such little time. You can feel that in the vibration of the streets and the faces of the people.

We met up with Peter and Ray later on in the day. We walked around a bit more before settling on an outside patio for some more day drinking and delicious Puerto Rican food. The drink specials were out of this world and the drinks were just as good. I feel like a lot of times you get well drinks for cheap and you can tell but these handcrafted drinks were top notch. After filling our bellies, again, we made our way to the ferry and for .50 cents got on a ferry to Cataño. We had zero agenda but to just get on a boat and see what else was out there. We were happily surprised. We were walking off the ferry and across the shoreline when we stumbled across an outdoor Zumba class! Like so many other encounters this fit right in to the vibe that is Puerto Rico, resilient, strong, fun. We enjoyed the golden hour while taking pictures and headed back to the ferry.

The night was young but again, since the regulations it meant the night will soon wind down. We decided to hit up La Placita which is an area of San Juan filled with bars and restaurants. Normally there would be so many people piling out into the streets that it would take a miracle to drive a car through. This time it was more subdued. We walked around looking at our drink and food options. We settled on this one small bar nestled in a nook. It was order-to-go but that’s all we wanted any way. We got our drinks and made another lap around before settling back at the little nook with cheap good drinks and the best salsa music. I drank the night away moving to the rhythm that mimicked my heart. I certainly never wanted to leave. But like all good things, they must come to an end. We ordered food from a popular corner eatery before heading back to the hotel. We ate in the lobby and spent the rest of the night being debaucherous drunks and making Tiktok videos.

The last morning we woke up early to hit the beach one last time, eat a hardy breakfast buffet and make our way back to were we came from.

Final Thoughts

I had a blast. Whether I was doing something with intension like kayaking or just being a beach bum I loved every moment of it. The people were generous, welcoming and nice. The food was incredible and some of the best I’ve ever had. Overall the spirit of the island and it’s people are contagious. I highly recommend a visit. I know I will be back for sure.

Shantece G.

Pandemic Getaway: Orlando

March 06, 2021 by Shantece Gonzalez in Travel

Look, I know…. How dare I travel during a pandemic!! And of all places I go to the mecca of IDGAF about COVID central. But please give me a moment to explain. Back in November I travelled to see my best friend for Thanksgiving in North Carolina. I was really really nervous at this point. Vaccinations were on the horizon but I had such cabin fever I thought I would burst. I had finally finished my four year degree, the entire year had just been one big ball of crappy stress, I needed to get away. Living alone and not having been in contact with many people except for errands and going to work, as well as being vigilant with wearing my mask and washing my hands, I felt pretty safe in knowing I wasn’t sick. I talked it over with my BFF, she was comfortable with me visiting and I knew that they too had not been in any high risk situations. I was scared, mainly of possibly picking it up and bringing it into their home. I continued to be vigilant. I bought sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer and a million disposable masks with me. I made sure I wiped down any and everything I came in contact with including the whole seat on the airplane. Luckily I did not get COVID (at that point) nor did my BFF or anyone in her family. Granted we basically just stayed in her home while I was there but I enjoyed finally having people around and just being somewhere different. So fast forward to mid-February. At this point I have already had COVID and both my vaccinations. I felt pretty comfortable being able to travel this time, even to FLORIDA. I still took the proper precautions because even if I didn’t get sick I didn’t want to possibly carry anything either. I was ready to try and actually enjoy some kind of normalcy I thought Florida could offer.

Thursday

I was all too eager come Thursday morning to get the heck out of Dodge. The weather had been total shit all week with below zero temps and snow. Thursday morning it was a balmy 6 degrees outside here in Kansas City. I was so ready to tan my buns and lay by the pool drinking a Pina Colada. I had only gotten about an hour and a half of sleep the night before but I didn’t care, I was OUT! Flying wasn’t too bad of an experience. The airports weren’t packed and I got lucky enough that there wasn’t someone in the middle seat which not only is uncomfortable but makes people nervous. This was a total difference from my experience returning from NC after Thanksgiving, you wouldn’t have even known we were in the middle of a Pandy the airport was so crowded and vaccines weren’t even a thing yet! We landed in Orlando two and a half hours later to the warm welcome of a lightly humid 86 degrees. I hadn’t seen my brother in over a year and was very excited when he picked me up. After our hugs hello and some catching up we were joined by another friend who had flown in from NYC. My brother, being the bougie one that he is, treated us to welcome bags filled with a bottle of Prosecco, chips, bars, and even Dunkaroos! I can’t tell you the last time I had Dunkaroos. All these things definitely came in handy later on and it was overall just a really thoughtful gesture. We were starving and headed to my brother’s favorite place, First Watch.

First Watch

When I tell you I ate so much this trip… oh boy! I’ve had First Watch before but the food is amazing regardless of what state I am in. If you’ve never been to First Watch, it’s a must try. The food is always fresh, organic, and filling. The portions are out of this world and if you want gluten free, they don’t charge you extra. I definitely recommend the Million Dollar Bacon. My food was delicious and my drink was even better. They serve cocktails as well as fresh juices and other beverages. I personally had the Cinnamon
Toast Cereal Milk. This was a concoction of Coconut rum, cold brew coffee, coconut milk and agave nectar. SUPERB!

After filling our bellies, we headed to the hotel to check in. The one thing I forgot about Orlando or Florida in general is how spread apart everything is. You could say two places are in Orlando but you could end up driving like 45 min between each. For the most part with a good highway system and barely any traffic you could probably get to most places in 20 min.

Double Tree Hotel Orlando, Sea World

I didn’t really know what to expect when I booked the room. I had never stayed at this hotel before and was skeptical because I got such a great deal. I booked my hotel as I always do through Hotels.com. Make sure you make an account with them if you travel a lot as most stays reward you per night and I’ve even stayed at some hotels for free or super ritzy for cheap using those rewards. My first impression of the hotel when I arrived was that the lobby was vast but welcoming. The staff was friendly and Karl hooked it up with upgrading me to the Hilton Honors floor. I got to overlook the “city” from my window. I use quotations because it wasn’t downtown you saw, just the convention center. Regardless, the room seemed clean, they had pamphlets out explaining their cleaning protocols and products they use. I have a full walkthrough of the room on my Orlando Vlog. The hotel is actually a resort with a ton of amenities that I sadly didn’t really get a chance to experience, but they did give me warm cookies when I checked in and those definitely hit the spot later that night. Overall, I would recommend the resort. It was like $250 total for three nights. You can’t really beat that price for what I experienced. It wasn’t the fanciest place but it wasn’t a Motel 6 either. The decor could use a pick me up but like I said it seemed pretty clean, spacious and the staff was helpful. I did end up getting locked in the bathroom on the last day. Luckily my brother and his girlfriend were in the room and we eventually credit card jimmied me out. The bolt fell right out of the door and when I explained it to the front desk upon check out, they were understanding and didn’t charge me for anything.

The Robinson Cafe

After checking in to the hotel, we felt a little peckish. The traveling and running around was getting to us a little so we decided to head over to an aesthetically pleasing coffee shop called The Robinson Café. I loved it the minute I walked in. This place was an influencers wet dream. The aesthetic, the vibe the oh so Instagram worthy nooks and crannies. These people knew exactly what they were doing when they made this place. Later I would learn just how much these people know what the heck they are doing. I ordered what I thought would be the coolest eye catching drink that I would also want to imbibe. I got the Matcha Blossom. This green concoction with delicious freshly made pink whipped cream was decadent yet satisfying. We also ended up sharing some Buffalo cauliflower (to die for), and fries. The place was quite enough to be able to get some work done and so well lit that you couldn’t possibly fall asleep studying. I highly recommend it.

Friday

This was a doozy of a day. We crammed a lot in and I was more than happy about it. We were supposed to go out the night before but running on an hour and a half of sleep, as soon as we got back to the hotel to “change”, I touched that bed and said “Nope.” But, well rested and ready to seize the next day we were in for an adventure. We started the morning off with an impromptu brunch of sorts at a hidden gem called Orlando Meats.

Orlando Meats

Part butcher shop part glorious hodge podge of asian inspired diner food. Don’t let the outside and décor fool you, the food here was something out of this world! Everything on the menu sounded amazing it literally must have taken us a good 15 minutes before we could decide what on earth we wanted to bless our taste buds with. We settled for four individual meals and two that we shared. I ordered the George RR Market… clever name, I see what they did there. This was basically an Eggs Benedict with flare! The eggs were pouched perfectly and the combination of ham, hollandaise and Szechuan bun were a delightful medley. I shared the Korean dog which was deep fried perfection! The portions were phenomenal and they served alcohol too! Definitely one of the best meals I’ve had. It really is a shame that the vibe there is so mediocre. Around the time we went the place was basically empty and I think it’s due to the location. Overall I was very satisfied with the food and price! I practically had two meals and an alcoholic beverage for around $30.

Qreate Coffee and Studio

After engorging ourselves, we decided to grab a nice cup o’ joe as a kind of pick me up dessert from the food coma we were fighting. My brother and his girlfriend took us to Qreate Coffee and Studio. It’s a strange concept but somehow it works. So unlike Starbucks or even The Robinson from the day before, the ambiance was less about being quiet and more about openly socializing, sharing ideas and getting inspired. Inside of the café there is a full blown portrait studio setup. They have the all white backdrop, the key and fill lights, large monitors where you could share your screens. This place was meant for creating and they really drove the point home. The drink options were also great. I chose the simple Viet coffee. There were so many zany drinks but I wanted something I knew I would like for sure.

Stumpy’s Hatchet House

After a quick nap refresher, it was into our night clothes we go. The night was young and we had a lot in mind to do. We headed to Stumpy’s Hatchet House where we dived into our wanna be Viking selves and got to throw axes like the warriors we always knew we could be. I’ve been axe throwing before and it was so much fun that I was really excited to do it again. The establishment gave me urban lumberjack vibes. The music was pumping a variety of 90’s and today’s hits, the drinks were flowing and the axes were being thrown. I really enjoyed my time here. The staff was super friendly we had been running late and were waiting on a couple more people and they were able to accommodate us by moving our appointment 30 min later. After aimless practice we broke up into teams and that’s when the real fun began. We were a few drinks in and I was sucking terribly, the couple that we had been waiting for was straight kicking ass thanks to the swindler girlfriend of my brother’s roommate who seemingly feigned being as terrible as the rest of us. We got them back in the second round though! My team actually won! After feeling as victorious as Ragnar seizing Paris we were starving and ready for some good food.

Susuru

As soon as I walked into this place I was in love. Disclaimer, I do have a small obsession with Japanese culture. Regardless, this place had such a fun eclectic charm. The atmosphere was buzzing with animated conversations. The food and drinks were flowing and everyone seemed to really be having a good time. The menu had so many options, I didn’t know what to get. It was made up mostly of finger foods and shareable items with some bowls and noodles to fill you up just enough. The table decided to get a bit adventurous and try different kinds of yakitori (skewered meats). There was tongue flying, chicken hearts beating and even some regular shmegular run of the mill cuts of flank and breast. I wasn’t too adventures with my meat sticks but I did go ahead and add some Uni to my rice bowl. I’d never had Uni and to be honest I didn’t actually know what it was but for those at the table who had, they raved about it. For $4 I figured it was worth the try. I couldn’t even explain to you what the experience of eating Uni was like. The first bite was arousing. My mouth felt utter joy having the sample just melt into each crevice. I wanted more! I later looked it up and Uni is actually sea urchin GONADS!! Had I known I would have been more hesitant but now I am a true believer that ignorance is bliss. The restaurant not only had really good food, but the drink selection was also very creative and vibrant. They had a little signature gimmick of doling out little Japanese character toys with some of their premium drinks and I was here for it. I am a sucker for gimmicks!! I ordered the Astro Boy mule, not only because Moscow mules are my favorite but because I wanted the cute little Astro Boy souvenir. Unfortunately they didn’t have the toy but offered $3 off of my drink which I gladly accepted. I ended up taking home the cute aluminum Astro Boy can my drink came in. Shhhhhhhhhh.

Knife and Spoon, Ritz Carlton

After a great rowdy night of axe throwing and Japanese fun we decided to class it up a bit. I slipped into some heels and we headed into the swanky Ritz Carlton, Grand Lakes for some drinks. The heathen that I am, I don’t think I have ever been to any place fancier. I felt like Will Smith when his taxi pulled up to the Bel Air mansion. I felt both out of place but also like I had always belonged there. Everything about it just seemed nicer. Solid slabs of marble used as lamps decorated the elegant side tables lining the walls. The lighting was that perfect dim you get at nice restaurants. The vibe was rich but not snooty. Initially we went downstairs to the lounge/restaurant The Kitchen, but they were closing so we headed back upstairs to Knife and Spoon which took up most of the first floor once you passed the lobby. There was a gorgeous bar that was ginormous. They had a guy singing live music, and some of the drunk ladies were whooping and hollering so hard you would have thought that they had just thrown their panties at Bret Michaels. The scene was set and with dirty martinis in hand I was ready to take it all in. I had never had a martini let alone a dirty one. I ordered mine EXTRA dirty with a blue cheese olive. I felt like a Bond girl or something, sophisticated, classy with a little edge. We sipped our martinis and had some really deep existential conversations. Maybe it was the atmosphere but it felt like we were adulting at its finest.

Downtown Orlando

Feeling sophisticated and satisfied with our pseudo luxurious life, we decided to head to Downtown Orlando and bar hop a bit to end the night. We first arrived at what could be described as an antique store that only specialized in lamps. Somewhere your grandmother would go to get that lamp repaired that has been in the family for generations. Welcome to Ann Teague’s Lamp Supply. Not your ordinary bar that’s for sure. There were lamps everywhere you turned. It was definitely quite the sight but a bit too crowded for our liking so we headed out to the next location. Mather’s Social Gathering was an amazing experience. I won’t ruin the surprise but the gist of it is that it’s a swanky hidden speakeasy circa 1800’s. This place has so much appeal and class. The ambiance was impeccable. There were so many details to look at and the drinks were just as elevated. We nibbled on some bacon wrapped figs and my brother’s drink came with a silver platter of cookies. I would definitely visit again.

The night was late, people were spilling out into the streets. With one last thought on our minds we went to Bao’s Castle. I was exhausted at this point but will never turn down a good meal. The place was small but don’t let that fool you, the food was great. Baos are warm plump buns filled with basically whatever according to these people at least. We grabbed a few each and headed back to the hotel where I devoured and knocked out right away. I didn’t even get to take pictures!!

Saturday

Epcot

So my brother, every year as a tradition for his birthday in September, goes to Epcot to “drink around the world.” If you’ve never been to Epcot, it’s a Disney park that I personally think was made for adults in mind. There’s like a couple of rides, the rest is restaurants, food stands, bars and souvenir shops representing 11 countries from around the world. So in a sense it’s like you’re globe trotting without needing a passport. The staff at each of the countries are supposed to actually be from those countries. Kind of like having foreign exchange students. Well the place is amazing and we always have a drunken blast when we go. Due to COVID, I wasn’t able to make it last year so we decided to go again this time around. Also due to COVID we never got into the park. Because of the pandemic the park is only allowed a certain amount of people in a day. Once they meet their capacity, they can’t let anyone else in. The system won’t allow them to activate the cards that allow you entrance into the park. We had purchased our tickets in advance for Epcot, for this specific day and gave all of our information but apparently there was an extra step to confirm-confirm you are attending. It was not very clear and basically we missed the mark. It wasn’t a total loss though because even though it was supposed to be the highlight of the trip, we had been many times before. They were gracious enough to refund our tickets and we went on our merry way to create new experiences.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

It seems like we had quite the theme this trip eating a lot of Asian food but I was more than happy. I had previously been to Korean BBQ but never a Japanese one. This place smelled heavenly. For $50 a person, during lunch, we had an all you can eat buffet of meats, appetizers and sides. Now I know I previously mentioned being a sucker for gimmicks but one gimmick I don’t like is going to a restaurant and having to cook my own food. I don’t like cooking my own food at home, why would I pay you to make me do it? Luckily my brother took the reins on this one and BBQ’d the crap out of some primo cuts of meat. The food was so unbelievably good. I must have eaten three days worth of meals in one sitting. We also had some Japanese beer and my first ever sparkling saki!! I thought I hated saki till I had this one. It was so refreshing and tasty. We ate ourselves into a coma and headed back to the hotel for a nap.

City Walk at Universal Studios

So having lived in Orlando for a few years, Universal was my favorite theme park well before Harry Potter ever graced its presence. I had a year pass and went anytime I could. We didn’t go into the park this time but instead enjoyed a drink and took in the sites at City Walk. So for a lot of people worried about the pandemic and how on earth people could possibly be able to actual enjoy their lives during a time like this, the parks are actually very strict about their pandemic protocol. As you saw at Epcot they limit the amount of guests, as well they will literally catch an attitude with you for not wearing your mask. At City Walk they had to limit the number of patrons at the bar which lead to very limited seating and long wait lines. It took us awhile and walking about half way through it all to find a decent line to wait in for one drink. We grabbed our margaritas, found a table and had more deep conversations. We hit up VooDoo donuts on our way out and like the glutton I am, I picked three donuts! It was worth it.

Lazy Moon Pizza

I think for every New Yorker who ends up moving away, the one thing we always seek out is good pizza. There’s just something about NYC pizza. I can’t find anything like it anywhere else. Well when we arrived at Lazy Moon Pizza the heavenly scent of baking crust and melted cheese wafted into my nostrils like a fish to a hook. My heart skipped a beat and I thought… oh my this is a very familiar scent. Could it be that this pizza will be par for the course with that of my favorite $1 slices? I wasn’t disappointed. Although still missing some mysterious key ingredient, the pizza was really really good. Not to mention the pie was 30”. That is not a typo. One slice of this pizza was bigger than my head! God I love a gimmick. Like I said the pizza itself was actually very tasty so it’s not all about the size (that’s what she said). The vibe was also very Brooklyn to me. Lot’s of hipsters and alt babes. They also sell alcohol, assorted beverages, salads, soups and pizzeria type foods. What a great way to end the night. Stuffed to the brim, yet again, we headed back to the hotel for our last sleep in Orlando.

Sunday

The Wellborn House Bar and Kitchen

I loved this place and not just because they got me shmammerd in under an hour but because it was another Instagramer’s beautiful vision. So you know those people that I said owned the Robinson Cafe from day one? Oh and Mather’s from day two? Well they also own this place. I told you these people know what they are doing. The house is actually a historic building. The bar and kitchen part is located in the beautifully curated landscaped garden. The garden wasn’t even perfectly manicured, it had this sort of haphazard lazy but chic looking growth of greens and flowers. They perfectly complemented the scene with a fire pit area, swinging love seat and various mismatched lawn furniture. We chose a table on the veranda and I enjoyed my bottomless mimosas a bit too much. We couldn’t stay long which was a bummer because I really wanted to take more of it in but flights wait for no one and soon we would be on our way home.

I had such a great time. I felt like the four days flew by and I was actually sad to leave. Even though we didn’t end up doing what we had come all this way to do, I almost was ok with that. I got to experience new places I hadn’t been to, and spending an entire day pounding drinks then the next day recovering really takes a lot out of you. This time around I was able to really enjoy my time spent with my brother and good friends. I’m thankful for finally being able to travel and even more thankful to say that we are all still very healthy.

Shantece G.

I'm not sick, but I'm not well: Depression and Pandemic Fatigue

February 26, 2021 by Shantece Gonzalez in Health and Wellness

Wow, it’s been a whopping year and some change since we were first aware of COVID-19 and by this weekend it will be a year since life as we knew it stopped here in Kansas City. For a small few life might not have changed much but for most of us it did. I had just started my molecular rotations and was shopping for dresses for a graduation that never ended up happening. We were all confused, unaware and in the dark. What the heck was this thing? How bad could it actually get? No one really knew anything. I can’t believe that we are still fighting this battle. What a long arduous year it has been. We missed birthdays, celebrations, family gatherings and even the simple things like going to the movies. Life is very different now and it has been for a year, so why are we still not used to it?

At first I was accepting of everything. Quarantine? Cool, I get to be lazy at home and binge through Netflix’s entire catalog. Online lectures? Bummer, I really like the hands on work but I could deal. Wearing a mask and washing my hands often? Well, the mask is the only new habit for me but I’m in. I thought to myself, “ok, if we just follow the guidelines while my fellow scientists figure this thing out, we’ll be good.” At the beginning of all of this I was fine, motivated, hopeful. By now I am so over it I am looking down on it from space! Even for someone like me, who fully and truly understands what we are dealing with and the importance of precautions, am SO sick of it all. I’m tired of everything being different. I’m tired of not getting used to it. Tired of having to justify or defend going to a gathering or absorb the stares when you cough because you just have a tickle in your throat. I’m exhausted. I’m also not alone. This feeling we have is called Pandemic fatigue. It’s a real thing. We are all sick of this.

I read an article by the University of Massachusetts Medical School that really described what the heck is going on. Christine Runyan, PhD, professor of family medicine & community health, house officer counselor in graduate medical education and co-founder of Tend Health had a great explanation.

“The mind-body connection is actually quite sensitive to both what is real and what is imagined. So much of 2020 has been filled with uncertainty, and our brains do not like uncertainty.”

There was also this explanation from an article out of The University of California, Davis which stated

“We know there are two kinds of stress that have long-term effects on our mental well-being and physical health – intense stress and prolonged stress,” Hermanson said. “We have both.”

Feeling like total garbage because you haven’t done anything productive all year is normal. Some people have gone to full blown life overhaul and have been going a mile a minute but that doesn’t mean their any happier than we are. People are coping with this new normal in so many different ways.

Worrying, for example, can make people feel like they’re doing something and have some control. Some people get headaches, backaches or gastrointestinal symptoms. Some people cope with that nervous system activation by “contracting,” she explained. They pull into themselves, maybe increase nightly drinking. “And that can result in a downward spiral mode of motivation, energy and ultimately you’re creating the conditions within the nervous system that are very ripe for depression.” - Runyan

Ugh depression, that sad annoying friend that you just can’t shake. We meet again. I’ve dealt with my fair share of depression. I would actually go as far enough to say that I have probably spent 75% of my life being melancholy. Surprised? Why? Because I don’t walk around moping and whoaismeing? Depression, like this pandemic fatigue, manifests itself in so many ways. For me it’s a very internal struggle. A battle of wills some might say. The will to be better and the will to give up.

My sadness and depression has come in waves this year. Sometimes I’m fine, I’ve got things under control. I have a schedule and routine. I’m hitting the gym and eating right and then BAM! Next thing I know I’m on the couch in and out of comatose with Dorito crumbs as chapstick. I started to feel this way again this week which is what compelled me to share. Thankfully, I am a responsible human being with a new career so I can only indulge in the dark whole I’ve created for so long before I have to show up for work. I’ve been feeling down about everything. My life, the lack of it, the ongoing demands of being careful. I miss those I haven’t been able to physically see and touch all year. I’m sure that living alone doesn’t help and I’m also sure that a lot of you wonder if you are capable of getting away with murdering the people you live with. Basically we are all in this. I’ve been down this bumpy road and although the terrain is rough we will get through this.

Here’s some helpful tips on some ways to cope with pandemic fatigue/depression from UC Davis.

· Exercise: “It’s the No. 1 best thing we can do for coping,” she said. “Any exercise – even a simple walk – helps. It releases endorphins, gets some of the adrenaline out when the frustration builds up. Just getting out and moving can be really helpful for people.”

· Talking: “This really helps, too. Just saying it out loud is important,” Hermanson said. “Find the right places and times, but do it. Ignoring feelings doesn’t make them go away. It’s like trying to hold a beachball underwater – eventually you lose control and it pops out. You can’t control where it goes or who it hits.”

· Constructive thinking: “We may think it is the situation that causes our feelings, but actually, our feelings come from our thoughts about the situation,” she said. “We can’t change the situation, but we can adjust our thinking. Be compassionate with yourself and others. Remind yourself, ‘I’m doing the best I can.’”

· Mindfulness and gratitude: “The more you do this, the easier it gets,” she said. “Try being in the moment. You’re right here, in this chair, breathing and looking around. We put ourselves through a lot of unnecessary misery projecting into the future or ruminating about the past. For now, just take life day by day.”

She said coping can start by just being aware, and by being easy on yourself.

I didn’t realize that I had already been incorporating a lot of these coping mechanisms which I honestly think has helped me pull myself out of the pool of tears I was drowning in. My thoughts on some of the key points:

Exercise, it’s not for everyone, I get it. It doesn’t mean go out there in a your skimpiest tank top drinking gallons of water and flexing in the mirror. It could be as simple as going for a walk. Do some squats while you wait the two minutes for your Hot Pocket to not heat thoroughly. Just MOVE. Keep moving. Get those endorphins to kick in and before you know it you will start feeling better. I know for a fact that exercising helped me immensely when I was in the thick of my years long depression. Even if I didn’t “feel like it” I just showed up to the gym and started moving.
Talking. I can’t stress this enough. Please talk to someone, anyone, your pets. Talking through what you are feeling is cathartic. I personally think that seeking professional help is also good. Talking to a stranger is scary but sometimes talking to someone you care about is scarier. Whoever you feel comfortable talking to, just do it. I am also here for those who want to share. I promise, I’m really good at keeping secrets.
Constructive thinking. I definitely think that this one is the hardest to do. Like, I can’t just be like “hey heart chill out, it’s not that big a deal” and call it a day. Feelings can run deep and it’s hard to change your mindset overnight. Just take it one thought at a time. If you can notice that you are feeling/thinking negative thoughts try to refocus your brain on positive things. The more often you do it the easier it becomes.
Mindfulness and gratitude. This goes hand in hand with changing that thought process when it’s going south. We all have problems and one person’s problems may not pale in comparison to another’s BUT that doesn’t mean that the pain, sadness or whatever feels any less. I do really try to be grateful for everything that I have and I do try to be mindful of how amazing and horribly normal my life is. I know that it could be worse. I know I’ve been through worse and made it through. So I try to keep in mind that *insert cliche* this too shall pass. Life is always about ups and downs, it’s never a straight line and if it was I bet someone would find a way to complain about that too.
I think the greatest takeaway here is that you’ve got this and you are not going through it all alone. Be easy on yourself, allow yourself to feel your feelings but find the courage to move forward. You have to get up, you have to move and you have to get better. Don’t give yourself any other option. Obligate yourself to accomplish one thing everyday and you’ll see how much easier it will get and after some time you will realize you feel better.
This was a long one…. thanks for trooping through it. I’m always here if you need me.