bowling bonanza

We went bowling with a few people in Les's class Saturday night! We had a great time getting to know his new classmates. Les, of course, had to show out during the first game, but didn't do so well the second time around. I had fun just slinging the bowling ball...let's just say I am not a professional.

our first visitor

Our buddy Sean came to visit our second week on the island! We were able to experience a bunch of firsts together! We gave Sean a tour of Old San Juan and went to the local beach. Next, we travelled to the west side of the island to Rincon. Rincon has beautiful beaches and world renowned surfing! They get swells that are about 20ft during September and October. The largest swell recorded reached 40ft. We can't wait to learn how to surf! Though the waves were minimal on our trip, Les and Sean had a great time snorkeling off of the beach.

We also went to the horse races while Sean was here. El Yunque Rain Forest serves as the backdrop to the race track. The horse track has races 260 days a year with the "Big Derby" in December.

Of course, Sean and Les had to cook-out on the deck like we did at home!

the doggies get a haircut

Even though the highs at home reach 100, it does not seem as hot as 90 degrees here. We have air conditioning in only 2 bedrooms. All of the walls are concrete, so there is no central a/c. We keep our windows open throughout the day to let in the breeze. It is quite nice when it is cool and raining, but not so much on a sunny day.

Needless to say, the doggies had to get haircuts. Poor Waylon and Trouble...I think they are a little embarrassed with no hair, but I know they feel so much better!

Les's truck

While walking around Old San Juan, Les spotted the Crowley barges containing his truck! The barge left Jacksonville, FL on a Wednesday and arrived the following Tuesday. The cost to ship vehicles is roughly $1000, not including taxes...You must pay a 10% tax on the value of your car. Les's truck was valued at nearly $4000 more than it did at home. Thanks PR for taking that extra $400 out of our pockets. Once it made it to PR, the process of registering the vehicle from the states was quite a chore. It took nearly a day and a half of standing in long lines and bouncing around the city to finally be able to drive legally.

Legally is actually an understatement. I have determined that there are not many laws in driving here. It is the craziest thing I have ever seen! I don't know if everyone drives really good or really bad...maybe just very aggressively. Les has already been hit twice (no damage done)!

We found a pretty navy blue 1994 4Runner for me to drive! It is in great shape to be 15 years old. There is no need for a new car here as every vehicle seems to have a small dent or twenty!

nuestra casa es su casa

We were so lucky in finding a great house! We are renting with the option to buy. Our landlord moved back to Spain and left the house completely furnished. She even left glasses, dishes, towels and sheets! We live in a cute little urbanization (a.k.a. neighborhood) that borders a great park with a basketball court and tennis courts. Waylon and Trouble love going there on their morning run! Our neighbors (and Puerto Ricans in general) are ever so friendly! Most of them speak great English, which definitely helps us out. Every night about 5 households gather in the street just to chat. Saturday night they even had a cookout on the sidewalk that began around midnight. We didn't eat until 2 am! Needless to say we are enjoying the new culture! Our door is always open! We would love for all of our friends and family to visit over the next 4 years!

Our address:
Les and Anna Arnold

Parque de Torrimar

E-7 Calle 6

Bayamon, PR 00959 (I made a mistake in the card above)

We still have our same phone numbers!!

why we are here

As many of you may know, Les and I moved to Puerto Rico in July. Les will be attending Inter-Americana University School of Optometry. We are so excited to be here! The Optometry school is 28 years old. However, they just built a brand new building for the optometry school. It is quite impressive. Everything is state of the art. Les began orientation on August 4th and officially started class TODAY!!! I, on the other hand, am job hunting. I will be working at a cool wine bar called Bottles while I am searching. It is in a great area and really close to the house. I don't think I will ever get out of the restaurant business! UGH!!!