we rented a car and drove to el yunque on saturday morning. the drive was quite the panoramic adventure. the rainforest [el yunque] was honestly not as exotic and tropical as i expected...I REALLY wanted to see a parrot. But, it was incredible nonetheless. We stopped a few times to take pictures and to dip our feet into the small streams and waterfalls but the "omg omg" 's truly erupted once we reached La Mina Falls at the end of the trail. We all ripped our clothing off...I ran ahead figuring out a path through the cold water and slippery rocks. I laughed in disbelief at where I was as the water pounded onto my back and face..there is nowhere else in the world i wanted to be in that moment. I dont have my camera cable here so I will have to upload all my pics later, but for visual purposes here is a picture I found online:

We went back to the hotel after and got ready for dinner at a Cuban restaurant called Metropol [nextdoor to a cockfight arena, lol] in La Isla Verde, then headed over to Old San Juan [Viejo San Juan] for partying. We hit up Basillero, Blend and ended at The Pink Skirt afterhours dancing to electro + rock music with the indie boys til 3AM and getting pictures snapped by photographers throughout the night [their afterhours begin at 1am. We all hit up the hot tub as soon as we got back [amazing] and went to bed content after 4AM

The nightlife culture of PR is interesting--everyone wears their best dresses, heels, and button ups for Saturday night. Puerto Ricans know how to have a good time, thats for sure. This AM we went to the beach, then The Ritz Carlton pool area drinking $15 cocktails, laying on floatation devices, and gazing at the hottest guy EVER. My uncle picked me up and we went to his family's house for Mother's Day. It was great to see both sides of the spectrum: local life and the tourist experience. I'm currently in the computer room of my Aunt/Uncle's house realizing that my skin got a bit burned, listening to my ipod for the first time since i've been here, and making plans to meet up with the chicks for one last night of partying [they're leaving tomorrow AM]. Amanda and I have 4 days left of our trip which so far will consist of: Ponce, more beaches, more local things, and a tattoo.