1. The plane touches down in Puerto Rico and the majority of the passengers begin to spontaneously applaud. This may happen when you arrive in other countries, but I have not experienced it elsewhere
2. Within 10 seconds of leaving the airport you hear some driver blowing his horn for no apparent reason. After a day or so, the car horn beeping will become background noise.
3. Whether you are driving a rental car or you are in a taxi, you are amazed at the lack of use of the turn signal. My theory is that the majority of Puerto Rican drivers disconnect the car horn, when they purchase a vehicle. It can be the only explanation for not using the turn signal.
4. You arrive at your hotel and wonder how on earth you didn’t have a car accident. Do not worry, this feeling will diminish the more times you drive here in Puerto Rico
5. The smell of the street vendor food drives you crazy. Give in to your temptation; it may not be the healthiest of foods, but Puerto Rican street food is delicious
6. You enter a restaurant and think that people must be arguing because the conversation volume is so loud. Don’t worry, a fight is not about to break out; this level of conversation is normal here. After a few days you will not notice it as much
7. The restaurant menu is in Spanish. If you are struggling; ask for the English version
8. You see ‘Mofongo’ on the menu and wonder what that could be. Don’t ask, just try it, it’s delicious. For those that want to know, it is mashed plantains with garlic, olive oil, and pork cracklings.
9. It’s early evening and you keep hearing ‘Koo Kee’, ‘Koo Kee’. You are not going mad; this sound comes from Puerto Rico’s unofficial mascot the ‘Coqui’ frog. It’s small in size, loud in volume. You will hear this sound all over the island during the night. Again, this is a sound that you will become accustomed to.
10. The week has flown by and you have to leave this beautiful island. This is normal, even though it appears that things happen slowly in Puerto Rico. If you are on vacation; the time fly’s by.
