A JOURNEY HOME: RECONNECTING WITH BORIKÉN

By Rocco Anastasio

I’ve always believed that travel does something more than just take us to a new place. If done with an open heart, it has the power to ground us, recharge us, and even remind us of who we are. My recent trip to Puerto Rico with my family was proof of that. We only spent a week there, but I came back more fulfilled and more energized than I ever could have anticipated. Traveling with my wife and children through the island wasn’t just a vacation, it was a return to something deeply familiar, even spiritual. Puerto Rico, with all its vibrancy and natural wonder, brought up a sense of pride in me. It was rejuvenating not only to my mind and body, but also to my spirit. For me, this was more than a trip; it was a reminder of the roots that continue to shape us, even when we’re far away. One of the highlights of our journey was walking through El Yunque, the island’s famed rainforest. It’s hard to put into words what it feels like to step into a place that feels both ancient and alive at the same time. Towering trees covered in moss, waterfalls cutting through the green, and the songs of coquí frogs carried on the wind—it was like stepping into a world that heals you simply by being present in it. I let the cool waters of the falls wash over me, and in that moment, I felt something I hadn’t realized: I was missing clarity. That experience purified me, not just physically, but spiritually. It gave me a renewed sense of purpose, a reminder that sometimes healing comes when we surrender ourselves to nature. We also spent time walking the colorful cobblestone streets of Viejo San Juan. There’s a magic there that photographs never quite capture—the pastel buildings, the ocean breeze slipping through the narrow streets, the mix of history and life unfolding in real time. But what made it most meaningful for me was watching my children take it all in. For them, this wasn’t just sightseeing. It was connection. It was an introduction to a piece of who they are. To see them walk those streets and feel the pulse of their heritage filled me with a kind of fulfillment that’s hard to describe. I knew that this experience was planting seeds of pride in them that would grow for years to come. 

Not all of the trip was calm and meditative, though. Driving through the winding, steep hills of Guaynabo was a thrill all on its own. My knuckles were white as we climbed higher, the roads narrow and the drop-offs dramatic. My family’s laughter—half nervous, half exhilarated—filled the car as we made our way to La Marquesa Nature Preserve. There, riding the cable car above the treetops, we marveled at Puerto Rico’s beauty from a new perspective. Suspended between sky and forest, I felt grounded. Nature has a way of humbling us, reminding us that we’re part of something much larger than ourselves. And then, of course, there was the ocean. No trip to Puerto Rico would be complete without immersing yourself in its waters. We spent an afternoon at Luquillo Beach, swimming, soaking up the sun, and letting time slow down. There’s something about saltwater and sand between your toes that recharges you in a way nothing else can. My batteries felt full again. I could feel the stress of everyday life slipping away with each wave that crashed against me. —— 

By the end of the week, I realized this trip was never just about relaxation, it was about connection. Connection to land, to culture, to family, and to self. Puerto Rico reminded me that fulfillment doesn’t always come from chasing more; sometimes it comes from returning to what has always been there. As we boarded the plane back home, I carried with me more than just memories. I carried a renewed spirit, a sense of grounding, and a deeper appreciation for the heritage I got to share with my children. Puerto Rico gave us more than just a vacation; it gave us purpose, joy, and energy that I know will carry us forward for months to come. If there’s one lesson I took from this journey, it’s that sometimes the most powerful way to move forward is to pause, to return, and to reconnect with the places that shaped us. For me, that place is Puerto Rico.