MAYBE I LOVE PUERTO RICO?: How a 'No Sabo' Kid Found Pride, Identity, and Home in Puerto Rico
- Joshua Miller
- Aug 10
- 14 min read
Introduction
Hi everyone!
To document my first-ever trip to Puerto Rico and the feelings and realizations that came with it, I began writing about my experience on the plane ride home.
This blog post is the finished version.
Puerto Rico gave me memories and realizations that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, and I’m so excited to share them with you.
This post is the biggest one I’ve ever published (~3,500 words!!!), so please use the Table of Contents below to navigate the different sections.
I’ve organized it in chronological order, with the story beginning with my flight there and concluding my first Bad Bunny concert.
I hope you enjoy reading this and learning about my experience.
Note - This post shares my personal experience and perspective. Puerto Rican culture is diverse and complex, and I would never claim to speak for all Puerto Ricans. If I’ve misunderstood or misrepresented anything, please let me know, and I will correct it immediately. I’m grateful for the chance to listen, learn, and celebrate Puerto Rico as best as I can. Thank you! 🧡🧡🧡
Table of Contents (Hyperlinks)
Day 1: Arrival, First Puerto Rican Meal, & La Placita de Santurce
Flying to Puerto Rico: My First Time Flying Alone
To kick off a trip that would be filled with many firsts, I left Grandma Lolyn’s house at 5 in the morning so I could make my 8AM flight.
My Uber driver, a travelling tech consultant, was super kind, and he ended up giving me advice on how to fly alone as a solo traveller for the first time.
When I got to the airport, I was a little bit nervous but extremely excited.
As a kid, my Dad always navigated airports for the family, and I always thought it was super impressive how he was able to exist confidently in a fast-paced environment and get where he needed to go, and now I was the adult!
I made it through security and had just enough time to embark on one of my favorite parts of being in an airport: spending money on stuff I don’t need.
I ended up buying the newest Vogue Magazine because Anne Hathaway was on the cover and “Last Night Was Fun” by Holly Michelle.
I started reading this book with the anticipation of only reading the first couple of chapters, but, to my surprise, I ended up reading it the entire flight!
When the plane landed, over four hours and 250+ pages later, I was upset that the flight wasn't longer!
It’s been a while since I’ve had a book that I couldn’t put down, especially a romantic comedy, so I was pretty happy, to say the least.
Arriving in Puerto Rico
Despite my excellent flight experience, landing in Puerto Rico immediately brought up a familiar feeling: it reminded me how much of a ‘No Sabo’ kid I am.
For those of you who aren’t Hispanic or are lucky enough to speak the native languages in line with your cultural identity, a “No Sabo” Kid (“I don’t know” kid) is literally a kid who is unable to understand Spanish when spoken to by a native speaker, or anyone who isn’t Dora.
However, figuratively, the term is used to call out, and often mock, stereotypically half-white and upper-middle-class children who grew up in a predominantly white environment that isolated their experience of Hispanic culture to books, film, and television.
The term “No Sabo” makes fun of these children in a way that often implies that because these kids aren't able to fit in with people of their cultural background, and because of a language barrier, they’re somehow less than those who can speak Spanish.
Note - This is my understanding of the term, based on my own experiences growing up, and I know it can mean different things to different people.
This, combined with my light skin color, has always led to me being treated differently by other Puerto Ricans.
My entire life, I’ve been teased for not knowing Spanish and for not looking “Spanish enough,” but given the nature of where I work, I don’t have to face the insecurities that this has resulted in.
Until now.
Getting off the plane, I saw a few men with slicked-back jet black hair and muscular builds, details that, for me, tapped straight into my own insecurities.
I suddenly felt like I wasn’t enough, and that scared me.
I wanted to feel like I belonged in Puerto Rico, but at that moment, I felt I might never belong anywhere.
Having secretly hoped that this trip would resolve my insecurities as a “No Sabo,” it was deeply frightening to have realized that on the other side of this plane ride was an amplification of my internal monologue of inadequacy, rather than the resolution I desperately craved.
I continued to wrestle with these feelings the entire ride to my family's Airbnb.
Sensing that something was wrong, my Mom and aunt, Brancie, asked if anything was wrong, but I lied and said that I was tired from traveling, and not existentially spiraling.
When I got to our beautiful space, I immediately ducked into the bathroom to get ready for dinner, but mostly so I could process my feelings alone.
Beyond the stress of getting ready under time pressure, with 8 people waiting on you, in a (pleasantly) overcrowded Airbnb, and a bathroom with no counter space, I felt not good enough and really lonely.
“What if I never feel at home here?” I thought as I failed to wash away the hopelessness seeping through my body.
My family always said that Puerto Rico feels like home, but I felt out of place and worthless.
But I got dressed and packed into the car, clinging to the hope that Puerto Rico would do something good for me.
Boy, was I not disappointed.
What I Wore
For my first outfit, I wanted to wear something that I knew I could rely on, so I chose to wear the most vibrant shirt that I bought for Puerto Rico, and it did the trick.
This fruit-patterned shirt never fails to make me smile, and I paired it with 7” Green Linen Shorts and a True Classic T-Shirt.
Dinner - The New Reef
To start, I had this incredible Pina Colada that tasted like Ice Cream, which is exactly what I wanted.
There’s something so annoying about ordering a fruity drink in paradise and then getting served cough syrup spray-painted pink.
But thankfully, this drink was the complete opposite.
The drink helped me loosen up a bit and break the ice with family that I hadn’t seen in forever.
I got to vent about the airport, the crowded streets, and most importantly, just be myself, which helped the wait go by faster, even though the food was well worth it.
For dinner, I had stuffed tostones with skirt steak and onion, and at this point, this was the best meal I had ever had.
Tostones have always been one of my favorite foods, but I’ve never had them in Puerto Rico before, and they’re INCREDIBLE!
I also didn’t know that you can eat them with Mayo-Ketchup and WOW!!!
I tried a bite of everyone else's food too.
My mom and Jonah (little brother) both got white rice with beans (habichuelas) and steak, which tasted amazing.
So amazing I made a mental note to order these for dinner the next day.
All in all, this meal was the perfect start to the trip, and I’m so happy to have family members with such amazing taste.
A Quick Stop at Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort
After dinner, we went to a hotel/casino to kill time before going out in La Placita de Santurce.
The DJ was playing fun reggaeton, so I felt inspired to get another drink.
I got a Tito’s with Lemonade that was so beautiful I had to take a picture of it, and then I sat with my family and we just talked and had a good time enjoying each other's company.
But then, out of nowhere, the music stopped, and we heard someone start singing from afar.
And then someone else joined in.
And then another person joined in.
And suddenly, there was a band marching through the lobby???
It was incredible.
There’s something so exciting about hearing music that’s truly live with no autotune, microphones, or mixing. Just five guys and a dream. It couldn’t have been more perfect.
My favorite part was that there was a saxophonist who soloed at the end of every song.
His solos were so good that the rest of the band stopped playing when he started playing, so he could have his moment, and he nailed it every time.
I used to play saxophone, so getting to hear live saxophone in Puerto Rico felt like the island was telling me that even if I felt out of place, there’s a part of me that belongs here.
This moment taught me never to lose faith in Puerto Rico, and I carried this lesson with me throughout the rest of the night.
Partying in La Placita de Santurce
Having grown up hearing stories about Puerto Rican nightlife from my family, I thought that I was ready for what the night had in store for me, but I was wrong.
When we arrived at La Placita de Santurce, I was immediately struck with awe.
Despite not being the biggest downtown area, the streets were filled with life and energy in a way that I haven’t felt going out in a long time.
Usually, the party is just in bars and nightclubs, but in Puerto Rico, the party is everywhere.
There’s something magical about seeing people dancing on the street to Bad Bunny in every direction.
It’s a reminder that joy doesn’t belong in a specific place or moment.
Instead, being joyous is a choice that you make regardless of where you are or the time of day, and you choose to live it fearlessly.
Going out on night one set the trip off to a great start and made me even more excited for the relaxing day we had planned for Day #2.
Day 2: Relaxing at the Beach & Even Better Puerto Rican Food
Relaxing at the Beach
The morning started with a plethora of Roosters (yes, Roosters!) waking me up promptly at 5 AM, and having only gotten to sleep at 2 AM, this was not ideal.
Thankfully, I was able to squeeze out a couple more hours of sleep before filming my Day #1 in Puerto Rico video and getting ready for a beach day.
We went to Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Rainforest Beach and Golf Resort, and everything about the hotel was beautiful.
The interior architecture, the exterior architecture, the pool, the bar(s!!!), and the beach were all breathtaking.
My family and I got a villa at the pool and had a great time talking in the pool and eating at the bar.
For lunch, my mom, Jonah, and I went to a bar called Five O’Clock Somewhere Bar, which is the perfect name if you ask me.
Before we ate, Jonah told me that the water was really good, and while I immediately wanted to tell him that that was such a useless suggestion, I ended up getting the water.
And it was, in fact, really good.
My mom ended up seeing a friend that she went to high school with, which was super cool.
Something I love about Puerto Rico is how the entire island feels like home.
Everyone knows everyone and is willing to help each other out with a giant smile.
For lunch, I ate these Chicken Tenders & Fries. (Sorry, Grandma. They looked good.)
The highlight of the day, however, was getting to finish the book I brought to the beach.
Although Jonah told me that bringing a book on vacation is for losers, I’m still really glad with this choice.
Getting to read a great story helped me pay attention to my surroundings more, which improved the entire trip.
What I Wore For Dinner
For dinner, I chose to wear another set from Old Navy.
I was really inspired by the way that blue and green sit together after staring at the trees again st the sky all afternoon.
Even Better Puerto Rican Food
For dinner, we went to El Rincon del Falette in Rio Grande because it was very close to where we were staying.
My favorite thing about this restaurant, besides the food, was the karaoke.
I was feeling gracious and decided not to torture the waitresses and my family with a park and bark performance of the romantic power-ballad “Danza Kuduro.”
Their Loss.
The waitresses sang well and overall contributed to the laid-back nature of the establishment, which was much needed given the chaos my family and I would endure the next day.
I ended up ordering steak with white rice and beans (habichuelas), and everything tasted incredible as always, but the real kicker was the Tostones.
I don’t know what was in them, but the Tostones at the restaurant we had were one of the best foods I’ve ever had.
My aunt ordered them for the table, and after eating one, I found myself fighting the urge to scream “YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN!”, grab the tostones, and sprint as far away from the table as possible.
They were THAT good.
Thankfully, after about fifteen minutes of yelling at my stomach to be quiet, I eventually noticed the table was done, so I could have a few more, and these were even better than the first one I had.
Combined with a great meal, these tostones were so filling that I had to tell my aunt, “If you see me put another bite of food in my mouth, I need you to tackle me so I stop eating.”
I didn’t want to be bloated for the concert the next day, but I found it almost impossible to stop eating.
Puerto Rican food tastes like love, and this restaurant made that undeniably clear.
It was as if the chef was asking, “Do you want a hug?” and holding me tighter and tighter with each bite.
Eventually, I did end up silencing my indulgence, and my family piled into a car for what we thought would be a short ride to the Airbnb.
We were so wrong.
Turns out there was a parade happening about five minutes from our hotel that ended with us being stopped in traffic for an ENTIRE HOUR!
Thankfully, we got home, and I went to bed early so I could have as much time as possible to get ready for the epic finale of this vacation: The Bad Bunny Concert.
Day 3: The Bad Bunny Concert
What I Wore
For the Bad Bunny concert, I initially planned to wear this Puerto Rico flag tie that I bought, but it ended up not matching the shirt I brought to wear it with.
So, in a fit of desperation I bought a handkerchief and ended up using it as a pocket square.
I should've put more effort into planning this outfit.
Classic Fit Everyday Shirt (Link Unavailable) - $14
My Former Thoughts on Bad Bunny
To start, before this concert, I didn’t consider myself a fan of Bad Bunny.
While I love dance music, and I’m not above liking music in a foreign language, something about his messaging has always failed to resonate with me.
It’s like he’s speaking a different language figuratively.
For example, with TWICE, their dramatics and choreography made it easier for me to understand despite the language barrier, but with Bad Bunny, I realized I didn’t yet have the context to fully understand his work, until this concert.
He gets a lot of criticism for the sexual nature of his music, which I’ve never really had a problem with.
There’s something undeniably pop about singing about sex, and as long as it’s approached in a way that has some depth, I can appreciate the work’s artistic value.
I’ve always thought of him as fashionable in a way that’s independent of standard trend and influence, but not much beyond that.
However, this changed after seeing him live.
The Concert
The concert was filled with so many memories that I’ll cherish forever, but I want to share one of them with you.
During the concert around the second act, Bad Bunny sat in a fall colored set and sang a beautiful song to Puerto Rico that the entire crowd joined in on.
Seeing an arena full of beautiful people sing this beautiful music with Bad Bunny, with nothing but a single guitar in the background, was breathtaking.
As I write this now, I’m fighting the urge to cry.
It was emotionally powerful in a way that made me feel grateful to be alive, with people that I love, on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico.
Seeing the arena lit in sunset orange moved me as well.
It was as if the island was telling me that maybe there was room for me all along. I just needed to let myself come home.
Right away, I pulled out my phone and wrote the conclusion to this blog post.
The entire trip I had been creating content about my days in Puerto Rico, but I still hadn’t figured out what it was I wanted to say, but in that moment I gained the emotional clarity I had been looking for the entire trip, and I’m so thankful to Bad Bunny, and the wonderful audience for giving me this clarity.
I will always be thankful for the many blessings I received that night.
My Current Thoughts on Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny is similar to Charli XCX because of their public persona and who they actually are.
With Bad Bunny singing about the highlights of the Puerto Rican body and Charli XCX singing about the thrill of sex in a sports car, it’s clear that they’re both brat.
But what astounds me is that they both share a deeper truth: underneath the glamour of high-status party-literacy shines an authentic vulnerability that’s real, intimate, and so needed in today’s macro-culture.
In the current manosphere, there’s a need for a man who performs masculinity in a way that shows young men that being witnessed in your sadness is the strongest thing you can do.
Beneath the fashionably dressed star is a soul that has transcended what society says a man should be.
In a world of men obsessed with being muscular, rich, and emotionless, Bad Bunny is an accessible role model for young men that’s real and uplifting.
Bad Bunny is an inspiration to continue living with my heart on my sleeve and to commit to uplifting others through love and creativity.
Seeing him live was the ultimate finale of an extraordinary trip.
Conclusion
I’m so thankful to be Puerto Rican, even if I sometimes feel like I’m bad at it.
We all want to be loved and to share our beautiful lives with someone, and Puerto Rico is overflowing with this feeling.
Puerto Rican culture encourages us to find community in the desire for love and connection.
We’re living in a loneliness epidemic, and Puerto Rico reminded me of how important community is, and I will cherish these memories for the rest of my life.
I love Puerto Rico, and I’m proud to be figuring out how to be Puerto Rican.
I may not know Spanish, have a muscular body, or jet black hair myself, but I feel, with every bone in my body, that community is an essential part of life, and I think that’s a great place to start.
-JM
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