Adam and Peter are in Puerto Rico.

Long considered the sixth (or some say seventh) borough of New York City, Puerto Rico is a Caribean Island off of the East Coast of the Dominican Republic. With our midterm duties taken care of, Peter and I headed south for a week to relax, recuperate, and put together an awesome post! Highlights of our trip included jungle peaks, a Journey cover-band, and some good old fashion beach combing!

Puerto Rico is a land of striking contrasts: one of which evidently lies between rock and water. Peter and I pose on a hike near Guanica, in what is known as one of the best examples of sub-tropical dry forest in the world.

The tallest peak on the island is situated in the Northeast. El Yunque, as it is called, is accesible only by an hour long hike or a highway. Yes, a highway.

The mountainous regions of Central Puerto Rico boast a variety of flaura and fauna. This picture was taken of Peter fulfilling his curiosity at the side of the road.

In the sub-tropical dry-forrest one can find the only examples of cacti on the island. Peter thinks that this particular specimen could have been used as a prop in Caligula.

On the end of a skeletal cement dock near Esparanza one can find turqoise water, blaring sun, and total relaxation. Pictured here, I go for a leap into the sea while Peter enjoys some of the ultraviolet light that contributed to his now peeling shoulders.

Latin American people are known as passionate and giving lovers.

Isla Verde is a common destination for holidaying Americans and NuyoRicans alike. Peter and I enjoyed some time on the beach in front of a popular resort.

San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, is the oldest city in the Americas. Settled in 1521, a mere 30 years after Columbus discovered the new world, much of its charm remains intact. On the right time, at the right place in San Juan, one can feel completely absolved of the stresses and strain of the modern world. Especially when cool old ships like this one go by.

Sadly, not all of Puerto Rico lives up to its slogan: "You are not dreaming; you are in Puerto Rico." Much of the island consists of strip malls and fast food outlets, a strong reflection of its ties to America. Here is Peter, peacing in Ponce.

What some consider barbaric, cruel, and morally reprehensible is considered tradition in Puerto Rico. Peter and I had intended on bringing you an entire blog from the cockfights, but sadly, they were closed that day.

A blaze on the side of the road near Rincon.

Evolution: perhaps the finest Journey cover band in the world. The opening rendition of "Don't Stop Believing" had our hearts on fire.

See you Puerto Rico! Thanks for the tans and memories!

Adam and Peter are at the American Museum of Natural History.

Greetings all! The combination of an icy chill, and the fact that Peter and I are currently in the post-production phase of an awesome new video project forced us to compartmentalize our Saturday experience. Instead of wandering around in the cold of the boroughs, we decided to brush up on our scientific knowledge with the assistance of some incredible dioramas at the American Museum of Natural History. The amount of work that has gone into the place is breathtaking, as is the astounding plethora of animals and knowledge within it's walls. Highlights of our day included a tiger, the asian peoples' wing, and the bones of pre-historic dinosaurs! GRRRRR!!!!

Amongst our favorite movies of the past year is "the Squid and the Whale." Directed by Noah Baumbach, the final shot of the film is set right where we are standing. The whale comes to represent "home" for the protagonist in the film (a child struggling with the divorce of his parents). To Peter and I, this Whale represents hugeness.

The AMNH is dedicated to a scientific understanding of the history of the planet. It is, therefor, a secular institution. Secular commedian Bill Hicks puts forth a one-word question to those that espouse creationism (that is the belief that the world is the creation of a divine being); that question is — dinosaur. If god created the earth and its inhabitants, and dinosaurs exist on the earth, why are there no dinosaurs mentioned in the bible?

La Luna is Spanish for 'the moon.' Here is Peter, hugging the moon.

It can be a little depressing to view all of the beautiful but extinct creatures within the museum. It is refreshing to see that the most sleek, powerful, and gorgeous of all of God's (or evolution's) creations is still with us. Way to go, Tiger.

This picture is a good example of the "double-audience" definition of irony. As articulated by HK Fowler, "Irony is a form of utterance that postulates a double audience, consisting of one party that hearing shall hear and shall not understand, and another party that, when more is meant than meets the ear, is aware, both of that "more" and of the outsider's incomprehension." Where someone may not read the caption, or bother to review the photograph upon reading it, another may notice that Peter is pointing at the Asian Peoples' exhibit and say "hey, that's funny because he is Asian." A third audience, however, will notice the irony but disregard it because it is just not very funny.

This was a very intersting looking man: a tribesman from Northern Siberia. I thought I was cold today!!! When you think about it long and hard — even with global warming and pollution and overpopulation and nuclear weapons — we are way better off now than we used to be.

The Semain people were the Tribal inhabitants of Southeast Asia. Peter, pictured here, is a direct descendent. His water is from Fiji.

On Saturdays the museum is extremely busy. It is most popular among parents of young children who live in the New York Area, and tourists who largely come for the dinosaurs.

Hindsight is 20-20, but if I were one of the guys on the right I would be throwing that axe at the guy with the gun.

Did you know that there are nearly 200 species of monkeys? Peter thinks there should be a 201'st category.

See you later AMNH! We had a great time!