I have always wanted to get a travel tattoo. This goes back to my first major travel experience when I spent 6 weeks in Montreal. We were too busy, drinking, partying, and going to festivals so me and the boys never got around to it. Then the following year in Europe, a few of the boys and I from the travel group also wanted to get a travel tattoo, instead we went on a pub crawl in Amsterdam.
Fast forward a few years, I had just discovered my love for travelling to Latin America. I was leaving to going home from the trip of my lifetime, my solo trip to Colombia. I was in the Cartagena airport and saw a massive sign saying “Viajar es Vivir” (to travel is to life). It hit me, this would be my next tattoo, and I would finally get that travel tattoo I was always wanting.
It took me a few years, but finally on my trip to Puerto Rico I booked an appointment for a tattoo. Although, on this trip, I wasn’t with the boys or travelling solo, I had a girlfriend, and we got engaged a few days prior, so now a fiancé. She didn’t agree with my decision for the tattoo, but there was no stopping me now. It was happening! Sure enough, a few steps away from our accommodation, 310 Guesthouse in Old San Juan, there was a tattoo shop, Senzala Tattoo. I looked up the shop and the reviews were good, so I booked a consultation appointment with them and a time for the tattoo.
There was some miscommunication when I booked ahead of time and the wrong date was booked. But Edward at Senzala was accommodating and fixed the appointment on short notice. He booked me in for a consultation and a tattoo on my final day in Puerto Rico. I couldn’t get it any other day because I wanted to enjoy the sun and swim in the crystal blue Caribbean water, so it was perfect, get a tattoo and then go home and let it heal properly. You never want to get a tattoo early on in the vacation, especially on a beach vacation because you will be stuck between letting it heal or having fun.
I didn’t get a tattoo with Edward, but with one of the girls working there. She was young and looked inexperienced so that worried me during my consultation. She also wasn’t very friendly. But she was professional, and worked with me being picky to pick out the font of my tattoo. When I went back for the tattoo a couple of days later, I was in and out in no time. The artist adjusted the size and worked with me to give me a tattoo which I envisioned. She might not have been super friendly, but she was professional and did a good job. The shop was nice looking, clean, professional and everyone spoke English, so it was the perfect shop for a foreigner to get a tattoo. Also, while in there I saw several other tourists walk in and out, so I think it is a place that tourists visit while travelling to San Juan. I’m happy with my tattoo and had no complaints with the experience. Hopefully on my next vacation I will find time to get another one!
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