Goodbye Puerto Rico

I am writing this as we are on our way back to the states. Yesterday was our last and final day in Puerto Rico and we will all definitely be missing it. Since yesterday was Palm Sunday we packed up our bags and headed over to the church in Ponce. It is a beautiful cathedral right in the middle of town square. When we got off of the bus we were welcomed by singing and people parading into the church waving Palm leaves that they had received. It was an amazing service with lots of reading, guitar, and songs. The service was in spanish but it was still nice to be in the community. We could tell that the church had a tight connection and they all loved being there.

The Cathedral at Night 🌙🌙

After that it was time for us to be on our way to lunch. As we were in our bus heading back up north there was indeed a huge burst 💥 while we were on the highway and we popped a tire. Thankfully our tour guide Joseph, and Miguel our bus driver kept high spirits and we quickly switched wawas(busses) and were on our way. We continued our journey to lunch and Joseph played some great music on the way. After some great music we arrived to a local fast food restaurant where we had the freedom to choose whatever we wanted. Some people got Mofongo bowls, others tried rice bowls, and most people got tostones( fried plantains) as a side. I talked with Jose, another man who assisted us on our trip and he convinced me to try the Churrosco and plantains. It was actually really good, I don’t know how to fully describe it but it was a cut of cow and then I got tostones to go with it. Once we finished up lunch we hopped back in the bus and were on our way to Old San Juan. Joseph first brought us over to the town square where he gave us a little background knowledge into the city of San Juan back in the early beginnings of colonization. He showed us the statues of Christopher Columbus along with Ponce de Leon. We got to learn about how the city had a wall going around it to protect it. Then he brought us up to Fort San Cristobal which was basically the watch tower that the Spanish used to use. We ventured around the fort, saw beautiful ocean and city views from up high, and even got to go down low to the dungeons. It was a nice opportunity for coolness and shade from the heat.

View of the city from a lookout tower

ocean and more!

Flags flown at the fort

Once we finished up at the fort we had some free time to admire the city and explore the shops. Many of us took home souvenirs but we all took in the city since it would be our last time being out and about.

the city!

We all met back up and walked over to a local mexican restaurant. The food was delicious and they gave us some great churros for desert. Then we got back on the bus and drove to the hotel. On our way back Joseph asked us about which days and activities were our favorite. Many of us said that we enjoyed our first day where we adventured on the El Yunque forest, we loved meeting the highschoolers at the school in San Juan, and we all loved getting tan on the beaches. He then began quizzing us on different plants and animals that we learned about, cities we visited, and the difference between Taino and Spanish names. We were definitely throwing out some random names and guesses but it was all fun and nice to think about all we have done. Then we arrived to the hotel where we packed up and set our alarms for the early morning ahead of us. It is safe to say that we all had so much fun and are so thankful for being able to go on this trip, it was amazing and we would not trade the memories for anything. Adios!

– Emma and The Puerto Rico Team 🇵🇷🇵🇷

saying goodbye to joseph :((

Hiking, Shopping, Beach, and Salt Flats 🥾🛍️☀️

Today we started the day off with a hike through the dry forest in Guanaco, Puerto Rico. The hike was hot and rocky but we learned about different type of plants, birds, and termites! Thankfully we took the hike that was only 45 minutes, I think we were all out of water by the end of it!

Wendy’s Selfie!!

After the hike, we went to Boqueron Beach which was surrounded by many local shops and restaurants 🛍️! A local woman met us at the beach and gave us one of our favorite lunches, rice and beans, bread, and chicken. If you have been following the blog you may think we are getting tired of the rice, beans, and chicken meals but I can assure you that we aren’t, somehow it gets better every time! After lunch we were able to shop around and spend time at the beach, an Iguana even decided to join us for a swim at the beach 🦎🏖️!! Afterwards, we went to the salt flats and were able to walk around and learn about what turns them pink (microorganisms algae, and the crustaceans). Then to fill our stomachs after a long day we headed over to CoCo’s Pizza, honestly it was the best pizza I have had in a while. For desert we got Flan, it was absolutely delicious!

CoCo’s Pizza!

After that we headed back to the hotel where we packed up because our days here are sadly dwindling. When we were done packing a few of us went downstairs where we played air hockey, arcade basketball, some card games, and even pool! My teammate and I actually won in pool, we are unbeatable. Sadly tomorrow is our last full day but cheers to another adventurous day here in Puerto Rico! 🇵🇷🇵🇷

– Sonia and the Puerto Rico Team

Day In Ponce!!

First service day in the amazing town of Ponce. We woke up bright and early to visit a local woman who’s been helping those in need for over 27 years!! We could easily tell that she loved what she did and her passion was helping people. The team helped her clean up the living areas she provided along with packing up items for people in need. After packing snacks, health bags and vitamins, we treated ourselves to another delicious lunch of plantains.. mmm mm mmm.

Service

We took a short mid day break to recoup back at the hotel. some played games, swam in the water park, and slept to prepare for the next half of the day. Then we ventured off to learn some salsa.!!! I think we got the hang of it;).

Salsa Dancing 💃 🕺

Then our favorite tour guide Joseph toured us around the historical town of Ponce, which had beautiful architecture, shops, and even some ice cream. When we were finishing up our paella for dinner we quickly grabbed our things so that we could catch the ceremony parading down the street, it was some type of religious ceremony where different people were dressed up as people from the Bible. After that in a spur of the moment we walked to see a group of singers who were performing. They were about our age and from Wisconsin! They sang some songs and then a group of Puerto Rican singers performed and then they finished it off with a song together. After the long day we headed back to the hotel! Tomorrow we’ll visit a dry forest, salt flats, and the beachhh!
Buenos noches!

– Kate and the Puerto Rico Team

Salsa!

Dinner!

Another Day in PR

Today started with a later wake up time due to the late check in at the hotel the night before. The Puerto Rico team started the day off right with the breakfast of champions, eggs, pancakes, and sausage. On the way to breakfast we walked past our hotels riveting water park! After breakfast we headed to the beach to expunge our stress and relax. We enjoyed a delicious meal at a restaurant on the beach along with some delicious Pina Coladas. Following lunch we headed to the coffee capital of Puerto Rico, Yauco. We spent some time enjoying the beautiful street murals that decorated the town.

In the middle of our trek we stopped at a basketball court and enjoyed various games with each other. Ensuing this was a delicious dinner at a local fast food restaurant where some of us even felt comfortable enough to order in spanish. We had a delicious assortment of sandwiches. Some of us even tried the coffee and one of the Puerto Rican deserts, a Quesito!

Dinnerrrrrr

Thereafter we headed to the hotel and got quizzed by our guide Joseph on different spanish phrases. We then spent the rest of the night hanging out in the hotel. A few of us even went down to the arcade and played some pool. We had a day full of laughs and excitement! Goodnight from the Puerto Rico team!!!

– Simon

Town Excursion

Color All Around

PR Day Five!

Hey everyone!

Today we started off the day bright and early so that we could be on our way to Southern Puerto Rico! Our first stop was a huge fruit farm where we got to learn about the agricultural practices in Southern Puerto Rico and why the sub-tropical climate is best for growing the crops. At the farm they grew pineapples, plantains, bananas, and pumpkins. We even had the opportunity to watch one of the farmers cut down a banana tree and we got to help! After the tour of the farm we had a cooking class where we made Mofongo. We mixed together plantains, butter, garlic, oil, and pork rinds to make the perfect dish. We enjoyed our Mofongo with chicken, rice, beans, avocado, bread, and salad, it was so delicious!

Lunch!

Then, we were off to another destination where we were able to learn about the lands of ancient civilizations in Puerto Rico. We saw rock formations that they had set up, saw different plants and what their uses were, and then saw ancient artifacts from the people, even a few human bones. While we were there, there were a few stray dogs who roamed around and unfortunately for the iguana, we watched a battle between the three dogs and the iguana. The iguana lost the battle and ended up being their dinner though. Once again after that we were back onto the bus and on the way to the marina. We boarded our boat and started our long day on the water. Our boat let down the anchor near a mangrove island and we spent the rest of the time hanging out in the crystal clear water until the sunset. After that we journeyed farther into the ocean and waited until it was dark out to experience the Bioluminescent Bay. Unfortunately we were not able to pick up their beautiful colors and lighting but I will say it was a once in a life time experience. It was so cool to run your hand through the water and have it glitter with blue light, it was really a unique experience. To close off the night we had dinner at a local restaurant. We had rice and beans (I will never get tired of it) fried chicken and fish, french fries, and then cake and ice cream to bring it all together . It really was a memorable day today, we are making memories and friendships that we will never forget.

– Emma and the Puerto Rico Team

Fruit Farm

Sunset to close off the night

Community Involvement and Beach Day!! ☀️🏖️

Today, in the morning, we visited a school with kids around our age. It was interesting seeing the culture of high school in a different place. We did fun activities such as decorate a poster, learn new Spanish words, learn how to salsa, and even participated in a volleyball tournament! After that, we got to experience the Calle Cerra Murals, which is beautiful street art made by the people to depict who they really are to the public. After this, we were able to go to the beach for a few hours and toss a football, play around, and for some.. stepping on a sea urchin 😨. ¡Adios!

– Sonia and the Puerto Rico Team

High School in PR

puerto rico first day of service

we started our day with sleeping in to get ready to work hard at the local food bank. we worked as a team to stack boxes, make food bags, and learn about the poverty issues in puerto rico. next we traveled to an artist named Samuel Lind, he showed us a tour around his house and art space, some even took back souvenirs… then we got a step by step lesson on how another local artist makes traditional coconut masks, everyone enjoyed interacting with the community and learning about their lives. we ended our evening with a delicious dinner at a costal restaurant and savored a sweet treat from coldstone. buenos noches 🌙🌙

– Kate and the Puerto Rico Team

Local Food Pantry Service

Coconut Masks

Puerto Rico #2 ☀️☀️

Today the Puerto Rico team got to explore the Yunque rainforest and enjoy one of the many beautiful beaches in Puerto Rico. The day started with a yummy breakfast in our hotel followed by a bus ride to the Yunque rainforest, the only rain forest in the United States. Once we arrived we enjoyed a lunch provided by the local guides. After lunch it was off to the trails exploring the forest. After we headed to the beach and spent some quality time relaxing and enjoying the water. This was followed by a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.

– Simon and the Puerto Rico Team

Ready to Explore

Puerto Rico Day One 🇵🇷🇵🇷

Hola!

Today marked our first day in Puerto Rico, we made it! The first thing our pilot told us once we landed was, “We are here, now get off.” All jokes though, he was full of jokes. It was hot and humid, much better than the cold weather back in Culver. After we got our luggage we met our awesome tour guide Joseph who has taught us all about the culture of Puerto Rico so far! He played us some salsa music and even taught us how to say “Wepa!” (let’s hope I spelled that right) but it is basically Puerto Rican slang for “What’s up?!” He taught us some other Spanish too. Then for dinner we went to a local restaurant in San Juan where we got to try plantains, rice and beans, fried chicken wings, chicken with garlic sauce, and pork chunks. We all had a great time trying the new foods and connecting with one another. When we got back to the hotel we talked about some safety measures, including what to do if there is a fire so do not worry parents, we are prepared! Tomorrow we are off to Mass, a hiking trip, and the beach. We are all so excited and exhausted. Buenas noches.

– Emma and the Puerto Rico Team

Dinner at a San Juan Restaurant

Puerto Rico Departure! ✈️✈️

We stayed the night at the lodge the night before our flight. We played games, cards, ate food, and got to know each other better. We woke up Saturday morning at 1:45 AM to take the bus to the midway airport and are now waiting to board our first flight!

– Sonia and the Puerto Rico team

Group picture after security