Wow! It's been a while! I have a lot to update you on so get comfy and get ready to do some serious reading. The past three days have been jam packed with tons of Puerto Rican awesomeness!
Let's start with Wednesday. On Wednesday my roommate Ashley and I met our teacher. Fabulous doesn't begin describe her! She greeted us with a beso (kiss) on the cheek (common in Puerto Rican culutre) and began expressing her excitement and plans for our time spent student teaching en la isla.
After telling us a little bit about herself and after telling her a little bit about ourselves, our teacher invited us to one of the Puerto Rican holidays and celebrations, El festival de la calle de San Sebastían that takes place every year in Viejo San Juan (Old San Juan). We were thrilled! Ashley and I spent the rest of the day exploring our campus and anxiously anticipating Thursday night's festivities.
On Thursday, Ashley and I woke up and worked out. As I mentioned in the last blog, I'm training to run a 10K here in PR so of course, some running is a must. While exploring, we found the track (below) and decided to run a little mile just to see how we adjust to the heat. I guess you could say I "adjusted," but I've got a lot more of long distance running to do in 80 degree weather before I feel comfortable!
Ashley and I headed outside to the lawn outside of our dorms with our lunches, beach towels and tanning oil, ready to soak up the sun. In the midst of our sunbathing however, we were interrupted by one of UPR's staff and we were kindly informed that tanning on the lawn was not appropriate. My travel buddy Dora the explorer on the other hand, can lay out wherever she pleases.
My teacher, Ashley and I piled onto the train that would take us to our bus stop in Sagrado corazón. From there, along with 230842348203948 other people, we waited in line for una guagua (the term Puerto Ricans use for bus). Finally, we got on the bus and began our adventure to Viejo San Juan.
During our bus ride there, people were screaming, shouting, singing and dancing...and we weren't even at the festival yet! The fun filled atmosphere however was contagious and I couldn't help but smile and laugh the whole way there.
My teacher's house is like something out of a Spanish movie. Everything is out in the open, including the bathroom (see pic. below) and each room is connected by a small patio. I've never seen anything like it! The one word that came to my mind was hermosa (beautiful).
(Ashley on the second floor, overlooking the patio)
(door to my teacher's house)
(right inside the main door to the entrance hallway)
(strikin a pose on my teacher's courtyard patio)
(told you everything was out in the open...including the toilets!)
After getting settled in, my teacher began cooking a fantastic Puerto Rican meal for us! Ashley and I were so excited because up until this point, we had only eaten American food...and we were starving!
While, cooking, (which involved all three of us...ok I peeled potatoes but I still helped!) our teacher began telling us more about herself and Puerto Rico. Spanish words were flying left and right since my teacher can barely speak any English. It was AWESOME! For one of the first times in my Spanish speaking career, I was actually maintaining a fluent conversation with a native speaker for more than thirty minutes...and she was actually UNDERSTANDING me!
Over dinner, which consisted of grilled chicken with sauteed veggies like onions and peppers, and rosemary seasoned papas (potatoes), we talked about everything under the Puerto Rican sun from politics, to religion, to educational philosophies, to our favorite books, to love and romance. It was truly incredible to have met someone so willing to not only open up her home, and her heart as well. I think those are the kinds of dinners everyone should have every night!
Around 11:30 pm, with our tummies full, we headed to the festival. Like I've said many times in this post, I've never seen anything like it! I guess if you want something to compare it to, you could use Mardi Gras as a tool for comparison. There was salsa dancing, music, drinking, laughing, eating, and sooooo much celebrating. I felt like everyone in Puerto Rico and then some had come to party!
If you want a feel for the music, press play on the videos below
The next day, (Friday), after being completely wiped out from the night before, we got up and got ready to explore Old San Juan. The first place we adventured to was an old fort in Old San Juan called El Morro. It was gorgeous. The historical landmark was truly captivating. If you don't believe me, check out the pictures below.
The next four stops were shopping at the homemade craft center in the festival, followed by the botanical gardens at El Museo Blanco, El Parque de las Palomas, and a HUGE lunch at Vaca Brava. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves!
After close to six hours of straight walking, that brings us up to date! Today, after running two miles, Ashley and I decided to take on the bus system and venture out to the beach! Our friend at the train station, Javier told us to take bus 40 to Isla verde (the beach we went to). We were successful :) Again, I'll let the pictures tell the story!
Phew! Well that about summarizes the past three days! Told ya it was jam packed! And I can't wait for more jam packed days of an amazing Puerto Rican experience! :)
Thanks for taking the time to read! Love you all!
<3 Jenn
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