Old San Juan
streets of Puerto Rico are filled with vibrant colors and heavily decorated. This is due to the law requiring that the buildings be painted colorfully not only due to it making the buildings more appealing but also ensuring that Old San Juan will be a large tourist attraction.San Juan
Arriving in San Juan was our longest time staying in one place. Our host families were unable to take us due to COVID but luckily we were able to stay at a convent. Well this was exciting and our group was grateful we were introduced to a new challenge that we would have to face…no AC in the Puerto Rico humidity. We managed to survive by ensuring that our room doors were open and all the fans in the building were turned on. Cold showers also became a blessing to us, and most often that would be the last thing each night before bed!
San Juan is full of colorful street art to allow for self-expression as well as to show resistance to certain aspects of society. Their art is meant to express stories of resistance as well as showcase history and the significant individuals of Puerto Rico.El Yunque
We hiked in El Yunque National Forest on the third day of our trip. Getting up early we boarded a bus and headed up the mountain. During this tour we had a guide named Edwin who told us about Puerto Rico’s culture and the long history of its relationship with the states.
Halfway through our drive we switched guides and were then met by Ricardo, our forest guide who was the ripe young age of 78. He informed us of why the rainforest is so important to Puerto Rico. It acts as a buffering wall during hurricane season as it is located in the NE and the winds come from the SE. Another addition to the rainforest’s power is that it is 3,500 feet above sea level and truly acts as a wall. The mountain is also a rainforest due to the fact that straight winds hit the mountain and the rain begins to evaporate. Once it evaporates
it condenses in the air, then this condensation eventually becomes precipitation, leading to 200 inches of rain per year.
After learning all of this, Edwin prepared us for our hike to the top of the mountain. This hike was an invigorating activity full of all types of plant life. Interestingly much of the plant life in the forest is invasive and originally grows in places such as Europe, Asia, Africa, India, etc.
Luquillo
Luquillo was the next stop after the rainforest. Sitting right by the ocean it has wonderful views and the humid air is graced with light winds that come off the ocean. We explored a row of 80-plus kiosks along the beach that were family-owned businesses, including open-air restaurants, souvenir shops, and bars. After spending the afternoon there we went to our beachfront hotel with amazing views and the sound of waves to lull us to sleep. The next day was a free day for us and we were able to stay at the beach ALL DAY, lounging in the sun and swimming in the clear waters. 
The tree with red flowers shown here is the flamboyant tree. This tree is very symbolic to Puerto Ricans and they hold it close to their hearts. The tree to them represents pride, hope, and unity. Interestingly, this tree is not native to Puerto Rico but instead invasive. The seeds are carried from Africa in hurricane winds and land in Puerto Rico where they are able to flourish in the humid environment.Our lodging in San Juan was at a convent (the nunnery) for the week we attended classes at ISLA Language School. Each morning we would get up, eat breakfast, and then get on the train to ISLA. Once there we had 3-hour-long Spanish classes to learn basic language skills, with the hope of holding longer conversations. Some of us learned it is okay to make mistakes because that’s the best way to learn.
Our Spanish classes were mostly structured learning but on the last day, the group was able to have karaoke and learn the salsa, a traditional Puerto Rican dance.
Volunteer Projects
Another exciting day of the trip consisted of after Spanish classes being able to attend a service project. The service project had two different parts set in two different locations.
One group was able to help clean up a school and move items to better places. Very much so a housekeeping type of situation to try and improve the cleanliness of the area.
The other group also went to help clean
up a small building that will be used for childcare. This group split into two parts, one to do the more housekeeping type of scene and the other to help paint a beautiful mural. The mural crew was able to fill in all the colors of the mural following the outline created by the artist. Learning how to mix colors and paint on non-smooth surfaces to achieve the best effect.
Castillo “El Morro”
Castillo San Felipe del Morro (also known as “El Morro”), is an iconic fortification built by the Spanish, 
started in the 16th century. It covers a promontory at the entrance to the Bay of San Juan.
Bomba
Perhaps one of the most exciting days of the trip was learning how to do the bomba, another traditional Puerto Rican dance with a few 
key rhythms and interesting factors that make the dance what it is. There are two drummers who play music for the dancer of the bomba. The first is the Buleador, who marks the beat during the entire dance.
The next drummer is the Primo, and they follow the sounds and movements of the dancer. Their rhythm will change based on the steps and the way that the dancer moves her skirt.
Snorkeling and Bio-Bay
Yet another day of being able to explore the beautiful waters of Puerto Rico! Our group was able to go on a snorkeling trip in which we could see the coral reefs of Puerto Rico up close. Our snorkeling guides were amazing and showed us many sea creatures, allowing us to hold a white sea urchin, conch, sea star, and sea cucumbers. This adventure went by too quickly, but w
e were able to remain on the boat for more water-filled adventures.
The group had lunch on the boat and then turned back to the sea to watch the sunset on the ocean waters. Once the sky was dark we traveled further into the sea to reach a bioluminescent bay. This bay is filled with small microscopic creatures invisible to the human eye, but there is a way that their appearance is made known to us. They 
are able to glow in the water so when we jumped in and moved our hands, the water would just come to life with small blue glowing lights. It was almost as if there were millions of fireflies with blue lights filling the water.
Unbeknownst to our group this would be our last day in Puerto Rico, with our trip ending about a week early. Our group had to return home due to an approaching Hurricane that was headed toward Puerto Rico. Wanting to ensure the safety of everyone we returned home the next day with a love for Puerto Rico in our hearts forever.
