Puerto Rico

The first day of classes began on February 6. I had Global Studies, Field Research Methods (an anthropology class focusing on the ways in which anthropological data is gathered and pros and cons with these methods), and Human Impact on Marine Environments (a marine biology course). After classes and dinner we had a pre-country orientation for Puerto Rico.

Upon arrival to Puerto Rico, we were welcomed to the island by its highest ranking official, Governor Aníbal Acevedo Vilá. He spoke of facts about Puerto Rico, the need for quality education to lead Puerto Rico into the future, the role of Puerto Rico as a nation under the flag of The United States. He is a very eloquent man, who spoke very convincingly. After passing through US customs, Alex, Alissa and I decided to hit the streets. We walked along San Juan for a little while, eventually ending up at a beautiful beach. We walked back to the ship to prepare for our planned hike through El Yunque Rainforest. El Yunque is the only rainforest in the US National Parks service and is home to thousands of trees, ferns, moss, Boa Constrictors and the most endangered bird in the world, the Puerto Rican Parrot (of which there are only 50 in the world). We (Joanne, Kevin and I and separately Alex and Alissa) hiked a one and a half mile trail through the rainforest, stopping to look at local wildlife and vegetation and a beautiful waterfall.

After returning from our visit to El Yunque, we (Alex, Alissa and I) got ready to go to a welcome reception. We met up with Jay and headed out to Caribbean University where we were greeted with traditional Puerto Rican drumming, costumes and all of the students of Caribbean University. Joanne and Kevin were experiencing “land sickness” and were having trouble getting acclimated to NOT moving and chose to stay in, We (SAS students) then paraded to their auditorium where we were given a proclamation from the mayor of Bayamon by one of the most famous Actresses in Puerto Rico. After feeling that this couldn’t get any better, we headed outdoors for a great Puerto Rican fiesta, complete with traditional and modern dancing, appetizers and drinks. The students of Caribbean University gave a presentation of the dances of Puerto Rico. Then the dance floor was open and everyone participated in dancing to the Salsa, Bomba and Reggaeton. Alex and I also purchased some souvenirs made by some locals. After the fiesta was over we were all given bags with shirts, pens and other souvenirs from the Caribbean University. This was a great experience and some of the most fun I have ever had dancing.

The following morning we woke up and went to old San Juan. We visited an internet café, but found that we needed Alex’s laptop to upload the pictures properly. After an hour or so we headed back to the ship. We then had lunch and met our parents, and headed to rent a car for the day. While they were renting the car, we were busy uploading our pictures from Florida and The Bahamas. Our first stop with the rental was big Kmart. We have meals that provide enough food for the day, but I am a person who eats consistently throughout the day and I didn’t notice how much I rely on snacks to keep me going. We picked up chips, dip, sodas, and everything that stereotypical white gringos need. After that we headed to Luquillo Beach. It is one of the top ten beaches of the world; unfortunately it does not exactly have very good signage. We got a bit lost and had to turn around, finally pulling off the highway behind some bars and found a beautiful beach. As we walked along the beach, some figures came into focus. It was my parents’ happy hour buddies, Gary (professor of economics onboard) and his wife Diana, who had been there for only 5 minutes. Just by chance we ran into them and even parked next to them.
After saying goodbye, we headed toward a bioluminescent bay where we were planning to kayak. First we stopped for some appetizers, then another stop for some more hearty food and drinks. We then went to our meeting place where we met Joey, our guide for the kayaking trip. We started in a normal bay and then went through some narrow passages lined with mangrove trees with iguanas in them. A few minutes after entering the mangrove passage our paddles began to glow a dim green. As we got further and further they grew to glow bright green. I was in the front kayak and got to see some fish swimming through the water, lighting up their trail. The bioluminescence is created when the single celled organisms, dinoflagellates, feel attacked and create a chemical reaction that glows. After reaching the bay we were given the opportunity to swim in the glowing water. It was absolutely amazing and probably the most astounded that I have ever seen my father. We ran into many other groups, mostly SAS students, including one of Alex’s Chapman buddies and Kelly Monroe. We returned to our car and headed back to the ship after our day of exhaustion.

The next day we woke up and decided to return to the internet café with Alex’s laptop to upload the pictures from Puerto Rico before having to return the car. After returning Alex’s laptop to the ship and consulting with Jay about a meeting place we headed back to Old San Juan. Jay was our tour guide for the day showing us the beautiful city with its blue cobblestone streets and colorful old buildings. We hiked up to El Morro, a 450 year old fort that was the site of the Spanish-American War and an amazing site to see. We bought some souvenirs and then headed to dinner with Joanne, Kevin, Gary and Diana. After that we headed back to the ship and watched as the people who arrived late to the ship got hours of dock time (time on ship when in port).

*Things I’ve Learned In Puerto Rico:
*Puerto Ricans are amazing, friendly people.
*Stop signs and street lights are really more of a suggestion.
*It is better to avoid a pothole than a car.
*Driving the wrong way in a bus lane is not a smart idea, and can get you a personal police escort.
*Police officers are nice to the gringos.
*Half of the island’s population is police officers, and they drive around with their lights on at all times.
*Everything in Puerto Rico is fried: bananas, chicken, pork chops, fish, lamb, etc.
*School attendance is more of a suggestion as well.
*That glowing of your skin is actually natural.
*There are a ton of churches, and most of them sell chicken.
*All Puerto Ricans know how to dance.

We will add some pictures of our San Juan visit when we reach Brazil. Until then I will probably not write of our shipboard adventures as it mostly includes class and reading, but I will most definitely keep everyone up to date on the happenings of Brazil.
Hey everyone,

Now for another traveler’s impression of the voyage so far. Sorry I have yet to write anything, but Chris has been doing a great job of capturing the main points of the journey. Well as you know, we left The Bahamas on the 4th and from there we headed to sea. This sea experience has not been one of my favorites as the boat rocks almost continuously and I tend to get seasick. On a more positive note, classes seem like they are going to be great. I am taking Mysticism and Religious Experience (studying about the several religions and what they strive for), Intercultural Communication (self-explanatory), and Sustainable Communities (a course about how to build communities that are good for the environment). Once I arrived on the ship, I decided not to add a fifth class to my schedule, in order to fully enjoy all of the various activities that the ship and countries have to offer.
The first port we arrived in on Wednesday, Feb. 7th, was Puerto Rico. This Island was amazing and with its unique culture and different language it is hard to believe that it is actually a part of the U.S.. I even got to use a little bit of my Spanish that I have learned over the years. In this port, I became very adventuresome, from hiking through a rainforest to kayaking and swimming with bioluminescent organisms in a pitch-black bay. For most of you who know me, you will realize that this is a stretch for me as I am usually scared of getting into water that contains any fish or other species. I am so happy that I have partaken in activities that are out of my comfort zone because now knowing that I survived I am more willing to undertake in similar adventures in the remainder of the countries.
Now back to being on the ship. My roommate’s name is Cheryl and she is so nice. She is my best roommate so far in college. She is from San Diego so hopefully after the voyage is over we can remain friends and see each other once in a while. An interesting part about being on the ship is continuously changing times. As of now, we have already jumped ahead 1 hour from EST, and tonight we get to do it again. This time change makes it a little more difficult for getting up for my 8am class. The last thing that has been a little tricky is using army time rather than the normal 12 hour am/pm schedule. Well I think this is enough for me today, as the ship is rocking and my stomach is churning. I will post again probably after Brazil, but I hope this has given you a glimpse into my life on Semester at Sea.

Miss you all,
Alissa

Now for things learned from a “grown up” perspective:
*This is not a leisurely paced “cruise.”
*How much work it is to keep up with the reading for only nine units, even when it is not for credit or a grade.
*Teaching three classes seven days a week IS as much work as Kevin thought it would be.
*Kevin and Alex have similar looks on their faces when overwhelmed.
*The ship is big enough that I can go a full day and not see the boys or Alissa.
*A great deal about Illness, Injury and Prevention Programs as well as Return to Work and *Modified Work Programs…yes I really am doing work.. Deliverable number one will be on schedule.
*The countries of North America, Central America, The Caribbean and South America…(Yeah!)
*The Atlantic Ocean is rougher than the Caribbean…hint when the barf bags started appearing in strategic locations.
*Part of the Arch’s effectiveness must have come from his ability to totally disarm you when in his presence with his humble, gentle and genuine manner.
*Losing an hour a day is painful.
*I have cellular reception when Barbados is in view.
*How great it is to eat three meals a day out doors while staring at the Ocean
*How nice it is to have three meals a day prepared for you.
*How nice it is to have your laundry done regularly.
*How nice it is to have your room cleaned twice a day with to have fresh ice for happy hour.
*How in need of money these workers must be to leave their homes and their families for months on end to work at least twelve hour days seven days per week.
*How little I knew about the word and how much I am capable of learning.
*Kevin is more sensitive to rough seas than I am…poor him and lucky me.
THe "Arrch" knows how to dance
*Over and over and over again, how lucky I was to have the good fortune to be born into my world, to be white and to live in a temperate climate.

More from all of us in a few days. We should cross the equator tonight. Joa