Group Update:
The group trickled into the San Juan airport all day Thursday. Once the group was together, we headed to the hotel for an authentic meal and some orientation games. We spent our first full day exploring Old San Juan and getting to know one another. We finished it off with a wonderful dinner of spaghetti, prepared by the group.
We spent the next three days on Vieques, kayaking in the BioBay (bioluminescent bay), snorkeling off the coast and learning about the history of the island at Fort Conde. We had a great 4th of July barbeque and played an awesome game of bolf (like golf, but you dig your own holes in the sand and try to throw the ball into the holes instead of hitting it with a club, the scoring is the same).
On July 6th, we took a ferry back to the mainland and drove to La Finca, it is so beautiful here! We are in the middle of the rainforest, surrounded by clear rivers and lots of fruit trees. On Wednesday, we played with community kids and our group did a fantastic job of teaching new games to everyone! Despite the language barrier, they spent hours playing together and had a great time. We are excited to get to meet more of them and looking forward to surfing this weekend.
Student Blurbs:
Silvana really enjoyed snorkeling, she learned a lot about the fish she saw by asking Abe, our guide, many questions of Abe. On the 4th of July she helped prepare an excellent BBQ feast. If she were an animal she would be a bulldog or a butterfly.
Dylan was the first leader of the day and did a great job leading evening meeting. Despite having already spent time on Vieques, he has been really positive and really enjoyed his second visit to the Bio Bay. If he were an animal he would be a sea turtle.
Even though Sinika was scared about jelly fish and swimming in the ocean, she jumped right in to the Bio Bay and snorkeling. She really enjoyed getting to see all the colorful fish and coral. At Fort Conde she was really eager to help and worked hard, helping to set up a new Simon Bolivar entrance exhibit. If she were an animal she would be a koala.
Emily has been swimming in the ocean daily and really enjoying herself even though she was nervous about it at first. When we went snorkeling she learned how to dive to the bottom and came up with a huge smile each time. If she were an animal she would be a flying elephant.
Jeremy is 100% positive all the time, the group is convinced his glass is spring fed which is why it’s continuously full. Jeremy has really enjoyed kayaking, swimming in the Bio Bay and generally just enjoying the warm water, especially during morning water aerobics. If he were an animal he would be a mosquito.
Tia has been making friends with everyone, reaching out to make sure everyone feels included. She really enjoyed the Bio Bay and snorkeling, and she helped cook an amazing 4th of July BBQ feast. If she were an animal she would be a bear.
Charlie has been keeping smiles on our faces and laughter coming out of our mouths daily. He was really fascinated by all the fans and coral while snorkeling and has been really helpful when it comes to cleaning up. If he were an animal he would be a liger.
Lili has been laughing 84.7% of the day every day and her positive attitude is contagious. She is really enjoying playing group games and had an amazing time snorkeling and swimming in the Bio Bay. If she were an animal she would be a dolphin.
Emory has been reaching out to everyone, really throwing himself into the group experience. He is eager to use his Spanish and was really excited that his hand glowed even after he took it out of the water at the Bio Bay. If he were an animal he would be a sloth.
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