3/3 – 3/5:
We returned back to our home in Vega Alta were we had a good dinner that Magha (our local chef) prepared. The next morning we woke up early and took a short drive to the Community Villa del Rio and visited some of the projects where prior Global Works groups have worked as well as the work site of the house that we are planning to build a roof on during the week. That afternoon we picked up the rest of the group (they arrived a bit late due to flight delays) at the International airport and headed back to our homestead for a late lunch. That afternoon the group was back together able to go to the beach and relax after two days of being delayed and stuck in Atlanta Airport! That evening we had an initial orientation to learn about the community and the adventures ahead and got ready for the next day of work.
Our first day of work began in two different locations in the community. One group constructed the wood framing for the zinc roof on Raymond’s house, while the other half of the group went to another part of the community and began to prepare rebar and moldings for Don Julio’s house. We all ate lunch in the community, a local dish Rice beans and chicken, then worked some more and headed back to our homestead to shower before dinner. Over dinner we talked about the community members we had met and their situations, and familiarized ourselves with who we are helping and why.
3/6:
Today we got up early once again and continued to do work on the roof and accomplished laying the rest of the wood on (this work was done by cutting and placing anchors on the wood and screwing it in also with power tools). We also finished putting one half of the roofs zinc on and prepared it for the next day when we will hopefully finish the task in hand. After we finished part one of the roof, we had once again a local lunch and then proceeded to go all together to Don Julio’s house to begin the hardest part of our work experience. We began mixing concrete and pouring a section of the house while others continue to frame the beams and columns for the house. That afternoon we left and went o the homestead and took a quick dip in the ocean to wash off all of the day’s work away. Later we had dinner and enjoyed some time at the beach under the filling moon and discussed about Puerto Rico its culture and history.
We will send another update in the upcoming days…
PHOTOS:
3/7:
We have finished the service section of our trip! It has been a long stretch for us, the group has accomplished some solid work , and looking forward to some leisurely time to enjoy Luquillo and Old San Juan. We accomplished finishing the roof, beams and columns for Julios House. After our last day of work we got together and the USC students and staff gave the community members some of their University shirts / clothing for them to remember the time they spent working together. It was sad to say goodbye to the community where we spent so much time.
We are looking forward to our next days of seeing the old city and enjoying some classic and historical sites in Puerto Rico.
Here are pictures from our service portion of the trip:
3/10 – 3/11:
Here are some photos from our last days on the University of South Carolina Puerto Rico trip! We had a day in old San Juan where we were able to visit the Fort ” El Fortin de San Felipe de Morro” we also had some time to explore the city, buy some gifts, and have lunch. We split up for lunch to explore and eat.
After spending the day in the city, we later headed down to Luquillo were we checked into our hotel and then went out for dinner at a local spot where some of Natalie’s (the professor) family came out to join us. Afterwards we took a nice walk around town and headed home for a long upcoming day.
The next day we got up and went for a hike through the rainforest, where we ended up at the “Mina” waterfall. Then we headed to “Los Kioskos” for lunch and then had some down time at the beach visited the ” Salty Dog ” Catamaran for an afternoon at Icacos Island. Hungry and a little tired, we headed back for a quick dinner. To complete our action packed day, we went to The Cape San Juan Light house and went kayaking on the Bioluminescent bay Laguna Grande and after wards off to the hotel. The next morning up early and out to the airport.
The photos below are from the day in San Jaun and the lunch at the kioskos after the rain forest and the day at the rain forest , and the catamaran:
