Aventura Colombia: julio 2009

One year in Puerto Rico has come and gone and I can hardly believe it. It feels like just yesterday that I was packing up, saying my goodbyes, and beginning a new adventure. The year went by quickly, as it was filled with many unforgetable adventures.

Towards the end of the year we were lucky enough to see a leatherback turtle lay her eggs on the beach. Leatherback turtles are endangered animals so it was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. It was like animal planet live. Leatherback turtles are the biggest turtles on Earth. They can be from 4 to 8 feet big and I would say that she was about 5 ft. She looked like she was having such a hard time going back to the ocean that we wanted to give her a little push in, but we let nature take it's course.

Then during a boat trip to the islands in Salinas we were also lucky to see dolphins. As we were cruising through the ocean I saw a dolphin fin pop through the water so I started screaming "Dolphin! Dolphin!" so they slowed down the boat and drove up next to them. There were probably about eight of them and they put on quite a show for us. I wanted to jump right in and swim with them. They were so graceful and beautiful.

One of the end of the year activities was a field trip to Old San Juan. We went to see the Bodies exhibit, took a walk to burger king, and viewed the photo exhibit along the "Paseo de princessa". I think the kids most enjoyed shopping at the gift shop, going to burger king, and buying slushies. They were too cute, as I was walking with my homeroom kids to Burger King, they were prentending that I was their mom and they were all my kids. They thought that the people who saw us would really think that. Imagine the little american mom with 16 Puerto Rican kids...I think I'll stick to being their teacher.

I also had to say goodbye to my sixth graders as they will be moving up to 7th grade, in the high school. They are no longer the big ones on campus. We enjoyed our last days together and I think that we were all ready for summer vaction to begin.

The teachers celebrated the last day with students with a champagne toast in the teachers' lounge. Then the last day of work was celebrated with a fiesta at Lourdes' (a teacher friend) beach house in Arroyo. We ate food, played bags and talked about our summer plans.

Then of course Andrea, Mariella, and I had to celebrate the end of the year with one last night in our townie bar, Souls, to see their boyfriends' band play, Primeria Lujeria.

My last few weeks were dedicated to studying to prepare for my exams. But I did manage to have some fun activities. I went on another boat trip with my friend Mabel and her family. It was great spending the whole day in the ocean with good company. Her family was so welcoming and funny. The kids were really cute too; they were looking for ocean wildlife. They found a giant starfish that one of the kids almost stuck to me as he jumped on me so I could save him from a little snail without a shell. It was also great Spanish practice, since I with all Puerto Ricans I hardly spoke any English all day. Then to top off a great day we ate some fresh fish at the El Dorado restuarant on the ocean in Salinas.

I couldn't have asked for a better experience in PR. I have made new friends and seen unbelievable places. I can only hope that next year will be as great.

Here are some pics from my favorite memories and places:

My favorite view from the high way from SJ. I remember seeing this as I was first arriving to Guayama and thinking "Wow, I live here!" I still remember that moment /feeling everytime I see it.