I'm in the dorm, waiting for Joe - he is tying up loose ends with University folks. The college students left a few hours ago - we drove to the airport with them and waved goodbye. I suspect Joe felt an immediate reduction in stress watching them walk away, knowing the trip was complete, no major problems, all went well.
Joe, Bonnie and I are spending one more night in San Juan, at a local hotel, then off tomorrow. I fly through Dalles, they were flying through Pennsylvania but were able to change to a flight through Miami. Phew - they can avoid the East coast snow that is expected.
So, adios to Puerto Rico. It has been amazing in so many ways. Special memories?
1. How absolutely delightful the 14 college students were. I enjoyed each one. I must admit that I found myself studying them, observing behaviors foreign to my college experience (all the selfies, for one thing - what do they do with all those photos? But, does this make me old! I can hear my parents criticizing facets of my own college experience - protest marches, long hair, hippie styles). I enjoyed class discussions and their observations of what they saw around them. And, oh my, were they polite and kind to the 6 of us who were of grandparent age. All of their parents are to be commended for their lovely manners. Being the least able as far as walking goes (new knee issues), they never made me feel bad for slowing the group down. Just truly great kids all the way round.
2. The 2-hour daily class on PR history and culture - it gave us a background to better understand what we were seeing and experiencing here on the island.
3. The contrasts of Puerto Rico - the two cities of Old San Juan and St. German provide a perfect example. Old San Juan is delightful, beautiful, charming - the cobblestones, the palatte of tropical colors used to paint the buildings, the balconies, the iron work - it is Caribbean perfection. It reminds me of Carmel, CA - also perfect in its quaintness. But are either places actually real? Can you buy a hammer or a broom in their downtowns? But does it really matter when they are so much fun to stroll?
That's why I am glad we also got to St. German. It is the second oldest city, founded in the late 1500s. The historic area is amazing in its authenticity. The homes are large, old, gracious - but among the restored ones are those that have seen better days. Some are in an advanced stage of decay. It's a mixture. There are real stores and faded bars and restaurants. The two old churches in the main plaza scream their Spanish heritage - while it remains a functioning city. Wonderful contrast with Old San Juan - the tourist historical vs authentic historical.
4. The friendliness of the local folks - how utterly charming and helpful they were. One of the older members of our group was walking down the street in Old San Juan, wearing a Roberto Clemente baseball shirt, when a car pulled over. The woman passenger rolled down the window and asked him how he was enjoying Puerto Rico. She wanted to know his connection with Roberto Clemente. When Don told her that he saw Clemente play (he lived in Pittsburgh), the woman began to cry and the man reached over to pat his arm. Ah, Clemente. His spirit lives on.
5. Baseball - it has been such an adventure for me. I have learned so much. I got to see it from the ground up - the baseball academies, the ball parks, speaking with players and watching three games. Yesterday we visited the town of Carolina and toured the Roberto Clemente ball park. The director showed us though the dugout, the locker rooms and training area. He took us into the room where all the uniforms are stored - and let the college girls try on shirts and hats - including the #21 shirt that honors Clemente. He gave us baseballs, two bats, and books about the team.
I will never forget the hour that Carlos Delgado spent with us in our classroom, sharing his thoughts about baseball and Puerto Rico. When I asked, "What changes would you make if you were King of baseball?" he smiled and said he liked that idea - and then proceeded to outline how the minor league experience could be so much better.
At the games I got to see in practice what I had learned from all my reading. Two of the three games were rather tame but I will never forget the craziness and drama of the 16-inning first game that I attended.
6. And last, but by no means least, the lushness of Puerto Rico is astounding - from the dripping tropical rainforest to our glorious day of snorkeling in the warm waters off a nearby island. And I had to laugh when a large iguana ran out onto the road in front of the taxi that has arrived to take us to our hotel - what a perfect final interaction!
I will add photos when I get home but be warned, they are the usual horrible (if I took them). Hopefully Bonnie or Beth or Mike will take pity on me and share some of theirs.
Joe, Bonnie and I are spending one more night in San Juan, at a local hotel, then off tomorrow. I fly through Dalles, they were flying through Pennsylvania but were able to change to a flight through Miami. Phew - they can avoid the East coast snow that is expected.
So, adios to Puerto Rico. It has been amazing in so many ways. Special memories?
1. How absolutely delightful the 14 college students were. I enjoyed each one. I must admit that I found myself studying them, observing behaviors foreign to my college experience (all the selfies, for one thing - what do they do with all those photos? But, does this make me old! I can hear my parents criticizing facets of my own college experience - protest marches, long hair, hippie styles). I enjoyed class discussions and their observations of what they saw around them. And, oh my, were they polite and kind to the 6 of us who were of grandparent age. All of their parents are to be commended for their lovely manners. Being the least able as far as walking goes (new knee issues), they never made me feel bad for slowing the group down. Just truly great kids all the way round.
2. The 2-hour daily class on PR history and culture - it gave us a background to better understand what we were seeing and experiencing here on the island.
3. The contrasts of Puerto Rico - the two cities of Old San Juan and St. German provide a perfect example. Old San Juan is delightful, beautiful, charming - the cobblestones, the palatte of tropical colors used to paint the buildings, the balconies, the iron work - it is Caribbean perfection. It reminds me of Carmel, CA - also perfect in its quaintness. But are either places actually real? Can you buy a hammer or a broom in their downtowns? But does it really matter when they are so much fun to stroll?
That's why I am glad we also got to St. German. It is the second oldest city, founded in the late 1500s. The historic area is amazing in its authenticity. The homes are large, old, gracious - but among the restored ones are those that have seen better days. Some are in an advanced stage of decay. It's a mixture. There are real stores and faded bars and restaurants. The two old churches in the main plaza scream their Spanish heritage - while it remains a functioning city. Wonderful contrast with Old San Juan - the tourist historical vs authentic historical.
4. The friendliness of the local folks - how utterly charming and helpful they were. One of the older members of our group was walking down the street in Old San Juan, wearing a Roberto Clemente baseball shirt, when a car pulled over. The woman passenger rolled down the window and asked him how he was enjoying Puerto Rico. She wanted to know his connection with Roberto Clemente. When Don told her that he saw Clemente play (he lived in Pittsburgh), the woman began to cry and the man reached over to pat his arm. Ah, Clemente. His spirit lives on.
5. Baseball - it has been such an adventure for me. I have learned so much. I got to see it from the ground up - the baseball academies, the ball parks, speaking with players and watching three games. Yesterday we visited the town of Carolina and toured the Roberto Clemente ball park. The director showed us though the dugout, the locker rooms and training area. He took us into the room where all the uniforms are stored - and let the college girls try on shirts and hats - including the #21 shirt that honors Clemente. He gave us baseballs, two bats, and books about the team.
I will never forget the hour that Carlos Delgado spent with us in our classroom, sharing his thoughts about baseball and Puerto Rico. When I asked, "What changes would you make if you were King of baseball?" he smiled and said he liked that idea - and then proceeded to outline how the minor league experience could be so much better.
At the games I got to see in practice what I had learned from all my reading. Two of the three games were rather tame but I will never forget the craziness and drama of the 16-inning first game that I attended.
6. And last, but by no means least, the lushness of Puerto Rico is astounding - from the dripping tropical rainforest to our glorious day of snorkeling in the warm waters off a nearby island. And I had to laugh when a large iguana ran out onto the road in front of the taxi that has arrived to take us to our hotel - what a perfect final interaction!
I will add photos when I get home but be warned, they are the usual horrible (if I took them). Hopefully Bonnie or Beth or Mike will take pity on me and share some of theirs.