Recalculating...

Obligatory picture of an iguana crossing the road (and also an obligatory apology for not posting for a while. its surprisingly difficult to maintain. Don't worry. I'm still alive!) I'm not sure how long its been since I posted, but its been 2 weeks and 1 day since I've been here. Time has flown so quickly! Cut to confession: after my second night here, I wondered if things would ever get easier. I sent emails to past-Bondermans, I called the parentals, and, to be perfectly frank, I panicked. I was convinced that each day would begin and end with a small count-down in my head--how many days until i can go home? I'm pleased to announce that at this moment in time, my countdown looks a little bit different--its how many days until i fly to peru? or how many days until i meet someone from cuszco? my "how many days do i have left" isn't so negative now--my "how many days do i have left" is finally ready for this Bonderman trip! And hey, for the first time time in this entire process, I'm actually beginning to think I can do this :)

This, however? Something I cannot do.

You've seen this beach before--it's La Concha, just right up the street from my hostel. The flipper is Brenden, who just left to take care of Army duties this morning. Again, I'm amazed at how travel takes you places that are simultaneously ephemeral and long-lasting--you meet people for just a week, and then they're gone (or you are). but i'd be hard-pressed to forget the genuine, human interaction I've found in Puerto Rico thus far. 

Take Rosaligia, for example. Rosaligia is a member a Servas, a world-wide organization that believes that by building minute, interpersonal relationships through home stays and day hosting, we can cultivate a deep, mutual respect for each other and our respective cultures--world. peace. I highly recommend joining if you ever find yourself planning out some long-term travels. Rosaligia was my day host last week--and she is truly, truly remarkable! She studied clinical psychology in NYC, and now makes home visits around San Juan, visiting mostly the elderly, with a few exceptions. This woman's generosity abounds! The first day we met up, Rosaligia sent me home with an extra sandwich ("so that you don't starve!") and a box full of cakes ($40 value, mine free). In actuality, I got so much more than that Groupon could have possibly predicted. I picked her brain about Puerto Rico's election, which is going on now. I asked her about great places to go (Rosaligia's been everywhere! A world traveler, who made time for her own happiness). Rosaligia even took me to a feminist ecological conference, which was just--gah. Just SO cool. It was all in Spanish...but the powerpoints helped.  Puerto Ricans speak way fast! (especially impassioned ones).

Speaking of passion--there are 5 questions that inevitably come up when you're traveling (usually in this order). 

1. Where are you from?

2. What's your name? (Sometimes, this doesn't matter. I get "Seattle-girl!" a lot).

3. How long are you here?

4. Where are you going next?

5. Why?

Why indeed.

A lot of people that I've met have had some trouble understanding why exactly the Bonderman Fellowship exists--what's its purpose? After about 5 minutes of me struggling out an answer, they usually just change tactics--alright, so what's YOUR purpose? What are you doing with this?

My snarky answer is usually, "Call me when I finish." 

That's code for "I have no stinkin' idea."

When I explained this to Rosaligia, she told me to follow passions--not just my own, but all passions. Follow them, find out what I like, and if i can't begin to piece together what I want to do with myself, so be it. Find out what I don't like. Bondergoal #432: Follow this advice.As long as I'm working toward passion, I'll be okay.

So that being said, here is it! The passion of Puerto Rico that I've been chasing these past few days! This is a picture of the No Holding Back 3 break-dancing competition I went to a few days ago. If anyone's got passion, its these guys and gals. This was the final set of the 3 day, partner-competition.Over 18 teams competed from across North and South America--needless to say, they were good.

They were also sassy.

I've also checked out a few art museums while I've been here--free every Wednesdays! Woot woot! On the 4th, they have a conference of writers coming in and giving lectures about Puerto Rican literature. Bet your bonnet I'll be there.

One of the more popular mediums for art in Puerto Rico made its way into the arena through a style influenced by posters and pin up flyers. They're easily accessible to the public, and you can produce them in mass quantity--perfect for expressing whichever passionate message you carry. The one below is a civil rights poster promoting equal rights for the slaves freed in Louisa, which to this day, hold most of Puerto Rico's black population. 

This one's called "The Pact." It covers the entire wall, and its probably the most anxiety-producing thing I've seen in a while. 

In contrast, here's one of the most peaceful things I've seen in a while. The Puerto Rican sculpture park is huge, lovely, and again--free!

I'm running out of time, so here's a quick flash-view of the rest of my week, and the passions that inhabited it. This painting advocates for Puerto Rican pride (symbolized by the plantains, which is a huge genre of art here).

This piece is a response to Duchamp called "Duchamp in check." It amusingly takes his own abstract style and satirizes it via this chess board. The hostel I'm in now doesn't have a chess board...but there have been fighting words. I can only hope that someone makes an investment soon and quits taking SMACK (Louis).

I  also made it back to El Yunque this week with my two-day roommate, Cassie (another Seattleite, woop). It was really relaxing to make our way through the trails at a leisurely pace (unlike my first time, which was full of hustle, bustle, and the need to book it toward the biobay). This is me at the Coca waterfall! Hi, me!

Cassie and I also took a quick hike to the peaks of the rainforest. Hi, view from observatory! 

After the rainforest, we made our way to Luquillo beach, which had the calmest waters of any beach I've seen. Don't get me wrong, the waves are nice, but if I were a fish, I'd live here. It was nice to just float in the water and watch the sun set. When your ears are in the water, the only thing you hear is your own pulse. 

Shout out to Sylvia Plath. 

I am, I am, I am. 

Missing you all! 

ak