Fireside in Caparra

Thursday August 4^th

At 5:30 am VERY loud thunder woke me up. I was so scared I called Aldo... hehe. It reminds me of that time in the mission during a very, I mean VERY loud storm came through the coastal area. That night I slept in the same little twin bed as my companion. So cozy... but around 930am when I actually got up... it was a light drizzle. That sound mixed with tropical animals/ bugs was kind of relaxing. Then breakfast.....

....I found a bug in my bread. Doesn’t mean I will stop eating it, I just threw the rest of it away. (after making my bean and sour cream sandwich of course) I mean.. I made sure it wasn't a cockroach. I haven't actually seen a cockroach yet.... *knock on wood*

Being nervous and without air conditioning has had a positive effect on my appetite. I will definitely be losing some weight here in Puerto Rico. Hehe…. Maybe by the end of this I’ll have a beach bod. (a girl can dream right??)

I hung around the apartment here and did some research on Puerto Rico... to try and understand the public transportation system. I didn't get very far... but I'm getting a better idea every day. I found out that there was a fireside tonight and a DANCE tomorrow night and I was immediately excited. I decided I was going to go exploring...

So I left the apartment with my backpack (contents: a dress for the fireside with church shoes, crackers, lunch meat and cheese slices, quarters for bus fare, and my handy piece of paper with all my Puerto Rican contacts/ addresses) I walked about 5 blocks to the bus stop and met a nice lady. I was wanting to get to the train station- so I asked her how... and I asked her all about PR etc. She was really helpful. The bus never came, but this little van did. She told me to get on... and I did. It looked pretty legit. Apparently the bus decided to take the day off??? Then she told me where to get off to get to the train station. From here it was pretty easy for me because yesterday I came to the train station... but I came walking. (Its sort of far... and the bus is only $.75) AND I wanted an adventure.....

I get to the train and all I know is that I want to get to the church. I have an address scribbled on a piece of paper and I know that I need to go to Bayamon. But- what I didn't understand if that I needed to go to Jardines Bayamon.... the which is one train stop earlier. I got off at the wrong place... and wandered around for about 30 minutes. I went into a gas station... and this is the part I wish I could have had on video. I asked ONE person directions to "Las cumbres" (the street with the church on it) and they asked someone else... and then that other person was giving me instructions. (keep in mind they are all talking with VERY Puerto Rican accents... the which I struggle to understand).... then the guy who was drinking a beer and playing the slot machine starts to say that this is not the way... that its another way... and then the lady quizzes me. Obviously I repeat incorrectly.... and then I tell her I don't drive a car, that I am going on foot.... and she gets all worried. It is then that I realize I am in the wrong place. I messaged my friend who gave me the address and I then realized my error..... but I was glad to have the crazy gas station experience. I haven't felt that way since Guatemala.... and in retrospect.... its so funny to me.

I finally get to the church... which isn't really used for church anymore. It is the mission office and the office for that part of the church that helps people get jobs... I can't think of it. But I went in there and met the two sister missionaries and talked to them for about an hour. Then the lady gave me cheese and crackers!! So nice...... the office closes at 5pm, so I had to leave there. I went to play the piano for a little bit and then I meet some other people. I think one of them is the institute director .... or teacher.. IDK. But he put me to work.... I cut up 2 honey dew melons and 1 watermelon. It kept me busy for a while.

The fireside was very nice. Elder Anderson came--- but no the apostle... the seventy. Also there was his wife and the president & wife of the Puerto Rico mission. Afterwards was very nice too because I was able to meet a TON of people from church. I met one and she introduced me to a few... and I really got a long with a couple of them! -- and one of them goes to the university where I will be going. She says that I have a very "latina" spirit. I like to think that myself as well.

Well, I am still feeling sticky and sweaty all the time... but I am sure I will get used to that. I can't believe it was only yesterday that I came here. It really does feel like a long time... but I am sure that when I really make some good friends the time will FLYYYY...... and then I will be able to see Aldo again. :D .... oh, and my family too... hehe.....

.... no pictures today.... sorry... all I want to do it go to sleeeeeep.