After an impressive and educational week in old San Juan, today was the big travel day to Aibonito. Various locals from San Juan informed the students in advance that a whole new experience would be waiting for them.
We started the day with the sun already shining on the horizon. After cleaning and tidying our apartments, we met in the lobby around 9:30 am. Everyone filled up their water bottle again, and checked that they did not leave anything behind. Around 10:30 am we started our journey toward Aibonito. The first half of the trip led through the newer tourist district of San Juan. After a good 40 minute drive, it became a little steeper. It became steeper and steeper and the streets became narrower. Many wondered how this bus would make it through these tight curves. For many students, including myself, it was the steepest and narrowest ride to a mountain village that we have ever taken on a bus. Around 12:15 pm we safely arrived in Aibonito and were warmly welcomed. We were spoiled with culinary delights and had some time in the afternoon to settle into our new homes. The light breeze makes it much more pleasant to live in houses without air conditioning at these high temperatures than it was in San Juan.
We are excited for the upcoming experiences here in Aibonito and look forward to meeting our host families in person at the end of the week.
-Kevin B.
