We woke up to an island-wide power outage. We are all fine. The hotel has a generator, and our phones are staying charged. Meanwhile, we are making a few slight changes to the itinerary. Day Three offered a chance to explore the beach, practice our swimming skills, and try out some Pina Coladas (non-alcoholic) served inside pineapples. They were delicious and refreshing. We got lunch at Los Gorditos, where we tried out different plantain dishes and sweets such as Arroz con Leche and Arroz con Dulce. Our walking tour of Old San Juan took us to many beautiful locations: Plaza de la Princessa, Casa Rosada, and the Catedral de San Juan.
The trip’s highlight was when we entered Calle de las Palomas (Street of Feathers). Students fed an enormous flock of pigeons that perched all over them. The laughter was cacophonous. We walked to the bay to pose at the “I Love Puerto Rico” sculpture before dinner at the Vaca Brava, where we devoured Puerto Rican BBQ and veggies. Afterward, we walked the Plaza de Cristobal Colon, discussing our knowledge and opinions of this historical figure. As you might have anticipated, Franklin students educated our tour guide about some of the less savory aspects of Christopher Columbus’s legacy. Upon returning to our accommodations, the students agreed they wanted to take over the hotel game room before bed. Tomorrow we leave for Ponce, where we will have power!