The Sanguine Stories of a Chronically Sick Girl with a Boy Name: My Mission Trip to Puerto Rico-Day 1

Day 1
After waking up at an excruciating 2:45 am, we met up at our church at 3:45 am to travel and prepare for our 5:45am flight. Flying from IND->ATL took a little over an hour and we had a very quick transition to our next flight. After arriving in San Juan, (my hair started frizzing up immediately), we boarded the Adventures in Missions vans and drove the short ten minute drive to the Salvation Army we stayed in. After lunch, we were allowed some free time. My mom and I roamed the opposite way of everyone else in downtown San Juan and met some very interesting people. As we walked down the street, we came across so many neat, little markets and bought some unique dried roots and fruits. A picture below is me holding my passionfruit drink (native to Puerto Rico), my dried yuka (starchy vegetable) and my parcha (type of citrus fruit). Another picture below is a small restaurant owner on calle tapia . He showed such abundant patience and gratitude for our patronage and business and we were so thankful! This entire time I rarely spoke any English (well, when I did, the residents didn't understand me). But, I got to practice my Spanish so much! And the best part, I was understood! On our way back from the shops, it started POURING rain (keep in mind, it never rains in Puerto Rico). After running/ shuffling/ hustling in the rain for ten minutes, we decided to seek shelter under a small cabana-like restaurant. Picture 3 is of a man that started up a great conversation with us and although he frequently switched between English and Spanish, it was such a pleasure meeting him. We got back to the Salvation Army and had dinner. I made lots of new friends (from Mississippi and North Carolina) and had so many great laughs before an evening church session and planning of the start to our entirely student-ran vbs we would be putting on in a church about 20 minutes away in Guayanabo. Until tomorrow!