Puerto Rico!

 Puerto Rico! I've been here a week now, and it has not been at all difficult to feel “at home”. I'm rather sorry that the time is going to be so short! A month from now – November 26 – plans are for Jeannette and I to fly to the Dominican Republic, and I'll be staying there. I do expect to love those people and that place too, though.

Puerto Rico is an island, 100 miles by 30 miles in size. That doesn't sound very big, but somehow it doesn't seem that small. Wednesday, we traveled all day, and drove through very diverse terrain. On the north is the Atlantic Ocean; to the south is the Caribbean Sea. Through the central part of the island runs a tree covered mountain range. The highway, with endless curves, winds through them and the scenery is beautiful, often with trees meeting above us like a green tunnel. In the middle of those mountains is a world famous observatory, which was very interesting. Man, with the strength of his arm, the materials of earth, and intelligence of his mind has discovered and built many things. Man has learned and pictured a great deal about the universe, but has not found the God of the universe.

Puerto Rico is part of a chain of islands, some big, some very small, that curves from Florida to the coast of South America. The climate is tropical and palm trees, deciduous trees, and all kinds of greenery grow verdantly. Rainfall is abundant, and the air is warm and humid, but often there is a breeze that makes it comfortable. We're glad when the room we're given in the home we are visiting has an AC, but really even a fan makes it fairly comfortable. In the evening, the predominant sound is the little tree frogs. They make a noise something like a cricket, but more loud and shrill. They say their name, something like “ko-KEE” (coqui). I like to hear them.

It is a Spanish world here, but most do speak or understand some English. As to the food, the main thing I can say is that I've eaten too much of it! It is SO good.... Yesterday Milda fixed us “tostonis”. These were made from breadfruit cooked, mashed, chilled, sliced thin, and deep fried. YUM. Last night in another home the tostonis were from green platanos. Rice is a staple, as well as beans. Chicken is the most common meat. Salad is delicious. Avacados are in abundance, as well as papaya. Oh dear! I'm in danger of outgrowing my wardrobe.

Of course, the most precious part of this island is our friends and the welcome we've received in their homes. We've a ways to go yet to visit all of them, but the week has been rich in fellowship. It is Saturday morning now, and we are at Joyce's. We came here yesterday afternoon over the mountains in clouds and heavy rain. Jeannette was nervous about the possibility of landslides on the mountain side of the road; I was nervous about the deep valley over the edge on the other side. ha. Far below, the river was high from the rains and the water brown and moving fast. The electricity was off when we arrived, and thunder, lightening and heavy rain continued into the early evening. We began supper by candlelight, but then the lights came back on.

Joyce is the daughter of Wilbur Nelson, who was in the work here for some years, then married here. Joyce is their only child, and her mother is still living – that is where we all had supper last night, as she lives only a few minutes away and enjoys helping her daughter and family with meals. Joyce teaches school, and she and her husband, Michael, are busy raising three children – Joyce Lisette, and Gala (Michael's daughter) aged 11, and Arthur who is 9. Joyce went to college in Kearney one semester a number of years ago, and has “roots” in Nebraska. My granddaughter, Raimie, is married to her cousin Jeffrey and they have visited here more than once! It has been so special for me to have this visit!

Now I need to sign off and wave good-bye to you until next time.