Pictures

Update 33

We headed to El Morro & Fort San Cristobal in old San Juan.  Jen loved the rich history of this 500 year old massive forts.  Jen wanted at least a little bit of beach time so we headed for the same beach Ben had enjoyed while here only to find the road was closed as 30' waves on Sunday had covered the road with sand.  So we just stood on a cliff overlooking this wild Atlantic coast.  Kinda hurt to drop Jen off at the airport...we'd sure enjoyed having her here.

As we drove off, I booked an Airb&b downtown San Juan for tonight and then we called Reagan to wish her a Happy Birthday.  One of the hardest days not to be home...

It was time for Rog & I to come up with a plan for the rest of our time in PR & for me to get caught up on my writing !

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Update 32

After dinner on Saturday night, Dottie asked us if we'd be working on Monday...Rog & I told her it was completely up to Jen.  Jen mulled it over for a few minutes & then told Dottie...Yup, sign us up to work on Monday.  Dottie grinned, shook her head and said, "Soooo....you drank the Kook-Aid."  

So Monday a.m. we each got into different work vans but all ended up on a roof!  Ironically tomorrow Ben starts his new job as a salesman for Neighborhood Roofing!  But will he ever have the chance to overlook a deep gorgeous valley while working on a roof with many thousand feet drop off??  Harnessed up it felt...exhilarating!! Nice breeze too!

I think we'd all have been glad to have had one more or maybe two or more days to work.  At the evening meeting, I got to "Change the Board" to read not 32 but 33 completed roofs.    And as sit was our last night...we each were asked to say our good bye speech to the group.  Rog said lots of folks talk about ow they wish they could help but AHV were doing it.  I admired their vast backgrounds, ages & cultures that came together all with a caring heart & worked hard to accomplish much for those in most need.  Jen thanked them for a great first time experience & welcoming her into the AHV family.  She said she hoped she back with them somewhere, someday.  I had to pop up & point out that was my daughter-in-law!  After dinner, Jordon taught us how to play Grab It...an intense word game that soon had about a dozen spectators who couldn't help but join in.  Later, I had a fascinating conversation with Jared, a Huff Post journalist.  He strongly felt that since the USA had such a firm grip on the world's economy, we needed to take that responsibility seriously & do what's best for all the world...not just us.  Thinking about that, I climbed up the hill to our dorm & met a few new bunk mates...the constant ebb & flow of volunteers.  Two were PRicans.  

Tues morning...more goodbyes, exchanging email addresses & lots of hugs & even a few tears.  I'll really enjoyed Barb & Morgan.  Then we were off.

  Jen said she thought the AHV community was filled with the nicest people...but of course...they would be the ones who'd come to help others.  She was amazed how quickly she felt like they were good friends.  Jen felt they were so great with the locals & that the locals were so very appreciative.  And finally she said, "I'm glad I drank the Kool-Aid!"  

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Update 31

Sunday...free day.  We gobbled down Dutch pancakes prepared by the guy from...yup, Denmark.  Then we headed for Ponce & the ferry that'd take us to an island...if it had been running.  No go.   So on we drove, all the way to Cabo Rojo (SW corner).  We'd been told by Emily (whose grandparents live there) it had the most beautiful braces.  We'll Hurricane Maria changed that & no sun didn't help.  We drove right by San German where we'd thought we'd be taking Elin & Noah this year...instead we had Noah's mom.  Strange how things work out.  On the drive we stopped at a food truck for local cuisine.  We were so proud of Jen for tying almojabana, tostones, passidillas, ponchos, alcopurrias and of course, rice & beans...which is what she like best.  We meandered our way back to base which gave Jen a chance to see lots more of PR.  Just as we drove up to our base, we hit a broken curb and whishshshsh....flat tire.  Jen quickly took over (Woman Power) & with the help of Rog, Dan & Ken the tire was changed in no time.  Could not have been a better place to get a flat!  

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Update 30

Arrived at the airport in time to pick up Jen...and two All Hand tag-a-longs...one from Belgium (Emma) and other from Russia (Sveta).  We crammed in all the luggage plus pillows & sheet sets we'd picked up to use at base & off we went to Barranquitas.  Up, up, up, using switchbacks after switchbacks for about an hour & a half.  Pulled into the AHV base about 6 pm .  Dottie, (base director who we'd met in Denham Springs AHV base last year) was there to greet us & assign us to a bunk...Rog & I top bunk & Jen a lower one.  Two males & 4 females are our bunk mates...and new friends.  We settled in for a snore fest!

  Up at 6:30 & after a quick orientation, we fixed our breakfast, packed our lunch & were headed to a work site by 8.  Rog & Jen's crew cleaned out a house with a leaky roof.  Jen said it broke her heart to see the kid's toys & clothes having to be trashed.  Jane got garnished up & climbed up on an old leaking roof to remove the CGI (correlated galvanized iron).  Our homeowner sent over a huge lunch of rice/beans/chicken...most I saved for Rog's lunch tomorrow...and ate my peanut butter.  We all got back to base in time for a quick cold shower (only way to do it) and the 5:30 group meeting where each crew summed up their day's work.  I love the sense of pride & accomplishment that permeates throughout the room of about 60 volunteers.  After dinner that was prepared by local cooks (yup included rice & beans), we lingered & visited with other volunteers.  Such a diverse group with fascinating stories!  Amazing how quickly you feel like you've been friends for a long time.

  We had entertainment during night 2...Conor was laughing, yelling, whispering in English, Spanish & using Irish slang too.  All in his sleep.  We actually thought he had someone in bed with him!  When we teased him in the a.m....he was so very apologetic.  It sure got lots of laughs.  Rog was sent off to finish cleaning out the house he'd worked on yesterday.  Jen & I joined "Jesse's Crushing Crew" putting up rafters & purlins.  (Aren't you impressed with my new vocab :). The homeowner was there living in what was left of her home.  She was so very appreciative & spoiled us by making us delicious breakfast sandwiches & later bringing us Pringles & Coke (not Diet).  We'd been told that she had cancer & getting a roof was so her young son could live there was her dying wish.  Talk about pulling on our heart strings!  Jesse's  "Would You Rather x or y" questions & a kid racing his horse past us over and over  & the awesome view of the largest valley in PR were all bonuses to the satisfying work.  

  Saturday night's meeting & dinner was at Nado's...the local bar.  We stood in line waiting for hamburgers that were being grilled by a young man as he grooved & danced to music & slurped  down Medalla beers.  Jen even bought him a Medalla maybe to show how much she appreciated the hamburger or his dance move! Back at base, Rog & Jen played Scrabble with 2 mates...23 yr old Jordon cleaned their clocks!  So great to be back with All Hands people.

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