Lancaster Country Day School Puerto Rico 2024

March 3, 2024

Today was amazing! We started out with French toast and fresh fruit brekky. Then we hit the road to meet members of the Taino tribe. We learned about their history and culture and best of all their food. After, we pioneered off to some treacherous cliffs and started our adventures down to a gorgeous river. To get in we even jumped off a small rock! When in the water, we swam to a rock that had cool petroglyphs on it! After the cool dip, we ate a delicious meal. Once we finished eating, we headed back to the Yellow House and had some downtime. Once we recharged, we enjoyed a great pasta meal and some salad. The adventures of today excite us for tomorrow. This trip is going to rock!
XOXO, Jeanine and Carolynn

March 4, 2024

Today was really fun. For breakfast, we ate scrambled eggs, turkey sausages, and fruits. After that, we took an hour drive to Old San Juan. We got to see the forts, and we got to see cathedrals with our tour guide, Alvin. After, we went to Fort El Morro. We walked all around the fort, and explored together. After, we went to a restaurant for lunch. We then drove back to the Big Yellow House. We relaxed and went to the beach. We came back, showered, and had some free time. After free time, we had Mofongo for dinner, and got ready for the last activity of the day. We then went upstairs to learn salsa dancing. Our salsa dancing instructor, Yara, taught us all of the steps for salsa. Overall, it was a very fun day, and we’re looking forward to what comes next.

From, Rithvik and Roshan

March 5, 2024

We started off this day at 8 with a morning munch of pancakes, sausage, and fruit. Then we packed up our goodies for one hour drive to Isla Verde beach to take surf lessons. We all did great and faced new challenges that we overcame. Along with the surfing, there was lots of beach volleyball and boogie boarding. After our hard work surfing, we were met with freshly cut coconuts filled with coconut water. We said bye to our instructors, and headed off to a gorgeous ocean-side lunch of a delicious assortment of Puerto Rican Foods. After our feast, we headed down to the beach below for a photo op, and sadly a camera lost its life in the process. We returned home to the BYH for some much needed rest time and our global works check ins.
We finished off our active day by taking a relaxing hike along some beautiful beach cliffs. After that, we settled down, showered, packed up our things, and had a yummy dinner of chicken and tater tots. Tomorrow we are headed to casa coral, which should have many more fun adventures waiting for us!

Peace out, Lily and Zoey

March 6, 2024

Today was quite a new challenge for everyone! We woke up at 6 and packed our things to leave the Big Yellow House and move on to a new location. To get our delicious breakfast, we had to turn in our fully packed suitcases and load them into the van. We enjoyed the morning breakfast of French toast, hash browns, sausage, fresh fruit, and cheese! It fueled us for the long day ahead! Before we said our goodbyes to the BYH, we made sure to clean up everything so the house was clean for those who visited after us. Then, we headed off to the beach. After an hour and a half drive, we arrived at our work day destination! For our work day, we cleared out big obstacles, such as sticks, dead leaves, and coconuts, so that baby turtles can safely make it to the ocean. It was definitely hard work for everyone but we all perceived, help each other, and stayed positive! Half way through, we enjoyed a scrumptious lunch of Mediterranean gyros. We continued our work on the beach and finished by cooling off in the river near by. After the refreshment, we settled in to Casa Coral. Today, we tried something new by taking a much needed hour of silent self reflection, in which you could take a nap or do something quietly on your bed or outside. After trying a whole bunch of new foods, we got to have a taste of home and enjoy some delicious pizzas! Yet, our day was still not done! To end our eventful day, we got to kayak and explore one of the five bioluminescent bays in the world! We were all amazed by the beautiful glow of the water! Along with the water, we got a star gazing lessons by our wonderful guide, Manolo. There were so many stars! We headed back to go to bed to fuel up for the fun adventures tomorrow.

Adiós amigos! Amanda and Vivian

March 7, 2024

Today was a great day! We started off by getting ready for the activities we had today. First we ate breakfast that were waffles, potatoes, and fruit. After we started the drive towards el Yunque rainforest. That was the area where we’re going to hike. The hike got a bit muddy and everyone had a little mud on them, but it was still a good hike! Once we got to the end of the trail there was a spot where we can swim with a waterfall. At first the water was a little bit cold, but after you got used to it, it was a nice area to swim. Everyone had an awesome time relaxing in the water. We all had fun splashing each other in the water and chilling in the water. After we started the walk back through the rainforest. Once we got out of the rainforest we went back in the vans to go and get lunch. We went to a restaurant, where we ate food that was delicious! After that we went to do a bit of souvenir shopping where we got cool new stuff, from hats to t-shirts and bracelets. Then we went back to Casa Coral where we chilled for a little bit and got ready for paddle boarding. Then we went paddle boarding in two different groups, but both groups learned about the environment, and how we can help the environment. After paddle boarding everyone showered, and then we had dinner. The main course was rice and beans, but we had potatoes and salad on the side. Then we had a group meeting where we talked about the trip. Then we got ready for bed, and started to wind down for the night. In all it was an amazing experience and day!

Signing out,
Sydney and Sophia

March 8, 2024

Today was our final day as a group here in sunny Puerto Rico, and it was the best day yet! We got to sleep in a little, which everyone needed, and then had a more chill morning packing and getting ready to go home before heading out on a snorkeling trip! We loaded the boat and headed to an island with a coral reef. We got to see a stingray and lots of cool fish. Then, we headed over to the island where we got to spend the last few hours laying in the sun on the beach and swimming in the clear water. Then, we headed back to the hotel for a final evening circle where we all talked about what we were grateful for and what we wanted to take home with us from the trip. A lot of people said that they went outside their comfort zones and that they wanted to take the new friends they made home with them. Everyone was super grateful to be part of this trip! We hope we get to come back soon and adios Puerto Rico!

By Jas, Abbey, Matt, Sam, and Katy