The End

Our last day in Puerto Rico! 

Unwillingly we packed our suitcases again. ::sighs:: Genesis and Julie have been great hostesses!

Today Jessi was our chauffeur and took us to the Assembly Hall for a tour. The grounds are so beautiful. They are working this week especially to get everything painted before the special convention in August. We also browsed through the little museum.

This whole time we've wanted to drink coconut water, but couldn't actually make it happen. So we made a stop at Bethel one last time. Jean picked them off the trees and cut them open for us. It was so refreshing! There is different taste of the green and yellow ones. After we drank the water, he cut them open so we could eat the fruit.

After that we got home and had a quick leftover-lasagna lunch at home.Genesis got us a special goodbye cake! It was delicious, amaretto flavor. 

It was such a great way to end our trip!

On our way to the airport we reminisced about our favorite moments:

I enjoyed touring Bacardí it was really interesting. Also the island Culebra, that beach was gorgeous and I saw lots of fish and other sea creatures when I was snorkeling.

Jessi - my favorite thing was the whole weekend in Guanica, especially at Cabo Rojo, when the fish jumped on you! No actually my favorite part was at the lighthouse, I just sat at the end edge and watched the water and you all taking pictures. It was so peaceful

Genesis - I really liked El Yunque, being under the waterfall.  It makes me feel powerful and weak at the same time. And coconuts!! And cake!! Mmm

Casie - Each day had it's own moment that I could pause and absorb what was happening around me. But also I really liked playing in the ocean, with my friends! We were laughing so hard until we couldn't breathe!

    

   

Preach

Finally we had a day to stay home and share in the ministry! There was a "large army of women"  just like Proverbs 68:11 says. That was the scripture the brother used in this morning's lead-out. Everyone from the congregation was so pleasant and happy to meet us (of course!) And said we should come visit again (of course!)

It was so sunny and warm today, we were pretty hot. But we walk at a calm pace and stop in the shade when it comes along.

We had some lunch at a little place we passed, beans and rice, tostones! I don't think I'd ever get tired of it. Here, as people pass by, they make an effort to say "buen provecho" to anyone eating. It startles me still, because it could be some random guy walking thru, and he leans in and wishes us a good meal. Today a group filed in, co-workers on their break, and 6 times in a row I'm responding "gracias" to their "buen provecho" while I'm trying to eat. You know how the waiter often comes back when you're mouth is full? It's kinda like that, it's awkward to me, but Genesis says she misses it when she's in the states.

Then we were off to the Galeria de los Gigantes, an interactive museum of acclaimed Puerto Rican figures, including Roberto Clemente.  We finally found it and,  it was closed on Tuesdays. So. Here is a link if you want to read a little more about it.

So we took the rest of the time until we could get a ride home,  and shared with some other friends who were near the bus stop with the public cart display. I met Nattalia who works at Nordstrom in San Juan, in the Alterations department! Haha 

Genesis and her mom made a fabulous lasagna for dinner, and amarillos! They feed us too much! And we also hit a Starbucks to hang out with some friends of Genesis (she's so popular here!)

mouths full

by the cart

"Lasagna, I love you"

"Amarillos, I love you"

Starbucks!

Rain forest

We returned our rental this morning, a little part of me was sad, it means our trip is winding to a close. This car had taken us to so many fun places. And also satisfied that we returned it with no problems. whew.

We waited in the bakery for Diana and Herminio to pick us up. I wondered what they would be like, and asked Genesis if they're cool with us singing in the car (which is pretty much how we spent the ride home last night). I had nothing to worry about, they were way too cool for us haha. The next thing I knew we were packed into the backseat of their sporty 2-door car, and flying down the road jamming to Night Ranger. And we were on our way to El Yunque National Rain Forest!

It is gorgeous! Its so green everywhere, and it smells so fresh and the sounds are calming. Our first stop was to check out Coca Falls. We climbed up the rocks for a better view, but the rocks were deceptively slick. My heart stopped for a minute when I saw Casie lose her step and crash. 

Let's have an official statement from Puertoricásie :
Unlike my other falls, this one went really slowly in my head and I had time to think.
These are the thoughts that went through my head: (1) great, I I'm falling  (2) don't hit my head, NOT MY HEAD! Whew, didn't hit my head  (3) ooh, I hope no one saw that .... yes everyone did. (4) hmm, now I'm stuck  (5) I'm ok. Yes I'm ok, thanks. YES I'M OK!

Pretty intense stuff. Herminio told us that was our practice for the next trail, way to go Casie.

Next we hiked down a path that is rock/cement paved and passes by lots of picnic pavilions tucked onto the hillside. We should totally plan a picnic here! At the end of the trail is a waterfall that we can swim by! The water was cold, but it felt nice after our hike. It was difficult to stand under the waterfall, it was hitting us so hard! So much water was in our faces, we couldn't see. At least it was fresh water!

And don't you know, after visiting the forest we ended up on another beach? haha there are so many, and they're all different. I've never gone to the beach so many days in a row. Casie says this one  was her favorite, it had nice big waves to jump in. All of us got swept over and tumbled at some point. It was saltwater this time ... ugh