Arrival

Well, after a 7 hour flight, countless free pretzels and cookies, a shaky ride on some broken roads, I've finally arrived in Puerto Rico! It is such a beautiful country and the people are amazing!

The flight went well. I was nervous to fly by myself but, "coincidentally" there was a Senior Missionary Couple on my flight! So, I knew that we would make because the Lord needs His missionaries in the field! I also met a sweet lady named Carmen. She told me all about Puerto Rico and the food that I needed to try!

                                             Flying in to San Juan Airport, the sun was setting.

I was picked up at the airport by my graduate advisor, Omar Perez, and he took me to the local Walmart to get some supplies for the next few days. Then, we stopped at Wendys, but it was spanish style, and headed up to the field station. 

The Station is located in the heart of the El Yunque Rainforest! Its about 45 minutes out of San Juan. I traveled up a dark bumpy road going up the mountain. Once at the station, Omar showed me around the facilities. He took me to a specimens room and I was in heaven. Cabinets full of animals preserved in bottles, plants dried on cardstock, and bugs on display with needles in them. I am so stoked to learn more about them. After the tour I was taken to my room, its the top bunk in a room full of bunk beds! Its like being in the MTC again, except there are a TON of bugs! I kid you not, I was smacking and smushing everywhere I went that night! As I opened one of the doors to the kitchen something flew at me and hit me on the neck! It freaked me out just a little bit! Omar was laughing- he warned that lizards, frogs, and bugs will at random jump on you! I wish he would have told me much sooner!

I was also able to tour the River house. There is a river here in Puerto Rico entitled "El Espiritu Santo" meaning "The Holy Ghost" in english. Its the river that is the MAIN water source to the other rivers and streams. The name suits it well. This River house is really nice, out back there are orange, grapefruit, mango, banana, and avocado trees! I can't wait to just come and pick fruit up whenever I want! I even saw a boa constrictor on the road, and fireflies! It is such a pretty place here in Puerto Rico! I am exhausted and am ready to go to sleep!