Day 3 - Final Preparations: Culture and Economy

On day three, our students and faculty completed preparations for the games which begin with the Opening Ceremonies at Mayaguez Stadium on Saturday night. Professor Elaine Rodriguez and Dr. Hauth worked to address travel and medical services coverage assignments for the team members who have been invited to participate in the Opening Ceremonies with the rest of the Medical Services Unit. With little time remaining to tour the island, the team visited various sites in the southwest region in an effort to learn more about the history, culture, economy and people of Puerto Rico. Our first visit was to San German where we visited the Porta Coeli Monastery. While navigating the streets of this area was sometimes challenging, the visit to this island treasue built in the 1600's was well worth the effort. Views of the town and the "walk of monks" (plaza view) are pictured here in this blog.

Our second visit of the day was to a coffee plantation in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. Our time at the Hacienda Buena Vista (Beautiful View) provided students with an opportunity to learn about this 19th Century coffee, corn meal and cocoa plantation. Located on the Canas River in a subtropical humid forest, the Vives family used the power of water to operate the machinery that made this one of the most prosperous plantations of its time. This protected area is a habitat for a diverse community of flora and fauna species.

Our last stop of the day took us to the town of Ponce and the Castillo Serralles. This castle was built in the 1930's by Don Juan Serralles and served as the families home during the peak of the Puerto Rican sugar and rum industries. In addition to learning about the Serralles family and its importance to Puerto Rico's economy and culture, students learned about the conditions of the common worker at Hacienda Mercedita.

After a long day reviewing logistics and touring the southwest corner of the island, the team retired to Boqueron where they took time to experience the culture of this small beachfront village. The team planned for a good night's rest ast 12 hour shifts start after the Opening Ceremonies Saturday night!