Today there remains only a few members of my extended family on the island. Speaking of the island itself it has faced a great deal of hardship for the last two years or so since the hurricane. The infamous hurricane that practically destroyed Puerto Rico. It's easy for people to just talk about a place faces with a tragedy and not seeing it first hand. Having seen and explained the extent of the destruction first hand I can tell that there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to the island. Difficult work that politicians seem to undermine.
I arrived on the island on a Wednesday; the drive to our condo was about an hour outside of San Juan. Simply driving down the highway I peered out at the landscape. Outside the city, it's not the standard American suburbs. Houses are spread out, with large luscious leaves and forest separating chunks of building. I was taken back when I saw like for example; a horse residing on the side of the road. I know even in rural America there wouldn't be horses just residing on the ride of the road with no rope tying them to a post.
Marc Anthony Brown
Selena Barrow
Another thing that made my trip to the island enjoyable was the people. Everyone was friendly, like really friendly. I didn't feel fearful walking down the street or having people judge me as I walk by. Oh, and the police officers were so nice. I know not all American police officers are mean but there are a lot of outliers who are very discriminatory and treat everyone like a criminal. I remember once I was reporting an incident to a US cop and he kept judging the way I spoke. In Puerto Rico, cops said hello with a smile. They were super helpful with directions and when an incident occurred they didn't immediately draw their weapons or put their hand on their holster. Trying a wonderful experience.
Marc Anthony Brown
Allison Penado
Allison Penado
Allison Penado
Allison Penado
Allison Penado
Allison Penado
Allison Penado
Allison Penado
Allison Penado
