Never Ending

by Mackenzie Brim

Experiencing the beauty and attractions on the incredible island of Puerto Rico was an incredible experience. From the luminescent organisms of the bio bay to the rivers of the rain forest and all the way to the coast of Ponce, it was a trip for the books. 

But to say that my trip to Puerto Rico was perfect would be a lie. It was full of challenging situations and uncomfortable experiences. I roomed with a stranger and traveled with more. I was challenged by conflict and mistakes I made, but all of those things only amplified what I was able tog et out of the trip.

Experiencing adversity and challenge alongside the beautiful experiences made me grow more than I could ever have hoped. Those strangers became my friends, the conflict gave rise to resolution and realization, and mistakes were lessons learned.

All of these things would not have been possible from reading a book about Puerto Rico or searching online. I had to go out and seek them an for that I am forever grateful.

I don’t know what the future holds for me when it comes to travel writing. I sincerely hope that it will be a part of my life in future. But regardless, because of this experience I have a skill that no one can take away from me. I can have experiences in new places and communicate them to others. Whatever form this takes in my future, I will always have those skills, these memories, and relationships.

Mackenzie Brim

The Trial Run

by Mackenzie Brim

       To a city girl, the world of trains and stockyards only exists in the movies and cartoons or as a tourist attraction, but for many people the world of Texas past is their life, love and legacy. On a day trip to the Fort Worth Stockyards, I interacted with some of the many people who live their lives in what some would call a performance, but they are simply living their reality.

            

       While on the train, I went for snacks and met a woman named Heather Thompson, who wanted to be a flight attendant and, but was too short and settled for a train attendant. Her day consists of cleaning, serving guests, and occasionally declining an offer from swingers. 

      “I mean it’s public transportation, so I’ve seen a lot of wild things. People of drugs, having sex in the bathroom and even swingers, who I think had a crush on me.” 

       For the group of elementary school students who were on the train recreating the Polar Express it is a fantasy, but Heather has a wedding to help pay for and a mortgage,“It’s my life.”

         

   

       After disembarking the train and a short bus ride, I arrived at Stock Yard City, a street lined with steakhouses and gift shops that leads to the stockyards. The street also has a  Forth Work Stockyard Hotel was covered in wood paneling and old wallpaper, fitting perfectly with the theme of the tourist attraction that is Stock yard city. Sitting on the oversized maroon couches and laughing jollily was the Ivy family, the first to settle in Texas as immigrants in the 1800s. 

    

    “You see a lot of people dressed up as cowboys, but I’m a real cowboy,” said Mo Ivy, his smile lines deepening as he spoke, his cowboy had still perfectly resting on his head. 

        “You now he’s a real cowboy, because of his Belt Buckle,” said the son Tyler. Mo smiled and showed off the belt proudly. His family was ranchers and coming to cattle drives was how they obtained the livestock to provide for their business.

       

         Learning more about a culture that was only 130 miles away from where I grew up was a great experience and set the framework to learn over 2,000 miles away.

Mackenzie Brim

mackenziebrim.com

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Delve Deeper

By Maddy Payne

  

            Before this trip, I had been to Puerto Rico a couple times but for the sole purpose of vacation. Before this trip, however, I had never studied abroad. I had never hopped on a plane not knowing anyone. I had never experienced travel writing. When we got to Puerto Rico it was familiar yet unfamiliar at the same time. Although I had been to Puerto Rico before, I had always had my family or friends with me. Traveling without friends and family and instead with other students forced me out of my comfort zone. It encouraged me to explore deeper and really experience the culture rather than simply the tourist side.

            We were all assigned destinations to write a travel feature on, and my destination was Caguas, Puerto Rico. We visited the city of Caguas the last day of our trip, and we were able to tour a couple of the 12 museums in Caguas that explain the history and culture of Puerto Rico. Additionally, we were able to walk around the square and get a quick bite at a local restaurant.

            The first museum we visited was El Museo del Tobaco. While exploring the museum, I learned – first hand – how to make Puerto Rican cigars. It was interesting to read about the exhibits, and hear from one of the docents at the museum. The women who roll the cigars at the museum make 100 cigars in four hours. Lorenz Velez, the docent at the museum, walks visitors through the process.

            “I like to know the history and I’ve worked here for almost eight years. Fourteen ladies work here,” Velez said, indicating one of the women who sat rolling cigars. “Rosalie has been working here for 26 years.”

            Another museum we visited was the Folk Art Museum. I was able to interview another docent working at that museum, and she told me all about the exhibits and history of the museum. When I went and visited, the special exhibit was of Three Kings and given to the museum by the Wood Carving Women’s Association from Puerto Rico.  

Words: 347

 

Tobacco leaves used to roll cigars.

A handmade, fresh cigar made at El Museo de Tobaco. 

 

A sculpture of the Three Kings at the folk art museum in Caguas, Puerto Rico. 

Check out:

http://www.topuertorico.org/city/caguas.shtml

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g1066168-Caguas_Puerto_Rico-Vacations.html

https://caguas.gov.pr/

  

Email: maddy.payne@ou.edu

Website: maddy.payne.weebly.com

Twitter: @maddypayne397

Artifacts

Artifacts 

By Taylor Porchey 

The Museums in Caguas were quite interesting, not only for their historical and cultural content, but because of the role they played in the community. While at the tourism office, the sweet women in the office said that because they do not have beaches or rainforests to attract tourists like other places in Puerto Rico, they use their rich and deep culture, which they work hard to preserve, to attract tourists. They have been very successful at this endeavor and continue to look for ways to improve strategies to reach tourists and make guests’ experience in Caguas the best possible. The eleven museums in Caguas surround the central plaza and are connected by beautiful mosaic tiles in the sidewalk helping to guide guests from museum to museum. Additionally, each museum is color-coded a different color corresponding to a different color on the map so even if you are directionally challenged or do not speak Spanish well, you can match the colors and ensure that you are at the right museum that you desire to visit.

While in Caguas, we visited the Museo de Arte, Museo del Tabaco and Casa del Trovador Luis Miranda “Pico de Oro.” My favorite memory from the museums was walking into the Art Museum and being overwhelmed by the effervescent scent of lavender. It truly made the art museum feel special and separate from the outside world. Each museum encapsulated a part of culture and history from the island that could not be experienced in any other way. It is truly a special and significant experience.

 This is the mosaic tile found right outside the tourist center in Caguas. Many others are found throughout the city denoting other museums and important locations. 

Traditional dolls in the Art Museum representing the many ethnicities and races found on the island. 

Making cigars typically involves a number of steps, but this special lady makes it look like one fluid motion.  

Check Out: 

http://visitcaguas.com/route.htm

http://visitcaguas.com

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g147319-Activities-c49-Puerto_Rico.html

http://www.fourpointscaguas.com/things-to-do-in-caguas

http://www.expedia.com/Caguas-Hotels.d6047341.Travel-Guide-Hotels