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.  

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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