bikes, hikes and mariposas

So yesterday I had planned to go to the first floor of a building called Del Torro near my dorm. I had seen a sign for TRiO on the bulding and I was really shocked to see that they had it here. I even say a few signs with SSS on it...so I investigated and found the office. I was at first content with looking at the hours which I found out they have a lot for tutoring. I wrote a few of the hours down with the names of the tutors when suddenly I was greeted by a very kind woman who asked if I needed help. We exchanged conversation and I let her know I was a student and worked for SSS for the past 2 years! She was very excited to help me and was sooooo kind for the first time meeting her. I was introduced to a few other counselors and the coordinator of tutoring and was set up to come in next week to start tutoring sessions for 2 of my classes. I was so excited about this because they were so welcoming to me. After that I really couldn't stop smiling and now I can't wait to go back on Monday. Already after meeting them for the first time I could tell that I had another TRiO family away from home and that just warmed my heart :)

Yesterday I also found out that one of my favorite bands Cultura Profetica will be making a stop here at Inter to perform!!! WOW!!!!! How awesome is that right?!?!? I never thought I would be able to see them in concert but now I can't believe it's real. Especially since a few weeks ago my friend and I heard a rumor that they would be at our school for an appearance at 10 am. Needless to say we were super hyped, got breakfast and waited for them to come. But it wasn't what we thought...just an honors ceremony. Oh well haha!

Allllssssooooo today I BOUGHT A BIKE! So even though I have talked about this place being ridiculously mountainous, I wasn't going to let that stop me from having another form of transportation while I'm here. I've been shopping around for about a week and a half looking and finding out all of my options when spontaneously Emma and I decided to try and rent a car to go to the nearest mall, buy a bike and look for instrument rental places in Mayaguez. Too bad neither of us brought out credit cards :/...we didn't get to rent the car but we were still able to use the Carro Publico service which is like a taxi with really old nice men that drive us in really old cars. This time we were reunited with out old friend whom we call Mariposa--she is a white van I would say from '79 or 80-something with a super old interior and a biiiig Mr. Special sticker on the side (local grocery store). Last time we were in Mariposa we were laughing so hard about the inner beauty that she carries that we ended up naming her and now I like to think Mariposa and KiKe (the driver) are our really good friends. hahahah. So we had a really long day in the mall and eventually I purchased my bike at Sears! Of course by that time we were ready to head out and even more of course it was raining--the time was about 3...right on schedule!---So we picked up the bike, in the BOX btw and carried it through the store to the front where we would be picked up. The box almost fell on Emma's head at one point and we dropped it numerous times from laughing or not paying attention. The fun continued when we got back to the dorm and started to put the bike together. THEN we found out we needed tools....now DAMN! We didn't know that! Luckily we had found a bike store earlier this week in search of used bikes. The store is owned by this man who is Mr. Tour de France- I like to call him- who when first meeting him told me in his French-Puerto Rican Spanish that "Wal-mart and KMart bikes are pieces of sheet!" Of course that is true but damn...considering the fact that I'm selling this bike to someone on the island the price is right for the next few months! So we walked there tonight in the rain before they closed and after a very much needed 2 hour nap. Walking as fast as could be we finally arrived and while talking to him we were all confusing each other in terms of what we were asking for. It all got lost in translation but after a very few frustrating minutes we GOT THE TOOLS!!! I was so happy and as soon as we got back I finished putting the bike together. Tomorrow we will be going on our first journey with my new bike to the beach in Cabo Rojo I believe. It's about an hour and a half but I think I can do it.

WOOOO HOOOO for another form of transportation!!!