April 17, 2022

       Traveling to Puerto Rico was a big learning experience. It was my first time traveling outside of the States since the pandemic. During the time of the pandemic, I was able to grow my curiosity more and this trip opened my mind to the history of this US territory, the living dynamic, and generally expanded m knowledge in many ways.

       On my visit, I experienced a massive drought due to climate change, ocean temperatures, and changes in the local landscape. This left about 140,000 people without running water. Unlike my dads whose main concern was the water, many of the residents were not worried. During our lunch, we talked to the owner of our restaurant. When talking about the absence of water, she seemed unbothered. “This happens often, I assume the water will be back by the end of the day.¨ I was always used to being guaranteed water. Having to do small tasks like washing my face, showering, or brushing my teeth had to be done with a gallon of water from the local pharmacy. Even going out to dinner was different with huge dining lines. The shortage of water left restaurants running behind, leaving many people waiting for hours. This dynamic was very different than I was used to.

       In addition to my time in the capital city, I also spent a few days on an island called Vieques. During snorkeling (and with further research), I was taught a brief history of this island. Vieques was first inhabited by Native Americans coming from South America. However, the Spaniards later took control of this island, turning locals into slaves. In the 1940s, America bought 60% of Vieques, forcing locals to the mainland of Puerto Rico. They used the island for testing bombs, missiles, ad many other weapons. In 2003 the military exited Vieques and the land was turned into the U.S. National Fish and Wildlife Service. The Eastern tip of this land still sufferers from severe contamination but the remaining areas are open to the public.

      Learning about some history left me with a greater sense of knowledge than prior to the trip. Experiencing the drought was eye-opening and showed me an immediate result of climate change. I am inspired to keep learning more about climate change in my further travels and look for ways to contribute to lessen these effects.