This week I explored the markets that are nearby. They were very interesting to say the least. There were shops of all types, street vendors, and a farmers market. Here is a picture of the market street Before it opened. It kinda looks like a scene from a scary movie, however, once the metal doors goes ups, its much nicer.
Prices were incredibly cheap! Here is an example of what I saw...
Jeans $6
Watches $3
Pots and Pans $2.75
Dress shirts $6
Full Mens Suit $49.99
I bought a PR tourist shirt for $1.50. Incredible! Which makes me wonder.... how can they sell things so cheap?!
I also found out that some of the professors here opt to use copies of text books, rather than having a student buy a text book. So, effectively, I can get a copy of a $60 text book for only $3.00 at the copy store. Infringement? Yes. Do I care? ...well... no. Text books should be free!
So, a bit on PR fashion. Most everyone here wears jeans even though it's 80 and humid. Girls dress like there going to to beach. Needless to say it can be hard to concentrate. Guys sport 'rat tails' quite proudly. Nearly a quarter of the male students choose to adopt a hair fashion meant for children, rednecks, and native indians. There's definately a PR style that is different from KY.
My classes appear to be manageable. One of my math classes is taught in english. The students have been very nice. Some have offered to help me with class notes. My current note taking process is to write key words down and then look it up later on Wikipedia because I can only understand so much. One of my teachers speaks at a ridiculously fast pace (as do most puertoricans), so it will be a challenge! I'm an obvious 'gringo' here. Perhaps it's my blinding white skin and reddish goatee. I'm getting used to the funny looks people give me. In fact, my teachers readily identified me as an exchange student. The thing most said by me this week was "Si, soy un esdiante de intercambio. Soy de Kentucky. Mi espanyol no es bueno."
Puerto Ricans have adopted an aggressive style of driving. A serenade of honking horns can be heard echoing through the city streets. From a stoplight, the sounds of revving engines and screeching tires can be heard as cars race hurriedly to the next stoplight only a block away. Crossing the street is like playing Frogger. This is a photo of a crash I happened to come upon while exploring...
I got my first experience with the PR public transportation yesterday. A couple of us 'gringos' elected to go to the beach. The train stations were nice and modern. I had to get ANOTHER card to use the train system. Between all my school cards, train cards, and cards in my wallet, I'm only a few away from building a full deck.
Then from the train, we took a bus to the beach. The buses were crowed and it took a while to get there because it made many stops.
It rained while at the beach. Most rain only lasts a short while. The sun came out later and fun was had by all.
Puerto Ricans like murals. San Juan is very colorful!!
That's all for now!!
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