SORANIA RIVERA
After the 2 ½ hour flight, 1 ½ hour drive, 2 ½ hour standing in line at the ferry terminal, and 2 hour ride on the public ferry I arrived to the Island-Municipality of Culebra, in Puerto Rico. The island is about 3 x 7 miles and has around 2,000 residents. The $2.25, 17 mile ferry ride was smooth but the smell of fuel inside the passenger areas was sickening. Upon my arrival to the ferry terminal I boarded a tourist bus to get to what would be home for the next few weeks. The tourist bus was $3 per person regardless of the amount of luggage being carried. On the way to the first stop at Flamenco Beach the driver provided us with loud dance music, disco lights and a smoke machine to “start the party”. The music continued until I arrived to my cottage at the last stop.
Saturday morning I met with my external supervisor in Culebra, Mary Ann Lucking. Mary Ann is a wonderful lady that dedicates her life to protect and restore coral reefs. She also advocates for the environmental rights of Culebra and supports education efforts of the local community and beyond. We spent a couple of hours warming up for the upcoming busy weeks. We discussed Culebra’s main sustainability issues and the obstacles that put a hold on its sustainable development. Later on that day I was introduced to the owner of the tool store and former director of the tourism department of Culebra. I spent an hour listening to the many reasons to why the public transportation, to and from the main island of Puerto Rico, is one of the main issues for the “Culebrenses” and how it affects their ability to progress sustainably. I ended Saturday afternoon with a sunset swim at Playa Zoni, one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen.
Sunday I was up with the sun and ready to meet with Mary Ann and the marine biology interns to observe how they took blood samples from fish provided by the local fishermen (for a low fee). The interns are currently studying fish health. At night I went to walk around downtown Duwey where I had the pleasure to be introduced to great leader defender of the rights of Culebra and its people. I’m can’t wait to sit and chat with her very soon.
Today (Monday) I joined the group of volunteers to help with summer camp at the coral reefs from the Muellecito area of Playa Flamenco. The activity for today was to learn how to measure corals without touching or harming them. About 20 camp kids joined the volunteers for three hours of swimming, playing, sharing and learning. It was great to see the kids so eager to learn about corals!
Images from Muellecito at Playa Flamenco with the kids from the summer camp:
