"Han han katu" This was our response, our affirmation (translated "so let it be") of each person's word being put into the circle. "Unity" "Han han katu" "Acceptance" Han han katu"  "Blessings" "Han han katu" After each person shared their word into the circle, we closed the circle with connected hands and lift the offering of words into the sky. Joyous sounds (yells, calls, etc) went with them. As our hands came down we kneeled and placed our hand on the earth. Offering the same energy and receiving it back. Lastly we placed our hands over our hearts, closing our eyes to take in all the positive energy from Mother Earth, Father son and each other.

This was the end of the closing ceremony at the 9th Gathering of the Taino people held in Jayuya. We were all apart of the ceremony and will never be the same having gone through it. To enter the circle we had to remove our shoes, wash our hands and head with a small amount of scented water, as well receive a smoke cleansing from head to toe front and back. Once you stepped inside the circle you walked counter clockwise to acknowledge and give respect to the mother ancestors and then clockwise to respect to the father ancestors. After taking a place in the circle of your liking, a small fire in the middle, the ceremony began. Instructions were given, which included the need to have a gift to give to your new family member during the ceremony. Not having known about the ceremony we were all giftless - but not to worry. Our hosts made sure we had a gift. One of the vendors sacrificed some of her wares so that we would all have something.

Fire going, circle complete, gifts in hand, we counted off and made two circles - an inside circle and an outside circle. The drum began to play and each circle walked to the beat of the drum opposite each other's direction. The drum would get faster, singing and calls were added as well as dancing. When the drum stopped, we turned and went the other direction in the same manner. At the final beat of the drum you turned and faced whoever was next to you and that was your new family member. You first hugged them, then exchanged gifts and talked to them. Specific people (mostly elders) shared messages/wisdom with the circle after the gift giving and a momentous event happened. There was a decision made to begin a men's circle. People weighed in on the importance of needing and beginning this circle and all were deeply satisfied and happy that it was being create. History was made right before our eyes and we can say that we were a part of it!

 At the end, everyone gave EVERYONE a hug and kind words of welcome and blessings.
While in the circle you could feel the reverence and respect for nature, for the spirit world and for each other.. It was such an honor to be invited to participate in such a sacred ceremony and to be welcomed into their family. The connections we made will be long lasting and the personal effect is a life long memory we take with us. What an amazing experience that will change us forever. Han han katu!

The Adventure of Traveling to the Adventure

Yesterday's adventure to Jayuya (high-oy-ah) still whirls through my head as I sit with the Boriken wind blowing over me today. Surprisingly, driving on the windy, steep and narrow country roads through the subtropical forest, though initially scary, transformed into a bit too much fun after a couple hours. "Precious Mission Hill cargo" I remind myself and apply the brakes. We beep as we go around corners to alert others of our presence. A deep horn coming from around the bend means a 16 wheeler is about to come around and take up the entire road, so in other words, get out of the way. 

 

 

A dog lying down in the middle of what feels like the most dangerous road I have ever been on gives me a dirty look as our car heads straight for it. "This is their neighborhood road" Jeanne muses from the back seat. She's right too, I realize as four boys on bicycles furiously bike up the hill we happen to be going down. The five cars behind them patiently wait because they recognize what our team is realizing. Neighborhood road really puts all the scrutinizing eyes into context as we pass by their house or restaurant. 

 

We stop at one of these neighborhood restaurants, parking as we have learned as far off the road as we are able to get. Most of the other cars are parked in a way that indicates they are less worried about parking out of the way. We park and walk down the road/bike lane/walking path/front yard and now /parking lot until we arrive at the restaurant. We seat ourselves under the canopy and "rustic" doesn't do this setting justice. "Las Tortugas," it's called, and I say "that means..." 

"Turtles," Jenerra chimes in before I can finish. All of our Spanish skills are coming along.

We quickly notice why it is named this; at least six big turtles are sun bathing about 10 feet from us. As Jada and I are looking over the edge of what we thought was a closed pen, the waiter says "excuse me." Later in talking, both Jada and I laugh about how we both thought he was going to tell us not to do something or give us a word of caution. In fact, what followed was that he let us know about the multi-acre oasis in back of the restaurant that this open turtle area is connected to. We walked back and basked in the serenity under the shade of a variety of trees including breadfruit and bananas. Paths were connected by bridges with bamboo railings, surely taken from that very area. As the coqui chirped and birds sang we marveled at how it would be to eat at these isolated tables. 

 

 

 

We left the restaurant and our good spirits carried us through the hours of being lost on winding roads. We didn't really mind, it was hard to be upset while looking at views of clouds seated at mountain tops which sprang from the deep valleys below.
 

Day 4: Jayuya

With a quick breakfast and morning chat, we were out the door on our next adventure - the town of Jayuya.  Jayuya is in central Puerto Rico and is no less beautiful than Utuado and Isabella. Jayuya is named after the Taino cacique, or chief, that governed the area in Pre-Columbian times and it is known for its deep admiration of Taíno heritage.

We were on a mission today to see two things: The Museo del Cemí and La Piedra Escrita. The museum is a one-of-a-kind structure built to resemble a cemí, the physical representation of Taíno deities. What a site to behold! It was as beautiful on the outside as it was on the inside. Inside there was art and artifacts that gave a glimpse into the daily life of the Taino. Cemis, necklaces, Hachas (hatchets), pottery, petroglyphs and more.


What was more interesting was the Tienda Artesanal (gift shop) on the site. Not so much for all the wonderful gifts, resources and art inside but the wonderful, unexpected connection we made. Travis Neff, a filmmaker from Miami was sitting outside the gift shop. After saying hello and beginning a conversation we learned that Travis was at the end of a 5 year journey of creating a docu-drama about the indigenous people of the Caribbean entitled Full Circle.  His inspiration was a book about the Taino in the Bahamas by Sandra Riley entitled "The Lucayans". We talked more and he informed us that there would be a two day festival called the 9th Annual Taino Gathering by the Council of the Sacred Fire this weekend! He and Ms. Riley would be in attendance and he urged us to attend. What a treasure to find out about! We'll be making the journey back to Jayuya on Sunday to take in all the gathering has for us!

Our second stop was La Piedra Escrita - translated "written stone". This huge stone was in the middle of  Río Saliente and had lots of authentic carved Taino petroglyphs on it. The line drawings represent animals and other natural phenomena closely related to the taínos’ daily life. This wasn't the only cool thing about the stone though. It was perfect for jumping off of! Joel (the only one of us brave enough to do it) had an amazing dive!

 

As we sat in the river, on rocks, and walked the area we all appreciated what an amazing experience this was. To be standing at the place where these ancient writings were first made, to be standing in waters that once rushed over the feet of the Taino, to be surrounded by the beauty that they too must have taken in...what a blessing.

Day 3 or Team Taino was an amazing adventure! At the recommendation of our hosts, we booked a tour with Adrian Garcia. Adrian is a professional surfer who also has a budding tour business. He prepared a personalized tour for us that was full of laughter, camaraderie, and sites that will never be forgotten!

Cueva El Viento is a beautiful cave located on the eastern side of Isabela. It was about an hour's drive that at one point turned into twists and turns up and down a beautiful one lane road through the mountains. After reaching our destination, signing in and getting a little info about the area, we began or hike to the cave.
Not only was Adrian a great hiker he was very knowledgeable about the nature around us - trees, birds, insects, etc. This was an extra treat we didn't know we were getting! Along the hike we stopped to admire special trees 
 
(like the two "hugging trees"), flowers and seeds, birds and butterflies, and much more.  At the end of our hike, we found ourselves on a platform that led down into Cueva El Viento.

After a quick snack and admiring a Puerto Rican Black Boa (Yes! A beautiful snake!) we began our decent into the cave.

With flashlights and Adrian, we began what would be the trek of a lifetime. For over an hour we walked around this ancient cave admiring in awe stalactites, stalagmites, openings, bats, insects and other incredible formations. "Incredible", is the word that was repeated over and over again.

The hike back to the car was full of chatter and excitement not only about what we had seen but also about our accomplishment. 

We ended our tour with a delicious authentic Puerto Rican lunch  at a local BBQ (a Taino word!) restaurant, where we enjoyed everything from roast pork to stewed goat. Delicioso!

Our journey today did not reveal petroglyphs or direct connections to the Taino, but it taught us so much about the landscape of Puerto Rico, both then and now, and the connections that can be made. It also showed us more about the wonderful people of Puerto Rico! Adrian was not just an awesome tour guide but a kind hearted and more importantly inspiring person. He shared with us his own personal stories of childhood, his heritage, and his journey to happiness. Lastly, it taught us all that we have more courage than we thought we did and we are ready to flex that muscle even more!

I smell coffee so it's time to go. I also smell the scent of adventure in the air....time to go grab it!

Team Taino is on the move! We arrived yesterday on this wonderful island and were immediately taken with its kind people, beautiful landscape and rich culture. Though we have only been here for two days, we have done and seen some amazing things.

 

Our first stop is the small, interesting town of Isabela. Nestled between Rincon on the west and Camuy on the East, Isabela is a costal town full of beautiful, lush greenery, coastal winds and quaint neighborhoods. Our first stop in Isabela was to the beach. Strolling the sands of shores that were surely used by the Taino and taking in the magnificent views was breathtaking.

Today was an experience that will not soon be forgotten. We took a drive to Utuado to visit the Caguana Indigenous Ceremonial Park. Opened in 1965, this pre-Columbian site was home to 12 Taino ball courts called "batays" in the Taino language. They were used for a number of events - funerals, weddings, baptism, games, trade, etc, The Caguana site is one of the major archeological site related to the Taino in Puerto Rico. Having seen these very ball courts in books and using the pictures as part of our past curriculum, we were in complete awe to be standing on the very site that a few years ago we didn't even know existed, much less thought we would be able to visit.

It would be remiss not to mention our travel there and back on winding roads that provided breath taking views of nature in all its glory. Joel strums a tune on his guitar as we wind down for the day. It is clear that our hearts are full, minds are expectant and hands are busy conjuring ways to translate this experience in ways that will leave as much of an impact on or school community as it did us. As we sit down to a meal prepared together and now shared together, we reflect on our experience and look forward to our next adventure only a few hours away. Stay tuned.