It was almost poetic that, as we prepared to go on a service trip for disaster relief, Puerto Rico was struck by another disaster. Having lived on the East coast of the US for my entire life, natural disasters were not often a worry. So when my friends and family started asking questions about the safety of the trip I was shocked. From the conversations I saw my peers having, I wasn't alone. I couldn't help but feel afraid of that I might be putting myself in danger, yet rationally there was much less to fear than it seemed.
Now, after spending one day on the island, the biggest thing that I've noticed is how, relatively, normal life is in the area. Cruise ships were docked, tourists about, and most areas with power. The image that had grown from the fear of travel, the unknown, was of chaos and life threatening peril across the entire island. Totally unrealistic.
As some of the chaperones explained, for Puerto Rico and much of the carribiean, loss of power and earthquakes were fairly common. Between abject fear and complacency there exists a golden mean, and educated and cautious traveller. For service or travel in a disaster probe area, this is doubly true. After learning more in person, experiencing the state of the island, and speaking to locals, I feel comfortable and excited for the upcoming week of service that has already begun with such a great learning experience
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