The city of Mayaguez is building a new port in an attempt to lure cruise ships to Puerto Rico. Mayaguez is feeling the effects of the poor economy and our cruise ship was big news. Musicians and local artisans were brought into the town square to provide trinkets and entertainment for the insatiable shoppers from the cruise ship. The visit of the Prinsendam even prompted a live report by the local news anchor.
During our time at the square I was approached by a local woman (probably in her 60s) who wanted to interpret for me a song a perfomer was singing. She wanted me to know that song was about the struggle of the common laborer, the average man. The lyrics were asking them to hold on, that their struggle would not last forever, and that they cannot be kept down. That their hard work somehow would prevail.
The economy is tough here. Her also shared with me that her only son committed suicide recently because he could not find work, and could not support his daughter. He felt that if he was gone his baby daughter would at least get financial support from the government. A very sad situation indeed.
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