While in San Juan we visited the Cuartel de Ballaja, which is a building that once served as barracks to Spanish troops. We were interested in the structure itself, as well as the museum that is now located on the second floor.

When we stepped into the plaza, there were people everywhere, all carrying musical instruments. A boy carried a trumpet. A man with a guitar case walked past. The plaza was a flurry of people headed in different directions, each walking purposefully with their instrument.

Rob and I climbed the steps to the second floor and watched the crowd for a moment from the balcony. We decided there must be a music conference of some sort occurring in the building.

As we bought our tickets for the museum, I asked the employee about it. "What are all these people here for?" I asked. "Is there a conference?"

"Classes," he said. "Music classes every Saturday. And theatre. And ... what's the word? Puppets."

For some reason, this delighted me to no end. I found it so wonderful that all these people - so many people! - came here on Saturdays to learn music and theatre and "puppets."

After we walked through the museum, the classes had begun. From where we stood, we could see at least ten different music classes, spaced evenly along the balconies. Kids and adults were in the same classes, sitting together as they strummed the guitar or beat the drum. It was a cacophony of sound - each class playing a different song on a different instrument. It was so fantastic, it made us laugh. We stood there, soaking in the sound.

This sort of moment is one of the best things about travel - happening upon something completely unexpected and utterly delightful that gives an insight into the place and culture. I think you had to be there in that space to fully appreciate it, but this particular moment has become one of my favorite travel memories.