Spring Break 2014

I know...I know...after last year's Spring Break trip, you were expecting me to head to Alaska this year to catch more snow (read up on last year's trip here, or here, or maybe here, or even here...or become very well read and check it out here, and here  and there and finish here. For the shortened version, only read this one.)

But, I decided to keep to the more traditional Spring Break this year and headed south.

As in Dominican Republic kind of south.

And, if you know me at all, you will know that by "traditional" I mean my kind of traditional.

:)

This year for Spring Break, I had the amazing opportunity to travel with a group from Clemson of 12 other nurse practitioner students, 6 senior nursing students, 2 spouses of said NP students, 2 nursing faculty, 1 former Clemson grad student, 1 somewhat random nurse from Maryland (who became a very dear friend!), and 1 family/OB/GYN/ER doctor. We spent a week in the DR and crammed so much into that week, I'm still reeling from the trip a week after we got back!


Destination: San Juan de la Maguana
Total Miles: absolutely no clue
Total Cost: around $2,000

So, I know you are wanting lots of details, etc...but...you'll have to wait for another post for that.

Just a quick run down of what we were doing:
We spent two days traveling, one day at the beach, and four days holding clinics in various locations.

The clinic days were by far my favorite part of the trip!

I'll go into more detail in the next post, but we saw a total of 552 patients, handed out tons of vitamins, prescriptions and reading glasses, got to do joint injections, saw some crazy diagnoses, met some wonderful and giving people, and made some amazing friends.

We had several translators working with us, but (with the help of a couple translators and lots of practice!) I was able to pick up a decent amount of my Spanish (learned that in two years of high school Spanish and a random semester of Spanish in college). I was also able to use my Creole from my Haiti trips with a couple Haitian patients we saw and with Pastor Anol. Pastor Anol traveled with us to the clinics and handed out tracts and spoke with people about Christ. He doesn't speak English, but I discovered on our first day of clinic that he speaks fluent Creole! Loved him and am so thankful I was able to communicate with him and see his heart for the people on this trip.

The scenery was gorgeous and reminded me of Haiti. The overall poverty level was a little better than Haiti, and the majority of the people were a little lighter skinned than the Haitians. It was really odd to see so much of the scenery and familiar buildings and feel as though I were in Haiti, but then to do a double take because everything was in Spanish and not Creole.

Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and I promise to share more in the next few days! For now, I'm sorting through the unpacking, the reverse culture shock, and the three languages I now have mixed up in my head.

Home Away from Home

Third and final installment of this year's Colorado trip.

(no drum rolls, please!)

Let me tell you: This was a memorable trip.

Not that every trip isn't memorable or noteworthy, but this one was quintessential road-tripping with Charise.

Why, you ask? Because it was not only to one of my favorite places, nor just because of the randomness and occasional spontaneity, but mainly because it involved hanging out with a valued friend who understands my nursing humor, enjoys the random and spontaneous, and seeks to serve the Lord.

So...Monday and Tuesday.

Monday, we lolled about in the morning trying to decide what to do. The weather had been a bit iffy, so we decided to hold off on going to Elitch Gardens and instead tour the capitol building in Denver. We rode the light rail in to downtown and took a bus from Union Station to a block from the capitol.

Not only was the capitol open for tours, but it was also the week of the quilting contest! We were able to enjoy some 300+ quilts hanging on display throughout the building.

The tour was enjoyable, and I would highly recommend taking the tour! We were able to sit in the galleries of both the House and Senate...which were not in session (they only meet for so many months out of the year). We also learned about the unique architecture of the capitol...the rose onyx found throughout the building is the only rose onyx in the world to date. They did not realize that they were mining the entirety of the stone until it was gone and none could be found elsewhere.

For lunch, we decided to branch out and try an Indian restaurant located in a food court a level below the 16th Street mall. Saucy Bombay. We were extremely impressed and stuffed ourselves with the delicious food! I had a rice, chicken, chickpea combo smothered in a mild tiki masala sauce (complete with an iced Indian chai tea).

After some unsuccessful shopping (mostly because we were so tired from everything we had done the week before), we hit up a modern coffee shop, Ink!, where we enjoyed some massively huge (and delicious) iced beverages. All I know is that the guy behind the counter thought I would like the white-chocolate-almond-coffee-something-or-other...and he was spot on!

Monday night, I took the kids to Yogurtland (tradition!) where we splurged on some new flavors of fro-yo.

Tuesday was my day to head home...but not before we took a "little" 14,240 feet above sea level drive up the highest paved road in America! Up Mount Evans we went, this time with enough gas to make it to the top and back.

Literally, every single turn we made was more breathtaking the last...we stopped several times to take pictures of scenery. I found some mountain goats at the very tippy-top peak! Hooray for wildlife!!! We enjoyed hiking a little ways past Summit Lake, which is where we met a man who resides in Charleston and is a Clemson alumnus...so random.

The top was SOOOO windy, and I was extremely thankful that Caroline had packed some down-winter coats for us to wear. We took a few random pictures at the top, then wound our way back down the mountain (stopping to take a picture of the marmot we passed!). The beauty of God's creation is overwhelming at that altitude!

It was with mixed emotions that we drove back, picked up my luggage, and headed to the airport. I love coming home...it's one of the best parts of traveling...but I do not like leaving a place where I feel at home.

The plane ride to Chicago was uneventful...I met a very polite gentleman who talked the entire flight back about his travels (you people think I like to travel? this retired air force veteran just takes off to places all over...including New Zealand...because he can). I enjoyed hearing his adventurous tales and since we had both ridden the train from Durango to Silverton in the past week, we had at least one shared story.

There were plenty of empty seats on my flight from Chicago to Greenville, and while I chit-chatted with the man at the end of my row, I was able to rest some. Stepping out into the muggy South Carolina weather, seeing Mr. Darcy and my dad ready to pick me up, and going home were an excellent way to end my trip.

All in all...I love Colorado and my friends there.

And yes.

I'm already planning my next trip out to colorful Colorado!

:)

  

 

Security...

Sitting at Greenville-Spartanburg Airport...waiting for my flight...and blogging about my trip seems like a good idea.

This blog post is dedicated to all those TSA people that drive us insane and make crazy rules about what you can and cannot do or bring or say or go.

I like to fly. And in the past 3 years, I have flown my fair share. It may or may not be as much as some people. But it is enough that I'd like to think I know what I'm talking about when it comes to airport security.

Tips for making your next flight a little smoother:
1. Wear socks. Or have a pair with you to put on while you're in line at security. There is almost nothing as nasty as walking in your barefeet through the security checkpoint where thousands of other people with who-knows-what-kind-of-bacteria are walking.
2. Wear easy-to-slip-on-and-off shoes. I love my Birkenstocks or Sperrys for this purpose. Slip them off: throw in the security bin. Slip them on when they come through.
3. Have your ID ready. You typically have to have it out for check-in, so just keep it out with your ticket. And know where it's at before you head to the airport.
4. Computer. There is much I could say on this topic, but the main thing is: have your laptop in a separate, easy-to-access compartment in your carry-on. It has to be placed in a separate bin and life goes smoother when it is easily accessible.
5. Check out the TSA website before packing so you can know what can and cannot be taken through security. They also have the basic regulations about liquids.
FYI: Crotchet hooks are allowed. As are empty water bottles (which can then be filled up at a water fountain...worried about microbes? Use a Brita water bottle to filter out the water. Check your local Walmart or Target.)
6. It's ok if you have to be scanned extra. It happens to me almost every trip. Literally. Just follow their instructions, take a deep breath, and remember that it is for your safety.


That's all I have time for now. But hopefully, you'll be hearing from me soon and seeing some of the gorgeous scenery from Colorado! Happy traveling!

:)