Transitioning Traveler

Inner Journey

While on the train I had a lot of time to think, and observe. Something I noticed was that the houses located near the rail road tracks were usually ran down, and or looked abandoned. With the rain dripping off of the observation car as I sat in there by myself I began to miss home. Rain always tends to dull my mood but this time was different. I have always traveled with family or very close friends who I consider family. So traveling with people who don't know very much about me, was hard not only for me but I am sure for them as well. However my roommate has been so kind and welcoming, I couldn't ask to room with anyone more understand and down to earth. As we approached New Orleans, my home sick feeling started to subside and the excitement arose. We arrived to the train station and taking in all of the different cultures around me was a tad overwhelming, yet interesting at the same time. Six of my classmates and I snagged a cab so I was just trying to just roll with the crowd. It is seeming to work so far. Arriving at the hotel I was in awh of the architecture around me and the detail put into each building to make it more unique than a competing business. The hotel was exquisite and modern. We had little time to get organized and cleaned up. Feeling rushed is an understatement. Night one had begun and it was so much fun getting to know my classmates. I was so excited to get to know them better and had overreacted to being the only social work student. They are so open and fun to talk with. I don't think I could have been luckier to have a better group to travel with. All of the places we went in and out of were very welcoming and laid back. Made me realize that this city is about excepting others and being able to be who you are without caring about others opinions. I love the confidence of the city and the eagerness of the workers in each store, club, etc. that is refreshing to see. As the first night came to an end my home sickness was gone and I was looking forward to the rest of the week. Although I do miss my family, this city has something to offer me and I am here to experiance it! 

It is a wonderful world which I am grateful to travel.

We have arrived!

Outer Journey

As the train approached the station, I couldn't help but become giddy with excitement! We came into New Orleans and we were able to see the "longest bridge" which was so intriguing and historical to see. We departed the train and I was a little nervous about finding a taxi/uber/lyft and getting to the hotel safely and fast, so that we could clean up and get our week of tourism started. The temperature had most defiantly shifted, and it was clear that we were not in Illinois anymore. We got outside the train station and instead of taking a uber which was ideal, we ended up going with a taxi (6 of us that it). We crammed all of our luggage and ourselves into this SUV, and off we went. Miss Ruthie was our taxi driver. She told us that she had been driving for 20 years and that to her was far to long, however she was still as feisty as the young bloods trying to boss her around. Man did she let them know it (insert foul language used by Miss Ruthie). My first impression of the city was that it was busy and fast paced. It was also wet, very wet! We got to our hotel and had little time to settle in and get ready before meeting for supper. I met the class down in the lobby and off we went on our first night out. Hopped on the street car, and it dumped us off at the famous Jackson Square. We walked a couple of blocks and talked about some of the more common landmarks before fulfilling our reservations at Pierre Maspero's. The place was packed. We were seating after standing outside in the rain, into a dark corner of the restaurant near the bar. The menu was full of seafood options, but I still choose to have a po-boy chicken club. It was so good, and reasonably priced. After dinner our haunted history tour was postponed so we took on the streets of New Orleans and hit up some local jazz clubs, and tourist shops. All while stopping through the rain and getting to know my classmates. I literally haven't laughed so much in my life. Around 10 P.M I was more than ready to call it a night. Although we had to make one final pit stop before returning to the hotel. DESSERT! We asked a local who we met in a convenient store where she would recommend and she suggested bread pudding at Palace Café. Thankfully it was on the way back to the hotel. The palace café had a dessert bar with full service, and we got to watch our desserts being made. I did not end up getting the bread pudding, I choose the chocolate mouse, and dang was it good! On a full belly and a good night of memories I was thrilled to make it back up to our modern and comfy hotel room and get in a good nights sleep.

Lobby of our hotel

Palace Café Chocolate Mouse 

New Orleans Street Car

Where are you going, and who did you meet?

Outer Journey

After a restless night of sleep. I woke up and made my way down the tight stairs to the very small, and swaying bathroom. Motion sickness was in full affected. After I gathered all of my things, I was ready to make my way to the dinning car for breakfast. We stubbled (literally) across some very interesting and nice people. My roommate and I got into the snack café where the train started to shake and a few ladies laughed at our misfortune and cackled the words "rock and roll, girls". We finally made our way to the counter where the Amtrak worker told us that it would be a 15 min wait until he could get us a table in the dinning car. So we found a seat in a booth located in the snack café, next two an older couple who we immediately started a conversation with. The couple was from Europe and we started to talk with them about where they were headed. They like us are on their way to New Orleans, but they would only be their two days before boarding a cruise ship to travel the Caribbean. As our conversation grew more personal and we started to discuss where we were from, occupations came up. It was interesting to me to find out that the wife was a social worker, just like me (future me that is). She talked about how I would never be out of work, and how opportunities will always pop up for me. The women also spoke about how retiring is a myth, and that it won't be able to ever really give it up. The couple with their thick accents went on to tell stories about their jobs, which I enjoyed. The wife spoke about working with foster families and children, and her most recent journey with the court systems working with divorcing parents and training them to be able to parent on their own without a spouse. She confirmed what I learned this past semester about treatment only working if the client wants it to. While dealing with court systems and it being mandated in Europe to partake in this training she said it is effective about 50% of the time. I enjoyed our chat with them, and just like that 15 min had flown by and they were ready for us in the dinner car. 

The Departure

My Inner Journey

 My biggest fear when traveling is being late, or getting on the wrong transportation. Mostly not being where I am suppose to be, at the time I am suppose to be there. This time around that was the least of my concerns. I met with my roommate and another classmate at the Barnes & Noble in Peoria. Graciously my roommate volunteered to drive which was very kind, and appreciated. We arrived in Champaign earlier than anticipated. The wait in our terminal seemed like it lasted forever! Getting on the train was new and different for me, which filled me with excitement. After getting on the train and settling into our seats, I quickly found out how uncomfortable the seats were for sleeping. I stood up, readjusted. Sat down, readjusted. I was getting a little frustrated because I wanted to sleep so bad, but couldn't get comfortable enough to do so. I was thinking in my head about wanted to maybe, just maybe sleep on the floor. Yes, I understand how questionable that sounds. No I did not know if it was clean, or if a bug would crawl into my mouth while sleeping. However I was desperate to get some sleep. I did it. I cradled myself into a ball on the floor, sweating from the heater near my feet, sleeping soundly. FINALLY! 

Woke up this morning to the wake up call at 6:30 that we had arrived in Memphis, TN. Progress I thought as my body ached while I scraped myself off of the floor. Morning meant breakfast. My roommate and I made our way to the café as the train was wobbling I ran into my fair share of people, who more than likely did not appreciate me falling into their lap at six in the morning. I rallied spite of my rough night, and made it to the café car where I enjoyed a cinnamon roll and an over priced cup of yogurt. Don't get me wrong, I'll be eating their for lunch as well. 

 

Expectations.

I am getting so anxious, and nervous about our up coming trip. I am however looking forward to getting to know my roommate, and fellow travelers more. I am the only social work student attending. So it is a little intimidating not really knowing anyone very well. With that being said I am looking forward to getting to know each of the nursing students traveling along with me. I think that this course and the trip is going to fly by. I expect it to be fast paced, fun, and to gain a lot of knowledge. I am most excited about learning about the culture and what the city has to offer. I have heard great things and I am grateful to find out for myself just what New Orleans's has to offer. I decided to take this course because I love to travel and learn about the diversity in each state, country, and city I have visited. Also my social work chair Dr. Wolfe has said great things about this course and recommended I take it, she felt it could really benefit my education. I am looking forward to trying new things and being able to learn about a new city, and new population, and new cultures. This trip I feel is going to be a good one. T-Minus 3 days!
                                   - See you soon Louisiana.

 http://www.travelandleisure.com/local-experts/new-orleans/best-spots-for-a-girls-getaway-in-new-orleans

Preperation is key...

What a whirlwind these last few weeks have been. Finals, Christmas, work, you name it, it has happened. I have been focusing so much on what is going on around me, the time has slipped away and here we are three days away from our departure. I have however found sometime to get started packing. I drug out my big ole suitcase, and received a carry on bag for Christmas which is going to come in handy! I did end up buying some new clothes as well, because I wanted to fit in a little more with the culture around me (and I am not complaining about new clothes). I have had to do some research about the styles that are commonly worn, and of course the weather plays a big part in what I can and cannot wear. The biggest issue I have ran into thus far about being gone for a week, is my work schedule. I am a cheerleading coach for my local high school, and have had to make arrangements for chaperones for the practices and games I will miss, what a nightmare! On a more positive note, I have been looking into the train and what to expect and I am very excited. This will be my first time on a train and I am looking forward to this new experiance. There has been a lot going on this winter and with our trip coming so soon, I almost feel behind and we haven't even left yet. I am looking forward to leaving and experiencing new and exciting things however I feel I may have underestimated the time it takes to prepare for the class, and the trip.