Course Expectations

In all honesty, with each new email I get regarding this trip, the blogs, and train rules and regulations, my anxiety level increases. Perhaps it is due to the fact that all of these extra worries are falling onto my lap during the worst time of any college student's career: finals week. From worrying about what to study for Mental Health, to how I did on my OB ATI, my brain is in a constant whirlwind. However, once I am able to take a deep breath and tell myself, "everything will be fine", I am able to relax, regardless if it is only for 2.5 minutes.

A thought that passes through my mind that helps calm my worries is how excited I am to go to a place that I have never been before. New Orleans's culture is something completely different from what I have ever experienced. I imagine people completely care-free and just being themselves, dancing in the streets wearing extravagant clothes, makeup, and jewelry; they are proud of their culture and want everyone else to experience it, as well. Although the assignments required for this course are adding to my already hefty load, I realize that the readings and blogging will only help make this trip a memorable experience. I have never blogged before, especially during a busy, event-filled trip. However, I am looking forward to it now because it is going to add so much more zest, creativity, and interesting aspects to my experience that I will also be able to share with my family!

Once the travel course is completed, I hope to have gained an increased cultural perspective and a mastery level of blogging skills. I better have eaten some delicious food that drives my taste buds wild that I will crave once I have returned back to my normal, boring life. When I do return home, I plan on educating my family and friends on interesting facts and information that I have learned. For example, why the culture in New Orleans is the way it is, how they specifically practice their culture, pertinent history of New Orleans and how it became what it is today. That is the whole reason why I decided to take this course in the first place, to learn more about New Orleans. This magical destination has always interested me and when I saw that this was an opportunity, I was immediately interested! That, and I have set a goal for myself to go on as many trips as possible while attending Methodist College, yolo! Another reason I chose to go on this trip, as well as a fun fact, one of my favorite shows, American Horror Story, was set in New Orleans for season 3. So, I am looking forward to seeing the settings and comparing it to what I saw in the show. Are there really witches and voodoo in New Orleans? If so, can I please learn?! That would be great and my life would be complete, thanks!

 

Okay, so maybe I have a weird interest in witchcraft that no one has ever known about.... Anyway, something else that I am most looking forward to is of course the cuisine tour! Being able to eat a wide variety of authentic, homemade food, yum! Now that I think about it, maybe the ghost tour! I love spooky stuff and New Orleans seems like the perfect place to discover it! Actually, I am really excited to go to all of the museums! Seeing all of the antique artifacts, smelling that musty ancient smell as I enter a room filled with memorabilia from a time way before my own, that's the best! Well, it's obvious that I am looking forward to every part of this trip. Perhaps after I have experienced everything I will then be able to decide what I enjoyed the most. As for right now, I am going to continue to let my imagination explore what treasures are in store for me in New Orleans.