The university is its own little town. It is absolutely beautiful, and I felt right at home. The dorm rooms are incredibly nice, and there is even a television with a few American channels that I never even wanted to turn on and watch. There was too much fun to be had and exploring to be done. The showers were just a drain with a curtain, so there was not tub to separate it from the rest of the bathroom.

We had to immediately put our nicest dress clothes on, throw some makeup on, and look presentable for our welcome dinner. Keep in mind we had been traveling non-stop and did not look like the most polished bunch at the time. Somehow we managed to look decent and had a huge feast. I knew I would love it here after I devoured the huge amount of food prepared for us.

After dinner, I unpacked my things and made myself feel right at home. We ventured to Century Mart right down the corner where they have everything you could ever imagine. It is very much like the Wal-Mart of America. We bought necessities for very low prices, except for the towels that were rather expensive. Most towels cost anywhere from 7 to 12 U.S. dollars which is far more than what anything else cost at the store.

After dripping sweat in Century Mart because of the government regulations on air, we got settled in to what would be our home for the next three weeks. Tired is an understatement for how we felt after days of traveling. I slept so great that night, and my body began to adjust to the time difference. I knew I wasn’t used to it yet when I woke up at 5:30 that morning–that never happens. I usually cannot wake up on time to save my life. Being early for breakfast was quite a change for me. China is making me a new woman.

Tokyo was very similar to America’s New York–very busy and lots of shopping. It was, however, rather quiet to be such a big city. Our stay there was short-lived, but very worth it. I am so glad we had a layover there. The experience was once in a lifetime.

We left the hotel the next day to fly out to Beijing to continue our journey to Tian Jin. The Japanese airline was amazing and so hospitable. The meal we had on the plane was so foreign and so good. I was more than ready to see what China, and I watched some Les Mis as I made my way to my destination.

Remember when I mentioned that stupid things like having a virus would happen to me? Well some more fun things have been happening to me all day, and all before it was even 8 am. I don’t even get up that early. Ever.

After the kiosk would not work, I had to use another, which made me the first person to receive a boarding pass that said, “We are unable to assign you a seat right now.” I later found out that that meant I did not have a seat because the flight was overbooked. Naturally I had a panic attack. Immediately following, I had forgotten that I put my hair products and face wash in my carry on, and it was too much liquid for the carry on. I went downstairs to put it in my checked luggage as I was instructed, and to my dismay, the lady wouldn’t let me! The nerve of some people….

Dr. Chin from UNA was checking her luggage at the same time I was having my crisis. In tears over having to possibly throw away my face and hair products (you just don’t mess with that), I yelled “Is anyone else going to Dallas?!” One lady said yes, and then Dr. Chin said “Oh, put it in mine,” which I had asked her to do three times. There was a language barrier so I am not being angry when I say that. I was just thrilled that she said she would. Shout out to Dr. Chin. I then sprinted up the escalator to figure out my seating situation.

After waiting in line to ask about my flight, I looked down to notice the busted zipper on my bag. I again began to cry. Some of the other students came to comfort me about my misfortune with the flights, and I tried to stay positive. (I was not very successful). I did get a seat on the flight to Dallas with the rest of the group and went through the same process to get on the Tokyo flight.

After all that, I am on this plane until it touches down in the land of Japan. I really hope my luck on the trip goes up from here. None of my fortune cookies told me this would happen.

I woke up this morning with a terrible stomach virus. That’s just my luck, by the way. I hope it isn’t an omen of how the trip will be. As the day has turned into night, my virus has gotten a bit better, so hopefully I will not have to use the necessary bags on the plane, if you catch my drift.

I am so excited about this trip. I know that it is going to be the experience of a lifetime, and I can’t wait to soak it all in. I am very sad to miss Mother’s Day and my brother’s high school graduation, but my family wanted me to be able to experience this. I will just have to make it up to them with A LOT of gifts.

I am a bit nervous about traveling and living in a foreign land. My little brother prayed, “God please wrap everyone on the trip in your arms.” The prayer was perfect, and I know God’s arms will be wrapped around us. It is so amazing to be able to do something like this, and I am so thankful for the tremendous blessing.

I hope to make some new friends, especially Chinese friends, to be immersed in the Chinese culture, and to learn a lot about myself in the process. I cannot even fathom what it is going to be like when I get there. All I can imagine is a whole new world, and that is so fascinating to me.

China here I come!

Ni Hao, ya’ll!

So I have gathered all my things needed for my newest adventure:

Clothes-check, Shoes-check, Toiletries-check, Hair stuff-check, Camera-check, Essentials to Chinese Travel-check, Script-check, Lines memorized-well…that’s what the 13 hour plane ride is for, right?

Ready or not China, HERE I COME!

The group saying our goodbyes and getting ready to leave camp.

We made it to the airport with plenty of time to spare for lunch at Mcdonalds.  We checked all of our bags, then we had to pay a $38 tax to get out of the country. We had to fill out 2 customs reports about what we had bought in Honduras.  The security checks were much more intense flying in to the states then out…of course! They took my duck tape and hand sanitizer away.  They consider the tape a weapon…opps! I will know better next time.  We got body scanned, body patted and they looked through every bag we had twice by hand.  At least it made me feel very safe! The plane ride from Tiguc to ATL was 3 hours and 5 minutes long and a rather enjoyable flight…The Pilot walked through the plane handing out plastic pilot wings to the kids and of course he gave all of us one! We were all so excited!

We had barely enough time to make it through customs and re-check our bags in ATL to make it to our gate…THANK GOD our flight was delayed an hour.  It gave us all time to grab a quick bite.  We made it back to Florence about 10pm! I have never been more excited to flush toilet paper or wash my hands in my entire life.  It was a life changing trip and all of us will bring our experiences with us forever. Thanks to everyone who supported us in any way. We greatly appreciate it!!

The 4th levels and Mrs. Cramer about to go into the Maternity ward

Victoria said that walking into the maternity ward of the hospital was like stepping back in time.   I can only compare it to watching an episode of MASH on TV.  One of the doctors asked us if we used paper charts like theirs back in the states.

Jeremiah in the wheelchair at the hospital.

When we told him that we use computer charting mostly they all laughed and shrugged their shoulders.  All of the laboring women share one room, where they bare all.  When we walked in there was 6 women laboring.  They were wearing old ragged hospital gowns that did not cover much.  The doctor came into the room and would check the dilation of all the women back to back, only changing gloves between each.  The room was very crowded with 5 of us and several Honduran medical students.  Once a woman would be ready to push, they would move them by an old stretcher into a room by themselves.  Natural childbirth is really the only option for these women.

The labor room where the women actually deliver. I couldn’t take a pic of all the beds with all the pregnant ladies in the same room. They were not decent. This gives you an idea.

San Felip only takes non-complicated pregnancy cases.  They are able to do C-sections if necessary but they do not schedule them.

The nursery, where the babies go to get checked out right after they are born.

After getting to see the childbirth we had lunch and headed to an “anatomy class”.

The students were all dissecting human cadavers, something that we do not get to see much in the states.  They let us all glove up and review the anatomy of the cadaver.  It was intense and the smell was overtaking. Today is our last night in Honduras so we will need to pack and get everything ready to head back on the plane tomorrow morning.

I am sorry I know it is gross, but this was one of the cadavers.