Expectations

As I am sitting here thinking about how to write this particular blog, I am staring blankly at the trip itinerary: the very organized, detailed and exciting trip itinerary.  While sitting here reviewing the itinerary, I am overcome with feelings of excitement and intrigue.  Taking a humanities class as a travel course is such an amazing opportunity.  I know that if I was to take the course in a classroom I would have issues of staying focus.  By doing humanities as a travel course, I will be hands on learning, which is my preferred method of learning.  I am given the opportunity to experience a different and unique type of culture New Orleans has to offer.  I imagine this course is going to allow me to experience many types of emotions all while providing me with a unique learning experience.  I know I will experience fear during the ghost tour; sadness when touring the French quarter and cemeteries, pride when I get the opportunity to volunteer, and amazement when I am people watching and taking everything the city has to offer, just to name a few.  I also think this course is going to be educational in different aspects also.  In my advanced age, I have never blogged or used my phone to present a presentation so this class has already provided me with the knowledge of these two things. 

I know this class is going to open my eyes to another culture that I have not been introduced to.  That is why I felt that I should take this travel course.  I was taught that to be a great nurse, one has to be completely culturally competent.  What better way to become culturally competent than to travel to places that will provide you education about another culture and way of life.  My goal is to learn as much as I can about the history, culture, art, and life style of New Orleans while I am there.  I want to experience as much as I can and make this trip as meaningful as possible.  When I return home, I want to be able to tell my children all about New Orleans with the hopes that one day they will want to experience it also.  

I have had many people ask what I was looking forward to the most during this trip to New Orleans.  This is an impossible question to answer.  New Orleans has so much to offer: culture, art, history, heartbreak, food, night life, and uniqueness.  There is not one thing on the itinerary that I look at and think “ugh I don’t want to do that” well maybe besides the long train trip.  I am excited to go on a ghost tour because my mother is really into ghost trips and I can’t wait to share with her my experience.  My oldest daughter reads these “I Survived” books and read about Hurricane Katrina so I am really looking forward to taking pictures and sharing the experience with her when I return.  I can’t wait to volunteer and try different types of cuisines.  I am a huge football fan so I am really excited to see where the New Orleans Saints and Drew Brees play.  My husband and I watch a show called Bar Rescue, when I am not busy with nursing school, and a bar was featured on the show that is in New Orleans so I am looking forward to seeing in it person.  I can seriously go on and on about all of the amazing things I am going to see and experience in New Orleans but I can’t just pick one thing I am excited about.  I am honestly excited about everything this trip is going to offer.