Two Week Countdown

The days are beginning to go faster and faster, and today is officially two weeks until I fly to Dominica on December 28th. I will leave around 7:30 AM from Orlando International Airport and arrive at Melville Hall Airport in Dominica around 4:30 PM by way of Miami, Florida, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Unlike most flights that I have taken where I would pack for a certain occasion or with vacation supplies in mind, this time I need to pack all the essential gear one would need for spending 16 months as a medical student in Dominica. Impossible. And if that isn't tough enough, I am limited to two check-in bags with a combined weight of 70 lbs and a carry-on that can weigh 40 lbs. So I guess that means I won't be bringing my own bowling ball...ba-dum-TSH! Bad joke, sorry. But I was interested to find out there are three different types of things you cannot bring to Dominica: #1. Illegal Drugs. Understandable. #2. Weapons. Ok, but do Swiss Army knives count? #3. Anything camo. What?! Well, there goes half of my wardrobe.

With all kidding aside, it will be difficult to pack my life up into three small bags, but also liberating knowing that once I am packed, there is nothing I can do about it. I've heard through both students and faculty that you want to refrain from shipping things to Dominica because it is a difficult process and your goods are taxed at a high rate once they get there. Dominica does not have all of the amenities that are back here in the United States, but then again you don't need them there. It will be a nice change to live more simply. So what I bring on the plane is all that I'll have; among them are light clothing (cotton t-shirts and shorts), swimsuits, shoes, dress clothes for working in the hospital, laptop, medical supplies (stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, otoscope/ophthalmoscope, dissection kit, scrubs, etc.), electrical converters, flashlight, bug spray, and filtered water bottles.

Hopefully these things, along with a high-powered fan (apparently air-conditioning as well as electricity is pretty expensive in Dominica), will make my room at the Portsmouth Beach Hotel feel somewhat like home. It can't be too different than Siesta Key, right?...or maybe it can! Only time will tell. I will post pictures of where I will be staying once I get there, but if you are curious and want to check it out now, take a look at:

http://www.portsmouthbeachhotel.dm 

Not much has happened since the last time I posted, besides figuring out housing and checking things off my list of what to bring. One thing that I have done since then is registered for classes. I know this may look like gibberish to some of you, but my class schedule for my first semester will look like:

Fundamentals of Biomedical Science I

Musculo Heme and Lymphatic Systems I

Cardio and Respiratory Systems I

Clinical and Competencies Skills I

As of this moment, I am incredibly excited to start this new adventure and the next stage of my life! I am thankful that I will be able to spend Christmas with my family in Orlando before I head to Dominica three days later. So...the next time you will hear from me, I will have landed safely in Dominica and will be able to share some "actual" experiences during my week-long orientation period before school starts on January 7th.

Merry Christmas and have a fantastic New Year!