Thunderstorms and groundhogs
Trip Start
Mar 17, 2008
1
13
21
Trip End
Ongoing
Raleigh,
North Carolina,
United States
Friday, June 6, 2008
Arriving at the airport my pro-active organisation meant that I had no idea where I was supposed to go or how I was going to get there. Nice work me. I wandered around the airport with bags and guitar in hand and did my best 'dumb tourist needing help look'... this is America I needn't have bothered. No one bothered to ask. I eventually thought it might be an idea to get the number of my employer, to call and ask what I was supposed to do. While on the incredibly overpriced computer I hear this big black security guard shouting something which sounded like my company's name. I looked over and there was my co-leader for my trip who had been lugged with pick up duties. I was relieved to say the least. A short bus ride and brief introductions later we arrived at North Carolina State University where some of the crew had been doing their first aid course. First impressions last and I could already tell that almost everyone there was awesome.
After lunch and introductions all round, the forty or so of us jumped on a bus and headed out to a camp where we'd spend the next week training for our upcoming trips. There's no point going blow by blow about what we did but it was great. It was such a unique environment to be in. To be surrounded by and international (yet pre-dominantly American) group of people who were well traveled, philosophically and ethically like minded positive people was amazing. Added to that, our boss and the organisation he had created were fantastic. Their philosophy on working with young people, on the environment and pretty much everything else lined up perfectly to my world views. I might marry it if that was ever anything I'd be stupid enough to consider again.
Aside from meeting some of the coolest people I've ever met in my life there were a few highlights. The very southern maintenance guy who was, I kid you not, wearing denim overalls and a straw hat, had a brief but interesting conversation that went something like this:
*I walk into the dorm room to grab some stuff.
(me): Hi, hows it going?
(Overalls): Hey ya'll, I be good.
(me): You really don't need to fix the air conditioning, we'd prefer to leave it off if thats ok.
(Overalls): Reeeallly? Aight, I can leave it down if thats what ya'll want.
(me): That'd be great thanks. I'm sure the next people to stay will appreciate it working though.
(Overalls): Yuh, I guess. Hey mr. I think you be from Auustraaalia. Dat right?
(me): Um, Yeah thats right.
(Overalls): You wanna know how I know?
(me): How's that?
(Overalls): Cause ya'll sound like crocodile dundee...
You get the idea. Funny stuff. Other highlights include sitting out on the giant porch in rocking chairs looking over the lake and sharing travel stories. Also the incredibly disgusting food which would probably violate every single health regulation existing in Australia. The cook with this big Christian black mumma who commented that, I quote, "I ain't never cooked for none dem vega-teern's bfore. What cha'll eat?". Another day we had small group meetings and Marian and I were determined not to sit in the air-con while there was a big thunderstorm rolling in. We eventually abandoned our meeting and just stood and watched as lightning darted across the sky, hail stones fell from the sky and the walk way turned to a veritable stream. It was cool. We had been told to stay inside because of the risk of lightning, but it was too cool to stay in. A good crowd had formed to watch the storm when our boss walked out of the door. I half expected him to call us all inside, instead he walked out into the torrential rain, fully clothed and hands raised and commented on how cool storms were. I'm working for the right man. Jesse (the Canadian) and myself then decided that the stream which was flowing down the grass slope looked enough like a slippery slide that we should make it happen. We de-robbed and ran at full speed skimming across the water momentarily before coming acrop on the rocks and grass beneath. Great fun.
I can emphasis enough how great the people were that I was going to be working with - even if they were doing their trips to Australia, Fiji, France etc. etc. They were all great. We returned to NCS Uni for the last few days of training and immersion back into the real world. The camp had been in rural North Carolina and was very, very Christian (read no alcohol). So our return to civilization was celebrated with a large gathering a local pub. It was a Wednesday and in a quiet part of town so I'm sure that bar staff were a little surprised when around thirty or so young people showed up. Corona's were on special and within a couple of hours we had completely depleted their supply. Nice. The end of the night heralded with the die hard crew, 2 Aussies, 1 Kiwi, 1 Canadian and 2 Americans. The next day heralded hangovers.
Unfortunately for me, I'd been feeling a little sick before we'd even started drinking the night before and my niggling sore throat and head ache had developed into a fully blown viral flu of some sought. It was brutal. I thought that alcohol was supposed to sterilize, incidentally it hadn't worked. The next few days involved a lot of drugs and fluids, mostly provided by Marian (my co-lead) and two British girls Loise and Imogen... to whom I am eternally greatfull for looking after my sorry ass. This was also the time when we had to make phone calls to our kids and their parents to introduce ourselves. I would make a phone call then curl up on the floor for about fifteen minutes watching the room spin. I hadn't been this sick in a long time.
The timing of this illness was amplified when the boss threw a 'end of training' party at the offices (which were the coolest I've ever seen) with kegs and all. I floated around the party thanks to some strong drugs and watched while everyone lapped up the great food and drinks on offer. Oh well, suck it up princess.
The next day, still very sick and at a stupid hour of the morning I jumped into a taxi, then onto a plane and head north. I was going to New York baby.
