E-Hitchhiking- It's Easier On The Thumb (Part II)

A little advice. If you move out of an area and go out of your way to say goodbye to all of your friends, and you spend time with them, and explain that you probably won't see them for three years or more, you might not want to swing through and call them for a drink ten days later. You'll find that you have a lot of questions to answer.

In spite of this awkwardness, though, I did have a phenomenal time in DC. A phenomenal and unexpectedly long time in DC. About four-times-as-long-as-I'd-expected long.

As I mentioned in my last post, DC was where I could take care of my medical tests for my Peace Corps application. And so there I stood, making sure that everything was completed so that I could turn it all in and not worry about it. All that I had to do was figure out what I would do with myself while I was waiting to move on.

And so I did all of the things that I wanted to do. On Craigslist I found Joel. Joel was looking for someone to join him in hiking Old Rag, a small mountain a couple hours outside of DC. And so I hiked up Old Rag. And I borrowed gear from friends and went camping along the C&O Canal, a waterway that parallels the Potomac. And I went to parties and restaurants and bars with friends.

And I couch surfed. I stayed with my old roomates. I crashed on MK's couch (and watched the full run of Arrested Development in one weekend, which I recommend that everyone try). I stayed with my brother. And I even stayed with Steve, an old friend of my brother-in-law and a really, really good guy.

And I have to say, I have some damn good friends. With little or no notice they put me up, fed me, loaned me camping gear, drove me around, and invited me to every party and event that they were going to. If getting friends were a game of slots, I'd be hitting all cherries. Sweet, sweet cherries.

In fact, many of my friends have asked me to change course and come to see them. And what can I say but "what course?" I have no bloody course. I'm like Kerouac, but having traded writing talent for more sex appeal. It's a blessing and a curse.

So I've seen a little more of the country than I'd anticipated. I flew from DC to Chicago, enjoyed the company of some folks on my bus to Madison, and saw my old friend Heidi for a few days. And let me tell you, Heidi has some pretty awsome friends, too.

And now I'm in Columbia, Missouri. Which is not a bad town. Laid back, good folks, nice atmosphere. This week I'm crashing with Megan and Tom, a couple of folks from UNCW (my first university). And then on to Austin to see Kip, then San Diego to see Cindy.

Unless my plans change.

You never know.

E-Hitchhiking- It's Easier On The Thumb (Part I)

I try to be pretty flexible. I don't think that it's my nature, but given my stark inability to plan even the simplest thing in my life, I find that it's really the best way to keep from pulling my hair out. And I have very nice hair. It would probably be some kind of crime to pull it all out. Or if it isn't, then it should be. Call your Senator.

But flexibility is very important. Especially on my current journey. I really thought that I was going to apply for the Peace Corps, be accepted, and go on my cross-country trip. I was going to arrive in Tahoe and, when I arrived, I was going to enjoy myself as thoroughly as possible. What I've found is that, while I do get a trip, and I do get Tahoe, and I do get the Peace Corps, all three are kind of occupying the same time frame. All I can do is try to be flexible as they happen.

And that, my friend, is kind of awesome.

Just before leaving DC, I had my Peace Corps interview. I was happy with it, and then around a week later I had sent in my college transcripts and my references. Then I talked with Ken, my recruiter/interviewer, and he helped me find the right program for me. I got to pick the general region, the work, and the timeline. And then he nominated me.

So now I'm a Peace Corps nominee for a health-extension program that focuses on HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa. Presuming that my medical stuff is all good, I'll be flying out in May. Which is great, because that's about when ski season ends in Tahoe. Everything's coming up roses.

Then a couple of weeks ago I brought all of my things to Vermont, and then I was going to begin my trip. (Then I had to be flexible, too; had a nasty cold and had to delay my departure. But Charlotte is awesome, and so are her baking skills) Pittsburgh, Madison, and then a bunch of other places. Didn't really care where, just that I would get there and have a good time. But then my Peace Corps medical package arrived, and that meant that I could move from nomination to invitation really quickly.

The only snag was that my health insurance is an HMO, and it is only good in the DC/Metro area. And so my trip changed a little. Instead of Pittsburgh I came to DC. Which worked out beautifully. I found Joe, who offered a free ride from Montpelier (a half hour from home) to Baltimore (an hour from my destination). He covered all gas, he put me up for the night, fed me the next morning, and drove me to my friend's place in DC the next morning. Good times.

As for the actual follow-through with medical, well, that's another story altogether. I did take care of some things in Vermont. My physical and my dental exam were both done by folks I've known for years. Always-always- go to the dentist you trust. I did, and I'm delighted to have done so. A dentist who's light with his little picks will never lack for customers.

I'm also happy with my physician. I should be. I've been going there since I was in elementary school. And while it can be a little awkward being in a pediatric office, there are certain advantages. There were plenty of toys to play with, and I got a lolly-pop and a sticker when I left. And he told me that I was a good boy. Compliments are always appreciated, especially from one's physician.

You may be wondering why I returned to DC at all if I as able to take care of so many medical exams in Vermont. The answer is that labs cost a bloody arm and a leg, and I really need those limbs for the Peace Corps. So rather than drop several hundred dollars to verify that I'm healthy, I figured that my HMO could do so. And in the end I went back to the Whitman-Walker Clinic, where I used to volunteer and where I know a few very good people. When I arrived in town I called Gray, my old volunteer manager. I planned to ask him for the name of a good doctor, but he told me to just come in because Whitman-Walker could do the job. He actually took me in the next hour.

Which brings me to the next moment of flexibility that I've experienced. I arrived in town a week and a half ago. When I go, I'll have been here for two weeks. At Whitman-Walker, all materials are sent to the lab on Friday morning. I had mine taken Friday afternoon. Then went out a week later. The results then arrive the following week. Excellent cost, delighted to have had my tests done so quickly by someone I trust.

And so here I am in DC, looking forward to my next big adventure, whatever it may be.