When the Saints

"They'll never play surf music again..." Jimi wouldn't dig all the refried tan lines and beach bummified combers of St. Augustine. Europe claims it as its longest held territorially occupied city. In 1564 a strong Spanish fleet obliterated a small occupation of French and free blacks in the region that would become Jacksonville. A year later St. Augustine was born... (for more history read a brochure!)

I was there to visit the incredible facilities of The University of St. Augustine's School for Health Sciences. This is the university utopia for prospective physical and occupational therapists. I had the distinct pleasure of touring the campus and sitting in on two classes during my two-day stay in the city. I landed in Jacksonville after a brief 50 minute flight from Atlanta and an equally long drive to St. A.

I checked in and received a campus tour from an admissions assistant. She was kind enough to confirm receipt of my application. The main lab building was huge. Approx. 60 treatment tables in ONE LAB! Wow! A GREAT gym, treatment pool, and juice bar.

Thursday I sat in on a "Clinical Massage and Manipulation" class. Though I went there to get a taste of class structure I picked up a few techniques and peed the "demographics." I think I saw one cute sista... the whole time there but that's okay. "Remember your priorities," the little voice in my head said... but, I couldn't help but notice the lack of melanin in the place I hope to attend. I stayed for three and a half hours still hoping to add some punch to the punch as a student.

I got a bite to eat on a beach front spot and checked into my hostel. http://www.casayallaha.com/ For those of you who may not know about B&B's and hostels... there THE ONLY PLACE to STAY when traveling on a budget. For around $28 I got a room and a fully furnished house at my disposal. The owner was quite friendly and after a "character check," house tour, and a few ground rules, I settled into my dorm. Fortunately I had the entire room to myself and read The Spellbinder's Gift by, OG Mandino from Tim's personal library.

Dinner at the Columbian. A Heinekin and I read myself to sleep, turning in early around 10:30.

Friday morning I awoke around 6:30, still programmed from my usual daily work routine... no problem. I made a pot of coffee for the house around 9am and Tim loved it! I showered, shaved, and dressed for my day of observation at the university. Making a good impression on my tourguide afforded me an observation in a Neurology class where students were locating structures on human brains. That's right! After a lecture and orientation groups of 5 students prodded specimens.

Another beach front lunch, completion of The Spellbinder, and I was about ready to leave for Jacksonville.

My flight got delayed and I studied James, 1 and 2 Peter, and Revelation at the terminal. With my ipod churning out tunes the time quickly passed and I enjoyed a quick flight home...

In a few weeks I'll know if I'm considered for an interview... I sure hope to return to St. Augustine!

-delano