Never Eat Lettuce in Dominica

My parents left early this morning at 4:30 a.m. Later around 7 a.m. I awoke from a horrid, graphic dream that my classmates and I were hiding behind trees in a forest of man-eating bears. I was crouched down behind a shrub while packs of grizzlies through the woods eating people whole then retreated behind the hills. I woke up feeling horrible. I've been sick since yesterday; stomach cramps, headache that won't be assuaged by motrin. And I start classes on Monday. Great.
A biochemistry prof. gave a nutrition lecture the other day and told us how to clean lettuce that we buy from street vendors. My mom and I followed these instructions to a "T" yet here I am with intestinal cramps and a persistent headache. Moral of the story is: never eat the lettuce in Dominica.
I spent the majority of the day drinking lots of water mixed with EmergenC, napping, attempting to read lecture notes for Monday and watching bad chick flix on TV. Although I feel unproductive I also think I need to give myself a chance to heal before I hit the ground running (or in this case weakly stumbling) towards my first week of medical school.
I suspect that my condition is in part due to the poor choice I made to go out on Thursday night. The started with hanging out with my friend's friends in an apartment across the street from mine. We then proceeded to walk towards "De Champ's" the local bar/med. student hang out. The hills in Dominica are serious hills. (hills=bottom portion of mountain-sides) Around the time that our group became a larger group as more and more people joined us on our trek up to the bar, a local guy drove up to us and offered us a ride in the back of his pick-up truck.
Most of the girls and guys were "stoked" and jumped right in. Camron and I looked at each other and decided to play it safe by sitting inside the truck. God, I thought I left all this behind in Texas!
In the end taking the ride was worth it because the bar is located on the very top of the longest, steepest hill I have encountered in Portsmouth.
I have to admit I was surprised and a little impressed by the place. So many people were there and I felt a strong sense of camaraderie among my fellow classmates.
Unfortunately my body later punished me for drinking an amount of alcohol that would have barely left me tipsy back home. That in combination with contaminated food leaves where I am right now. I truly hope I feel at least 50% better tomorrow or else I'm screwed for this week.

On one last, positive note, I am really excited to start medical school! The first two weeks will be a review of basic concepts and our first "mini" exam is 2 1/2 weeks away (too soon!)
My courses are 8am- 3pm or later for labs. I have about 30 minutes for lunch in the middle of the day. This semester I'm taking: biochemistry, anatomy lab, histology, anatomy, and simulation lab where we practice clinical skills on one of the six super high-tech human simulators ($45K a piece). Apparently they contain realistic body fluids, react to medication and have other physiological characteristics like a heartbeat and working lungs. Creepy yet amazing. I can't wait to work on one! I'm a little nervous about dissecting my first cadaver but I'm sure I'll get over it soon enough. I'm looking forward to joining an organization that provides volunteer health care in the town clinic too.
Keep your fingers crossed that I get better by Monday! Thanks for reading :)

More later...

Dominica

So I made it!
Last night my mom and I stayed in a resort hotel that was practically on campus, in a nice bungalow with A/C. At night the jungle comes alive and the noise from the night creatures in the trees is so loud I only got a couple hours of sleep last night. Oh and the roaches are large and healthy looking (nooooo!!!!)

Ross Blvd.: The main road leading to campus; The white building ahead is my apartment complex.

At the moment I'm in my new apartment at Lucy Villa. It's located across the street from campus and the Ross University Housing department. It is spacious with two full-sized beds, nice-size bathroom with shower and Western toilet (thank the gods), full kitchen with a mini gas stove, microwave, fridge, cupboards, etc. Looks like I have enough storage space. I also have a TV with full cable and DSL internet. So I really can't complain.

A picture of Ross University campus:
white tin roofs and unimpressive architecture with hi-tech learning facilities inside

Looks like my classes will be a 5-15 minute walk away. During the day it has been hot but breezy and lovely in the shade. The ocean is only 5 minutes away, at the back of campus. This town reminds me of a town in India; the post-colonial way of life is strong here, people drive on the opposite side of the road and the majority of goods are imported (barring fresh fruit, veggies, bread). Even milk isn't fresh! All the milk is canned or bottled with preservatives. The islanders are nice and small talk goes a long way for better service and easier communication. Everyone speaks English with a thick East Caribbean accent which hasn't been much of a problem for me so far but it will take my ear some time to adjust to it.
I have only met a couple of students so far as neither classes nor orientation has begun.

Orientation Day 2: Me with my new medical student ID badge on campus

Most of the other students are here with their spouse or are married with their spouse back in the States. Strangely some of these students are only a few years older than I am. Other students are here with friends/former roommates from undergrad.
I am really looking forward to starting classes and getting into the groove of medical school. Can't wait to check out the library/study areas *adjusts glasses nerdily* I'm also looking forward to joining an organization or two to meet people/future study buddies.
Because the program is only 16 mos instead of 2 or 4 years like other grad. programs, the "seniors" are the 4th semester students who are finishing up coursework and getting ready to go back to the States to study for the USMLE 1.
I've bought a few things for the fridge and have started to unpack my bags (I had to remove 60 lbs of stuff in Austin because of strict luggage weight restrictions for the flight to the island).
Tonight will be my first night in my apartment and hopefully I will be able to sleep.
More later!