Post spring break blues are in full swing again! If only I were actually that enthusiastic about it. But, it's the truth. We were given a week off from the stress of college, nonexistent sleeping schedules, and life; no one wants to come back from that. However, instead of relaxing during spring break, which is what I would normally do, I volunteered. I woke up at 7 am everyday and worked until 4 pm, with only just a lunch break in between. Now, I know what you're thinking. Why would I voluntarily spend my spring break helping others in a different state, in an unfamiliar crowd, when I could be living the high life and do absolutely nothing? Well, it isn't called Alternative Spring Break for nothing you know.
My first exposure to ASB came from two of my friends who had previously ventured to Jackson, Mississippi a year ago. They relayed their wonderful experiences to me, the friendships they made, the memories they shared, all of it seemed like a dream. Partly because of my own volition, and my mom's insistence, I signed up for an ASB trip to Eureka Springs, Arkansas to volunteer at a wildlife refuge with another eager friend of mine. I didn't know what to expect honestly. It was my first spring break away from the comforts of home, from my friends and family, from everything. I was in unfamiliar territory with this trip. I didn't know anybody apart from my friend who signed up with me. As an introvert, I was partially terrified for all the talking and socializing I would have to do with practically strangers in a brand new place. However, once we all came together as a group in those few meetings we would have, I realized that this trip, with these new people, wouldn't be half as bad after all.
I'll be honest. Sitting in a car for six hours is not fun. Especially when you're one of those people like me who can't really fall asleep. But this drive, was full of early morning bagel runs, scattered laughter, and a lot of socializing with the people I was not familiar with. This entire trip started off with a blub instead of a bang. We were driving through middle of nowhere Oklahoma, when we got pulled over for speeding on a random stretch of highway. Not a good way to start a week long trip. But the way we all laughed it off and joked about it later on that early on in the trip eased me into my comfort zone with these group of people. A week? I could do this. The church we were staying at proved to expand my comfort zone, to the point where I was actually interacting and laughing with these new set of people, something I had previously dreaded doing.
As the week went by, we made serious progress in the wildlife refuge. A sanctuary for numerous tigers, lions, bears, and smaller types of cat species, I felt incredibly humbled to have helped such beautiful and deserving creatures; their lives before coming there, had been hell on earth to say the least. Spray painting fences, wiring them up, climbing up really tall ladders, arts&crafts with boxes (because cats love playing with them for some odd reason), and some serious gardening was a lot of intensive labor, but well worth it. Seeing the animals so elated and ecstatic after each working day made all those complaints in my head wash away.
But, no day came without its troubles. Outside of volunteering, in the church, we had our own set of hilarious problems. Probably the second morning of our trip, one of our site leaders, Lynn, who is probably the sweetest, and upbeat person I know, accidentally burned the bacon she was making us for breakfast. All of us were oblivious to the smoke in the room until, it triggered the jolting fire alarms. Then this lady, who I can swear looks like those burly wardens from all those movies we watch, came barging in, full of rudeness and a whole lot of attitude. After she was somehow calmed down, the fire marshall went on to lecture us 'kids' on the dangers of fire safety; even though, the only reason they were called out was because of bacon. BACON. We all had a good laugh about it later on, adding to the bonding experience we were all slowly creating.
After the bacon incident, we started opening up to one another. During reflection time, dinner time, and even while we worked. I felt like we all somehow connected on a deeper level as each day went by, with jokes and bad puns in tow. I mean, we spent a whole two hours talking about awkward incidents and stupid injuries. It doesn't get more deep than that.
A week went and came, and we had to leave the charming little town I had grown to love. At that point, we had all bonded pretty well, gotten to know each other well enough, and laughed together enough to where I could safely see myself in my comfort zone. That week was full of bacon burning, back-breaking work, dancing bears, and caroling lions. But it was definitely a week that was worth remembering. It's something I never thought I would come to enjoy so much, nor something I thought i would miss so much. But I do. The whole experience was worth it. It was worth getting up early, enduring Texas-like weather, and hanging out with a whole new group of people.
No trip is perfect. This trip was far from it. We had our fair share of bumps down the week-long road, and an equal amount of smooth sailing as well. But it's an experience I wouldn't trade for the world. Because sometimes, it's nice to step out of your comfort zone and share wonderful memories, with equally wonderful people.
