The Hidden Passages Tour

So I went shopping again this past weekend. It's true what they say. Everything is bigger in Texas and shopping is no exception. Every three blocks you will see a new shopping center. I think it's a bit overkill to have two malls within walking distance of another with practically the same stores. My friend, Mandy and I went into a Saks Fifth Avenue just to see how ridiculously overpriced stuff would be. I was shocked to the sticker on a button up shirt for $800! I felt it best that we should leave before something accidentally bursts into flames in our vicinity and I have to foot the bill. Another thing that was surprising was the crowds at these places. Cars lined up in the parking lot and the inside reminded me of high school in between classes.
The second exciting part of last week was our "Hidden Passages Tour." This was something I researched before I came here, and was really looking forward to do. We had a free weekend so I set-up the reservations for Sunday. Basically what I signed Mandy and up for was a 4 hour cave excursion with guides, headlamps, and nothing but a lot of rock 230ft below ground level. What I didn't realize about our tour is that I signed up for the "aspiring model" tour. The other members of our group look like they just got done with there Abercrombie and fitch photo shoot and thought it would a laugh to go spelunking. Meanwhile I was dressed in a old T-shirt that had stains on it and hiking boots. They actually turned out to be easy to get along with, which is a bonus when you are all going into a cave together. We explored a cave which has only been open to the outside world for the past 50 years. The tour start out with a 22 inch manhole which you are lowered 160 feet into the cave by a rope and winch. It was a bit-nerve racking getting into the hole. in the middle of the journey through the lightless shaft, the cave opens up to an anteroom, which the guide repeatedly told me NOT to get off at. He failed to mention that I have to guide myself through the whole at the bottom of the room so I can get to the cave we were going through. There was a lot of feet shuffling against the wall but I made it safely down. It was actually more uncomfortable than frightening. Once everyone was lowered in we start our adventure. There was some climbing and rappelling. We also had to do some minimal crawling. There was some really stunning rock formations since this cave has been locked off to the word for the better part of 100,000 years. I almost fell twice. the two tour guides were really interesting. The one just got his law degree and passed his bar exam,a and the other was going to school for something in Geology. We explored for the better part of 3 hours. Once we got to the end we all turned off our headlamps and just sat in the dark. The guides told us some of there best tour stories. We headed back out of the manmade entrance which was up about 50 some steps where the "family" tour stars. It may not sound like a lot, but when you are in a cave that has high levels of carbon dioxide you feel like you are about to have an asthma attack by the end of it. It was a great time and a fun workout. We were a mess by the end of it, but I would definitely do it again.
That's about it for now. We are planning on working a lot again this week except Thanksgiving which I believe we are finding a Buffet to go to. I wishI could be home with y family during the holidays, but I am excited to see friends and family over Christmas.

P.S. It's getting down to the 50's here and it's cold. I am already spoiled....how sad.


The one spot we had to crawl through


The Cathedral Room


The hole we were lowered through

San Antonio, here I am!

So I thought I would try this blog thing. I am going to be going on a new journey. My plan is to be a travel nurse for the next 1-2 years. I want to visit friends, and i want to see what nursing is like in other parts of the US. Here are the highlights of where I want to go.

1. San Antonio, TX (already here)

2. San Diego, Los Angeles, or San Fransisco, CA

3. Portland, OR

4. Seattle, WA (Possibly)

5. Chicago, IL

6. Boston, MA

7. Raleigh or Durham, NC (possibly VA)

8. Orlando, FL

That's all I have in my list so far. I also might possibly make it to Madison, WI and St. Louis, MO, but I have yet to figure out how to fit those in there.

The reasons I am doing this are many. I want to see friends, and family. I thought this would be the easiest way to visit friends and family for awhile. I am hoping I enjoy this profession fro awhile to visit all these places. Secondly, I want to see the rest of the US. What better way to do this than have someone else paying the bills. Thirdly, I would like to pay off my student loans as soon as possible so I can go back to grad school debt free.

Thee reasons that are holding me back is that I will miss my family and friends. I already miss them, and I know that it will be harder missing family functions and get-together's with friends. I am working through it thought, and I am planning on going back for Christmas.

I have been in San Antonio for a total of two weeks now. It's been great so far. I work at a brand new hospital and one of m best friends came along for the first ride. so far we have been to the zoo, Sea World, the River walk, and the movies. Tomorrow we will be going to the Natural Bridge Caverns. We are going on a "Hidden Passages Tour." It consists of a 160ft shaft that you are lowered through then we go spelunking through the caves for about 3-4 hours Hopefully the tour ends with us safely exiting the cave with no injuries. I am really excited, and I think it will be fun. I hope there are not too many small passages as I am slightly claustrophobic.

The zoo was great. It was a "drive-through" safari. gazelles, ostriches, and zebras would literally come up to the car and eat from the food you get a t the beginning of the trip. I have been to this particular safari before and I was aware of the ferocity of the ostriches. The goal of the ostrich is to steal your bag of food and peck at you till you start crying. I made sure to drive so the ostriches would come up to my friend Mandy's side of the car. There was a lot of screaming and laughing, and very few pictures because I was laughing so hard, and Mandy did not find it nearly as amusing. The zebras were especially eager for our food and at some point we had about 8 surrounding our car or coming into it to find more food. needless to say we did not stay with the zebras or ostriches for long.

Sea World was fun, but it was wet. It could not have rained harder I think , but we got a chance to see the sea lion show and the killer whale show. The weather did clear up for a bit so we got a chance to go on the roller coasters. We plan to get back there to enjoy the rest of the park.

that's about it for now. I know my writing is not as eloquent as some of the other blogs I follow, but I thought this would be the best way to stay in touch with everyone. I hope everyone is well, and I hope to see or hear from you all soon!