Be Curious

"There is something which all the greatest artists and writers, naturalists and scientists, voyages and explorers, poets and pioneers, share. It is an interest in the external world and the ability to contribute something creative to human life in this world by means of taking parts of the world to pieces and putting them all together again. The ability to observe, and the ability to see the little things that seem trivial at first, may become amazingly important and meaningful. Out of little observations huge ideas may grow; and if a mind, made receptive by training in the use of the sense, can store away a mass of observations, the time will come when the whole collection can be unrolled, connected together as a great novel is planed, in a compelling pattern that tells us something new."

- Harold Gatty 

The themes of exploration and adventure are constant companions as we travel from place to place on this grand medical school journey. There have been places where curiosity comes easily and places where those themes seem to lose their hold. The trick is to keep them alive regardless of the ease or difficulty. 

We went from a developing country with Rastafarian farmers roaming among 9 volcanoes in tropical heat to an off season deserted and frozen beach town with flat farm land leading to endless ocean. Then we went from swaths of highways coating alligator filled swamps with faceless houses gated in on either side to hillside homes serving as an escape from NYC with classic bridge and skyline views. 

The places in between those temporary base camps were just as diverse. 

Each place requires a new curiosity and provides a fresh perspective. Much like people. In all of our moving I am working to cultivate the ability to see the little things amongst the larger happenings. Because, as Gatty says in the quotation above, "the ability to see the little things that seem trivial at first, may become amazingly important and meaningful. Out of little observations huge ideas may grow." 

Dominica (view from Segment 8)

Ocean City, MD. (bayside view from 32nd st.)

Everglades, FL. (view from the drive to Shark Valley)

Great Neck in Long Island, NY (view from a hill on my run)

115 Miles of Dominica in 6 Minutes

Wonder what a trail over volcanoes, under waterfalls, and through rainforest looks like?

Here are the 115 miles of the Waitukabuli National Trail of Dominica condensed into 6 minutes! It was incredible and I'd do all 115 miles all over again if I could. (Watch on full screen for your viewing pleasure!)








music:

1. short clip from Gilligan's Island theme.

2. You Make My Dreams Come True by Hall & Oates.

3. Wombo Lombo by Angelique Kidjo

The Mountains of Life

"Come to the woods, for here is rest. There is no repose like that of the green deep woods. Here grow the wallflower and the violet. The squirrel will come and sit upon your knee, the logcock will wake you in the morning. Sleep in forgetfulness of all ill. Of all the upness accessible to mortals, there is no upness comparable to the mountains."

- John of the Mountains: The Unpublished Journals of John Muir, (1938), page 235.

Dominica was full of that "upness" that John Muir references in the quote above. The view of the volcanic mountains and the contrasting far sea horizon gave a glorious upness to the often difficult day to day in which we lived. (And our difficulties rarely compared to the Dominican's day to day.) The university gave us a cushion in many ways but the mountains too gave us a cushion, one that was harder to name, harder to recognize, and one that I miss dearly now. 

I stopped blogging in our last semester there. I think the idea of wrapping up a life somewhere that took real grit to settle into was difficult to comprehend. I had just figured it out and now we leave? Packing, crossing things off the Dominica bucket list, and saying goodbyes certainly didn't lend itself to a quiet stillness in which to reflect and write. Its been over a month now and I think those reflections are starting to show themselves. And the mountains are a recurring vision. 

In Dominica I was an outsider. I wasn't from there, I didn't recognize the foods, I didn't know their slang, I didn't share their history. There were figurative mountains I had to surmount in understanding how to cook there, how to buy food, how to get from place to place, how to communicate, how to be a foreigner in my day to day reality, how to live. Plus, in the med school community, I was in a sea of other outsiders struggling to do the same thing from their own experiences. 

I think some of it was just a little too much to wrap our minds around and so many of us climbed literal mountains, hardships we could see, name, climb, finish, and succeed. I think we needed those mountains, those concrete challenges and successes, in order to mentally surmount the day to day. Each mountain, each swim and run and yoga session, each physical venture pulled us out of ourselves, pulled us out of the insatiable desire to explain what was, at times, inexplicable. 

Being back stateside is full of delights (phone calls, blankets, baby spinach, affordable apples, potable water, book stores...) and many things are comfortable again, recognizable again. But after the shock of these renewed delights passed, the figurative mountains of the day to day returned. It is not foreignness but life itself that offers us daily mountains to vanquish. We exhaust ourselves trying to explain, reason, and think them away. In that exhaustion, I think of John Muir's idea of repose and upness; the woods, the sea, the mountains, the plains given as places of rest. 

Andy and I still live by the sea now but without any mountains for miles. Some days I run up to the ocean to look out on the waves and the horizon and run home again, once again pulled out of myself, slightly accepting the inexplicable and taking a deep breath in the reality that we are given work to do and it is ours to do it. 

Hiking, Climbing, Scrambling, Sliding

These four words sum up the majority of land activities in Dominica. This volcanic country is tiny but each excursion into the depths or outskirts of Dominica redefines those four words. This geological drama is breathtaking and humbling. Dominica is part of The Lesser Antilles (see map) which are volcanic islands dotting their way south to South America. Dominica is at the center of these islands and, while they all have one active volcano, Dominica has NINE. (Read here for more info on that.)

To showcase this volcanic wonder, Discover Dominica created The Waitukubuli National Trail, a trail that spans the island, south to north, covering 115 miles of the some of the most diverse hiking, climbing, scrambling, and sliding you can imagine. This trail is fairly new and yet to be discovered by world traveling hikers. The trail is made up of 14 segments, each with its own personality, as the path winds up, across, and around the volcanoes, beaches, waterfalls, and 365 rivers of Dominica. While that trail is incredible, it doesn't even cover it. There are peaks, falls, volcanoes, springs, beaches, rivers, and valleys with jaw dropping hikes all their own. Since January, I've covered 10 of the 14 segments and a smattering of other hikes (which sometimes feel more like swims if its been raining...) and I'm not sure I've seen a quarter of the island yet.

Yesterday, we went to Aba Wavine, a short hike that packs a big punch, on the East side of the island near the Atlantic. It is hard to say this definitively but I think it is my favorite visual experience on Dominica to date. After the climb straight down a cliff to a black sand beach and a spout of a waterfall, we headed to Rosalie to see endangered sea turtles hatch and make their own epic scramble to the sea. I wish I had remembered to take more video but here is a little video compilation plus some photographs.

Nicodemus cutting bark off of a cinnamon tree. 

Cinnamon! 

Starting the short but dramatic decent down to Aba Wavine.  

The Atlantic crashing on the black sands below us. 

Waterfall sighting!

Gorgeous black sand on the Eastern Shore of Dominica.  

Rosalie Bay Resort property.... 

We're going to see the Sea Turtles!!  

Simon digging up the nest of eggs... 

Recording the findings for Simon's turtle records.  

These are endangered species, these beautiful turtles, and Simon does all he can to help them hatch and make it to sea without being poached or eaten. He even sleeps here to keep an eye on the nests...  

One little gal dug her way out of the sand and we got to hold her before letting her make the epic shuffle to the ocean. 

Reflection: The Challenge

"I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, 

for going out, I found, was really going in."

- John of the Mountains: The Unpublished Journals of John Muir, (1938)

My body fell forward and I hustled to keep my legs and feet beneath me. My right foot landed on a large round rock in the middle of the trail. It looked stable in the split second I had to consider my step choice, but the rock rolled slightly under my weight and so did my ankle. I didn't stop. I barely slowed at the twinge of pain and assessed the feeling over the next few steps. Hurts? Yes. Need to stop? No. Are you sure? Yes, I could feel pain later. For the next mile or so I focused on stabilizing my now very tired and both rolled ankles. Just give me another uphill, I thought, on the uphills my ankles aren't in danger. 

The fast downhill came to an abrupt halt at a steep rocky face. I looked up with determination, willing that hill to be mine and began the climb. My quads screamed for relief. I ignored them. I would not listen. Instead, I repeated the words of Andy and my family, of my teammates, and my friends telling us to give it everything, to push, to love it. I could hear the excitement in Andy's voice from the phone call the night before; I could see the pictures of my nieces and nephew with signs reading "GO TEAM USA" as they stood in the Virginia sun back home; I looked at my Salomon trail shoes that my brother in California had worked so hard to get for me and my new friend Jenn had happily brought back from the States; I thought of Patagonia, the number one place in the world where I'd like to go, and remembered my new friend Meche telling me to visualize Patagonia at the finish line; I heard my wonderful teammate Jen climbing behind me, mother of 5 and putting up with my "run my face off" intensity ... and could I faintly hear Tara and Maddie there too? 

We were a team. Jen and I were running the trails that day but really, we were all running together each day. We were in it together. Team USA and all of our family and friends supporting us. 

This last week was challenging; mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting and exhilarating. My post-race reflections may be riding on emotional exhaustion but I'll share them, regardless. Because this race paralleled life in such a way that my take-away from the challenge isn't merely a physical satisfaction but a new sense of communication and community. 

On the trail and off, teams relied on each other. While we were all struggling, we all had different struggles, strengths, weaknesses, and stories woven into our responses to each moment. In those moments we had to communicate openly and honestly about our mental, physical, and emotional state. We had to encourage, share, ask for what we needed, and clarify with others about how they were doing. This sort of attentiveness, both to ourselves and to our teammates, took constant energy. There are no short cuts and there is no option to ignore. Being in a small community here at the medical school and going through this intense battle of accelerated medical school with Andy, I can see how this lesson can be carried into any community. The grace and forgiveness needed in moments of stress and challenge never ends. For yourself, for others. 

We don't often have the option to chose our challenges the way I chose this race. And we don't have the option to choose all of our teammates most of the time. But there are choices along the way; choices to share, to encourage, to hold back, to push forward, to brush it off, to step out of the details and see the broad scope of the mountain in front of you. These choices make or break you, not winning or losing. Winston Churchill reportedly said, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." 

It was a wild experience on this awesome island of Dominica. The landscape and trails rocked our world ... and we live here! The volcanic mountains, dense rainforest, and rushing water both beckoned us and threatened us. We ran over 50 miles of trail as well as doing some biking, rowing, treasure hunting, dancing, hunting, gathering, swimming, and cricket playing. We tested our gear (Salomon trail shoes get it DONE) and our muscles. There is something about the wilds that teach lessons that cannot be taught elsewhere.

Thanks to your support, encouragement, and financial contribution, Team USA came in a close and STRONG 3rd place against incredible athletes. Trinidad White won with 220 points; Trinidad Red had 215; we had 205; Dominica Green had 195. Short trailers can be found on The Nature Island Challenge's Facebook page. But the whole race will actually be a one hour show on NBC in a few months. Follow The Nature Island Challenge on Facebook or their website - www.natureislandchallenge.com to stay up to date.

We are going to leave the Go Fund Me site up for just a little while longer as we would love to be able to contribute as much as possible to Exodus Cry, our charity. 

"Fresh beauty opens one's eyes wherever it is really seen, but the very abundance and completeness of the common beauty that besets our steps prevents its being absorbed and appreciated. It is a good thing, therefore, to make short excursions now and then to the bottom of the sea among dulse and coral, or up among the clouds on mountain-tops, or in balloons, or even to creep like worms into dark holes and caverns underground, not only to learn something of what is going on in those out-of-the-way places, but to see better what the sun sees on our return to common everyday beauty."

- The Mountains of California by John Muir (1894)

http://www.gofundme.com/7k65rs

Lessons from the Island: A Guest Blogger

Today's post is a guest post from another spouse who just arrived here in January, like me. I loved what he had to say and asked if I could share it with you. And without further ado, David McElprang, ladies and gentlemen: 

"So, today pretty much marks my 2 month point of living in Dominica. It also happens to be 1 month from when I fly out to go back to Atlanta for a short break. A few things I've come to realize while here that I feel deserve sharing with others: 

1) everyday spent snorkeling or hiking, is a good day. This island has so much beauty to share, but you have to be willing to go find it. The instances of true beauty finding you while sitting on your porch or hanging out at a bar/restaurant are far less common than when you go actively looking for them. I guess this could be said about most things in life… 

2) just because you can, doesn’t mean you should… this covers so many facets of life on the island, I won’t bother to elaborate, but just think of a situation this could possibly apply to, & it probably does.

3) when the clinic has free de-wormer, just take it… don’t ask questions, just take it. 

4) when you’re spear fishing & you see a large fish that you know would be a good fish to eat, don’t just shoot it in the hope that you will catch it; think logically about the size of the fish & how far out it can drag you before it gets tired enough for you to kill it… don’t ask, lesson learned the hard way.

5) no matter how bad you think your life is, I can personally show you proof that your life is fantastic compared to what some of the locals here live with every day, so quit being a freaking drama queen & appreciate what you have!!! All in all, life in paradise is not as perfect as anyone would like to think it is. You learn to do without a lot of the things you used to just take for granted. You also learn that you can truly do without a lot of the things you used to think were necessary. 

But most importantly, you come to realize that there are so many different people in this world that have such varied pasts & life experiences, that you need to be open to new friends, opportunities, & experiences without our preconceived notions."

The Nature Island Challenge!

http://www.gofundme.com/7k65rs

There are four of us. All women. All Americans. And we are the only Americans and only women who are competing in the Nature Island Challenge: a four day adventure race on the island of Dominica in the West Indies! 

Team Captain: Sarah (Coffin) D'Alessandro 
Teammates: Jen Manly, Maddie Pletta, and Tara Jorski 
[Subs: Meche French and Charles Manly. These two incredible teammates are willing to be subs in the event of an injury.]



We need raise $1500 USD for this competition. And we are stoked that anything beyond the $1500 will be given to a local Dominican charity. Thank you so much for your support, encouragement, and cheers! 

THE RACE: This race covers over 50 miles along the Waitikibuli National Trail. Everyday includes 10 - 15 miles of trails, cultural challenges (last year they had to relocate a cow and make cocoa tea), and a major team challenge that may include diving, paddling, relay racing, or any other crazy thing they come up with. We have to be ready for anything. 

Our training includes wet hikes in the tropical rainforest, running epic hills, swimming in the Caribbean ocean, rowing machines, paddle boards, kayaks, bikes, and various other sweat inducing, stamina testing, morale trying, and muscle pumping activities. 

This race, however, isn't just about the physical. The Nature Island Challnege is about Dominican culture, about learning, thinking, and coming alongside the local life. We, as a team, get to learn about this tiny little island, rich in resources, stories, and cultural histories, and share the wonder of those things with the world. The event, April 7th through the 11th, will be televised and all over social media (FB, IG, and Twitter). Follow our story and the story of Dominica! 

Social Media?Sarah: sjdalessandro on IG; www.TheStudyandTheStudio.com
Jen: jennifermanly
Maddie: 
Tara: montarmoments
Meche: fitness_traveler

Nonhuman Neighbors

The weekly sightings of animals give a certain personality to where you live and even to how you see the world. Just their look, their way of moving and living, forms your impression of reality. Especially since they function according to the environment... paying attention to them can show you a lot about where you live.

Back home in Virginia I saw squirrels (my sister swears she sees one every day), pigeons, small bats at night, crows, little fluffy chickadees, dogs on leashes, and the occasional stray cat, cardinal or chipmunk on a weekly basis. Sometimes I would be excited to see a red headed woodpecker, a fox, or a skunk and going into more rural areas, I could catch sight of a deer, a groundhog, maybe even a black bear. But I was used to seeing these. And they informed my view of the world and how it looks, how it interacts, how it is... fur for cold weather, certain muted and almost colonial colors for blending into the Virginia surroundings, certain sounds I was used to...

The people here on Dominica are used to seeing all of the animals here. They pass them by without much thought. Their daily interactions with these animals have informed the way they view the world and how it looks, how it interacts, how it is. I can't imagine being used to some of these things (Oh, good morning Mr. Cow randomly on my road) and yet this is the Dominicans' reality. This is the way they understand the world working. With huge stinging centipedes, stray dogs, colorful destructive caterpillars, dinosaur looking lizards, parrots, and loads of fishes and turtles and pelicans...

This is reality too? This is the way the world works too? Yup. Everyday... everyday. But see, thats what travel does for you (or reading, if you don't have the money to travel.)! The world doesn't just operate in our little home bubble base.

What do you see everyday? How does it inform the way you see the world?

I've not been able to capture the pale gecko that lives in our bedroom or the one that lives on the screen by our stairs... the little black ant requires a blog post all its own since it tends to pervade all of life here (there is one crawling on my computer screen right now)... I've not seen a parrot yet... I know I have a lot of new friends yet to meet but until then, here are some of my neighbors I see:

Spot the little pigeon dove thing-a-ma-bird? 

So... whatcha doin there Mr. Cow? Just found a spot and stickin to it?

Almost ran into this cow while I was walking... 

I love this guy. Fabulous velvet coat, right?

I wonder if they get tired of being so alert?

What extravagantly fabulous worm life did this guy live? ... probably much more colorful. 

Ok, this is a little morbid since its just some crab's pincer but look how beautiful! Crabs are EVERYWHERE. Even up the hill from me (we live a few minutes from the beach) there is a little crab that crawls into a hole when I walk passed.

Staying with the dead-theme, this is a WHALE BONE. Yup.
You may recognize the picture from my beach tour... 

This crab should win an award posthumously.

"Just perching on the most awkward precipice I can find... See how Bob is envious... I got this."

He wants to blend in but his flamboyant side just can't be contained. 

A large red starfish. Thats a thing? Yup, and starfruit too.
Lots of stars and rainbows here. Its like a Lisa Frank pencil case.

Close up of the starfish.  

This goat lives up the hill from us. He cries like a baby human and its rather disturbing.
Sometimes I think, "Why isn't that person nursing their baby?!" And then I remember its a goat....
Then I wonder, "Why isn't that person nursing their goat?" GOSH. 

Tiny shrimps washed up and coated the shore line in the shape of waves the other morning... 

Seagulls. Ok, they are everywhere...