Another even EARLIER day in the garden. BUT, after two hours, Lee and Karen told us to go home early and enjoy the day. With it being a Saturday, the community garden already had plenty of volunteers pouring in to help out, and with all of the work we had done during the week, there wasn't a whole lot to do--even around the garden--except take decorations done (which we had already done a majority of in the two hours we had been there). So, after a nice shower and a quick lunch, Team CASA headed out for our first true adventure taking in the sights of Alabama. Having heard non-stop about it, we went to the Huntsville Space and Rocket Museum, and spent practically the whole day there! That place is huge! Besides the traditional museum exhibits (where we learned all about Werner Von Braun, the man behind the rocket and a Huntsville citizen) there were actually theme park rides in the outside exhibit! ...Okay, so more like super intense simulators that happened to be more frightening versions of theme park rides, but close enough. Between you and me, twice I nearly peed my pants I was so frightened, and Meghan definitely started screaming before one of the rides had actually started ..but it was very educational, and so much fun! After catching a short film in the IMAX theater, we walked around the museum's biggest exhibit, so big in fact that it had to be housed in a separate building. This is because, hanging from the museum's ceiling, is an actual, real-life, full-size rocket. Not just any rocket, but one like those the astronauts from the Apollo missions would have been launched in. Let me tell you, THOSE THINGS ARE MASSIVE. Everything in the museum was cool, and I really wish I had had more time to read through things (as it was the rest of the group was already waiting on me) but that exhibit was by far the most impressive. If you ever come to Huntsville, go there.
Finally, after a long search through the GPS, Team CASA settled on some southern cuisine from a restaurant called 'Green Brier,' and--speaking as an experienced KC BBQ fan--the BBQ pork sandwich was delicious. I have just decided that 'Southern' is synonymous with hospitality and good food.
Being slightly sleep deprived from a festive game of Sardines in the church the night before, and an early morning this morning, I think Team CASA will call it an early night tonight. But, as we sit here enjoying yet another Starbucks/internet date, we are really excited for tomorrow's adventure (which will include hiking and a garden tour--but I'll get to that later) and for the rest of our service learning opportunities this upcoming week. This has really been a great experience, and by far the highlight of my summer.
-Tasha Cerny, CASA Summer Alternative Break, 2012
Each Winter, Spring, and Summer Break, Alternative Breaks at the University of Kansas sends groups of seven students to communities around the nation to serve and learn more about pressing social issues. These are their stories.
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