Hello Folks,
    I am back after a very busy and sometimes frustrating time in
Baltimore. It was frustrating from the point of view that there was
sooo much work to do, the assignments were quite difficult and
sometimes difficult to understand as well, and the time just seemed to
fly by.
    My cell phone would not work in the US because the plan I
purchased was not set up for international use, then when I tried to
change it, I was told I could not do so from out of the country. I
think that is called a snafu.

    I did go into DC and tour around on the trolley. What an
impressive city! I would love to have had more time to see the
historical sites. I was not able to get to see the White House and
that made me sad. The Washington Memorial also made me sad. All in all
I had a great time in spite of catching the wrong train back. I had
the $7 fare, and accidentally got on a business class train that
costed $45 for the same trip. In the end the conductor realized that
it was unintentional and took pity on me so that I did not have to pay
the additional amount.

    As I was leaving Baltimore I was one of the unfortunate few
that was pulled over for an additional search. Because of the
prostheses, I was always scanned well and patted down, but this was
much more. Shoes off, bottom of feet examine, whole body patted down,
legs spread and scanned throughout and patted- you get the drift. It
was not a cavity search, but still felt demoralizing. I do understand
the need for airport security, but it did seem a bit much.

    It is great to be back home, and it seems hard to believe how
quickly my time away went. Now we are at the end of July, my next
course starts in two weeks, and school is back in session two  weeks
after that.
    Rose   @}>->--
    Being educated means that rather than fearing the unknown, one seeks to understand it. RB

    Please remove "Ima" to reply.