Getting orientated to what feels like the Orient

Direct flight to Boston. Check.

Scheduled bus to Woods Hole. Check.

Picking up key to dorm room. (Sigh) Check.

Woods Hole is beautiful. The town is very cute... main draw is the ferry to Martha's Vineyard. Last night on our first of many very short walks to "town" there was line dancing going on in the town hall. There are a few restaurants and bars, 2 coffee shops, 1 liquor store, a few artsy stores, a shop for sweatshirts and tees and none of the modern conveniences that Americans are used to having around. There is no pharmacy, no general store, no groceries, unless you have a car. I should mention that I have yet to meet someone associated with my course who has a car however there are 4 bikes. There is a Catholic church - tiny with only 28 pews - I know that because they were numbered. Very cute church, St. Josephs. Nice homily.

I'm on the meal plan. 19 meals/week, which is apparently a big deal here compared to the 18 meals/week from previous years thanks to the addition of a brunch on Sunday - our only meal on Sunday.

I have a great roommate, Lindsay. We've done a lot of exploring together. We went on a run to a light house and took a bike ride towards the next town but had to turn back because of rain. I even used my exercise ball - I think my trainer would be proud.

We had orientation for our Neurobiology course tonight. There are 11 students in the class unless a student visa gets resolved. Great melting pot of international and US professors, TAs and course assistants (CAs). They gauged our knowledge and experience. I'm a bit terrified. I came here to learn new material and techniques. But I'm feeling like a fish out of water. I'll take the stress and pressure of learning so quickly one day at a time. They are making 2 changes to the course this year. They are giving us Wednesday nights off after dinner so that we have time to read. They are also closing the lab and kicking us out at midnight in order to keep us from burning out. I like that.

The schedule is as follows:

M-F

7-9 breakfast

9-12 lecture

12-2 lunch

2-6 lab

6-8 dinner

8-12 lab

S

10-6 with a break for lunch

Sunday

"off"

It's going to keep us busy.

Lighthouse - 1