Tuesday, July 30, 2013

South Africa

So sorry I have been absent. First off we have been crazy busy, second, the Internet is very shotty. We have had an amazing time thus far and I have to say that I love South Africa. We have done so much in the little time being here. We started out with a bang by getting out on a Street Scene tour of Durban, more like the non-tourist version. We visited markets, houses, restaurants, that we would have never seen. Our tour guide was a Zulu, Durban native named Stembiso. Awesome guy. We get to spend lots of time with him as each tour will be led by him. Yesterday we got up early (left at 5am) to go swim with the sharks. It was a great experience.  The sharks were the tamest part, the ocean and boat ride were the hard parts. Then we came back, and had breakfast and crashed for a couple hours, then walked a couple miles to the pool to get a little practice in. I was the only one since everyone else practiced while we were on the dive, so we got the whole pool to swim and take pics. I am definitely ready for my race, and hope to bring home medals in all my races. After practice we headed to the opening ceremonies which were a little crazy since there were not enough seats for us, and we sat in the front VIP section, so it all worked out. It was a great opening with lots of music and dancing. A concert really. The one thing thus far is the food situation is kind of a mess... Not enough seats and the shuttle bus situation is less than to be desired. But we just make due. We are actually about to head out to a swim team dinner to get our team spirit up and time to know eachother. Casey and I just hung by the pool and in our room today to get lots of rest before the race days.... Tonight is an early night, then time for the big races! 
We will let you know of all the results :) 

A Day and 2 Arabian nights

We arrived in Dubai fairly easily, got through customs and got in line for a taxi. We were quickly ushered over to the pink taxi, also known as ladies taxi. I had been telling Casey about these right before, and we actually got to ride in one. I was surprised they put us in one, especially with Casey by my side, but it was a fun experience to try. The Ladies taxis are driven only by women and they are for women and families. These taxis exist because women often don't feel comfortable being alone with men in middle eastern countries. 

We were then dropped off at our hotel, The Arabian Courtyard Hotel and Spa, where we got all the free Internet we wanted! 

Because it was Ramadan when we arrived ( but will be over when we return) there was an Iftar buffet dinner, which is the breaking of the fast meal. We figured it was a great opportunity for a cultured experience, and we proceeded to the dinner.  The food was pretty good.  A buffet of dried fruits, dates and nuts, different sweet drinks, salads, hummus, a spread of Indian food, and desserts.  We came right t the end, so it was a little picked over, but we still got our fill and a once in a lifetime experience. 

Instead of being ambitious the first night, we headed to bed, to get up for the day we had ahead.  When we awoke we got up and filled our bellies with a buffet breakfast at the hotel.  We sat by the window, across from the Dubai museum. I noticed no one was going in or out, thought it was strange, but I didn't think too much of it.  When we finally wrapped up breakfast we went downstairs to ask directions to go to the Souks ( open market) then we were sadly told Fridays are holidays and nothing was open. We didn't want to just stay inside, so we headed out in the hottest of hot weather. It was only 10am and after 10 minutes we were pretty wet with sweat. By the end of our hour walking adventure through the streets of Bur Dubai, we were literally soaked. I didn't know i could sweat like that. Lets just say by the end of our trip in Dubai I had showered 3 times in 1.5 days... 
After our sweaty journey we cooled off then headed to our couples massage at the spa within the hotel.  It was really nice, a little rough, but great after a long flight. W headed up to the room after and I wanted to take a nap, and Casey went out to take some more pictures, came back and got me because the Dubai Museum was now open.  So I pulled my sleepy self together and we went to the museum, then ran back to the hotel to get ready for our desert safari dinner with Platinum Heritage.  We were picked up in a Mercedes G wagon, and got to have air conditioning and a private guide for our drive through the desert. We learned about Dubai during our drive, then headed out to the conservation area where we took pictures and headed out to search for wild life.  Because Casey and I got our own private car ( I was worried about germs and dust and needing air conditioning ) we got to stop along the way where ever we wanted to take pics and get out of the car. It was a great time. 



Thursday, July 25, 2013

Flying to Dubai


We boarded the plane about an hour late, but luckily they reported the flying time was 14 hours and 45 minutes instead of 15 and a half hours. So I believe we should be on time.

 I must say Emirates truly is the nicest airline I have flown.  We were greeted by 2 seats next to the window and the isle.

We don't have to climb over anyone or had anyone crawl over us.  Once we got settled we were brought a warm lemon scented towel to wipe our hands with. We also found socks, a toothbrush, pillow and blanket on our seats. We got to watch live video feed of the take off outside, and I promptly fell asleep. Now, after ginger ale and biscuits, I am watching the flight attendants bringing out the food.  We have 3 choices and I am excited to try our dinner.  I am quite hungry actually, even though we ate a large yummy lunch at Dicky's BBQ.  You know, a last taste of American BBQ before trying the new world flavors...
Well, it is about 5 hours into the flight. We had a great dinner. Casey had lamb stew and I had a garlic chicken. 

 The food was very good. With free alcohol, and coffee. I choose to have apple juice and coffee. I have been very conscious of drinking water and staying hydrated. Also getting up and stretching my legs. One of the coolest things is it is 1045pm CA time, but it is light as day outside. We are just about to fly over the NORTH POLE! 

I made sure to tell Santa I wanted Gold for an early birthday present. 
I have been watching downtown abbey, and I think I am now ready to take the Ativan and get some rest. I will check in after breakfast :) 
Well, we are going to land now in about 30 minutes. Breakfast was good. Croissant with jam, eggs, grilled tomato, and spinach. I wasn't too hungry, but had it for fuel. I slept quite a bit actually, somewhere along the lines of 5-7hours on and off. I feel pretty good. The Ativan was great. I took I pill and broke another in half with my teeth. I was still lucid but could sleep well. I do remember one moment of doing a little cookie granola dance. We brought cookies, which quickly crumbled into a granola-like state. Cookie granola is delish. Right now looking out the window we are flying over the Arabian dessert.

 It is so awesome to see such different things from above in the sky. 

All in all this long flight was quite bare able. We drank a lot, as I continually asked them to fill my big blender ball cup with water. I haven't missed any meds with the time schedule, so things are great. We are about to make the final descent, so I am off for now until I can get online to publish :) 

Monday, July 22, 2013

Training Complete. Time to swim to Africa!

Well, after my final 20 minutes and 800 meter long course swim, I am officially done with training. No more swimming in America until the games are complete. I am filled with excitement, the possibilities ahead of me, the world I am about to explore. The most miraculous thing about this journey is if you told me my future 3 years ago,while I was waiting to get listed on the lung transplant list at Stanford, I would have never believed you. I hoped to get a transplant, but I never knew my life could ever be this great.  It is like I am living in high definition. There are 2 funny things my family will tell you about this journey, in comparison of my previous life. 1. I hated to travel. 2. I hated to exercise. Well, those are both things of the past. This is part of the reason my life feels so different and unrecognizable. I am able to comfortably explore the world and push my body. Two things I could never do before. I am so excited to go to 2 continents I have never been before. My dream, or fantasy shall we say was to go to Africa. Again, while waiting for my lungs to arrive, I attended the annual CFRI teen and adult retreat, we sat in a circle outside my room, as I was unable to go far being tethered to my o2 concentrator. We sat in the circle and shared places we wanted to visit. Realistic or not, what was in your heart. Most people said the usual, countries in europe.  I was the only one, the sickest one, who said Africa. I remember people being confused by that and challenging me saying, you can't go there, because of diseases.  Well, look at me now. The one place that is safe for transplants to go, South Africa, I am going only 3 years after verbalizing my desires. In terms of amazing blessings this is one beyond any challenge of my imagination. When I watched the promotional video last summer for the world transplant games, I looked over at my mom and said "we are GOING!" so did everyone else around me, but it turns out I am the only one of them who is. I knew that the world transplant games was how I would achieve my dream.  I had to swim to Africa! 

Saturday, July 20, 2013

The games are coming!

The fact that the World Transplant Games are on the other side of the world make things a little complicated, and a lot awesome. I hope that all the people who want updates are able to check my blog for updates, along with stuff on Facebook. I am going to make a concerted effort to document this trip of a life time. In terms of communication, I won't have much access to phones, and will not have texting or data on my phone. The only time I can communicate is with wi-fi. We will also be 9 hours ahead of California. We are leaving for Dubai on July 24, and will arrive in Durban, South Africa on the 27th. My competition will be July 31 and August 1. So be sure to tune in around then for the most exciting updates. I am very busy the next couple days wrapping things up here and packing. So the real posts will start once we head out, but I wanted to get people started and prepped.... 
I'm off to pack, keep checking in....

Friday, July 5, 2013

Just keep swimming...

Just wanted to put out an update, as i have been very bad at writing.  My excuse is that my plate is full with training, and getting ready for the big trip.  My life consists of eat, work out, eat, doctor visits, eat, rest, repeat.  I am doing very well health-wise.  I feel amazing.  However, i am working my body really hard right now.  I am focusing with my coach on sprinting and lots of butterfly.  I feel a bit discouraged about the fly, but i am putting my trust in my coach for helping me along.  He says it will all come into place shortly.  Which it better since i only have about 6 pool dates left.  I have stopped my weight lifting as the sprinting will keep up my muscles and it wears me out.  I need every ounce of energy i have to be put in the pool, then on the side i continue Ujam to keep my cardio up.  I am having fun at the pool as i get to know everyone from being there so often.  Everyone has been super supportive and excited about what i am doing. I am ultra competitive so the hard times really are my own fault when i get hard on myself.  But if you don't have stress, then you don't push, so as long as i keep it under control i don't think i am doing a disservice to myself.

Things i still need to work on... dives/starts, and the long course.  I just found out that the only long course pool open and available to me is MWF at 5:30-8AM.  THAT IS EARLY!  I am gonna have to dig deep to make that happen for myself.  I think the best bet is Friday.  So maybe i can do that this coming friday and the next, so i at least get 2 times to practice long course.

Well, that is my boring exercise update.  Hopefully I will be able to do this again before i head out for South Africa.  I hope to keep updating with blog posts when there as well!