This past Tuesday I flew back from D.C. for my Wednesday interview at the Iowa City Veteran Affairs Medical Center. If you know me, then you know how much I love the Iowa City VA and the people who work there. My interview on that day went quite well and it was great to catch up with folks I hadn't seen in nearly a month.
 |
| Iowa City VAMC |
That evening, directly after the interview and a luxurious 29 hours back in Iowa, Alex drove me to the airport for my flight to Baltimore. I was delayed getting into Minneapolis and had a mere 5 minutes to the gate, which was a mile a way. I run, but not usually while dragging luggage and wearing a long coat. Luckily, a charming gentleman operating one of the airport courtesy carts came to my rescue and whisked me away on one of the most terrifying rides of my life. By the end of the ride his voice was hoarse from saying "Excuse me...comin' through." But, he got me there on time, in one piece, and ready for my flight to Baltimore.
 |
| My knight in shining.....cart. |
I arrived in Baltimore around midnight that evening and after a ridiculous $75 cab ride to my hotel, collapsed into a heap on my bed-bug free bed. (Remember, no matter how tired you are, you should always check for bed-bugs first.)
The interview at the Baltimore VA was a day-long affair. After arriving at the site, right in the heart of downtown Baltimore, I was overwhelmed with what it had to offer. Fabulous rotations, amazing supervision, and due to its close proximity to the National Institute of Health, Bethesda and Johns Hopkins University, the internship year also offers some unique and exciting research and seminar experiences.
An internship at the Baltimore VA would also involve rotations at the nearby Perry Point Veterans Medical Center as well.
 |
| Baltimore VAMC |
 |
| Perry Point VAMC |
After a long day of interviews I decided to check out the city of Baltimore. My hotel was located in the Inner Harbor area 2 miles from the VA. I took the afternoon and evening to see all that the city had to offer. I first walked around the Inner Harbor which was beautiful.
 |
| Inner Harbor |
 |
| Inner Harbor |
 |
| Inner Harbor |
I saw a lot of ships including the Coast Guard boat...
And the USS Constellation, which was vital in ending the slave trade in 1856.
All of the walking definitely had me craving some seafood, and so I stopped by a little restaurant right in the harbor and had crab cakes, shrimp and fish! YUM!
With some sunshine still left in the day, I headed toward the Visionary Art Museum, one of the quirkiest museums I have ever been to, and a nice reflection of the town. They had the sculptures from previous Kinetic races. Kinetic Sculptures are amphibious, human powered works of art custom built for the race. Each May, the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) hosts the East Coast Kinetic Sculpture Race Championship on the shore of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor in central Maryland. The eight-hour race covers 15 miles—mostly on pavement, but also including a trip into the Chesapeake Bay and through mud and sand.
This is just one example of the type of sculptures that have been made. 
The rest of the Museum was very similar in nature, and I loved wandering around and looking at all of the unique exhibits.
The rest of the Museum was very similar in nature, and I loved wandering around and looking at all of the unique exhibits.  |
| Outside of the museum |
 |
| Look how artsy I am. |
With my day nearly complete I had one last item on my to-do list: Visit Charm City Cakes. Charm City Cakes is this amazing bakery that really reflects the mood of the city: artsy, quirky, a little weird, but cool. The bakery has been the focus of a documentary-style television show on the Food Network for the past few years and features the head baker "Duff" and his motley crew of bakers. http://www.charmcitycakes.com/
Though you are only allowed inside the bakery by appointment, it didn't stop me from taking pictures outside of the bakery while my cabbie cracked up from the curb.
That evening, back at the hotel, I skyped with my parents and husband while he held up the kitties for me to see. The next morning, the 14th, and my 28th birthday I treated myself to a back of Riesens and a few trashy magazines for the flight home. That evening I was able to visit with the family after a nice dinner out.
So, today, back in Iowa for a total of 44 hours before Alex and I hit the road for New Orleans. A 17 hour car ride with my husband. A week in New Orleans/Biloxi, Mississippi before heading home. More adventures await the Woods family!
