Spring break teaches life lessons

Spending a semester in Washington, is an incredible learning experience. The politics, power structures and policies we've come to understand during the Washington Leadership Program have pulled most of us into the mental zone of the fully "politicized." I realized this starkly last Thursday at 11 a.m., when the federal budget was set to hit the Web. I sat with my mouse poised on the link to the budget "blueprint," and when the link connected I wrote down page numbers to print with the fervor of a spy decoding enemy secrets. \nBefore I could ponder this moment of political zeal with awe or horror, an e-mail titled "Florida Leadership Program" appeared in my inbox -- a blueprint for a road trip. Eight people, a Civic and a Sunfire: destinations Daytona Beach and Orlando. Goodbye gray skin and gray cubicle; hello land of tiki torches, tie-dye and sunshine. As I reacquaint my sun-tanned fingers with the keyboard, and all of you in Bloomington plan your spring break trips, I will attempt to share a few freshly acquired lessons at the conclusion of an awesome trip. \nNever stroll on the hard-packed sand of Daytona Beach\nIt's the prime ground; far enough away from the jellyfish washed up by the tide and ripe territory to flick seashells out of the sand with your toenail. Somewhere along our breezy stroll, senior Melissa Drutis and I realized we were holding 12 cars to an idle at two miles per hour on the only beach in the world that allows cars to cruise. Definitely stick to the wavy-surface sand unless you aspire to be the Grand Marshal of your own Daytona parade. \nNever fear cheap motels\nSo maybe the roaches in the Economy Inn spoke English more fluently than the desk attendant. But you'd better believe our business was appreciated much more at those tumbleweed establishments with highway views than at any posh Disney Hotel. And Mickey Mouse amenities don't mesh with a trip that costs about half of a month's rent in a Bloomington apartment. \nNever eat McDonald's eight times in three days\nYou'll start formulating conspiracy theories about the corporation and convince yourself that the Golden Arches shadow enough property throughout the United States to fill Indiana. The malnutrition and indigestion will make you a threat to anyone who might wear floppy shoes and a curly red wig. \nNever buy tickets from a roadside "Discount Ticket" booth, especially if it's within spitting distance of the cheap motel\nYeah, so the place seemed kosher enough. The woman inside swore she was a schoolteacher, religious paraphernalia surrounded her and that gold music note on a chain around her neck chimed "innocence." We bought eight tickets to an Orlando theme park and lo and behold, they were no good.\nFour hundred dollars shy, sunscreen soaked and camera laden, we appealed to the kindness of the ticket-takers and piteously finagled our way through the gates. After seven hours at the park, we reclaimed $350 from the ticket swindlers, thanks to modern technology. Armed with a cell phone to call the police and a video camera to tape the ticket-scammers, two Hoosier heroes got the ticket money back. \nNever pass up the chance to take a road trip\nA sojourn from the land of the founding fathers to the bastion of boy bands helped put the D.C. experience in perspective. Considering I spent all of last night talking and watching more than 800 miles tick down to D.C., I'm not equipped to operate heavy machinery or form any profound conclusions. But I am refreshed from my stay in a state where the main industry is fun, ready for two more months in the district of dueling ideologies. I can resume my seat in the arena of political power and bask in the afterglow of laughter and adventure -- or maybe I'll just catch a quick nap.