AT Last... Spring Break

Story by Laura McFarland and Lori Eshelman

From relaxing days on a beach in Maui to mission trips in another country, another Spring Break has arrived with the promise of exciting times for a number of students.

For the third Spring Break in a row, Abigail Manuel, a freshman premajor, plans to spend her vacation with her parents in Maui, Hawaii.

“Hawaii is beautiful, and we like it there,” Manuel said. “I’m particularly fond of the beach, and I like the tropical flowers that are in abundance there.”

Manuel said the eight-day trip is mainly going to be about relaxing, but she still has several fun activities planned.

“While in Hawaii, I plan to go snorkeling, whale watching, get some sun on the beach and eat a lot of good food,” she said.

Before each of her previous trips to Hawaii, Manuel said that she usually went shopping. This time Manuel said she has her own Hawaii wardrobe.

“All I’m going to do for this trip is pack,” Manuel said. “And I’m going to remember my camera this time.”

Traveling to another country may seem like a week of drinking and sun, but for Kristy Laurent, a freshman art education major, a trip to Mexico will be a time spent with friends and God.

Along with her youth group, Laurent is going to spend her vacation on a mission trip to Monterrey, Mexico.

“I’ve never been to Mexico, and I’ve never been on a mission trip,” Laurent said. “I’m just hoping for some great fellowship time with my friends and with God.”

The group will be staying at a church for their visit. In the evenings, they will hold Bible studies for children and parents.

“I’m hoping God will use it as an opportunity to speak to me,” she said. “Every time I devote time to him, I come away feeling so much closer.”

Laurent said she began preparing for the trip in February by trying to build up her strength.

“I started weight training with a friend to get buff so we wouldn’t get too tired after working through the day,” Laurent said.

Cancun, Mexico, on the other hand, will be visited by many college students studying in the United States, including Tomomi Nakata, a senior psychology major from Tokyo. Nakata said she and her friends purchased a package deal from the University Beach Club, which includes five days in Cancun, airfare and hotel, for $550 a person.

“We leave at 11 (p.m.) and return at 5:30 (a.m.), so it’s actually only four days,” Nakata said. “But we plan to do a lot of things in those four days.”

Nakata said visiting the Mayan ruins is at the top of her list, but she also plans to enjoy the beaches and experience the night life at several of Cancun’s clubs.

“I’m 22, but my friends are only 18 and 19, so they don’t get to go to a lot of the bars here,” she said. “They are really looking forward to clubbing in Cancun where they can drink.”

While the beaches and nightlife of Mexico may appeal to some, others prefer to spend Spring Break right here in the United States.

For some students it will mean staying in Texas. However, that doesn’t limit the range of activities that will be going on.

All that Courtney Harbuck, a freshman premajor, said she really wants to rest, so she will be staying in her native Fort Worth.

“I am going home to sleep and see my family, but mainly to just relax and do whatever I want,” Harbuck said.

Kristi Carter, a senior deaf education major, said that although she will be returning to her hometown of Pampa for her Spring Break, she will be doing anything but resting.

“Three of my friends have their Spring Break before (TCU’s), so we’re going to see Willie Nelson at Billy Bob’s on the first weekend of ours,” she said.

When she does get home, Carter said she will be helping a friend prepare for her wedding, in which she will be the maid of honor.

“I am going to see her dress, get fitted for my dress and help her make her flower arrangements for the reception,” Carter said.

She will also visit her grandmother and grandfather, who recently had open-heart surgery, and take care of her sister after her gall bladder is removed.

“I’ll probably be waiting on her hand and foot,” Carter said.

Naylene Vitek, a senior marketing major, is heading west to Las Vegas with a friend for the vacation.

“Spring Break is a time to get away from the stress of being at school and preparing to graduate, and what a better place to do that than (Las) Vegas?” she said.

Vitek said she did not purchase a package deal for their trip because she was able to make her own arrangements for less money.

“I got my flight for $100 on (priceline.com) first, then later we found a good hotel rate on the Internet,” she said.

Jennifer Mitchell, a travel agent for Horned Frog Travel, said students taking trips during Spring Break usually find the best deals through vacation packages, and planning in advance is key to getting a good deal.

“These packages are first come, first serve, so the sooner you know exactly what you’re going to do, the better chance you have of getting to your preferred destination and the better price you are going to get,” she said. “Students should really start planning in September to get the best rates.”

Mitchell said Acapulco, Mexico, was the most popular destination for students this year, and a four-day, all inclusive package cost $675 a person. She said the package has been sold out for more than two months.

“The next most popular destination was Las Vegas because MTV is there this year,” Mitchell said.

She said a four-day, all inclusive package to Las Vegas ranged anywhere from $325 to $800 a person. She said this package is also sold out.

For those students who still haven’t made any plans, Mitchell said she suggests they start planning now for next year, but if they are really itching to get out of Fort Worth this year, there are still a few last-minute road trip options. She said San Antonio, Galveston, Corpus Christi, Port Aransas and the Mississippi Gulf Coast are less popular locations and still have hotel rooms available.

Laura McFarland
l.m.mcfarland@student.tcu.edu

Lori Eshelman
l.eshelman@student.tcu.edu