KANSAN
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, MARCH 14.2013
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Preparation for spring break is key to staying safe
ROAD TRIPPING
EMMA LEGAULT elegault@kansan.com
HANNAH BARLING
hbarling@kansan.com
HANNAH SWANK
hswank@kansan.com
1. Do your research. Look at a map of the area you'll be visiting, and get a game plan of potential routes and landmarks. According to Major Chris Keary at the university's Office of Public Safety, if you know your way around, what's going on and walk with authority, you'll be less of a target than someone who seems lost or confused. Before you leave, make sure you have the local police, medical and emergency numbers programmed in your phone. Label them as "ICE" (in case of emergency) for easy searching.
2. Secure your stuff, and stay simple. Ask a trusted friend staying in town to check your mail, grab your newspapers from your doorstep and check your home daily while you're away in exchange for Starbucks or a free dinner. What you do take with you shouldn't be anything that you would hate yourself for losing or ruining. Avoid wearing or bringing flashy things that could also make you a target, or you might find some of your items disappearing quickly.
3. Control your cash. It's easy to get caught up in the spring break experience and throw financial caution to the wind. Avoid overspending by keeping a small, set amount of money with you, and if possible, don't even take a credit card. If you visit an ATM, take a friend to keep an eye on surroundings while you withdraw. Stock up on groceries to reduce the temptation to eat out for every meal, and look for student deals and specials in restaurants or bars.
4. Buddy up. It sounds cliché, but there really is safety in numbers. Avoid the risk of getting lost—or worse—altoftogether by making a pact to stay with a friend when going out. Although spring break is all about meeting new people, don't run off with someone who you've just recently met without bringing your crew.
5. Booze responsibly. How you handle your alcohol situation can make or break your spring break experience. As in any case, drinking can affect your ability to maintain awareness of what's going on, and if you're in unfamiliar territory already, things can potentially get dangerous. If you choose to drink, Keary suggests staying with a friend to protect each other. Try not to mix alcohol with sun exposure as it can leave you feeling the effects more intensely. Wherever you go, never put your drink down or lose sight of your drink and return to it later.
6. Ride respectably. If you can't stay close to the beach or area where you'll be spending time, ask the hotel desk to recommend a licensed taxi service. Only accept rides from people you know, or from clearly marked taxi vehicles. Always avoid getting into a car with someone who isn't sober. Worst case scenario is you and your friends can burn some calories and walk to your destination.
7. Rock the protective gear. Your parents and elementary school teachers were on to something when they said wearing safety equipment is important. Helmets and lifejackets aren't super stylish, but neither are drowning or getting injured. If your participating in an activity, and you know you should wear it, just wear it.
8. Finally, be an awesome friend.
You would do the same for them.
Having a constant awareness of what's going on in a situation and knowing when things are getting out of control means you'll be able to take action and protect yourself and your friends said Keary. You know your friends and you know when something's wrong: do them a favor and if they start acting funny or aren't being responsive, get them and yourself out of the situation to get help. If there is ever a situation in which you or your friends feel uncomfortable, get away. Before you go out for the day or night, create a code word or phrase with your crew to let each other know if one of you isn't cool with what's happening.
IDEAS FOR A "STAY-CATION"
The Big 12 Tournament is in full swing. Watch the semi-finals this Friday, and see who comes out victorious in the championship game Saturday at 6 p.m.
Get caught up in March Madness—the first round of games in the NCAA tournament begins Tuesday.
Try a new coffee shop, like Java Break, Signs of Life, Aimee's Coffee
House, La Prima Tazza, Dunn Bros or Henry's.
Get in some culture at the Spencer Museum of Art and see the exhibit "An Errant Line" presented by Ann Hamilton, a KU alumna, and Cynthia Schira, a former KU professor.
Get physical with a new activity.
Take a mini-vacay to KC or Topeka.
Get physical with a new activity.
• Free yoga class - Friday, 7:30-
8:45 p.m. at Breathe Holistic Life
Center.
- Get into the holiday with the St. Patrick's Day parade in downtown Lawrence at 1:30 p.m. Follow that up with a "beer garden and hooie" at the Granada or a celebration with live music at Jackpot Saloon at 3 p.m.
- Tango class - Thursday, beginner's class from 7:45-9 p.m., intermediate class from 9-10, no experience necessary.
- Dollar bowling at Royal Crest Lanes all day Monday and Wednesday.
- Score some free food - Hy-Vee has a National Nutrition Month tasting event from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday featuring recipes, cooking tips, and a chance to win a $25 Hy-Vee gift card.
- Treat yourself with all of the money you're saving on travel to a movie at Liberty Hall or Hollywood Southwind Cinema, or by shopping the selection on Mass.
- Grab a friend and spend a day in an antique shop, like the Lawrence Antique Mall on Mass. You'll be surprised what you find in the neverending aisles and shelves.
- Hear live music at Liberty Hall, Replay Lounge, jackpot or the Bottleneck. If you feel like having a low-key dining experience, eat at Ingredient on Thursday between 7 and 10 p.m. to hear live jazz.
- ...Or sing yourself! Karaoke nights are both embarrassing and tons of fun.
- Saturday, 10 p.m. at Set 'Em
Unts, 1800 E 23rd St.
- Sunday, 11 p.m. at Bottleneck,
737 New Hampshire St.
- Tuesday, 9 p.m. at Wayne and Larry's, 933 Iowa St.
Edited by Tyler Conover
Laura Bondank, sophomore, Grapevine, Texas
Went on a spring break trip to Italy a couple of years ago.
Advice on traveling outside of the country. "If you're going out of the country, definitely be aware of your surroundings, and stay in a group because it is a foreign environment."
Bondank
Kelsey Coon, graduate student, Topeka
Coon
Kelsey Coom, graduate student, Tapeka
Going to Las Vegas for spring break this year with her boyfriend.
What she's looking forward to: "I've never been to Vegas before but I'm really excited to see the Ciraque de Soleil show," she said. "I'm really excited to see this big pirate fight that's supposedly outside of one of the casinos."
James
Allison James, sophomore, Abilene
Going to Boulder, Colo. with her two roommates.
On not going to a beach: "It's not where everyone else goes, but I'm a little biased because I love Colorado."
Woodard
Dylan Woodard, sophomore, Chenev
Dylan Woodard, sophomore, Cheney Went to Cancun, Mexico two years ago. Advice for the fellas: "Be aware of the age of the girls you're around."
Jugal Patel, non-traditional student, Overland Park Staying in Lawrence to volunteer all week at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
Why he's staring close to home: "I need the experience, and it's giving out to my community."
Patel
Mitchell
Going to Las Vegas with her family.
Alyssa Mitchell, freshman, Overland Park
On what her expectations are for spring break "I'm expecting it to be relaxing and fun."
Looking forward to shopping, going to Chippendales and chilling by the pool.
Jared Auten, sophomore, Osawatome
Advice on travel: "Find a cheap or free place to stay."
Advice she's heard from upperclassmen. "Don't get too crazy, don't do stuff you shouldn't, and stay alive."
Auten
van Loben Sels
Jessica van Loben Sels, freshman, Albuquerque, N.M.
Advice for spring breakers: "Have a good time, but keep your morals in the forefront of your mind."
Alex Beck, junior, Newton
On having a rollercoaster spring break: "I'm going on a road trip with my dad through Louisiana and ending up at a wedding in Dallas."
Beck