~f:: student life Taking aleap, junior Dale Coley jumps over a stream as junior Joseph Tubb and sophomore Sean Boehrig watch while touring ancient Philippi, Greece, June 19,2005. The stream was considered to be where Lydia was baptized in Acts 16. -Courtesy of Chris Taliaferro Junior lands in Egyptian emergency room Junior Chris Kirk, who attended the Harding University Greece program in the spring of2005, said he never would have imagined the injury he fell into. "I was expecting to go overseas and get to see ancient sites, learn more about historical Christianity and learn more about Greek cul– ture," Kirk said. "1 knew there were a couple of people who had minor injuries before me, but I never dreamed that what happened to me would have happened." Kirk sprained two ligaments in his ankle in Aswan, Egypt, in early February and was in a cast for several weeks during his semester abroad. "I was walking along on a rock ledge talk– ing to some friends, when I realized that I had stepped offofthe two-fOOt high ledge and landed sideways on my ankle," Kirk said. Kirk and the rest of the HUG group were about to take a trip on a felucca sailboat when Kirk stumbled and hurt his ankle. "I didn't know it was sprained at the time; 1just knew it hurt like nothing else," Kirk said. "I didn't want to be left out, so I still went on the f:lucca ride and kept ice on it the whole time After his ankle swelled on the felucca ride, Kirk and three other students headed to an area hospital. "I thought it was a great idea to take me to the hospital to see ifmy ankle was broken," Kirk said. "But I was kind of scared to go because r only knew the three people 1was with, I didn't speak the nativ~ language, and 1wasn't sure of the severity of my injury." Senior Daniel Hoeck went with Kirk to the hospital. "1went with him because they said it would be nice ifa friend went with him," Hoeck said. "So 1was there for comfort." Kirk said the group had to stop at two hos– pitals before he could receive treatment. "The first place we stopped was in this back alley, and the doo r had a red Germanic cross on it," Kirk said. "I was a little hesitant, but at this point, 1 just wanted my foot to stop hutting." When they tried to check in, Kirk said the group was rejected and told to go to a differ– ent hospital. Afte r the first hospital, Kirk's tour guide suggested they try the hospital on the military base in Aswan. "I was a litrle frustrated, but we went to Mubarak Milicary Hospital," Kirk said. "We went in and waited for about 20 minutes, and finally a doctor came in to take some X-rays." Kirk had to go in the X-ray room alone and said it was not the most pleasant experience. "J was pretty scared," Kirk said. "Sitting on a cold X-ray table in the middle of Egypt by yourself is not my idea of a good time." After the doctor diagnosed Kirk's ankle and put his leg in a plaster cast, Kirk said the rest of his trip was affected by his injury. "We bought a cane to help me get around, but it didn't help me Out completely," Kirk said. "1 wasn't able to climb to the top of the Acrocorinth because I was walking wi th my cane, and it just wore me out to even get halfway up." Although Kirk had a difficult time in expe– riencing some of the sights on the trip, Hoeck said that he and other students were there to help Kirk with whatever he needed. Even with his injury hindering some exploration, Kirk said it was an unforgettable experience. "I'll never forget it," Kirk said. "I can still remember everything that happened that night. There weren't any definite positives ofthe situ– ation, but it is an unforgettable memory." -Emily Burrows
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