USD Magazine, Spring 2002

houseboat, blew a pipe. "I didn't shower for four days," Alves says. "But, you know, who cares, you just jump in the water." When Chavez inquires about derails of the trip, the answers from Alves are quick and easy. Where will they eat? Alves says most people bring food and share it. In an emer– gency, he says there's a Wendy's. What should they pack?Alves says shorts. Maybe a sweatshirt.

she's got a plan for how to stay comfortable as they hoof it around England, and possibly make brief appearances in Spain and Ireland. 'Tm just gonna chill it in my sandals," Shea says. "Sandals!" shrieks Guerrero, "It's 30 degrees. Ir's probably snowing. You'll get frostbite. You're going to need boots or tennis shoes." And so Shea, who doesn't even own a pair of tennis shoes, makes a mental note to cake a trip to the mall. Seniors Jose Chavez and Brad Alves selected a destination closer to home, Lake Havasu, on the Colorado River in Arizona. Their plan is to rent a houseboat with a group of friends from Chavez's fracemiry, Delta Tau Delta, and Alves' buddies from New York and San Luis Obispo, Calif. Six weeks out, they have yet to reserve the boat. Alves, who had been to the hoc spot for his freshman spring break, assures Chavez chat's not a problem. "There are dozens of houseboats all tied together like a massive floating island," says Alves, a business administration major. "It is a big free-for-all. I remember sleeping on a cable or the floor or wherever I could find a spot. Nothing beats chat, I can't wait to go back."

North America, a nonprofit professional trade association, says rhe latest trend with the so-called Y generation is for students to spend their spring break on service-learning trips, like those organized by USD's Office of Universiry Ministry. "Students are going to see Broadway shows with their theater troupes, or they're building houses in Mexico," Palmer says.

Travel agents who cater to the spring break crowd aren't fazed by the we'll-figure-ic-out-at-the-last– minute attitude. Dave Robertson, manager of Pacific Beach's Council Travel, says chis year he featured several spring break Mexico pack– ages. In early March, however, just

She still needs to rent a backpack, buy amoney belt, get her travelers' checks and find a coat.

weeks before travel time, he had only seen a few USD students trickling in to get information . "We plan spring break for months and months, even before the winter semester ends," Robertson says. "But every year, it never fails, students wait until the last minute to make their plans. Thar's the norm. " Michael Palmer, executive director of the Student and Youth Travel Association of

"They're finding destinations where rhey can hang out with their friends and have fun , but also learn or spend time helping ochers." Senior Joseph Horejs has spent every one of his spring breaks on Universiry Ministry retreats in Mexico. This year he is one of two student coordinators planning a trip to Tijuana for nearly 50 USD students. "Ir's such a moving and powerful experi– ence, and a chance ro put yo ur faith into practice," says Horejs, who majors in Spanish and rheological and religious studies. "It's so exciting to know char we have helped to make a difference."

Spirits, he recalls, weren't dampened, even when the one rusry shower on the