In the scenic city of Sausalito, California, where fog clings to the hills and the bay shimmers invitingly, a group of brave souls joined the Western Region and other leaders of the Philippine Nurses Association of America, for a unique and challenging experience. These were not ordinary adventurers, but rather nurses (and nurse practitioners too) from the Philippine Nurses Association of Colorado (PNACO) embarking on a journey of leadership boot camp and empowerment.
Among them were three of Charlie's PNACO Angels, Marilyn, Janice, and Maria, who joined the Camp "Aruga" a Filipino word meaning "caring." These dedicated nurses had volunteered to participate in a boot camp designed to enhance their skills and knowledge in the areas of leadership and community engagement.
As the days unfolded, they were put through their paces. They participated in workshops on topics such as leadership, mission, and policies to strengthen the group. They will update our group in Colorado and share what they learned on our next face-to-face get together on 11/11/23. See you there.
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PNACO members went for a hike in the Garden of the Gods and brunch at Black Bear Restaurant.
In the name of the Philippine Nurses Association of Colorado (PNACO), we want to share our fun hike to the mesmerizing Garden of the Gods, followed by a brunch rendezvous at the Black Bear Restaurant.
The day began with the PNACO members eagerly gathering at the Garden of the Gods entrance in beautiful Colorado Springs. The air was filled with excitement and the scent of adventure. As we began our hike, little did we know they would soon encounter a special breed of hikers—the amateur photographers. The group made countless stops at every turn and scenic backdrop, not for water or rest but for those amateur photographers determined to capture the perfect shot. It seemed like there was a competition among them to see who could strike the most creative poses or find the most unique angles. From awkward poses to pretending to climb with their hands, the photographers left no stone unturned in their quest for the following Instagram-worthy picture.
Wait, it was actually us. We are the photographers and posers ourselves. :)
We couldn't help but chuckle at our antics, turning the hike into a hilarious photo marathon. After what felt like a million stops and countless laughs later, we finally reached the end of our hike, hungry and ready to refuel. What better place to satisfy our cravings than the esteemed Black Bear Restaurant?
We were greeted with warm smiles and the aroma of mouth-watering dishes as they entered. The brunch was a delightful mix of familiar faces, new acquaintances, and new members. The existing PNACO members were thrilled to meet the new Filipino nurses who had recently arrived in Colorado. The atmosphere was buzzing with stories of their journey, cultural exchanges, and jokes sprinkled with nursing humor. The blend of camaraderie and great food made the brunch an unforgettable experience. As the day drew close, we bid farewell to our friends, leaving the Garden of the Gods and the Black Bear Restaurant with cherished memories and aching hiking laughter muscles.
Oh, by the way, in the garden, we did not find the "kissing elephants." But we did find the kissing camels, right, Lani? :)
