(me in front of a Puerto Rican waterfall...more on that later)
I’m writing this from Deck 6 aboard the MV Explorer. We’re on our way to Salvador, Brazil!! It’s beautiful outside and currently we’ve just passed the island of Barbados (I can still slightly see the mountains in the distance), and I’m definitely enjoying the slightly rocky seas this afternoon.
Shipboard Life
Shipboard life is fun. You literally meet new people every day. The first few days I was slightly nauseous, but I would just take some Dramamine, and the problem was easily solved (though the drugs DEFINITELY make you drowsy as hell). I’m now perfectly fine with the rocking waves, and I’m happy that I haven’t gotten too seasick like some others. The last few nights have felt like I’m riding aboard a rollercoaster while falling asleep, but I can live with it.
The second day onboard consisted of dozens of meetings all day, mostly meetings concerning safety, shipboard life, and staff/faculty introductions. We also had hall meetings, much like one would on a traditional campus. The halls are all divided into different seas, so each student is part of a specific sea depending on where their cabin is located (I’m in the Adriatic Sea). My RD and the guy who cleans my room (yes, it’s just like a hotel) are both extremely nice; actually the entire crew are perfectionists and incredibly generous people.
We’ve had our “activities fair,” last Sunday, and this is where everyone signs up for different clubs and activities. I put my name down on a bunch of them, but have no clue if I’ll join or not, for they’ll probably take up a lot of time. Me and this other kid are trying to start a music club where we can all form bands and make some music for these voyagers to dance to, but we’ll see if that happens; we have our first meeting tonight.
My Cabin
Let’s talk about my cabin for a second. I have an inside cabin, which means I don’t encompass the luxury of a window of any kind. There are surely good and bad points about this: GOOD -- taking naps in the middle of the afternoon are awesome…it’s literally pitch black. GOOD – It’s cheaper. BAD -- You must trust your life with your alarm clock or else you’ll NEVER wake up on time. I wake up at 7:30 and it literally feels like it’s still 3 AM. We’ve already had two incidents with the alarm clock not ringing when it’s supposed to, but now we’re going to be using ipod/watch alarm backup.
You can probably find generic pictures of the cabin off the Semester at Sea site, but maybe I’ll post some photos in the near future.
My classes
The third day at sea was our first day of classes. The four classes I’m signed up for are: GLOBAL STUDIES (everyone takes this course)
ADAPTATION IN LITERATURE AND FILM
EXPOSITORY WRITING: CULTURAL AND IDEOLOGY OF THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL TRAVELLER
CINEMA AND NATIONAL IDENTITY
The first day of class was your generic first day of college classes. I think I’m going to really dislike this Global Studies class. It’s the only course that we have EVERY DAY at sea, and the gentleman who teaches it is awfully boring (though he does seem like a nice guy). My English professor’s really attention-grabbing and exceptionally knowledgeable, and my Cinema professor seems alright. I seriously haven’t gone to bed early (and I doubt that I ever will on this trip). Every night is usually spent hanging out or talking to others.
It’s incredibly difficult to do homework/read while onboard. This is going to be a constant challenge through the whole trip…I’M ON A CRUISE SHIP SAILING AROUND THE WORLD! WHO WANTS TO DO WORK!?!
THE FOOD
I actually enjoy the food served in the dining halls. Fish has been a common entree, but the chef still offers some variety in each meal. I adore the bread and rolls, and often catch myself leaving the dining rooms with a few rolls hidden in my bag for later. The desserts are pretty rad as well.
THE CAPTAIN
The Captain of the ship is literally the coolest human being in the world…enough said. Literally this guy can kill a great whale with his bare hands if he wanted. He can navigate and steer the ship with his mind if he wanted to…oh and he’s British, so he gets some bonus points there. There’s at least a few of us who appreciate his dry British humor.
I can’t remember if I mentioned that former Archbishop Desmund Tutu is also on the entire voyage with us. I haven’t had a chance to really chat with him yet, but I have passed him in the halls once or twice and said ‘hi.’ He always seems so chipper and bubbly.
That’s it for now. I’ll post some more about my Puerto Rico shenanigans tomorrow (Valentines Day). Oh, and it looks like there's alot of people reading this page, though not many people commenting. Feel free to comment.
Shipboard Life
Shipboard life is fun. You literally meet new people every day. The first few days I was slightly nauseous, but I would just take some Dramamine, and the problem was easily solved (though the drugs DEFINITELY make you drowsy as hell). I’m now perfectly fine with the rocking waves, and I’m happy that I haven’t gotten too seasick like some others. The last few nights have felt like I’m riding aboard a rollercoaster while falling asleep, but I can live with it.
The second day onboard consisted of dozens of meetings all day, mostly meetings concerning safety, shipboard life, and staff/faculty introductions. We also had hall meetings, much like one would on a traditional campus. The halls are all divided into different seas, so each student is part of a specific sea depending on where their cabin is located (I’m in the Adriatic Sea). My RD and the guy who cleans my room (yes, it’s just like a hotel) are both extremely nice; actually the entire crew are perfectionists and incredibly generous people.
We’ve had our “activities fair,” last Sunday, and this is where everyone signs up for different clubs and activities. I put my name down on a bunch of them, but have no clue if I’ll join or not, for they’ll probably take up a lot of time. Me and this other kid are trying to start a music club where we can all form bands and make some music for these voyagers to dance to, but we’ll see if that happens; we have our first meeting tonight.
My Cabin
Let’s talk about my cabin for a second. I have an inside cabin, which means I don’t encompass the luxury of a window of any kind. There are surely good and bad points about this: GOOD -- taking naps in the middle of the afternoon are awesome…it’s literally pitch black. GOOD – It’s cheaper. BAD -- You must trust your life with your alarm clock or else you’ll NEVER wake up on time. I wake up at 7:30 and it literally feels like it’s still 3 AM. We’ve already had two incidents with the alarm clock not ringing when it’s supposed to, but now we’re going to be using ipod/watch alarm backup.
You can probably find generic pictures of the cabin off the Semester at Sea site, but maybe I’ll post some photos in the near future.
My classes
The third day at sea was our first day of classes. The four classes I’m signed up for are: GLOBAL STUDIES (everyone takes this course)
ADAPTATION IN LITERATURE AND FILM
EXPOSITORY WRITING: CULTURAL AND IDEOLOGY OF THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL TRAVELLER
CINEMA AND NATIONAL IDENTITY
The first day of class was your generic first day of college classes. I think I’m going to really dislike this Global Studies class. It’s the only course that we have EVERY DAY at sea, and the gentleman who teaches it is awfully boring (though he does seem like a nice guy). My English professor’s really attention-grabbing and exceptionally knowledgeable, and my Cinema professor seems alright. I seriously haven’t gone to bed early (and I doubt that I ever will on this trip). Every night is usually spent hanging out or talking to others.
It’s incredibly difficult to do homework/read while onboard. This is going to be a constant challenge through the whole trip…I’M ON A CRUISE SHIP SAILING AROUND THE WORLD! WHO WANTS TO DO WORK!?!
THE FOOD
I actually enjoy the food served in the dining halls. Fish has been a common entree, but the chef still offers some variety in each meal. I adore the bread and rolls, and often catch myself leaving the dining rooms with a few rolls hidden in my bag for later. The desserts are pretty rad as well.
THE CAPTAIN
The Captain of the ship is literally the coolest human being in the world…enough said. Literally this guy can kill a great whale with his bare hands if he wanted. He can navigate and steer the ship with his mind if he wanted to…oh and he’s British, so he gets some bonus points there. There’s at least a few of us who appreciate his dry British humor.
I can’t remember if I mentioned that former Archbishop Desmund Tutu is also on the entire voyage with us. I haven’t had a chance to really chat with him yet, but I have passed him in the halls once or twice and said ‘hi.’ He always seems so chipper and bubbly.
That’s it for now. I’ll post some more about my Puerto Rico shenanigans tomorrow (Valentines Day). Oh, and it looks like there's alot of people reading this page, though not many people commenting. Feel free to comment.
