Hey!
I am doing Project Hunger into the Township. Most people couldn�t get on that trip as there is such a high demand, but I lucked out because it is an FDP for my Political Science class. Other than that, I am traveling independently with my friend Pete. The one thing we know we want to do is go horseback riding through the wine lands. We are thinking of organizing a shark diving trip, but I doubt that will happen. It is very expensive and would be too time consuming. We want to do as much as possible.
We are probably going to climb Table Mountain, at least I think that is what it is called. It is the mountain that overlooks Cape Town. After every port I get more excited for the next one. This trip has already confirmed for me that I want to work in developing countries some day. I think my dream would be to get my law degree and use that knowledge to argue for international aid from the United States. I would want to make sure that the money is being used productively though, to further a country�s economy or put a stable renewable food source where it is most needed. Too much aid disappears at the hands of militia groups and dictators, or else it brings in food for a short time only to let the people return to starving.
I definitely know I want to minor in Spanish, and then co-op in Latin America somewhere next year for six months. I think my engineering degree will also be useful in terms of international employment. I don�t know exactly what I will end up doing, but I think I am setting myself up to do something I will love. Anyway, I have rambled too much. I miss you and I�ll talk to you soon.
Love Kirsten
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Erin F [item 19 ]
TO ALL THOSE WHO SENT ME MAIL, THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!!!! I think I had 10 pieces of mail (3 of my good friends didnt get any!! i gave them a letter to open lol)... my friends were all so jealous, and it was soooo exciting! I loved hearing about EVERYTHING!! I read the letters several times lol. Mom, the v-day package was awesome- what a nice surprise!! and Mandi, thanx for the pic!! You guys are the best, even tho you can't brave a snow storm to send me a bday card. blah blah. totally J/K!
Alright, well I've probably put you all to sleep by now. I haven't felt well since I got back from the Amazon. Had a bad headache, slight fever today and every time after I ate got these really bad stomach pains. really weird, might go to the Dr. tomm. but maybe not since his hrs are 8-9 in the am.
Miss you all tons!! 83 more days... Keep writing!
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Brady [item 20 ]
Our room is Grand Central Station�we have people in here all the time�I seriously think, with me working, some of our friends are in here more than I am! It�s all good though�that is partly why we don�t get to bed until 3 every morning, but it�s worth it! Kyle and I are always up for whatever and trying new things is a blast�neither of us can dance, so that makes the dances even more fun!...
Let me tell you the food is so good�I stuff myself every meal�I even eat breakfast on "A" days! I eat lettuce every once in a while, beans, potatoes, and carrots whenever they have it! I think I am going to come back a little heavier, I eat so much, and this buffet style stuff isn�t good for me! Only having milk once a day is tough�they said we need a note from the doctor if we want milk more than once! I am trying all kinds of new stuff, some I don�t know why, and it is so disgusting!
The stars are amazing in the middle of the ocean�no lights except from the ship! I meet new people every day!
Things I wish I had brought with me:
A little book to write stuff in when I am on trips (am going to get one before Cape Town)
� More shorts, all it is is hot
� More button down light shirts
� Snacks
� More pictures
� I am going to always carry around stuff to give away, it was tough in the Amazon, I didn�t think we would see anybody�I wish I would have had something to give away
� A fan�it is so hot in our room 78 degrees when we sleep�everybody else�s is 60!
� Travelers Cheques is the way to go�you just cash those at the Burser�s office
� Air freshener
� A digital camera, so you can show the kids/people the picture you just took�when you show them it brightens there day
� Less bug spray�I haven�t used any yet! Not even in the Amazon
� Another watch�mine broke the first day on the ship�when working for work-study�but I still carry it around with me
Our Praise and Worship service is going great we had 65 people last time�all we do right now is sing songs and meet people! I am in 2 Bible Studies; one is on FAITH and becoming "Christ like," we are going to talk about issues in our world too, and we are also reading through Romans! My other study is a Men�s study ~ Men of integrity, we haven�t started yet, we are having a dinner on V-Day.
We have a dance tonight (Valentine�s Dance on the 13th), it is a stoplight dance�wear red � if you are dating, yellow � if you are mellow, and green � if you are single and looking! It will be cool something new�I am wearing green! Oh well! A lot of people were wearing green; we sold out of green in the campus store today almost! ...Our dances can only go until 11pm because the nurses and kids need to get to sleep! It really stinks, some of the rules on here are worse than at State�we have to be quiet at 11pm! We are college students and we have that early of a curfew�ridiculous�
Some of us have been talking and we are probably going to be taking a lot of road trips this summer, if we can think of a way to make money while traveling�that would be sweet! There are so many places we can go and stay with people! I hope it is all right with you guys, but I have invited almost all of the ship to So Dak and offered that they can stay with us! Everybody gets a kick out of So Dak, nobody has met a South Dakotan, and nobody has been to So Dak! Its great!
I am off again�tonight is this Men/Women competition�don�t know what it is but we are going to give it a whirl! I�m back again�the competition was fun, they had 2 person pie eating�one person sat on another�s lap while the person sitting on the lap ate the pie with the person being sat on feeding them the cake (one person had eyes, one person had hands), suck and blow�you passed a card around a circle by sucking and blowing on it (the card slipped at times�ha), I was involved with a balloon popping contest�could use any part of your body except hands to pop it between two people, and a smarty/whip cream game�a guy laid down on the ground, shirt off, and a girl had to suck up the smarties and whip cream off the guys� chest and arms! All games were a competition between other couples, one guy/one girl! It was fun, we ended it with a limbo contest�I can�t limbo!
I love you all so much and think of you every single day! J
Love you,
Brady Jay"
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Laura K [item 21 ]
We received an email from Laura tonight. She said that the interport lecturer for the South Africa stop was very interesting. She is South African with Indian roots, and has been discriminated against a lot, from both blacks and whites in S.A. There is a large Indian popul. in Dunbar. (Eastern S.A.)
She also said that yesterday she watched the Super Bowl. It was painful to watch, but she wore her silver and black tee shirt, and ignored the jeers and cheers from the Bucs fans. They also had picture day yesterday. All the students together, and then students by universities. There is one other student and one prof. from her school, Chico State.
She also was selected (by lottery) to be in the extended family program. There are 5 other girls who share a family (2 parents and 17 yr. old son). They had dinner tonight together. This is the family's second trip!A talent show is being planned and she is on the committee. There will be dancing, musical acts, stand up and a "street smarts" video type thing. Sounds fun.
She is also babysitting a 5 year old passenger on her B days. I have never known her to be quite such a joiner! She is also reading more. I had recommended the book, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, to her about a year ago. Of course she never read it, but picked it up in the library, and says she loves it.
She sounds sooo good; happy, content, calm.
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Kirsten [item 22 ]
Hey there! I am not exactly sure what Operation Hunger is. Staff member Jerry told me we will spend some time weighing kids. He thinks the Polaroid camera is an excellent idea. I think I am going to bring my purse to carry stuff. I know it is a little dangerous, but my past experiences lead me to think that groups of Semester at Sea students, like there will be at Operation Hunger, are very safe from pick-pocketing and crime.
I am sending a couple pictures with this email. One is of a Lencois street that I absolutely love. It shows the mountains set behind the colorful and lively cobblestone downtown road. The other is of an image downstream from the waterfall in the picture I sent you earlier. When you get the cd there are some really great panoramic shots to take a look at, and also the rock slide waterfall that I said I would send but haven't yet (I might send that one with my next email).
Every night in the union we have what is called a "community college" where a professor or somebody knowledgeable gives a lecture on some kind of topic. Last night we had one on Iraq, and boy the anti-war sentiment in the room was almost universal. When it was time for questions, one elderly lady went to the mic, not with a question but with comments about how being against the war doesn't make someone anti-patriotic, or have any less love for their country. She ended up telling a story about how her husband was persecuted for being a communist during the McCarthy era, but he was lucky enough to take his case to the US Supreme Court and win! That was an incredible story. Another woman spoke until she cried, making a few ladies in the audience tear up (including Theresa) about how the world sees the United States' actions.
There are people here who have worked with refugees and really seen the horrors that wars cause who have told stories that are making even some very conservative people I have spoken with have second thoughts. I think that just being outside the borders of the United States automatically forces people to see things through a million different perspectives, in terms of different cultures and nations.
The community colleges are very interesting. Tonight I went to one on geology, which was fantastic, and the other night one on Frida Kahlo. I have learned a little about her in my art history class when we did Latin American art, but after the community college I am fascinated by her. You should rent the movie Frida, I think with Selma Hayak, everyone involved with art says it is an amazing movie. If you do, let me know how it is. The "bug" class is going very well. It isn't really an entomology class, but at the start of every class the professor goes over a type of insect just because he is so interested in insects himself (he has a PhD in entomology). The rest of the class is really on ecology, which I love. Even the insect stuff is a little interesting, but I love learning about nature and gaining an understanding of the physical world (hence the geology community college).
The class with the most work is my art history class. The amount of reading for that class is unbelievable. It is an extremely interesting class though; I am learning a great deal about culture and even a bit of history just as ways of setting up the art produced in different cultures. My favorite place to study is outside on deck. There is a side walkway where few people go and it is usually quiet as the people who are there are either reading or writing in their journals. I pull a chair right up to the railing, which probably isn't a good idea because I am constantly distracted by the ocean. You wouldn't believe how quickly it changes colors, and it is always beautiful. Anyhow, I'll talk to you soon.
Love Kirsten
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Philip [item 23 ]
Here are some of the emails we've received from our son Phillip: In Cuba, he had coffee at the home of a Cuban, and said the man had a pig which he swears was the length and width of his bed! In Brazil, he went on the trip to Lencois, and said they had an awesome time, hiked for 8 hours one day, swam a lot, jumped off of 30 ft. cliffs into great pools of water. Butterflies were everwhere. He said it was like paradise.
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Kelly E [item 24 ]
Hello everyone!
Right now it is the butt crack of dawn and I am writing you because the pounding outside of my room is soooo loud that I can't sleep. So I figured what better way to use these few extra hours than to write to everyone at home and let you all know how things have been going and how Brazil was.
I'm not really too sure where I last left off, so forgive me if a bit of this is monotonous. About three days before reaching Salvador, Brazil, we crossed the equator. Now for those of you who, like myself, didn't realize the significance of this event it was a day full of hilarious and at times disgusting traditions. We were woken up especially early, marched out of our beds by "Neptune's Band" (ie our crew on the boat dressed up as old seamen Gods wearing tin foil hats, togas made of sheets, and banging on pots as drums") needless to say it was hilarious. We were all lead down to the pool deck area where King Neptune (our captain adorned in one of the most ridiculous outfits I have yet had the privilege of witnessing an old man wear) addressed us explaining that we were all "pollywogs" and had to pay tribute to him to allow out safe crossing of the equator. This tribute was an ordeal all in itself. It started with having fish guts dumped on us, followed by a "shower" of sorts by fire hoses as we attempted to cross the emptied pool. Upon exiting the pool, we had to kiss a fish then bow to the "king", kiss his ring, and read the oath of Neptune. It was a pretty entertaining day!
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Cari [item 25 ]
hi mama! sorry i haven't written in awhile. im doing great. having a great time. we get to brazil in a few days and im going to rio with lots of friends for most of the time im there. ill call sometime while im there, i promise.
today was neptune day, we crossed the equator. we had a dance last night, tacky tourist, which was really fun, probably cause the bar was open. then we all got woken up at 9 this morning to go to these cermonies. they poured "fish guts" on us and lots of people shaved their heads, a navy tradition. lotsd of girls did it too. youve got to be kidding me if you think i was gonna do it. it crossed my mind, but as soon as i saw the first girl, no way! 27 girls i think and 36 guys, something like that. they all look so scary.
the weather has been kinda shitty the last few days, rainy and kind of gross. im losing my tan already. we heard about the space shuttle. they called us all out of class before rumors started to spread to give us an update. so arent completely in teh dark about everything. classes are going well, but im ready to get off the boat for a few days.
its amazing how small it feels all of a sudden. i love it here and i hate to say it, but im in no hurry to come home. tell walter i said hello, and watch your posting up about me. take care and ill call you in a few days.
love,
cari
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Emma [item 26 ]
Her team in the unOlympics was the Adoman (sp) Sea - blue team and while they were abysmal in the scoring I think they had a great time. She did tell about the bathing suit contest in which she had to model a suit designed in 45 min. using anything BUT fabric. Pancakes played a large part in the construction - she said it was mortifying and hilarious (assured us that she wearing a suit underneath.)
About the obstacle course competition she writes, " I did the course wrapped in toilet paper - placed third - but then there was some sort of "time descrepency" with the green team - they got to do it over again - originally came in last and then came in first.....now isn't that sketchy?"
Her father and I are considering filing a formal protest. They were only hours away from Tanzania and she's excited about the safari.
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Tara W [item 27 ]
Hi again everyone,
So I�m on my way to South Africa right now and this is probably the best time for me to write everything about Brazil, it's going to be a lot this time...Favelas, The Amazon and Salvador to summarize. Once again, you don�t have to read everything, I�m sorry it�s so long, it turned out VERY long (that�s a disclaimer). My email wasn�t working right, but I did write an email to everyone before we got to Brazil, so here it is too:
So we crossed the equator today, February 2nd...they woke us up this morning with drums and whistles in honor of Neptune Day. The tradition when crossing the equator is to have fish guts poured on you, kiss a fish and get your head shaved...so that�s what I did (except the head shaving part). There were about 20 girls and at least 50 guys who shaved their hair completely and some just cut it really short to donate their hair to "Locks of Love". We get classes and work off all day, so we have the rest of today to catch up on school work and relax a little.
Ok, so I will let everyone go, and just to let you know I will be sending this the first day in South Africa because it is less expensive to use the internet there than on the ship. When we get back from South Africa we will have the "un-Olympics" which is a competition between the different floors. And the best part about it is that whoever wins gets to get off the ship in Seattle first...which is a big deal because sometimes it can take up to 8 hours after docking to get off the ship and see your family. Again, sorry so long, but I had a lot to tell...write me back if you want, I love getting email!!!
Talk to you soon,
Tara
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Rusty [item 28 ]
Hello all,
I had a good birthday, my friends surprised me with a cake and they bought me some drinks to celebrate here on the ship. It was great to see so many people come out to hang out with me and it let me know what good friends I have made on the ship. I am trying to think of ways to suck more of the marrow out of this trip as Thoreau would say. I cannot believe that India is our next port. I don�t even have plans yet. Oh yea, we had the Un-Olympics on our trip to Tanzania. It was a blast. Each different hall on the ship is a different sea and we all take the whole day and compete in tons of events from tug-of-war to chocolate drip and lick, which me and my partner won by the way. I am on the Ionian Sea. We came in second, but then there was some controversy, but I think we still got second. There was a tie for first, I think, and the prize for that is that your sea gets to get off first in Seattle. There are like 9 seas I think, but I�m not sure. I wasn�t so bummed about not getting first, but I was bummed that we didn�t win the spirit stick. Oh, well life goes on I guess. I will always know in my heart that we deserved it. Haha.
Rusty
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Kimberly [item 29 ]
Heard from my daughter Kimberly. She was very excited to finally be in SA.
( FYI She was sick,and had not been on the Amazon trip)
Hi Mom and Dad, I miss you guys. I am so glad to be here. On the 15th I got sick for 2 days with diarrehea and vomiting. It was gross. I slept for two days. I'm starting to feel a little better. The seas were also rough before we got here so that didn't help.
I am having so much fun, and I can't thank you enough for this trip!! I have so much to say, but I'll tell you later, I miss you and love you. Can't wait to hear your voices!!
Kim
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Eric K [item 30 ]
I have to jump on to see if I have gotten a reply from the teacher that I am doing Vicarious Voyage with so I thought I would drop you a quick e-mail.
Things have been getting a little hectic around here. Higher seas seem to be causing everyone to get a little stressed. We had a dance and a free day on the 14th so it was somewhat of a chance to relax. We dock in South Africa in about 36 hours so that will be another break.
There is a lot of talk about what is going in the world today so some people are really freaking out about that. I'm becoming very nonchalant about it and have come to the conclusion that if something happens it will. There's not much I can do to affect the course of action that this boat is taking. This is probably the reason that I have seemed different when writing. I am getting slightly fed up with the people who every day think that we are going to turn around and aren't listening to the actual news that is out there.
Sooo many people have said to me about everything that you are doing with the SAS parents and website. It seems that the cable modem really seems to be working out nicely. :-). (Thank you for sharing! He went on to say things about not acknowledging what Mom does, etc. It was nice! )
Then he answered some of the questions I have been sending him:
Friends on board are too many to mention. I will try to name a few but there really are a lot and I can't remember all last names. Jen Nitchke, Tine, Kristin, Tara, Mike Darling, Lisa, Liz Cunningham, Nicole Davis: All Philly Area
Stoplight dance I wore a green t-shirt under my blue button-down. Just felt too plain clothes with the t-shirt.
Doing Vicarious Voyage, Photography Stuff, Video, Volunteer at the Un-Olympics, and sorting mail when get to a port
I am soo happy and excited with everything that is going on. Try to relax and understand that I get caught up in the moment of everything that I am doing and it's tough to try to convey all of that.
He concluded by saying that he plans to fill me in on everything when we are on safair in Kenya. I can't imagine catching up on a month in just 4 days!
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Tara W [item 31 ]
"...happy to be on Land"
The difficult news is that she is still "really sick" after the Amazon trip. Can't seem to eat anything and has unintentionally lost 10lbs. The other kids who were sick after the trip HAVE RECOVERED, so something else must be going on with her. The good news (for my mother's heart), is that her "adopted mom" (from the adopt a family program) is also a physician, "loves" having a daughter and wants to take care of her when sick. A little more about her "mom" ... she is also a psychologist, Author, teaches Medical Anthropology and has a Phd in Theology. "ZiZi" as she is called, also plays the violin as does my daughter. Tara brought her Trumpet and they plan to perform a duet at the Talent Show.
As far as news on Iraq, very limited... she wants more news and mentions how extremely liberal the slant is from the proffessors. Even more so than at UCLA which can be a scary place for a conservitive!!!
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Kirsten [item 32 ]
I asked her if she had sent me her CD with photos and movies as I asked her to (since I am vicariously enjoying her trip through her photos and emails). I told her to send the CD Federal Express. She said she discovered it was going to cost her $70 to send them Federal Express so she just sent them regular mail.
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Abby D [item 33 ]
I just got off the phone with Abby. She also has had a GREAT time in S.A. She did mention that part of their briefing is on what's safe to eat/drink; apparently Capetown is Europeanized enough that they don't have to worry too much.
She did say that the trip leaders make decisions about each port "as they come up", since things can change so rapidly; so although I would think they'd have more concerns about the Korea situation, they apparently are still undecided about Tanzania and India, which could be too close for comfort if the Iraq situation breaks. She hasn't had any bad side effects from the Malarone & is over the worst of the Amazon revenge; seems that they're all beginning to accept "travelers diarrhea" as a part of the experience. I'm looking forward to seeing posts from other phone calls! She's also promised a long email about "everything" once they leave port. Oh, and I'm probably the "California mom" who had sent the birthday card. Glad to hear it arrived! Et
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Laura K [item 34 ]
We heard from Laura tonight - 10pm our time, 8 am her time. She was already up and out. She said she loves to rise early in port, there's too much to do to sleep late. She got some mail, but not the package we sent. (so far)
It was great to hear from her!
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Rusty [item 35 ]
We just got a phone call from Rusty - the first news we've had from him since a quick call when they docked in Brazil. He said everybody seems to be doing great. He has not been seasick but he did say the seas had been a little rough - someone's dinner plate fell right off the table the other night. They thought that was pretty funny. Anyway, that's not really much news to share but even a little is better than none, right?
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Rusty [item 36 ]
His classes (oh yea, they are a part of this trip, aren't they?) are ok but it's hard to get motivated to study with all that's going on. The kids are talking about the possibility of war although they really don't have much information to go on. I told him we didn't have a whole lot more than them!
He got 12 cards/letters in S Africa and was REAL excited. He opened a couple and realized they were birthday cards so is saving the rest until his birthday next week. He did open one from a mom in CA and was real surprised to get it. He evidently didn't realize we were sending cards to all of them. Thank you to whoever sent cards to him. They obviously mean a lot! He said he's going to wait and do some of his Africa shopping in Tanzania because he thinks prices will be better there than in S Africa. That's about all he said except that everyone is having a great time and S Africa is beautiful and a fun place to be. It sounds like it.
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Tara W [item 37 ]
I am so happy to report that Tara is feeling better! I got a call @ 9:00am PST today. She is having the experience of her life.
Her favorite professor, Dr. Nyce (social deviance), also has the stomach bug so... they really do experience "everything" with their teachers.
Thanks to everyone sharing, I am enjoying "MY" trip immensely!
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Mary A [item 38 ]
She said that ship life is great. The rumors are rampant- but she seemed confident that the staff had a "plan". She mentioned that any student not going on a SAS sponsored trip had to complete a form with information with how they could be reached if the ship had to leave early.
Just as an aside, my older daughter was on the F00 trip when the USS Cole was bombed and within days they trip was diverted from the Turkey, Croatia and Egypt destinations and continued on to the Kenya, SouthAfrica, Brazil route. The "parents' trip" was to Turkey that year, so lots of plans had to be changed quickly, but it all worked out and Kate was happy with the new itinerary - young people are very flexible.
Mary is looking forward to the Olympics. She was a coach for synchronized swimming in high school and hopes to get the boys on the floor involved in a routine. GO RED SEA !
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Roxy [item 39 ]
As for me, I am constantly changing, if you know what I mean! I'm growing so much and feel like a different person. I don't know if I am really making sense. The best way I can describe it is I feel as though I am on an emotional, life changing roller coaster. I go up, then twist, then back down, and do it all over again, but when I stand back and look at what's going on in the big picture, no matter how many times I go up and then fall again I am still continuously progressing toward the end of the ride. That's a weird analogy but it's the only way I can try to describe what's going on inside of me.
My trip was again incredible, awesome, wonderful -- life changing and eye opening and I will be back!
I love all of you so much -- only 72 days left! Keep emailing me with what's going on. I hope everything is well with you!
We are: 10861 nautical mile to Tanzania (I think), have sea temp of 82, moving at 14 knots, and above an ocean depth - that's deep
These experiences are making me grow but all of you have still made me who I am -
I love you - Roxy
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Katie Sue [item 40 ]
Hello everyone, currently we are sailing between Madagascar and Africa on our way to Tanzania-we'll get there Sunday. The Un-Olympics are tomorrow and everyone is going to have a great time. The weather is beautiful, 84 and sunny and life is good in general. HI MOM! I LOVE YOU!!! ~Kate
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Whitney [item 41 ]
If you are worried about sea sickness, I got an instant message at 4am our time (Texas) the the seas were 13-15 feet, temp about 84 05 85 degrees and gale force winds. But the sun was shining. Go figure. Whitney was on her way to lunch and said food was flying off the tables and the waves had thrown her out of bed. Yikes! But she sounded GREAT, had on a sea sick patch and seemed to think it was a grand adventure. And of course, she just wanted me to go back to sleep.Perfect.
Jill
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Laura K [item 42 ]
Hi Dad and Mom!
How�s it going? I am good- sad to leave Cape Town. It was really a great place. It was kinda nice that most people spoke English- that made things a lot easier. I am trying to watch Amistad right now- but there is no sound- oh now there is. they show pretty good movies- the other night was my fav- Top Gun, and one night was another good one- 16 candles. Tonight was �Express Yourself south Africa� It�s like an open mic where people can go up and say things as they please. I facilitated it. It was cool- I just introduced it, keep things going smooth by talking when no one came up and closed it. The Sea Olympics are coming up- I am excited they should be fun. We made cool posters- we are the pirates a good theme compared to most. Our color is black so that is easiest enough. A couple of my friends are pink- the guys don�t like that. There are a lot of fun activities and the winning sea gets off the ship fist in Seattle. I�m thinking I can win the Simon Says competition with all my practice.
Well back on the ship- it was kinda disappointing- but I am excited for my safari. I have 3 exams coming up- 2 in the next 2 day and 1 in a week. So I�ve gotta lot of studying to do. . Ok�I love you so much and miss you. Take care.
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Kirsten [item 43 ]
Hey guys!
The reason I didn�t include the first couple days of South Africa in my last email is because I thought I told you everything over the phone. I have been busy on the ship with a Biology test and the "Un-Olympics" (which ended tonight). The good news is my deck won the competition, so I get to be among the first to depart the ship in Seattle. Apparently that is very lucky � it has taken up to twelve hours in the past to disembark. I competed in the relay race competition. I had to spin around five times and crab walk backwards. We came in third in that competition. I am not sure how many competitions there were total, but there were a lot. After they announced who won tonight we had a talent show. The acts were great. A couple of stand-up comedians were hysterical, some musicians were also very good. Most wrote their own music, sang, and played an instrument, some poets, and a few others. I was very impressed with just about everything.
Love Kirsten
PS � Tanzania in two days baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Meredith [item 44 ]
Just writing to let you know about the awesome day we had today. It was the Un-Olympics. There are basically a ton of different events from suck and blow (with a card) to bikini contests. The floor I�m on is the Ionian Sea and we were the Pirates. Each team has a ton of cheers that they do throughout the day and during all boat meetings. We are crazy! We don�t know for sure if we won yet, but if we place first we get to get off the boat first in Seattle. And our team definitely kicked some booty. I don�t know if I really want to get off first because it�s going to be hard saying goodbye to this ship.
Anyways, the Un-Olympics have been crazy. They started last night with opening ceremonies including lip sync and torch lighting. There was a huge party at the bar last night to celebrate, but they woke us up at 7:45 this morning! Today the big events were male bikini contest and synchronized swimming which had to be moved inside because of the nasty weather and rough waves that wouldn�t allow for the pool to be opened. I have never seen so many guys wearing girls� bikinis and clothing. It is hysterical. Our male bikini model today wore my black string top (our color is black) and a thong � so funny. And yes we did place first in that event. The synchronized swimming was more of a lip sync routine. Our team was all guys wearing girls� cutoff jean shorts prancing around all synchronized. I wish my camera didn�t die in the middle of the routine! Tonight we have closing ceremonies where we will find out if we won or not � I�m thinking we have a really good chance because we were ahead all day until the end, but we won a ton of events after that. I�ll let you know how it goes. After closing ceremonies there�s a talent show that everybody has been talking up so it should be a good time.
On other news, I chipped my bottom tooth � don�t know how. It�s not that bad, but annoying. I will be in Tanzania on Sunday when we were supposed to leave for our SAFARI, but now our group is leaving the 2nd day. I�m going to be living in a tent! I am becoming nature girl here � just wait until I start dragging you guys out hiking and camping when I get back. I will try to pick up some cheetahs or hyenas for you guys, but I�m just not sure how I will get them home.
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Brie [item 45 ]
It was sad to leave South Africa, what can I say except that it was an eye opening experience. I am now half way around the world on a ship traveling to new countries by the week. I have learned more in the last month than I have learned during my whole time at college - maybe even my whole life. Meeting new people and learning about their way of life and values is such an amazing thing that you can't do at home. I wish you could all be here with me experiencing all the things I am doing. I guess you will have to live them vicariously through me. In a week I will be meeting up with my dad in Kenya. I have been looking forward to this safari since last year. I miss you and love you all�..
Brie
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Abby D [item 46 ]
The ocean was really crazy a couple of days ago when we were sailing between Madagascar and Mozambique. Around 6am I woke up because my stuff kept falling off my shelf and onto my bed. Even those with relatively good sea legs had trouble walking. It�s especially strange when you�re sitting on deck and tables start sliding around.... The swells were 9-13 feet. The only other really bad day we�ve had so far the swells were 6-8 feet, so you can sort of imagine how much fun we had. For the last two days though, the ocean has been as smooth as glass and we are currently making good time on our way to Tanzania. We are about 250 miles away, and we�ll be there early tomorrow morning. I�m EXTREMELY excited because this is my most anticipated port � I can�t wait to go on safari!!!!!
here.
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Tara W [item 47 ]
Ship life is good....its going faster and faster every time we get back on the ship. I can't believe once we are half way through our classes already-so fast!!! We just had the Un-Olympics and my sea, the "red sea", isn't doing so great. We weren't in the top three by lunch time, maybe we'll catch up. But, it doesn't look like we will be getting of the ship first in Seattle...that's ok, we're having fun. So, since we are doing that
today, we have no classes...which is of course nice. But, last night was the worst one yet, with the rocking of the ship. A few people had their dressers come un-bolted from the floor and break, along with TV's, pictures (with glass in them) and just stuff falling off the shelves. So, naturally, we got no sleep last night so many people are using the day to catch up on sleep. I ended up reading from about 3am-6:45am off and on because I could not sleep with the rocking. I was waiting for breakfast to roll around at 7am, but fell asleep instead :) and was up for the opening of the Olympics at 8:30am.
Other than the un-Olympics we have another huge test on March 1st for the class that everyone has to take, so its getting tense. In Tanzania I will be going on a three day safari, so next email I will tell you all about that. I ';m not doing the "jam band" because the music they play doesn ';t really need a trumpet and everyone else play guitar already so they don ';t need another. But, I am going to sing with the choir soon, so I'll have something musical to do. And, there is another person on the ship who is a trumpet performance major at Chapman University, so we may get together and play some duets for fun. Ok, I better get going to the next part of the Un-Olympics--"tug-of-war".
See you soon,
Tara
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Meghan [item 48 ]
Hi everyone!
Today is Day 39: Saturday March 1. We will be arriving in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in less than 8 hours! And I am now 9 hours ahead of Wisconsin time. I�ve had a pretty busy week since leaving South Africa last Sunday night; I had two exams and a paper this week, and we had the UNOLYMPICS on Thursday! (My team, the Ionian Sea Pirates took 2nd, one point away from being the first ones off the ship in Seattle!) I thought that the trip wasn�t going to start going fast until after India, but this week just flew by and I�m sure next week will too.
Funny how in every port everyone (including deans, teachers, adult passengers) are actually running back at the last hour. Ok, so I wanted to write about the UnOlympics tonight but I just can�t do it! Thank you so much to everyone who has written to me! I love all of the updates and knowing that you are all thinking of me! I�m sorry if I haven�t responded to you, my time has never moved so quickly! Besides, we keep losing hours!! Tanzania tomorrow!
Love,
Meghan
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Julia [item 49 ]
The only thing I haven't seen mentioned about ship life is the "creaking noises" the ship makes and how casual everything is - some students just wear their bathing suits all day - even to class. She loves her professors- esp. Marina Roseman (music) and Gary Ferrano (anthropology).
Her latest Email from Saturday mentioned how her friend, Jimale, and others were going to get up early to drum while the ship pulls into port and she is becoming quite a drummer herself. She was also impressed with the Black History presentation that evening by the students. I can't wait to hear about the safari!
Julia' mom
(She got my package in SA the same day I got her postcard from Cuba!)
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Tara C [item 50 ]
I received a postcard yesterday from Tara, sent from South Africa. I am amazed how I have received mail from all three ports but our mail services to the kids is a hit or miss. I know that Tara has received some of my letters and cards but not everything is getting to her or the other kids.
Carol
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Laura K [item 51 ]
Hi Mom and Dad,
How is everything? Tomorrow I will be in Tanzania. I am really excited to go on a safari. I am also excited to go camping. I can�t believe I will be camping in Africa! Sounds pretty crazy and cool huh?
We had the sea Un-olympics 2 days ago- it was such a fun day! Very busy, but everything was great. First the night before there were opening ceremonies. There was a lip sync contest. It was pretty funny. Then there was a dance. It was so fun. I danced all night! First there was only about 7 of us dancing- while everyone was lining in huge lines around the cafeteria to get beer. We had the whole floor and it was great. Soon it got really crowded- but it was still fun.
Our hall was the Ionian Sea Pirates. Our color was black. All seas were so into it. Everyone had cheers and were decked out in their colors. Bali deck- the bottom- won the Spirit Award. They had some great cheers like �We don�t need no portholes!� and �I�m a bali-ver� all to good tunes and a cheer to �Under the Sea� They definitely deserved the spirit stick. We were a close second- really pumped and into it but not as creative. Everyone was scared of us too-it was great. The teachers and faculty were pretty funny too. Their favorite cheer was �We lose, you fail�, it was entertaining. But they had no chance. The night before, my sea dressed up and marched around chanting and ate dinner together. It was a good surprise attack and a good way to start it off for everyone.
Then we woke up early the day of the Un-Olympics. We had breakfast together too. We were all decked out in black, with black strips under our eyes(like baseball) and had some skull and cross bones tattoos. The day was full of events. I really wanted to win and thought we were going to. I was in the orange pass- 15 people line up and pass an orange with our necks. We dominated and won that one. We got 2nd in Name that Tune. My roommate Stef is a Rock and Roll minor so she did well. There was world trivia, guess the number, suck and blow, spin and strip- it was supposed to be swim and strip- but it was too rocky. So people spun on a bat and then traded layers of clothes. It was too bad that a it was really rocky that day (a Force 7 of 11) so a couple pool events and soccer had to be cancelled. There was also improv, chocolate pour, tug-of-war, mash potato sculpting and eating, make-me-laugh, obstacle course, and my favorite Simon Says. It was Road Rules style. It was so fun�and I won! My partner was my neighbor and we rocked it! It was so awesome! It felt great to win. There was 2 teams from each sea- it was kinda nerve racking but I knew we would win I had complete confidence the whole time. So our team was winning at lunch time and I think we got too cocky. The last 2 events were great. Male-Bikini contest and synchronized swimming (in the union). The male-bikini guys got soooo into it. They loved it and so did the audience. Our sea should have won- which would have put us in an overall tie for first, but Logan, the 2 yr
Old got a perfect score! It was lame- of course he got all tens and we got one 9. If that didn�t count- it would have been a tie for first! But oh well- we get a special dinner. I guess I won�t really want to get off the ship first anyway. The lip-synch was great. Some seas really got into it . Everyone had choreographed danced, the guys were in bikinis and it was just overall hilarious.
Then that night was the talent show. Everyone was so tired but it was a great show. I was the MC. We introduced the acts and filled time. It was really fun. The show was a total success. We had amazing singers and musicians, hilarious stand-up, great dancing, and some cool poetry.
The whole day was really great. School has been ok. . I am going to Yoga every B day. I really like it, it is relaxing tho a little too early- 7am . I am already improving. I am also going to meditation- the Chico prof. Teaches it. We do about 30 min. of med., which is hard b/c I think too much when you are supposed to clear your mind and I tend to doze off-oops! Then we do about 30 min of learning and receiving healing message. That is really great. Running kinda sucks on the ship b/c the course is so short and it is very easy to bump into people at the corners. But the exercise classes are fun.
I am so excited to be in Tanzania tomorrow. This trip is absolutely flying by. Its amazing that I am already in Tanzania and have been to Cuba, Brazil and South Africa. Every port has been so wonderful. I can�t believe everything I am seeing and learning. I really never knew there was so much to the world- I mean I knew but I guess I didn�t understand it. I really feel so lucky and I still barely believe I am doing this. This is the best thing ever. The world is amazing. There is so much to it. The sights, natural and man made are beautiful and people everywhere are so interesting. Life styles are so different, but people are people everywhere. I swear we live a fairy tale life. And I haven�t even seen the harshest countries yet. Well N/E ways�
mom I may have found the best thing for passing the time on the ship. My friend has Simpson�s season 1 and 2 on DVD. It is really great to watch. Tonight is a Black History Month special. It should be good. Alright�I�m gonna go eat dinner! I love you both so much- miss you a lot. Take care. Hey- did you ever get my letter from Brazil? I hope b/c it is like 4 pages. Ok love you! Bye!!!
XOXOXOXXO - Laura
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