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!!!!!
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Tara W [item 53 ]
Ship Life
I know there are plenty of places that need help in the US, but I think a cultural experience would be good too. Ship life is good....its going faster and faster every time we get back on the ship. I cant 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 plays 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".
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Whitney [item 54 ]
Dear everyone,
So now it�s Saturday, March 08, 2003. I wonder what al you kids are doing. I know it is Spring Break. I hope everyone has a great time- be safe ya�ll! Our next stop is Chennai, India. Chennai is also called �Madras�- it�s located on the east coast of India, north of Sri Lanka. If things get unsettled and India becomes unsafe, we reroute to either Sri Lanka or maybe Myanmar. We get to India on the 15th and from there I leave for a five day trip to Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. I get to see the Taj Majal, Ganges River and the pink city. Should be pretty interesting. I have heard India smells awful and some people get sick just from the smell, let alone the food. We�ll see how this turns out�.
Love ya�ll!
Whitney
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Erin F [item 55 ]
Hope everything is well in the States. I left Tanzania seven days ago and am 30 hours away from India! I was dreading the 8 day stretch from Tanzania to India, complete with class every single day, but I have kept sooo busy it seems like we just left yesterday! And of course I still haven�t written my e-mail. Sorry, I�m slacking!
In India I am going on a four day trip to Delhi, Agra and Varanasi. I will get to visit the Taj Mahal and also watch people bathe in the Ganges River, which is a pilgrimage site for many Hindus. The faculty has given us many warnings about the inequalities and complete poverty that we will witness. I think it will be the most shocking and astonishing port and will be very difficult to process what we�ll see. Many of the people in India make under $1/day. I have to dress very conservatively and can�t wear shorts or tank tops even though it will be 90 degrees!! Also, we are told that 80% of the ship will get �Delhi Belly� and the day after we leave India we don�t have classes because so many people will be sick.
Alright, well I have to go dress up for the 80s dance which is in a half hour. THANKS SO MUCH to everyone who sent me birthday cards and mail to Tanzania! The card from Brock 3rd was great, thanks guys! And keep e-mailing! Even though I might not get a chance to write back, I really do read and reread them all the time. Mel, I hope you have an awesome 21st! Also, everyone have a fun and safe spring break! Miss you tons but I will be home before you know it!
Love, Erin
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Laura K [item 56 ]
Before we left to take her to Nassau, she left a package on the kitchen table with a note to not open until we came back. Talk about crying! It was a picture of her and her younger sister with our two dogs � this would have been enough. NO, she took it further. It was a talking frame that said in her voice �Mom and Dad, thanks for giving me the world. I love you�.
It still makes me cry A LOT!
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Tara W [item 57 ]
I gave Mike a hug, but I don't know who courtney is, but I will try to find out especially since she is a black belt! Some of the people on my trip were : karen mcabe, brianne, erin (of course), tiffany, tommy, tom, ryan, megan, martha, todd (his family is from Ireland), shannon, alyssa, constantine, racheal, gina, and I can't remember everyone else (there were 75 people).
I was wondering how my computer was working out for you. Any problems? If so, Im sure that I could help you over the internet if you need me to. Also, do you have any final plans for Seattle, and what jeffs plans are? Im so proud of you learning all this email stuff....you've come a long way!!! Ok mom, well keep talking to those other moms, it sounds like you are enjoying that and I will talk to you soon.
Im sorry our conversation had to be so SHORT today, but I really wanted to hear your voice! Did you get my S Africa email yet?
I LOVE YOU :)
Love always,
Tara
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Katie Sue [item 58 ]
Hello everyone, right now we're sailing to India! Things are going well and the weather is just dandy. We'll be there in 5 days and everyone is very excited to get out and see the Taj or do some independent travel. Life is the same as always aboard the SS Universe explorer, however several of us suffered a severe disappointment when the Dean cancelled water-ski lessons this afternoon :) HI MOM! I LOVE YOU!!! ~Kate
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Eric K [item 59 ]
Jambo Everyone,
That's hello and how are you in Swahili. In about 36 hours I will be arriving in Dar Es Salam Tanzania and thought that I would drop a little update of this crazy voyage to everyone before I forget.
Starting on the 25th we encountered some rough seas. They started off at about 10-15 feet but over the next day or so were up to 20-25 foot swells.
On the 26th we had our opening ceremonies presented by the young kids on the boat. That night was bar night and a dance which turned out to be pretty interesting in the 15 foot seas. You couldn't tell if people were drunk or just having trouble standing up straight.
On the 27th we had our "un-olympics" in very rough seas. WIth the heavy rocking of the boat it was unsafe to fill the swimming pool so some of the events were cancelled and some were moved indoors such as the synchronized swimming event. Our list of events was as followes:
Guess the Number; Orange Pass; Ping-Pong; Pie Eating (Orange Mango); Strip and Swim (also moved indoors); Tug of War (little unfair with the rocking of the boat); Synchronized Swimming; Lip Sync; Obstacle Course; Make A Swimsuit (No Fabric); Monopoly; Simon Sez (Real World/Road Rules Style); Make Me Laugh; Chocolate Drip and Lick; Name That Tune; World Trivia; Water Balloon Toss; Mashed Potato Sculpting (Have to eat it too); Movie Quotes; Male Bikini Contest.
I did both the Orange Pass and the Make me laugh events. I was a stone face person. We got first in the Orange Pass.
Overall my sea (Ionia) came in Second place which the prize is whatever dinner we want and we have it with the captain. First place would have been getting off the ship first, which I don't mind not getting because I don't leave till the next morning anyway.
It was alot of fun but unfortuantly the next day I had a test so I was beat for that. The test went well and today, March 1st, I had my second CORE/Global Studies/Geography 1000 test. It went ok but it's hard when there are only about 25 questions for two countries entire history in every form.
I'm also sending this e-mail to say that although there have been many things going on in Tanzania and Kenya, where my Safari goes, they have tons of security and contingency plans just for us in case we need to depart early.
The only other update is that I have been asked for some of the photos I have taken to be used in the Yearbook for this voyage. For the ports of Bahamas, Cuba, and Brazil I currently have a total of 3 pictures although that might go up or down by 1.
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Kirsten [item 60 ]
Ship Life
Daily life on the ship is pretty lazy. In the morning there is class, then the afternoon consists of combinations of naps, studying, movie watching, journal writing, and email typing. After dinner I usually sit in on the community college, where a different professor each night gives a lecture on one of various topics. My motivation for exercise is long gone. I get enough in port.
Well, I will talk more later.
Love Kirsten
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Tara W [item 61 ]
Hi everyone,
I�m on my way to India while trying to process everything I witnessed in Tanzania...once we get back on the ship, it is really hard to focus on studying because we are soaking up so much outside of school and trying to plan for the next country. Since I did not do any service projects or many other things in Tanzania besides a safari, this email will be shorter than the previous ones, I hope.
Love,
Tara
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Solana [item 62 ]
hello all and especially MOM and DAD,
this is Tanya from Tampa writing to say hello and share my excitement for India. we will be arriving tomorrow. i will be on the delhi/varanasi/agra trip. i can't wait to see the Ganges river. i really just wanted to give a shoutout to my parents and to the parents of my roommates if they are on here. Malia Parong and Lauren Sassano's parents. write me! love you, T
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Emma [item 63 ]
Mom and Dad,
I love getting your e-mails - they are so great.........geez - for Grandaddy to say that - yes - wow - almost made me tear up. I'm so glad you all are enjoying my e-mails - I'm surprised people are so interested....I mean maybe not SO surprised - it IS the most amazing thing ever.....just so nice that everyone cares.
Last night at the pub was 80's theme night - so MUCH fun - of course Cristin and I had the best costumes........decked out........mini skirts (wore a tube top as my mini.....hilarious), cut up shirt, sports bra underneath, hoops the size of my head, pink eyes shadow, ice pink lipstick, with the side ponytail - it was a great night.
OK - moving on - So, yes, we are arriving in India tom. morning. Stephanie (Harper - her last name) - one of her sorority sisters came on SAS two years ago and somehow hooked up with this girl from Chennai and has kept in touch and will be showing us around tom. Turns out that her father owns the orphanage that SAS goes to - so she is taking us there first, showing us around Chennai (historical sites), to a great Indian restaurant and to some shops - then tom evening she is taking us to her house to have dinner with her family! I'm so excited - will be awesome. We'll see though b/c we were supposed to meet her at 8:00 (the time the ship was supposed to be cleared.....however - it is going to be later now and we are just hoping that she got the e-mail telling her that we were going to be later meeting her. Oh - also want to try to get to Mamalaporrum and Kechlaporium.(mutilated the spelling)
The next day (this is our plan) we want to take the 6 a.m. train to Bangalore and kind of play it by ear from there - we have names of places and an idea of what we want to do. Bangalore is one of the fastest growing cities in India - population of 8 million - beautiful gardens, history, and nightlife (supposedly). The 17th (Monday) is Holy - one of the most celebrated holidays in India - so this will be fun also.
This is supposed to one of the most amazing stops for us - one with so many mixed feeling and emotions. Like you read on the website - we don't have classes the day after our departure from Chennai (a TBA day) - not only is 80% percent of the boat sick - but they say also depressed. I am trying to prepare myself for what I'm about to see.
It's late - and I'm going to try to get some sleep so am rested for the week.
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Mickey [item 64 ]
The ship is in! I received a phone call at 2am. I was thrilled to be awakened in the wee hours to be able to speak to Mikey. I really needed to hear his voice. Yesterday, I had just about gone too long without hearing and so I did the math and tried to call him on the ship, only to blow about 30 bucks with no result. The first time I called the kids were in a mandatory meeting. I called after the meeting and there was no answer. The operator does not come back on the line if no one picks up so...silly me...I called again...No answer. So, you can imagine how happy I was to hear.
He couldn't talk long. The kids were all getting ready to go to the airport and head out for Delhi and on to the Taj, etc.
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Eric K [item 65 ]
Hey Everyone,
Well it's been a week since I left Tanzania and I thought I would drop everyone a quick note before getting to India. In less then 48 hours I will be arriving in Chennai and the following morning leaving towards the Taj Mahal. The entire trip from Tanzania has been very smooth with almost no waves. Today especially the water is almost like glass.
This leg of the journey has been filled with many papers and assignments. It's really scary for me to think that I have just finished all my mid-terms and today is actually the half-way point for the entire journey. I can't believe in another 53 days I will be arriving back in the United States. After India we have one more stretch of 6 days of non-stop classes and after that it is really sporatic. 3 days, 2 days, 2 days, and then one last stretch before finals.
Life onboard has been overall normal with little or no stress. Of course as I say this I am knocking on wood. Tonight we have two crazy things going on. First is that we set our clocks ahead 1.5 hours. Yes, 1.5. The other is that we have an 80's dance tonight. This should be really interesting considering noone knew the theme until now so we can't really go out and buy anything for it.
Heat is probably the worst thing that we have to deal with. Daytime temperatures in the sun are reaching mid-90's and with the heat index it's even higher. The ship is moving fairly slowly too, not that long of a distance so moving slowly to get more classes in, so there is little breeze. At least with the calm seas the pool has been filled almost everyday.
Couple little things about ship life that someone brought up that I never mentioned.
1) We have buffet style for all our meals and each meal is 1.5 hours
2) We have 2 different places to each Hamilton, Main Deck indoor, or Harbour Grill Pool Deck lever Indoor/Outdoor
3) Waiters go crazy in taking plates away as soon as they think you're finished. Key word, think.
4) At our current rates we are using 260 tons of water everyday
5) At our current rate we will run out of paper to print out from the computers.
6) The crew never stops painting something on the ship
Hope everyone is doing well and I'll try to check my e-mail once before I leave for the Taj Mahal. Glad to hear from anyone.
TTYL
Eric
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Jacqueline [item 66 ]
She was fully aware of the threat of war, the virus in Vietnam, Hong Kong & China. She said they are keeping them completely informed. As of right now nothing has changed with their itinerary.
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Eric K [item 67 ]
He said the water supply was left on late last night with so many arriving on the boat at the same time. That was awefully considerate!
As an EMT, he has volunteered to help out on the TBA day, taking blood pressures, pulses, etc. He may have strong immunities or his acne medication may give him a little extra protection.
He did say that he thought the policy on board was that someone had to have TD for over a week before Cipro might be given out. Also, he was aware of many kids not reporting to the doctor. If your child has their own supply of Cipro, you might suggest they take it after 2+ days of TD.
He was planning to take it easy this morning - didn't want to risk getting anything on the last day. He is looking forward to Vietnam. I have asked him to have some of his female friends pick out a good color for a dress shirt.
Everyone is aware of all world news. They should be out to sea around noon - 1 PM EST Wed. for those who are watching closely.
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Whitney [item 68 ]
Just received a phone call from Whitney. (MOM! My cell phone works in India!!!....I'm wondering if this is good news???) But it was that reassuring phone call. On board, everyone was ordering cheeseburgers, going to take and shower and watch the movies they bought for $2.00. Back to being college students. No signs of Delhi Belly, but she heard it takes about 12 hours for onset.
The important news was the announcement for a MANDATORY MEETING at 11 am tomorrow morning, their time. She said that although some meetings called mandatory were skipped by some, this one was ABSOLUTLEY mandatory and would be addressing the current world situations. I feel sure after that meeting there will be important messages to be received.
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Rusty [item 69 ]
India
His phone card doesn't work there but he used a phone close to where the ship is which costs .50 per minute and must be paid at the close of the call. It was worth it!
That's all.
Donna
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Courtney [item 70 ]
So far, they are going to Vietnam, they are very aware of the war situation. She mentioned how much those who watched Sunday's press conference could not get over how much President Bush aged. They hadn't seen him since they left home.
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Roxy [item 71 ]
India- I AM SO SORRY I WASN'T ABLE TO CALL HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so upset that I haven't been able to talk to anyone!!
I wanted to call home at this port more than i ever have in my life!!! i had planned the entire time on calling when i got back to port at this little place by our port area and i sat there the last day and waited in line until i almost got dock time and ended up being the only person to not get to call. if i would have had 10 more minutes i could have called THEN i ran back to the boat to see if the cell phones were still there and i was told they would be there until 900 so i went to mail my postcards then back to use the phone and they cut the line off when i was next in line. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT!!!!! i really want to hear all of your voices. I'm really scared about all the events going on in the world right now. please keep emailing me. i want to know how yall feel about all this and really i just want to hear from all of you. - I MISS YALL _ and i am praying for all of you everyday - - be really really careful!!!
I love yall -- roxy
I am going to email yall all about India tomorrow -- a life changing experience, I have never had anything affect me like it in my life!
PS _ I was wondering if yall got my last email???
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Margs [item 72 ]
Got a call from the dock in Chennai before departure. They wash their hands a lot EVERYWHERE and, in fact, wipes and sanitizing gels are sold by the gallons in the ships store. She said it was sort of an SAS running gag -- about the snotty, dirty, disgusting hands that greet and grab them at every port. She said it so matter of factly- I said how was I to know???
Anyway, she seemed to know all about the pneumonia and the war-- I do think they are being kept abreast of world news. She said she was not worried about the disease, just that they might change the trip and she was so looking forward to Vietnam, she would be really disappointed.
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Christina [item 73 ]
Hey there. I heard about the blizzard in Colorado� I hope you are all safe and warm and enjoying a few days off!
I just wanted to send everyone a quick update, I am working on my India e-mail right now, but until then I just wanted to let everyone know what is going on in the meantime. I was upset when we had a meeting today and the dean announced that we have begun bombing Iraq. It is hard to be away while these things are going on, partly because the lack of information available on the ship makes you feel disconnected. SAS is doing its best to keep us informed, however.
I guess the national terrorist-warning thing the US does, was upgraded from yellow to orange, which is only one step below red. However, it was also at orange earlier in our voyage, and downgraded to yellow before being put back up to orange. So I don't think it is anything to be too worried about.
The main topic of discussion at our meeting earlier today was to discuss what will be happening in our future ports. As you probably all now, there is some sort of disease going around right now, mainly in the Asian countries (and specifically Hong Kong) although cases have been reported all over the world. Nine people have died from it. We are being updated daily with the information directly from the CDC, and the information is quite different than what is being reported in the news� for example, they do not even know for sure that it is a virus, although they suspect it is.
Anyway, sanitary precautions on the ship have been upped a lot, and as of now they are not planning any changes in our itinerary. I kind of doubt that there will be any changes made, but you never know for sure. If there are, I will be sure to let you all know!
Anyway, I just wanted to say that I returned from India safely (and I'm not even sick!) and that our dean asked us to let everyone back home know we are okay and what is going on with the disease in Hong Kong. Apparently there has been a lot of worrying by SAS parents, and although this is serious, it seems to be getting blown out of proportion. I am going to be as safe as I can in the upcoming ports (I always am) and SAS will take good care of us� they will not put us in any sort of imminent danger. And you all know I can be obsessive-compulsive about washing my hands� see, it does come in handy sometimes!
All right, I am doing fine, and I hope you all are too, and I'll try and get that India email out to all of you soon!
Christina
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Jamie [item 74 ]
We had a meeting today about Iraq, and the disease in East Asia. Right now, we don�t really know what is going on. The disease is still fairly new, and strange that we don�t know too much about it. As of now, we are not changing any of our ports. The ship itself will be starting a policy of extreme cleanliness � using more chlorine to clean, etc). We will be watching carefully the information about these upcoming countries.
We have been told that ISE in Pittsburgh is in constant contact with the CDC. They will be posting any information that they know on the web site. You will probably be hearing more than we are by looking on there, and reading the news. They also tell you not to worry. I know that is almost moot because you will worry anyways, but we are heading away from the Indian Ocean, and getting away from any tensions that may arise from the situation with Iraq in that part of the world. Right now we are looking at Vietnam first, and dealing with things as they come.
We have hardly any information about the Iraq situation. All we know is that 90 minutes after an ultimatum was made, we began air strikes on Baghdad. That is all we know. It is so hard to be here, and so far away from home, and from any information. I think the hardest thing is that we feel so cut off from the world; and with everything that is going on right now, it is extremely hard. We have access to the Internet, but at an extreme cost, and the information varies so much on line.
Our on-ship doctor will be addressing us daily with information regarding the pneumonia. I understand if we have to divert to other ports. I will be very disappointed, but will understand. Someone asked at the meeting this morning, if the ports after Hong Kong will not allow us to enter since we have been to the infected countries. The more I thought about that, I could really see Japan not allowing us to enter. That would really suck. Our dean was saying that this is such an unusual occurrence. It is just so strange to have this random outbreak in the countries we are heading into. I�m sure that everything will be fine.
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Christina [item 75 ]
Subject: DO talk to strangers
My parents taught me not to talk to strangers, just like every other child learns when they are young. As we get older, we seem to hold on to that lesson we learned as children. Other than a quick hello when passing on the street or polite chit- chat while standing in a line, who has actually gotten to know a complete stranger? I mean, gone up to someone in the park or at a restaurant and struck up a conversation and actually made a friend with whom you will keep in contact? It is virtually unheard of. Our society teaches us not only of the dangers of this, but also of the oddness of it all�
I know many of you are thinking right now of the moment you were sitting in the Starbucks down the street or talking with your friends somewhere and that "crazy" guy came up and just began talking to you like he knew you� you exchanged glances that said "Who is this guy?" raised your eyebrows, politely responded until he left you alone.
But after only three ports, I am thinking of all the friends I have made that I am already keeping in touch with. Maybe it is just in our society that it is a taboo, and if so, I am glad I was able to leave and experience life elsewhere� it seems the goal of all of us on SAS is to talk to strangers� to talk to them, learn from them, and even befriend them. If you don't talk to strangers, you may never learn just how wonderful some of them can be, how honest and giving some people are, how big and generous a heart can be, and just what it means to have a "different" kind of friend than you are accustomed to� those friendships can be wonderful, too. And it teaches you how to be a better person in your own life. I know that I will always remember the kindness that people have shown me on this trip, and I will try and incorporate this lesson that I have been taught into my own.
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Katie [item 76 ]
Mom & Dad,
On the good side, I haven't gotten sick yet, so maybe I will be one of the lucky ones. We are still planning on going to Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Korea. Our itinerary could change depending on what information we receive from the CDC. Please keep me posted on the attack on Iraq, we get really broad information.
Take care and keep the e-mails coming, I love getting them. Have a great birthday mom. I miss you and love you both sooooo much.
Love, Katie
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Brady [item 77 ]
On the way to India, we passed through the Maldives Islands, a group of 1200 islands that are drowning because of global warming. The islands will be completely underwater in the near future if something doesn�t happen�I hear they are amazingly beautiful islands.
I was working, but heard about this sunset we had at 4:30 pm, it was the most amazing one most people have seen, they said�the giant sun went down behind a tremendous wall of clouds�as it descended, the sky looked as if it were on fire�just below the cloud line you could see this enormous ball of the brightest red ever�just then the tops of the wall of clouds turned green�the straggling clouds above the green tipped wall were rainbow colored! I saw a digital picture, it looked just like a blazing fire, if you didn�t know you would think it was!
I was involved with our cultural pre-port�a time before we get to our next port where we learn about the culture of the country�I had to dance to a traditional Indian dance�the 6 girls that danced were awesome�2 were our inter-port students, and the other 4 were SAS students, their parents are originally from India and now live in the States�they were all dressed in the native dresses�then the 6 of us guys got up and danced with them�nothing too big, just a little shaking and moving�it was so cool�everybody loved it!
The theme for the dance tonight was 80�s style, most of our community dressed up in some way�there were some crazy getups�it was hilarious! We were thinking, soon people are going to be doing the 90�s style! The dance was great�all 80�s music�people jumping around doing stupid dances, but it looked good! Everybody was having so much fun that we stayed out way to late with the time change, but it was worth it! Only about 200 of the 600 students made it to our CORE (the one where the whole community has to go to) class!
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Brian [item 78 ]
Hello everyone again from the Indian Ocean somewhere between India and Vietnam. Hear you're all having the same snow problem that we are here. I think we've gotten over 50" mixed somewhere between the 86 degree heat and 100% humidity we've had for the last 2 months. Can't say I wish I was there... I know everyone is getting ready to do the spring break thing and I hope that the weather hasn't effected anyone's plans too much. And don't forget that today is the little sister's big birthday so don't be afraid to bombard her with corny, stupid, annoying cards.
On a quick side note we had our meeting in regards to the war and virus for those of you that are curious. As of now there have been no plans to change the itinerary and other than washing the boat more often in port and keeping everything extremely sanitized there doesn't seem to be much of an impact on us. I really feel like we're our own little isolated floating country away from everything else. They are in direct contact with 'Govt. intelligence agencies' for our safety and the CDC for the virus and seems like everything is in good hands. I'll keep you posted when I hear more, but they asked us to email our parents and tell everyone to calm down and everything flying around the internet regarding our itinerary is just rumors and that everything is being monitored and they're sure to maintain our safety. Some parents have even started petitions to have us sail straight home to Seattle. its getting ridiculous. Not that this whole Iraq thing is a big surprise to anyone. OK back to India. Uh oh fight breaks out in the union at 2:30 AM as I write this email. Never a dull moment..
But it's close to 3 AM and if I want to go to CORE tomorrow, which I don't plan on anyways, I better get some sleep. I hope that everyone is staying warm and doing well at home, have a great spring break and hope that classes are going well staying out of trouble. It's great to hear from everyone so email me when you get the chance, esp. with all the March Madness news that you have. Buffs pulled a 10 seed, eh? How'd we manage that? Keep me informed with everything at home, emails are so awesome when its all you have on this boat. Hope all is well, hope to hear from everyone soon. Miss everyone.
Sorry for the novel.
-Brian
PS. Mom and Dad I got the package again in India, thanks! All the magazines are great and its proving to be yet another thing that keeps me from doing my school work. So yeah, thanks! Love you and will email again soon. ----------------------------------------------------
Mary A [item 79 ]
Between SARS and the war there are many strained faces in the administration office and I am confident they will make the best decisions with our safety in mind. They do not seem to be too concerned with the way other countries will receive us. Every port we have been to I continue to be amazed at people�s ability to separate people from the government. People are aware that we are not the ones making the decisions of the government and they don�t blame us for the decisions being made. I am really impressed by this as I feel like in the US if we meet someone from another country we tend to associate the actions of one�s government with that person.
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Jen [item 80 ]
Ok yeah so we just had a meeting and they have, due to the virus in south east asia, cancelled our next two ports. They are Vietnam�.very sad�.and Hong Kong��they don�t know yet where we are going�but as soon as I know I�ll let you know. I hope it�s some where fun. Basically they are ruling out all of basically s.e. asia but not all of main land china. They tell us that northern china according to the CDC is ok so far. So there is the possibility of going to china still. They also told us that if one person gets infected that our ship will be quarantined and red flagged�forced to drop anchor and not be allowed to go any further until it is deemed safe�.which will mean no japan or korea�.well I�ll let y�all know so stay tuned.
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Laura K [item 81 ]
Dear Dad and Mom, 3/23/03
Hello. How is everything? I am doing better. I still cannot believe we are not going to Vietnam. This morning when I woke up I was wondering if it was real, it just seems so untrue. I wish it was. Dad, were you able to figure things out w/ the flight tix, the hotel�and everything else? I hope so. I also hope that you are still going to take that time off and relax because I know you deserve that. Don�t worry about sending me any off the stuff you were going to bring, I wouldn�t want to risk it not getting to me, I will just be more excited to get it when I come home. I feel terrible about this whole ordeal, but hopefully everything will work out. It is just really hard. I have been learning a lot about Vietnam lately and we will definitely have to go there sometime soon.
Our inter-port lecturer is a real interesting woman. She is very smart and experienced in many ways in life. She can barely speak about the Vietnam War (which they call American War) without crying. Her mother was put in prison for 6 yrs. of her life because she was a peace activist. Today in Core Jim and Shelia Barry spoke about their experiences. They too had a great deal of difficulty. Jim served in the war and this was one of the first times he has spoke about it. He read us some stories that he has written, he is an amazing person. He is funny too; he is from Boston and said that only those from Boston speak the correct form of English. He made us repeat wata, not water, and Shelier, not Shelia (tho he couldn�t even say Shelia), ideaer, and winta for winter. It was funny.
The first hand perspectives I have been hearing about the war really makes me think that the same thing may be happening today. Lives are still deeply deeply affected by the war 25 yrs later and it is so unfortunate and sad that the US in entering another seemingly pointless war. I feel there is a much better option to solving the US problems, which does not include ruining so many peoples� lives. It is a little hard for me to fully understand what is going on b/c we are quite disconnected. But I hope everyone we love is safe. And I hope this will all end quickly, though I doubt it will.
Right now we still have not been told where we are going (but I might send this to you tomorrow and we should know by then). I guess it is kinda exciting to hear all the speculations- I am just trying to look at the bright side of things, though it doesn�t really seem like there is one right now. We are passing through the Malacca straight right now. There are many ships around us and today we saw skyscrapers. It was cool. One crazy thing is that there are pirating ships around us. Some were coming awfully close, and the massive hoses were brought out to keep them back. It was def some excitement. But of course we are safe. Well I will add more tomorrow. I�m sure you are keeping up with the message board and that probably has better info than I have. Everything will be fine for us. I love you so much.
3/24/03
Well we still do not know where we are going�but it�s exciting to speculate. I can�t believe I am going to be 21 in a few days. I haven�t really been thinking about it. I hope we are somewhere great. Who knows? I hope it won�t be a bummer b-day b/c it is a big one, but I might just have to wait to really celebrate when I get home. We are anchored right now getting fuel. It is like a tease; we can see the coast but cannot get off. I just finished reading all of you e-mails. I enjoy all the questions�I will try to answer as many as I can. Did you ever get my e-mail where I talked about the stewards? It doesn�t seem like it. This is part off what I wrote, I just pasted it one here�Mom- what is Gretchen�s last name? Dr. J thinks he knows her but he was wondering her last name is. My steward is Efhrin (could that be the same as Ephram?) maybe�he is very nice, I really like him- my friend�s steward told me to call him Lola- that is grandma in Filipino, I told Efhrin and he laughed, he says it�s because he has been doing this for so long. He is a really nice man. Our neighbors have Danny and they like him a lot, everyone I know loves their stewards. I don�t know the names of the crew members who were involved in the ordeal in Tanzania.
Did you ever get that? N/E ways. I am glad to hear that you are talking to a lot of nice parents. Let�s see�I know there are so many Laura�s on here, more than I�ve even known. I know who Krissy is, I was roommates with her roommate Lisa in India. They are both very nice. I don�t know the San Leandro girl. Maybe I�ll still meet her. Rosco (Ryan) is Melinda's and my friend. I know Brady too, he is a very nice guy, really religious and kind. I asked Jeff Nelson if his mom goes on-line but he doesn�t really know. The two friends who I wanted to go out to dinner with Dad were Callee Suvak and Melody Harris. Both are from PA, tho they don�t know each other. I used Callee�s credit card to call home. She is my closest friend, she reminds me of my friends at home. There are also a lot of Chrissy, Christinas, Kristins�.all that. Chrissy- form Chicago but goes to school in Oregon, is a good friend of mine, and Diana. It is funny b/c Jen Daughtery (who I went to HS w/) is studying in Australia right now and she randomly hangs out w/ Diana�s friends who are also studying there. Small world, huh? I am also good friends with Karen Nelson, Leisel and Mo (who I met in Berkeley). I hang out a lot with Lora, from San Ramon, Chris, Ryan and Amy. Kristen is in my family and we are also good friends. I know Erin too, is she the one who Dad was gonna bring a package for? She is a nice girl too. �
Life on the ship is good. Sometimes I like to be really lazy- it is easy to do. Like today is a TBA day and they play good movies all day long. I haven�t missed any classes, well except for CORE which doesn�t matter because it is everyday and everyone goes, it is in the union. Everyone goes in their PJ�s and I often fall asleep. There are so many people that we sit on the ground�then I lie down�then it�s over. It�s kinda funny to look around and see so many sleeping people. But tomorrow is a test, so we�ll see how I do- it will be fine. I also try to read a lot, good books are good but hard to find. I go to a lot of the work out classes and play v-ball and b-ball. On A19, whenever that is�the schedule is all messed up now b/c of this TBA day- but on A19 I am in a V-ball tourney. It is me, Callee, Leisel, Grant, Will, Jeff, and someone else. We are also gonna enter the soccer tourney. I played in the Ping Pong tourney and was knocked out in the first round- but it was close.
The food was pretty good- but now we are all sick of it. Tho I am def not going hungry. There is always plenty to eat. There is always a good variety and if nothing at all is good, PB&J is always an option. You�re right, it is pretty fun to get drinks legally. Bar night is fun but I rarely drink�really. I like to just go and play cards or other games. I don�t drink b/c first of all the lines are usually out of control and it�s not worth the wait b/c bar night is only 2 hours, and you know me- I�d rather spend my money on better things. Apparently some kids did get out of control on their safari trips, but I have heard mixed stories, like always.
I try to spend a lot of time outside b/c it is usually so nice. I like to sleep outside too, I wake up very refreshed. It is pretty cool to sleep under the stars on the ocean. I love just looking at the water. It is usually a beautiful blue. We rarely see land, tho we have been lately while going thru the Malaca Straights. There have been a lot of lightening storms lately- it is real neat. My typical day is just classes and hanging around. And I babysit on B days. I�m kinda over that but gotta keep doing it. It is not too stressful. But then again I don�t get stressed by too many things�I laugh at people who are stressed out; there really is no reason to be on this ship.
Thanks for the Road Rules update. I will be excited to watch the re-runs when I get home. Ann is from the first RR. A way long time ago.
It is becoming harder and harder to talk with people in diff. countries b/c of the language barrier. But English really is a universal language and everywhere we go some people speak English. So I haven�t had any real problems ay all.
My friend Lisa�s Mom, Dad, and bro were all going to Hong Kong. She is hoping to maybe still meet up with them. Also my friend Caroline had family meeting her. And a few others. So it is real tough for a lot of us. Mom�don�t worry about sending me anything, like I said I will be real excited to get it when I get home. Hope this makes sense b/c I�m not taking the time to read over it. I love you both and miss you a lot. Take care!
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Liesel [item 82 ]
Our dean just mentioned today that we have a war, a random sickness, and world terrorism and we (the students on the ship) are complaining about an exam we have in 3 days. He is humored by us, I know it.
�I�m writing you to catch you up on places I�ve been. And you have this letter, probably got excited but there�s nothing else inside it. Didn�t have a camera by my side this time, hoping I would see the world through both my eyes����� (Thanks to John Mayer, who knows what it�s like not to have a camera. I don�t think he lost his though)
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Mickey [item 83 ]
Hi! What a surprise! I logged on today and Mikey was online. We "spoke" briefly. He said he still doesn't know where they are going but he was passing Singapore on his right...struck me funny! He said they would be in sight of Indonesia shortly and tomorrow is a day off...on the ship, of course!
He was fortunate not to have suffered the dreaded Delhi belly, but said most of the kids were well now.
He said there was talk of Shanghi as a port of call...that's all we had time for. He'll let me know as soon as they know.
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Erin F [item 84 ]
Namaste! We have left India and are past the halfway point of the voyage. Since I�ve last written, war has broken out and the mysterious SARS disease is affecting people in Vietnam, China and Hong Kong. We had a briefing by the administration yesterday morning notifying us of precautions that are being taken to ensure safety and security. As of now, no changes have been made to the itinerary, but I wonder how the world�s events will affect us and where the voyage will take us.
It�s so weird being away from the States, with America now at war with Iraq. What is the general consensus of the people? How has everyone reacted to war? Every single foreign person I meet asks what I think of Bush and the war. Being abroad at this time definitely provides a different view on how much we impact the rest of the world. Obviously, the anti-American sentiment in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania was an eye opener and a totally new experience. When I was talking to the bartender at our hotel in Tanzania, I asked him what he thought of the prospect of war. He replied very gravely that he hoped to God it didn�t happen and that Tanzania�s economy would go to shambles. Their already unstable economy is centered on tourism. If war ensued, international travel would drastically decrease meaning a loss of income for much of the country.
Alright that�s about it from me! Sorry it�s so long! You�re lucky you�re getting it so soon � I have given up on writing separate e-mails and journals because I just don�t have that much time, and my journal is due in class tomorrow. So you get the unabridged version! Hope all is well at home. Thanks so much for all the mail and the package Mom! You guys (ahem well most of you) are the best! Keep me updated on NCAA wins (did I see we beat BYU?), news about the war and the virus. I have a CORE test coming up in three days, and then on the 26th I�ll be in Vietnam (well, hopefully)! Right now I�m trying to deal with applying for an internship through e-mail. Fun times, let me tell ya! 45 days til I�m home. Miss you lots!
Love, Erin
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Abby D [item 85 ]
Yesterday was our only completely free day of the entire semester, the day after India. Everyone is still completely exhausted emotionally and physically. I don�t think very many people are sick with Delhi-belly, and I have not had any signs of any sort of illness. Also as far as I know there were no major incidents while we were in-port.
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Katie K item [86]
Dad,
Right now we are traveling through a force 9 storm. The waves are 25-32 ft high and the wind is at 40 some knots. A force 12 is a hurricane, so you can imagine it is pretty powerful. Lots of students are sick and I just saw my professor leave lunch and I knew he was going to go get sick. I went to his class still, but some other professor gave us class evaluations and then said we could leave because our professor was sick. Two students left during the 5 minutes it took us to finish the evaluations. I can't get over how crazy it looks outside. Jamie said it perfectly when she said, "it just looks angry out there." No one is allowed to walk outside and they shut down the elevators because it is too dangerous. People are running into each other and the walls. It is kind of funny at times, but then I too get this rollercoaster feeling in my stomach...then it's not so funny anymore.
Everyone is freaking out because all of us have a bunch of papers to write and the core class exam is tomorrow. Maybe they will postpone the exam.
Other than that, things are well. I signed up for one of the helicopter rides in Alaska, but I still haven't found out if I got it or not. I really hope that I do. Well, I am going to go take a walk through the library because it is at the front of the ship and I hear it is crazy up there. I am going to try to study before my next class...we'll see how that goes.
Take care! I love and miss you!
on board the ship tonight, complete with turkey and ham and stuffing and mashed potatoes� the whole works, with ice cream for dessert! Tonight I am going to a community college presentation by one of the professors on his time in Uganda in the Peace Corps. Then it�s back to the books again!
So, anyway, I hope you all have a great Easter, since by the time you get this mine will be over and yours will just be beginning. I hope you are all well, and I will see you in just over two weeks!
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Laura K item [87]
Hi dad and mom
Just a quick note. It is so so rocky. The waves are around about 30 feet. We are not allowed to go outside. It is crazy to look out the window. We are really moving- a lot of people are sick. It is impossible to be in the computer lab and library- those are too rocky b/c they are in the front of the ship. Dad, the websites are very informative, I think as of now I will just wing it- I don't think I want any reservations b/c things always change. Well gotta go- it is so rocky- it's crazy!! And it's snowing and freezing outside!!! Love you. Glad Easter was fun! Love, Laura
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Christina item [88]
Subject: Happy Easter
Sent : April 20, 2003 4:28 AM
Hello everyone! I just wanted to say Happy Easter to everyone, and let you know I haven�t forgotten about you! I have been very busy with writing papers and getting ready for finals, as I have all my finals starting in just a few days, and I have had to finish all of my field reports from Japan and Korea. I haven�t gotten a chance to start writing my email about Osaka yet, but hopefully tomorrow I will have time to.
Today was Easter, but it was just a normal class day for us, besides the fact that Easter services were held for those who wanted to go at 7 a.m. before classes began this morning. The Easter Bunny didn�t make it to the ship this year. We are guessing it was because the weather has been too bad! (There were crazy high waves yesterday, and today it is FREEZING outside!).
I had Easter dinner with my extended family tonight. They actually had an Easter dinner on board the ship tonight, complete with turkey and ham and stuffing and mashed potatoes� the whole works, with ice cream for dessert! Tonight I am going to a community college presentation by one of the professors on his time in Uganda in the Peace Corps. Then it�s back to the books again!
So, anyway, I hope you all have a great Easter, since by the time you get this mine will be over and yours will just be beginning. I hope you are all well, and I will see you in just over two weeks!
Christina
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Jamie item [89]
Hey everyone
Well we had our first storm yesterday. It was big too. The waves were 23-32 feet high, the wind was blowing at 40-41 knots, and it was snowing!! There were so may people who had never seen snow falling or never seen snow before. It was pretty funny. The one down side is that it was 35 degrees, and all the doors were blowing open so it was freezing. All of the outside decks were closed. I went up to the front of the ship and watched as the waves would come crashing over the bow. There were a lot of people sick. Luckily, I avoided that whole mess. I have yet to be seasick, and I would think that if I was ever going to be it would have been yesterday. They cancelled our classes for today, and gave us a study day. No one was able to do anything more than read and even that was risky. But I just thought I would I check in and let you all know how I was doing, and how my first storm went.
Sorry I didn�t tell you more about the storm earlier. I got distracted and so I just sent it out, but then I started thinking about what I had written and thought about all the details I left out. One of the fun things that people were doing was as the ship rose over a wave they would jump and then as the ship fell, it would seem like they could jump almost 4 feet high. Some people were hitting their heads on the ceiling!!! It was fun to try and get around. You would be walking and falling into walls, or the ship would rise and so it would feel like you were walking up a huge hill, and you would barely be moving forward, then the ship would fall and then you�re walking down a big hill and you have to run to catch your feet up. It was funny. I enjoyed it, but like I said I wasn�t sick. While I was up at the very front of the ship watching the bow over the waves, I felt like I was on a roller coaster. You would rise slowly, slowly, then boom, down you go. I felt like I should have my arms in the air and be screaming. Like I said, I really enjoyed yesterday. I think the best part is while you�re just sitting anywhere in the ship, and we ride a big wave, you get that feeling where it feels like your stomach is up in your chest. You feel weightless sort of. That�s when it really feels like a roller coaster. I love that feeling when you go over a big hill and your stomach really feels like it is floating upwards.
Well, now you can probably imagine a little better what it was like yesterday. Hopefully between these two emails you now know the facts, and the feelings of yesterday.
Love,
Jamie
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Laura K item [90]
I have been babysitting a lot. The past few days we have been reading a book. It is a good book- it�s a book a 4th grader would read, called �My Father�s Dragon.� He is only 5 and he sits there and listens as I read for 2 hours. I couldn�t believe it. A lot has been going on lately. Yesterday the Jam Band played during Happy Hour. They are really good. Then the theater class did skits. Also very good. Today is PJ day, which is pretty funny b/c we wear PJ�s almost everyday. But we get breakfast for dinner which is great. Right now we are passing by the Alaskan and the Aleutian islands. It is really beautiful; they are huge and covered w/ snow. We had a boat drill today and it was freezing outside. Today is another study day. It is really nice b/c we basically just chill. Everyone hangs out.
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Tara W item [91]
We are on our way to Alaska and the seas are the roughest yet. It started snowing last night and of course all the California and Florida kids were out on the decks enjoying every minute of it. I took some pictures with my roommate (who is from Florida) and went to bed. The seas were so rough at night, no one really slept but since this was the 2nd to last day of class we all had to go. Class was interesting. My professor attempted to stand but after a few minutes couldn't keep his ground. After class I went to take some more pics of the gigantic waves. I'm glad I did that since the "bridge" (the captain) made the decision to close all the outside decks due to snow build up (chunks of ice) and waves crashing over the railings. Now, I am in the computer lab at work...not many people in here since it�s the worst place to be on the ship right now. When the ship hits a wave it�s sorta like dropping in an elevator (which they have also closed on the ship) really fast, no gravity. My desk, which is all metal, has slid across the floor and the doors keep flying open making a creepy wind sound constantly. Looking out the window I can see waves crashing and rumor has it that last time it was like this, windows broke....anyways, just wanted to give you an update on how it�s going here. I will be in Alaska in 7days! Hopefully the weather will calm down by then.
Hope all is well at home and I will see you all soon!
Love, Tara