In the words of a well-spoken friend.. I WAS "as excited as christopher columbus to see land"! We arrived in Cadiz, Spain Wednesday morning and spirits quickly arose! Marisa and I joined a few friends on an independent tour of the city which started off with sangria at 10 am. (when in Spain..) We walked around Cadiz, explored the ocean front, stopped for cervezas and queso manchego in the afternoon and managed to squeeze some shopping in there as well. That night, we went to get tapas before taking a SAS sponsored trip to an Andalucian Flamenco Dancing performance. Later we hit the town for dancing with spaniards!
I thoroughly enjoy this country. They sleep in late, stay out late, and value their afternoon ciestas!
Thursday morning we had an early morning bus to catch for another SAS sponsored trip; this time to the white towns of Arcos and Ronda. It was so beautiful! A very long day, but definitely worth the early morning struggle.
With the great mood that set in Wednesday afternoon, we decided it would be a fabulous idea to buy train tickets to Sevilla for Friday at 6:45 am.. so that's how Friday started. Marisa and I jumped on a train to Sevilla to meet 2 of our friends from STL who are studying abroad there for the semester. However, when we arrived before 9 am we had no idea where we were, where we wanted to be, or how to get there. A little scary, but we quickly figured it out. We acquired a map of the city, and eventually decided the best way to tour Sevilla was by way of horse-drawn carriage. =) We found a cute little hotel, and after walking around all day, enjoyed our well-deserved afternoon Spanish nap. We then bought a bottle of champagne, gouda, and some bread to enjoy while we waited for our friends to finish up with their classes. We met up with them for dinner and then went out for drinks after.
Today, we made it back to Cadiz and are leaving at 6 for Morocco!
I don't think I gave enough thought prior to this trip about the fact that we do not speak any of these languages. With my high school spanish, I could recognize about every 10th word on a menu, but we soon resulted in pointing and hoping for the best. We had some surprises; some good, some bad. But all in all we had a WONDERFUL time in Spain!
I'm not sure how to post pictures considering I've already taken well over 500 and haven't found a great internet source. So, those may have to wait.
Missing all of you! Still glad to receive e-mail!
A few more things I've learned:
- the spanish national anthem is the only one with no words
- to convert celsius to fahrenheit, multiply by 2 and add 30
- there is a bridge in South Africa that is the tallest in the southern hemisphere - i would really like to bungee jump off of it. our south african friend on the ship crew has informed us that if you jump naked, it's free! that seems like an extreme amount of vulnerability, but i guess it all depends on the price! ha... RIGHT
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Today's geography lesson
I cannot WAIT to be on land. As a forewarning, please do not expect to be receiving any types of souvenirs from me on the basis that I fully intend to spend my money on fine dining and delicious drinks in each port. If you were present at mealtimes for the past 7 days with me you would understand.
Moving on, we’ve gone to class everyday since last Wednesday. I had my first quiz today in US Foreign Diplomacy (bet you can’t see me taking that course, dad) and I have no idea how it went, so hopefully well! I actually have a lot of work to do; apparently the professors don’t view this as a vacation like I do. For my theater class we have to produce a movie trailer for a play from one of the countries we’re visiting. My group chose The Cave of Salamanca as our play, and the task ahead seems fairly challenging. Surprisingly enough, everyone seems to be keeping up with their studies. Granted, lying out by the pool in 70-degree weather while reading a textbook really cannot be considered strenuous work.
Marisa and I brought along huge world maps to hang above our beds in our cabin. We have spent a significant amount of time staring at them and realizing that I have had poor instruction in geography thus far. However, we are quickly becoming familiar with our surroundings. We have also made use of our free website list, wikipedia specifically, and have mapped out the exact coordinates of where the Titanic sank. It really is a shame they were only 4 days into their voyage…
Marisa and I have become acquainted with the “wellness center” (code name for spa) onboard. We are currently contemplating hosting a cabin sale (similar to your average garage sale) in order to pay off our bills there. Ideas welcome.
We also have made attempts to become involved. We joined the goodwill committee of the Ambassador’s club and as far as I know are in charge of keeping birthdays happy, children entertained, and lifelong learners in the know. We also signed up for a couple of play dates with the preschoolers.
We have battle of the bands tomorrow night, which should provide sufficient entertainment and arrive in Cadiz Wednesday morning!!
Notice: I have a free shipboard e-mail account: dcbaker@semesteratsea.net if you should so choose to use it.
Things I’ve learned:
- The MV explorer (my current home) is the fastest ship on the ocean. It could be traveling at a speed of 30 knots, putting us in Spain in as little as 4 days. (from the Bahamas) However, someone somewhere deemed it necessary for us to attend classes and therefore we are “traveling as slow as the lobsters on the bottom of the ocean” as my new friend in the nail business says
Moving on, we’ve gone to class everyday since last Wednesday. I had my first quiz today in US Foreign Diplomacy (bet you can’t see me taking that course, dad) and I have no idea how it went, so hopefully well! I actually have a lot of work to do; apparently the professors don’t view this as a vacation like I do. For my theater class we have to produce a movie trailer for a play from one of the countries we’re visiting. My group chose The Cave of Salamanca as our play, and the task ahead seems fairly challenging. Surprisingly enough, everyone seems to be keeping up with their studies. Granted, lying out by the pool in 70-degree weather while reading a textbook really cannot be considered strenuous work.
Marisa and I brought along huge world maps to hang above our beds in our cabin. We have spent a significant amount of time staring at them and realizing that I have had poor instruction in geography thus far. However, we are quickly becoming familiar with our surroundings. We have also made use of our free website list, wikipedia specifically, and have mapped out the exact coordinates of where the Titanic sank. It really is a shame they were only 4 days into their voyage…
Marisa and I have become acquainted with the “wellness center” (code name for spa) onboard. We are currently contemplating hosting a cabin sale (similar to your average garage sale) in order to pay off our bills there. Ideas welcome.
We also have made attempts to become involved. We joined the goodwill committee of the Ambassador’s club and as far as I know are in charge of keeping birthdays happy, children entertained, and lifelong learners in the know. We also signed up for a couple of play dates with the preschoolers.
We have battle of the bands tomorrow night, which should provide sufficient entertainment and arrive in Cadiz Wednesday morning!!
Notice: I have a free shipboard e-mail account: dcbaker@semesteratsea.net if you should so choose to use it.
Things I’ve learned:
- The MV explorer (my current home) is the fastest ship on the ocean. It could be traveling at a speed of 30 knots, putting us in Spain in as little as 4 days. (from the Bahamas) However, someone somewhere deemed it necessary for us to attend classes and therefore we are “traveling as slow as the lobsters on the bottom of the ocean” as my new friend in the nail business says
Saturday, January 24, 2009
EVERYBODY gets HUMPBACK whales!!!!!!!!!
Not much has happened in ship life recently. Last night we did have an open mic night and it was actually really fun to watch. My favorite act came from the cutest 4 yr old boy I have ever seen in my life who sang accapella in front of 700 19-21 yr olds in a miniature sailor outfit. Definitely the highlight of my day, perhaps trip thus far. (Most of the faculty brings their family members onboard if you need an explanation for the existence of a 4 yr old on this ship.)
Marisa and I successfully slept through breakfast and lunch for the past 2 days. (We went to class in between MOM.) But today is the first day I haven’t taken a nap so things are looking up!
We decreased speed (from 20 knots to 15) in an attempt to stay behind a storm equipped with 40 ft waves, so I guess our captain has things figured out.
And today while we were laying out after class, some yappy girls in front of us claimed they saw a whale. Marisa and I both missed it…. So the search continues.
Things I’ve learned:
- melodica: a musical instrument resulting from a piano and a harmonica having a baby, then that baby growing up and having a baby with a flute (as it was described to me) and then a boy performed “so happy together” by the turtles for it’s world debut on such instrument
- global studies might as well be called random studies
- uploading pics to this blog used all of my free internet minutes and therefore don’t expect to see anymore until I am on land
- Chris Jones DOES exist!! (thanks for our new friend eppie)
Things I’m thankful for:
- my friends, especially those who have been e-mailing me and posting on this blog b/c I miss everyone SO much!
- my family members who have also been posting and e-mailing (especially you little Em)
- that we’re over halfway to Spain!
Marisa and I successfully slept through breakfast and lunch for the past 2 days. (We went to class in between MOM.) But today is the first day I haven’t taken a nap so things are looking up!
We decreased speed (from 20 knots to 15) in an attempt to stay behind a storm equipped with 40 ft waves, so I guess our captain has things figured out.
And today while we were laying out after class, some yappy girls in front of us claimed they saw a whale. Marisa and I both missed it…. So the search continues.
Things I’ve learned:
- melodica: a musical instrument resulting from a piano and a harmonica having a baby, then that baby growing up and having a baby with a flute (as it was described to me) and then a boy performed “so happy together” by the turtles for it’s world debut on such instrument
- global studies might as well be called random studies
- uploading pics to this blog used all of my free internet minutes and therefore don’t expect to see anymore until I am on land
- Chris Jones DOES exist!! (thanks for our new friend eppie)
Things I’m thankful for:
- my friends, especially those who have been e-mailing me and posting on this blog b/c I miss everyone SO much!
- my family members who have also been posting and e-mailing (especially you little Em)
- that we’re over halfway to Spain!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
leaving bahamas
Here is a picture of the harbor we left from, and then people out on deck 7 when we took off.
Mid-Atlantic Time
We’re officially in the middle of the open sea. I haven’t seen another ship in 4 days.. or anything besides large waves actually. Hopefully we don’t encounter any life-threatening situations in the next week.
We started class on Wednesday. Everyone attends global studies every day. I have a theater class and macroeconomics class on A days as well and a political science class on B days in addition to global studies. I have absolutely no clue what day of the week of the week it is, or even month for that matter. We also have lost an hour each night for the past 3 nights and continue to do so until Spain.. which leaves me exhausted at all times. (Although, allegedly over-exhaustion is a form of mild seasickness so that makes me feel a little better.) Sitting in class is entirely way too close to a simulated roller coaster ride. It literally feels as if I’m taking class on the Screaming Eagle at Six Flags. Luckily I have yet to actually become sick from the movements.
The food here is starting to look awfully familiar each day. The chef also apparently is an advocate of carb-o-loading. It’s like a game to see who can discover the protein at each meal. I’ve seen roasted potatoes at least 9 times already. At lunch they disguised them in potato “salad” and at dinner they switched it up and had potato “wedges”. It really could be considerably worse though.
We are allowed to consume alcohol on “pub nights”. This includes a 4-oz serving of wine or a can of beer. You are allotted 2 drinks with dinner and 4 at the “bar” leading to final call at midnight. We had our first one last night and it proved to be a hit!
What I’ve learned:
- if you do not report to the gym BEFORE 7 pm the night before you wish to use one of the 6 cardio machines, forget about access to physical activity for the NEXT day
- piracy started as a way of gaining freedom (mostly to consume rum) and equality (1/3 of pirates in the early 1800s were freed African slaves)
Things I’m thankful for:
- bacon at breakfast today, allowing Marisa to start the day off in an exceptional mood
- my parents visiting – very excited
- dara sending me pictures of blue b/c I miss him
- nice weather and the ability to lay out between classes
- laundry day!
*For those interested, Marisa's blog may be found at --> http://www.marisaatsea.blogspot.com
We started class on Wednesday. Everyone attends global studies every day. I have a theater class and macroeconomics class on A days as well and a political science class on B days in addition to global studies. I have absolutely no clue what day of the week of the week it is, or even month for that matter. We also have lost an hour each night for the past 3 nights and continue to do so until Spain.. which leaves me exhausted at all times. (Although, allegedly over-exhaustion is a form of mild seasickness so that makes me feel a little better.) Sitting in class is entirely way too close to a simulated roller coaster ride. It literally feels as if I’m taking class on the Screaming Eagle at Six Flags. Luckily I have yet to actually become sick from the movements.
The food here is starting to look awfully familiar each day. The chef also apparently is an advocate of carb-o-loading. It’s like a game to see who can discover the protein at each meal. I’ve seen roasted potatoes at least 9 times already. At lunch they disguised them in potato “salad” and at dinner they switched it up and had potato “wedges”. It really could be considerably worse though.
We are allowed to consume alcohol on “pub nights”. This includes a 4-oz serving of wine or a can of beer. You are allotted 2 drinks with dinner and 4 at the “bar” leading to final call at midnight. We had our first one last night and it proved to be a hit!
What I’ve learned:
- if you do not report to the gym BEFORE 7 pm the night before you wish to use one of the 6 cardio machines, forget about access to physical activity for the NEXT day
- piracy started as a way of gaining freedom (mostly to consume rum) and equality (1/3 of pirates in the early 1800s were freed African slaves)
Things I’m thankful for:
- bacon at breakfast today, allowing Marisa to start the day off in an exceptional mood
- my parents visiting – very excited
- dara sending me pictures of blue b/c I miss him
- nice weather and the ability to lay out between classes
- laundry day!
*For those interested, Marisa's blog may be found at --> http://www.marisaatsea.blogspot.com
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
this is a "ship" not a "boat" & you're on a "voyage" not a "cruise"
Well we made it! Finally found our ship and our small little cabin for 2. Left port at 1700 hours on Monday for SAS’s 98th Voyage – also the last for a while that circumnavigates the globe (the next ones start on the west coast and work their way to the east coast) so that’s pretty sweet. As of today at noon we have 4,000 nautical miles until we reach Cadiz! We’ve basically been in orientation and “deck” meetings for the majority of our time so far. In our free time Marisa has been whale-watching.. she is fairly confident one will need a breather near our porthole at any given moment. Needless to say, she’s still searching for blowholes. Since there are so many students, when speakers give speeches in the “union” it is video-casted in all of the classrooms – we were able to watch the Inauguration this way today.
I’m going to add a list of things I’ve learned and things I’m thankful for each day. I’ve learned a lot so far:
- Canada has a Prime Minister, not a President (ashamed to admit I wasn’t aware)
- Canadians pronounce the letter “Z” like “zed”
- (I made a Canadian friend)
- We are not allowed to travel outside of the port country… which is an issue considering we were planning to travel to Cambodia while in Thailand and therefore I will be meeting the executive dean tomorrow
- There are over 1,000 people on our ship including staff, and our newest friend, Edu, is on his 21st voyage (seeing his wife and 4 children 1 month each year)
- Last semester a boy tied his sheets together in an attempt to TOUCH the red sea… he fell overboard. (they eventually got him back but going near the railings is therefore prohibited)
Things I’m thankful for:
- Marisa as my roommate
- The snack bar on deck 5
- Our cabin steward, Ruel
- My phone having e-mail and those who write me
- Voice notes from Eppie
Classes start in the morning!
I’m going to add a list of things I’ve learned and things I’m thankful for each day. I’ve learned a lot so far:
- Canada has a Prime Minister, not a President (ashamed to admit I wasn’t aware)
- Canadians pronounce the letter “Z” like “zed”
- (I made a Canadian friend)
- We are not allowed to travel outside of the port country… which is an issue considering we were planning to travel to Cambodia while in Thailand and therefore I will be meeting the executive dean tomorrow
- There are over 1,000 people on our ship including staff, and our newest friend, Edu, is on his 21st voyage (seeing his wife and 4 children 1 month each year)
- Last semester a boy tied his sheets together in an attempt to TOUCH the red sea… he fell overboard. (they eventually got him back but going near the railings is therefore prohibited)
Things I’m thankful for:
- Marisa as my roommate
- The snack bar on deck 5
- Our cabin steward, Ruel
- My phone having e-mail and those who write me
- Voice notes from Eppie
Classes start in the morning!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
bahamas
Marisa and I landed safely in Nassau last night :) have all of our luggage, not that we can carry it. We got settled in around midnight and went out to grab 1 drink and a snack.. Got lured into some local hotspot where we were the only 2 bright white lights lacking our club attire... Hung out at atlantis today and met our new "classmates" at senior frogs this evening.. Lot of big personalities! It's been brought to my attention several times that the ship is sailing with 72% female passengers - still SO excited!! Checking in at 8am tomorrow and off to spain! Looking for someone to transport my luggage to the harbor in the meantime..
Monday, January 12, 2009
your one and only source into the scandalous lives of semester at sea's elite
So, I've created this blog as a form of communication while I'm off traveling the world. Hopefully I'll be able to keep friends & family updated on my adventures at sea while also giving friends & family something to do while at work/in class/etc. I'm leaving this Saturday for Nassau and then departing Monday the 19th for Spain! My friend from Villa, Marisa, will be accompanying me on my impending adventures and will undoubtedly play a starring role in my future posts.
Please sign my guestbook as I will miss your pretty little faces =)
XOXO
blogger girl
Please sign my guestbook as I will miss your pretty little faces =)
XOXO
blogger girl
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