Uncategorised

On the ship there have been some stretches where all I want is off this ship because we’re at sea for so long and there’s not a whole lot to do. But sometimes they have events planed for us which are a blast. On March 4th they had something called Sea Olympics which was a blast. It was full of all sorts of different events. All of the seas (it’s how they separate the decks students live on) were competing in the events. If you won, then your sea will be the first ones off the ship in San Diego. The second place team will be the second sea off and so on. They had different events such as board game mix up, dodge ball, tug of war, water drop, synchronized swimming, twister, chubby bunny and a karaoke contest. The day was completely FULL. I live in the Red Sea and I love my sea. I competed in the tug of war, which we came in second place. I got a “war” wound though, nothing serious. In the championship match, we lost and they let go of the rope, so we all went tumbling down, and someone landed on my ankles and I got a huge bruise and bump on it.

Overall we came in 5th, which is right in the middle of the 9 seas, which I’m happy about it. I really didn’t want to be the first ones off the ship because it’s pretty much going to be the last time I’ll be hanging out with all of my friends together. Yes, I’ll be able to visit them, but we won’t all be together. That evening they threw us a huge BBQ dinner full of hamburgers, chicken, and CORN ON THE COB. It’s been forever since I’ve had it and it tasted so good. Overall the day was excellent!

In between Myanmar and Vietnam we have 4 days at sea and it’s completely full of events they’re putting on for us. Tomorrow we have a crew talent show which should be extremely entertaining. The next day we have no class. The third day is a movie night and then the last day is a Drag show put on by the Gay/Straight Alliance. So these four days should be extremely busy with events and tests.

On another note, we only have around 38 days of this trip left. It’s amazing how fast this is going and I don’t really think I like how fast it is going. It is amazing to see the world. It’s really indescribable. I’m explaining everything that I have done to you guys and I don’t feel like it’s doing any justice at all. I am so glad I am doing this because it’s an experience I will never forget!

So today we officially docked in Salvador, Brazil!! So exciting to get off the ship and explore because the last 6 days on sea have been long. The good news about the ship from the last 6 days is that I WASN’T SEASICK AT ALL!! Of course to start out I had an ear patch, wrist pressure points, Dramamine and then ginger pills. So I pretty much was on a lot just to make sure I didn’t get sick. The seas weren’t nearly as bad. From Bahamas to Puerto Rico we had like 9-12 feet swells (I think). From Puerto Rico to Brazil we had like 5 feet. So a ton smoother! Since I wasn’t seasick I actually got to know some people. Imagine that, I’m making friends. 

Classes are going okay. I love my Intro to World Music. I can tell that it’s going to be a fun class. My Religion and the Sacred Arts class is going pretty good too. I have the same professor for those two classes and I actually like it that way. My last class is much harder. It’s Travel & Magazine writing. So far we’ve had 2 papers due, tons of reading, and journal entries every single day so far. It makes for a lot of work. We have A days and B days and B days are by far my favorite. Only cause I have 2 classes and then its up to lay out in the sun!!  Hopefully I’ll be tan by the end. But don’t worry, I am using sunscreen every time I’m in the sun.

Two days ago, the 30th of January, was when we crossed the equator. So the reason I haven’t gotten online is because we lost internet reception or it was horribly slow for the previous couple of days. The day that we crossed the equator was called Neptune Day and they put on this big thing for us. Class was cancelled and it was SO much fun. First, the had the two deans of the trip dressed up as Neptune & his wife. We had to do this ritual (well if we wanted to) to insure safe waters and a safe journey. The ritual included getting a pitcher full of fish guts poured on you, then jumping into the pool. Once you climbed out then you had to take an oath and then kiss a fish on the mouth & kiss Neptune’s ring. Then, if you were really intense, you could get your head shaved as part of the ritual. I did all but the head shaving part. It was actually really disgusting and not really sure if I’d ever do it again, but I’m glad I did it because it’s something I will always remember. Two of my good friends (girls) actually shaved their heads, which they are completely brave, unlike myself.

Now we are docked in Brazil. I already walked around Salvador a little bit, but I have a trip to the Afro-Brazilian museum & Candomble (a type of religion) in about 10 minutes, so I thought I would update this since I have some time to waste. In Brazil I walked through the markets. They are insane as far as people coming up to you. I would say similar to Mexico but I think its much worse. I bought these beautiful small paintings. They are GORGEOUS!! And they were very cheap, like 5 bucks total or something. They have so much beautiful jewelry as well and I bought this beautiful bracelet that is handmade with beads and metal. Kristen & Lauren you would LOVE majority of the jewelry here!

Anyways, I must go on my trip now, and tomorrow I leave for Rio!!  Going to be SO much fun. So I will probably write after Brazil!

I love you all and miss you so much!

Love Always,

Katie

So I’m now on the ship. The Bahamas was BEAUTIFUL!! The Atlantis Resort was GORGEOUS! I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more beautiful and tropical. The water was extremely blue and the sand was pretty much white. Atlantis had so much stuff to do, from walking through the Marketplace (which had stores, starbucks, jamba juice, and other restaurants), to going down their multiple slides, to laying in the sun, and a TON of aquariums full of fish and sharks and other wildlife found in the sea. The weather wasn’t the greatest, except for Tuesday, which was gorgeous.

The ship is beautiful as well. On Thursday, after waiting in a 3 hour line, we were able to board the ship and move in. It was such a rush and the ship is amazing! It doesn’t feel like I’m going to school here. We left Bahamas on 5pm that day and should be in Puerto Rico in I think 3 days. The ship moves like no other. I’ve been kinda seasick. No throwing up, but definitely have to lay down a lot because of the headaches I’ve been getting.

I don’t really have that much to report now. I haven’t met a ton of people because I’ve been in my room a lot resting, trying to get used to this, and making sure I don’t throw up. My roommate in the Bahamas was way awesome and I wish I spent more time with her on the ship, but this thing is so big it’s impossible to find people. My roommate here on the ship is also pretty cool.

I miss EVERYONE at home!! But this adventure is already turning out to be amazing. I just can’t wait to start classes and stop in the ports. I’m not looking forward to when we get closer to South Africa because I guess the water is ridiculously rough and right now we’re in rough water.

I don’t have any pictures to show you because I don’t have any way of getting them to a computer right now. But hopefully I will get some soon. Well the boat is really rocking and I just got done with dinner so I think I’m going to lay down for a while.

Love you all!

Katie

So in less than 12 hours I leave for the Bahamas which starts my amazing trip around the world!! I am almost (key word in the sentence) packed and cannot stop thinking about it!!

Thanks to all of you who have already sent me messages or emails! I loved them and will continue to love them as my trip continues. I will miss each and every one of you and love you all!!

Hello All! Well I leave in 6 days for an amazing experience of traveling around the world through Semester at Sea! I cannot be more excited to go. Although I do have about a million and one things to do before I leave. I created this blog so people from home can check and see how things are going with me. Right now I don't have a computer available to me for the ship, so I will try to post pictures on here if I can. If not, then you'll just have to hear my ramblings about what amazing things are going on! My schedule is:
January 16th - 19th : Bahamas
January 23rd - 25th : Puerto Rico
February 1st - 5th: Brazil
February 14th - 20th : South Africa
February 27th - March 1st : Mauritius
March 9th - 13th : India
March 16th - 21st : Myanmar
March 26th - 31st : Vietnam
April 3rd - 8th : China
April 11th - 15th : Japan

I would love to hear back from you guys so leave me comments or emails!! Well back to all the stuff I have to do to get ready!!