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Monday, September 1 (alcohol service & sailing to Brazil): Each morning I cannot wait to look outside my window. Will I see an island? Mountains? Unique buildings? Well, this morning the water looked as smooth as glass—really. I've never seen anything like it. Then, if that wasn't good enough, we saw two whales and flying fish during our Living-Learning Team meeting. I usually have my camera with me, but I intentionally left it in my cabin because I thought there would be no need for me to have it for the meeting. In that moment I realized that I probably will not be able to take pictures of everything, if I want to live in the moment. I'm sure I'll capture many images with my camera, but I'll have to capture some memories with my heart.
Today was the first day I didn't have several meetings on my to-do list. I was able to enjoy a leisurely afternoon continuing to meet my students. It's a fire hazard to leave cabin doors open, so I have to make an effort to be visible and available. I decided to hang out in the hallway for a bit to catch people. One resident was really seasick and a bit overwhelmed by her need to read for class AND stay healthy. Another resident expressed his concern about being one of few black men on the ship; he talked about wanting to step outside of his comfort zone, but still feeling a bit overwhelmed by his minority status. Then another resident wanted to downgrade his cabin because he is paying for the SAS experience and needs to stretch his dollar. One resident was frustrated with her home campus because no one was being helpful in answering questions about how SAS credits would transfer. Whoa- who knew sitting outside my cabin would welcome such a range of questions and concerns. I wasn't prepared to run into such a large number of people with heavy questions so early on in the voyage. Luckily, I was able to help everyone trouble shoot, while providing a listening ear.
Later in the evening, we offered alcohol service to the students. Students have to pick up a voucher card in order to drink. Alcohol service will be offered only while sailing from port to port throughout the voyage. Students are allowed to have two drinks from 1730-1930 hours during dinner; then they are permitted to have up to four drinks from 2100-2300 hours. Our LLC group monitor alcohol service on deck 7 and students are not allowed to bring bags or bottles/containers into alcohol service, nor can they take bottles/containers away from alcohol service. I was absolutely dreading the first night of alcohol service because I thought people would be out of control; I also didn't want to become a babysitter. Guess what…I was so wrong! Student behavior was impressive during the entire evening…no concerns at all.
Tuesday, September 2 (the soap fight & sailing to Brazil): I have a cabin steward who cleans my cabin daily. It has been weird to have this kind of service because I grew up cleaning and washing my laundry. Now, I'm here, forced to use the services. Most would probably like to have domestic help, but oddly enough, I enjoy "keeping house." I always feel so accomplished after a few loads of laundry and a clean bathroom.
Anyway, for the past week, I've been engaging in a silent battle with my cabin steward. My bathroom is teenie-tiny…I mean there's just enough space for each bottle of lotion, soap, razor, etc to have a home. I'm very particular about the placement of my favorite spearmint scented hand soap; its snuggly placed in the upper left corner of the sink. Everyday when I return to my cabin, my cabin steward has moved my hand soap to a new location. Over the course of the past week, the game goes something like: he moves it to the right, I move it back to the left…he moves it back to the right, and, yes, I return it to the left. We've been playing this game all week and it's driving me a little crazy. One day I wondered, if I lived with someone, would this be one of the things that made me nutty…maybe. LOL.Today, to my surprise, the soap was on the left. Maybe I won? I won!
Wait. Today I found the soap snuggly tucked on the right…
Friday, September 5 (Neptune Day & sailing to Brazil): Around 12midnight, we officially crossed the equator into the southern hemisphere and began Neptune Day, an initiation sailors go through when crossing the equator; of course Neptune Day has now become a longstanding tradition for SAS participants. Friday was a no class day; in the morning, crew dressed up in crazy outfits, yelled, blew whistles, and beat on pots and pans to wake up the entire shipboard community (see video). Everyone rolled out of bed, went and ate breakfast, and took part in Neptune Day festivities. The Neptune Goddess sat on a chair that overlooked the pool, and the process was: a person stood outside the pool, had fish guts poured on them, jumped into the pool to be washed off, kissed a fish, kissed Minerva's ring, bowed to Neptune and Minerva, and emerged as
"shellbacks." I didn't go through the whole process, but I did kiss a dead fish…someone has a picture of it.
After everyone who wanted to be a "shellback" finished, the head shaving began. Historically, a student group fundraised money for charity, then the Captain shaved the first two heads. Students raised $596 and Bill Heinrich said he would shave his beard and head for $600. Phil donated the last $4 needed and Bill shaved...he was a good sport. Believe it or not, even women shaved their heads in hour of this sailor tradition. No fear…every lock is firmly attached to my head…I've invested too much time and energy to start snipping locks!!!!!!!
The rest of the day was enjoyable. Shalina and I chatted for a few hours on the back deck…watching the water…looking at dolphins…then we facilitated a conversation for students of color. We really wanted to provide a space for brown folks to connect and build community; the meeting was good and students said they needed an opportunity to pause and come together.
Later in the evening, I worked alcohol service until 2300. After alcohol service, I attempted to sleep outside with my floor, the Baltic Sea, but we were rained out.
Saturday, September 6 (Logistical Pre-Port & sailing to Brazil): Although today was a class day, I was able to sleep in until 08:30—lovely. I was super productive throughout the day. My collateral assignment isn't too demanding, which allows me to do extra things for my residents and just create a presence on the deck. Today two students interviewed me for their tourism class…I finished my Baltic Sea newsletter…finalized dates & presenters for a faculty program series…and went to dinner with my sea. I'm amazed that 20 residents showed up for the floor dinner; several students thanked me for organizing the dinner and for creating a regular newsletter with regular updates. At first I wasn't sure how I felt about my deck, but after one week, I can say that I have a good group of students; they've been very friendly, active, and engaged.
Tonight we had logistical pre-port, which happens before we arrive in each port. The captain believes we will arrive to Brazil at 05:30 Sunday morning. My deck wanted to sleep outside tonight, but we were rained out again. So we decided to wake up at 5:30am to watch the sunrise as we pull into our first port of call. Honestly, I can't wait to get off the ship. Yes, sailing around the world sound romantic, but I have cabin fever and I look forward to kissing the ground—LOL!
When I arrive in Brazil, I'll get to see my friend, John. We met back in 2001 as graduate students at MSU; he studied Labor & Industrial Relation and I studied Student Affairs. Time seems to pass quickly and I can't believe we've been friends for nearly seven years. Although we talk regularly, I haven't seen him in almost two years. A few months ago I told John that I wanted to see him in Brazil, but I also told him about my frugal budget and asked if he'd host me for a few days. Thank goodness he's a generous friend and agreed. His kindness reminds me that folks are often willing to help, if you ask. I'm looking forward to exploring Salvador Sunday afternoon, then heading to Rio de Janiero to see John Sunday night.
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