Smells Like Ship

September 1, 2011

UBUNTU: I am because you are, you are because I am. We are inextricably caught up in each other’s lives.

            

 Life on ship is both exciting and very strange. The only thing I’ve seen outside of my cabin window over the last five days has been ocean. My poor roommate has to keep a log of what the ocean looks like every day for her Marine Biology class and she’s not allowed to use the words big or blue. Ha, good luck with that.

           

It’s incredible how difficult it is to navigate the ship. All of the staircases look exactly the same, so I’ll think I’m walking up one staircase and then end up at the top of another. By now I know which decks the dining hall, classrooms, gym, and pool are on, but passage through a deck is often cut off by a solid wall that forces me to walk back downstairs to find a way through. We’re always being told by “The Voice” over the intercom to meet on this or that deck on the starboard (right) or port (left) side. Memorizing starboard, port, bow, and stern would have been fine, but I continually get them mixed up because when I rowed crew I’d always face the back of the boat, so everything is opposite to me. Here’s the really tricky part: even when I know exactly where I’m going, I have to get there without falling into any walls, or people, or down the stairs. The boat rocks back and forth so much that it always feels like I’m walking up or downhill and it changes in an instant…and running on the treadmill was probably one of the most terrifying things I’ve ever done! I had to keep on jumping up on the sides of the machine because my feet wouldn’t land where I told them to. Even in art class today the door kept on opening into the hall and then slamming shut. A boat would be a great home for a poltergeist.    

                                                     Some people

Speaking of classes, they’re great! They’re very small and energetic and the professors have all traveled to a million different places. Living in the same place as your teachers adds an entirely new dynamic to the school vibe. On one hand it’s great because they’re always around to answer any questions or talk about the reading, and on the other hand I had my Global Studies professor laughing at me yesterday as I was trying to scrub the charcoal I managed to get everywhere off of the library table. Also, holly bajesus is doing homework hard! There are people everywhere, and by everywhere, I mean EVERYWHERE! They’re out tanning on the deck, studying in the library, in the dining hall, in the empty classrooms, in the bedrooms, and in the lounge chairs. Every time I think I’ve found a new quiet place to study I’m surrounded by ten students who swoop in and land menacingly, blocking out the light. We all start out with the good intentions of sitting there and studying quietly, but end up chatting animatedly about old jobs and this thing my dog did one time. As a result, doing homework has never been more fun because no one actually does it. If I’m not “reading” and tanning on deck, my homework has become a migratory act. I can sit and read for 10 to 15 minutes before needing to excuse myself from conversation and relocate. I’m not only battling my desire to socialize, but I’m battling the boat itself. Imagine: we’ve lost three hours in the last five days, a quiet reading corner, the soft and steady rocking of the boat…do you get the picture I’m painting? I think I’ve taken a nap every day we’ve been on board.

             

I’ve never been around such a friendly group of people. Everyone wants to know everyone. Maybe it’s just been too early for any drama, but so far it’s been great. I can walk into the dining hall and sit with almost any group of people and feel welcomed. There is an uneven ratio of 38% girls to 62% boys, which would be unfortunate if I was looking for my soul mate, but since this isn’t the 18^th century and that’s not my primary objective, I’m loving that it forces all of the girls to be nice to each other. Having the Life Long Learners (aka old people) has been great too because they’re all hilarious and full of stories. I met a man today whose nick name is Lion because he once beat up a cab driver for charging him too much. I also talked to Milt and Barbra over lunch yesterday, this is their 13^th voyage on SAS and they are on e-mailing terms with Desmond Tutu! Speaking of lunch, here goes my spiel on the food. It is all perfectly edible and none of it has any flavor whatsoever. Being celiac doesn’t help my variety, but I am already soooo sick of steamed vegetables and potatoes and it’s only the first week. I may have to start dousing everything in hot sauce.

             

Nights here have been fun. There are always large groups of people on the top deck playing cards. The boat also has several board games for rent so I dominated at Apple to Apples on Monday night, which also happened to be “pub night.” A lot of students are all in a huff because we are limited to three drinks a night and they’re not allowed to get sloshed and wake up with nasty, sea sick hangovers. Obviously the rule is there because some past students made some poor decisions, but I’m just happy I’m allowed to have a glass of wine without feeling like the authorities are about to swoop down, arrest me, and confiscate my family honor. Each night I have three options: sleep, homework, or play…so balancing everything is going to be a new challenge, but don’t worry Mom and Dad, I’ll pull through! Everyone’s starting to get really exciting about Morocco, just a few days away and approaching fast! Well I guess technically we’re approaching it, but pish posh with your technicalities. Okay I’m going to go play cards! Missing you all, but not too much hehe.