YES. I am okay. I survived the fall, suffered a few minor injuries, but I am fully recovered and have returned to inform you about everyday life aboard the MV Explorer. (Hope the illustration helped you to understand what occurred during my absence from the blog-o-sphere)
Have you ever thought about what is would be like to live on a cruise ship? If you have taken a vacation in the deep blue sea on board a rather large, impressive vessel, think back to the delicious meals, extravagant entertainment, and a life without a care as to what the time might be (unless you wanted to make it to the napkin folding class at 2:30) Keep those eyes closed and continue imagining here with me – feel the warm breeze, taste that sweet pina colada, smell the salt in the air.
Now. Get rid of that entertainment staff in your mind, make that meal taste sort-of bland, and set your watch to military time. Throw in 520 college students, academic classes, and a library. Listen to the “Noon Announcements” that highlight the new schedule change, the mandatory pre-port lecture at 2000 hours, and give a friendly reminder to set your clock forward an hour yet again! Imagine the piano bar as a quiet study sanctuary and the disco lounge as a lecture hall. Wake up at 8:20 to make sure you can get breakfast before they stop serving at 8:30 and don’t forget to grab your textbooks on the way out the door.
Come back after class in the afternoon and take a look at the glowing sight gleaming into your confined room. Contemplate the arguments and facts shared in Global Studies lecture just hours earlier. The ocean is in danger. The water splashing by outside the cabin window is in trouble. 90% of the large predatory fish are gone, and only 5% of coral reefs are in their original pristine condition. And somewhere spiraling out in the Pacific Ocean is a gyre of plastic waste larger that the landmass of the United States of America.
Turn away from the rushing waves outside your window. The rapid rise and fall of the horizon line reminds you how lucky you are not to have felt any seasickness while crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Glance at the collage of photos on the magnetized wall – homemade magnets that evoke a bit of homesickness as you stare at grandparents, sisters, parents, cousins, and friends. There beside images of those held closest to your heart hangs a map of the vast world that we call home. This is what you are here for: the WORLD.
Open your eyes. Even though I am currently living on a cruise ship like I wanted you to imagine – this is no “cruise.”
This is a VOYAGE.
A voyage of discovery. Discovering the world. Discovering one’s self.
Here in this intimate community of Semester at Sea students, professors, and life-long learners, we are thriving. Together we are not only giddy and excited about seeing the world and its people, but we are also thrilled to discover how we can personally contribute to the creation of a better future for the 6.8 billion people around the world.
Though no pina colada rests in my grip as I soak in the sun rays on the top deck, I sit here knowing that any cruise I go on after this adventure will never measure up. This cruising experience is not to escape the worries of the world for rest and relaxation. It is a place, instead, to surround yourself with the overwhelming realities of the world, and to seek personal growth and inspiration.
10 countries. 109 days.
8 days down. 101 days coming my way fast.
I’m buckling up - this adventure calls for it!
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OH! ONE MORE THING!
If you are reading this, I am currently in CADIZ, SPAIN!
We will be pulling into port here in the next several hours! (Wow, I need to go to sleep!)
Goodnight :)
