Hey everyone sorry I haven't wrote in a while! So it has been an epic
week here at sea on the MV Explorer. The boat has been pretty rocky, but
I have fortunately not gotten sea sick. I have been a little dizzy at
times, but I think that has come from being hungry. I haven't gotten
sick at all though so thank God for that! I have been eating pretty
regularly, usually small meals of pasta & bread. I have had a few PB & J
and have somehow survived over 11 days without grilled cheese or mac &
cheese. I have only given in twice and got pizza at the snack bar. I am
so glad though that I brought a bunch of snacks that held me over
between meals. I definitely recommend to anyone to bring snacks that can
substitute as meals for this trip! Okay on another note, I have met
quite a few people in this past week. People here are very friendly,
unlike any normal college or high school. So I have made some sort of
plans for when I reach Galway, Ireland tomorrow. I plan to travel
overland with a group of about 8 people. The highlights of the trip
include visiting the Cliffs of Moher (spelling?) and Aran Islands. The
Irish PHD student traveling on the ship with us says that Aran Islands
show the essence of everything Irish in one area. I am excited to view
all of their culture. This should take all of the first day for sure,
I'm not sure where or what we will do next as we have no hostel or hotel
booked yet, but I guess that will all be part of the adventure. We will
have to travel overland to Dublin to meet the ship.
For Global Studies class (mandatory for everyone) I will be doing a
group project with some other girls on the ship. We (Hannah, Meg, Brit,
Danielle, & Colleen) are planning to do our project on love throughout
different countries and how people feel about it around the Atlantic
Rim. At the end of the semester if our project or any team projects are
felt to be really good, they are chosen and put together into a
documentary and will be presented around the country. It would be a
great resume builder to say I participated in this. My other classes are
going wall also. My intro to comparative politics teacher is great! He
actually wrote the book that we are using for the class! (How many ppl
can say that?) So for that class I was paired up with another student
and we will do a presentation on Spain's politics in between Belgium &
Spain ports. The professor also allowed us to make changes to the
syllabus with a class vote so we voted to do journals instead of papers.
He seems very intelligent on the class & dedicated to the subject (well
he did write a whole textbook on it, its currently in its 10edition).
Marine Bio is a little boring at times (but i'm not a science person), I
know it will pick up though and the teacher seems nice and very well
informed on the topic. He has informed us on the wildlife some people
have been seeing in the ocean. I have only seen birds so far, but others
have seen whales a couple times. Even if I don't see any on the ship, I
will get to see them when the class goes whale watching in Spain on the
1st day. Leadership Development has been going well also. All of the
classes require quite a bit of reading, that i have been trying to keep
up with (already behind, but oh well I never read my 1st yr of college
and made it out of there with almost all A's, I should be fine reading
some, skimming, & studying for the tests).
On other notes I have decided to join the Community Service Club and Sea
Olympics clubs on the boat. They both sound interesting and like a great
way to get involved. I have attended the 3 cultural pre-ports they have
had to help prepare students for Ireland, UK(Not England, learned the
difference between the 2), and Belgium. Tonight will be a logistical
pre-port for Ireland.
Most IMPORTANT/AMAZING!
So Only on SAS do you one night meet and listen to an astronaut that has
been to space 5 times and was good friends with Louis Armstrong and the
next very day meet an SAS alumni that was the inventor of Crocs!!!!!!
New key phrase ONLY ON SAS!
Some of you may know of when groups or colleges do problems like UND
problems of other things like that so I have thought of some for SAS:
Drawers slamming open & closed in the middle of the night
Pasta and potatoes (Everyday)
Being unable to walk in a straight line (not like I could b4, but
its harder here lol)
Seasickness (not for me, but for others)
Crossing time zones (already lost 7 hrs of sleep total just from
crossing time zones)
Freezing cold ship (I literally sleep in thermal leggings, sweats,
socks, long sleeve shirt &
sweater everynight)
Freezing cold crossing the Atlantic to Ireland (It will get better
once we start going south & get closer to land)
But overall it has all been going pretty well i have solved most of
these problems by taping drawers and dressing warm and napping
(everyday). Everything & everyone else has been great. Well I better go
gotta read some then eat, logistical pre-port and pack up my back pack
for a 4 day excursion in Ireland! Then we get back on the ship for a day
& then are in the United Kingdom (UK) and then 1 more day on the ship
and then Belgium time!
Today's noon bridge report (Just a little info for you)...
NOON BRIDGE REPORT
Location of ship Lat.53-14N, Long. 014-01.0W
Miles traveled since from last port
1959 NM
Miles to next Port 233 NM (Galway, Ireland)
Avg. speed of ship (since Departure)
11.7 Kts
Speed of Ship 11.7 Kts
Miles traveled since Yesterday's NOON 268 NM
Avg. speed of ship for this leg 11.7 Kts
Temp. of Air 15 deg. C / 59 deg. F
Temp. of Water 15 deg. C / 59 deg. F
Wind Direction & Speed SW-16 Kts
SUNSET 1943 H SUNRISE 0644 H
Fresh Water Consumption 63 gallons/person
Amy
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
First 2 days on the ship
Hey people who read my blog (hopefully someone does, but if not that's
okay it is really for me)! I am now on a boat! I boarded the ship on
8/23/12 (yesterday). Boarding and security went so fast. People and the
work study kids were so helpful through the whole process. When I
arrived at the port I just had to hand in my passport and yellow fever
card and they gave me an ID card for the ship it acts as a room key and
credit card on the ship. Then I put my bags through security. I kept my
backpack & pacsafe bag (purse) on me and put those through security as i
walked through. everyone got a quick pat down and then it was just show
your ID to a few people and I was walking up the stairs to the ship.
From there they had people directing me where to go to fill out forms/
say quick info on stuff. Then I got to go to my room where my luggage
was delivered to the door! (Who ever said you had to carry it there
lies, you don't). I met my room mate Katherine, she's 18, freshman, and
from Boston. She is really nice as is everyone on the ship. We both
unpacked then explored the ship. There are 7 decks for student access on
the ship. Deck 2 has a medical center & rooms. I live on deck 3 outside
so I have a window looking out on to the ocean! Ya the ocean! Deck 4 has
more rooms. Deck 5 has a dining center and Classroom 9 which I have one
of my classes in. Deck 6 also has a dining room and at both you can also
go outside on the decks and eat. Deck 6 has the other 8 classrooms
including the union where meetings for everyone and Global Studies class
is held. It also has other stuff I am probably forgetting since I get
lost on the ship quite a bit. Deck 7 has the pool and food bar. There
is also a snack bar inside on deck 6. Overall the ship is really nice
including my room which is bigger and has more storage than I thought.
Okay now that I am done describing the ship I can discuss more
interesting things. So far everyone is really nice including teachers
and the deans. Today at breakfast I ate lunch with Laura (a girl I met
at my hotel the day before I left to go to the Dome, a club, for a
pre-departure get together) and her room mate. The one dean, Lisa, came
over and chatted with us over breakfast. I have met a lot of great
people already and all the time I meet more. Once you know one person
then they know someone else you get introduced to its a long cycle of
meeting new people. I even met people while waiting in line to get my
computer set up to do emails and get internet, which is very limited.
It is completely different than high school or regular college in that
everyone is willing to introduce themselves to anyone or talk to
different people. There are a little less than 500 college students on
the ship 70% girls & 30% guys.
On another note, I still don't have any solid plans for any of the ports
in Europe, but I'm sure I will figure it out as I go along.
Amy
okay it is really for me)! I am now on a boat! I boarded the ship on
8/23/12 (yesterday). Boarding and security went so fast. People and the
work study kids were so helpful through the whole process. When I
arrived at the port I just had to hand in my passport and yellow fever
card and they gave me an ID card for the ship it acts as a room key and
credit card on the ship. Then I put my bags through security. I kept my
backpack & pacsafe bag (purse) on me and put those through security as i
walked through. everyone got a quick pat down and then it was just show
your ID to a few people and I was walking up the stairs to the ship.
From there they had people directing me where to go to fill out forms/
say quick info on stuff. Then I got to go to my room where my luggage
was delivered to the door! (Who ever said you had to carry it there
lies, you don't). I met my room mate Katherine, she's 18, freshman, and
from Boston. She is really nice as is everyone on the ship. We both
unpacked then explored the ship. There are 7 decks for student access on
the ship. Deck 2 has a medical center & rooms. I live on deck 3 outside
so I have a window looking out on to the ocean! Ya the ocean! Deck 4 has
more rooms. Deck 5 has a dining center and Classroom 9 which I have one
of my classes in. Deck 6 also has a dining room and at both you can also
go outside on the decks and eat. Deck 6 has the other 8 classrooms
including the union where meetings for everyone and Global Studies class
is held. It also has other stuff I am probably forgetting since I get
lost on the ship quite a bit. Deck 7 has the pool and food bar. There
is also a snack bar inside on deck 6. Overall the ship is really nice
including my room which is bigger and has more storage than I thought.
Okay now that I am done describing the ship I can discuss more
interesting things. So far everyone is really nice including teachers
and the deans. Today at breakfast I ate lunch with Laura (a girl I met
at my hotel the day before I left to go to the Dome, a club, for a
pre-departure get together) and her room mate. The one dean, Lisa, came
over and chatted with us over breakfast. I have met a lot of great
people already and all the time I meet more. Once you know one person
then they know someone else you get introduced to its a long cycle of
meeting new people. I even met people while waiting in line to get my
computer set up to do emails and get internet, which is very limited.
It is completely different than high school or regular college in that
everyone is willing to introduce themselves to anyone or talk to
different people. There are a little less than 500 college students on
the ship 70% girls & 30% guys.
On another note, I still don't have any solid plans for any of the ports
in Europe, but I'm sure I will figure it out as I go along.
Amy
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Halifax, Nova Scotia,
8/20/12
Hey everyone, My mom & I flew out to Halifax on Monday. I got up at 3:45
am MT time and we left Sidney about an hour later to make the drive to
Minot, ND. Our first plane flew out at 11 am. Getting through security
went pretty well. At first though our boarding pass from Minot to
Minneapolis didn't print, but the clerks at the counter figured it out.
We flew to Minneapolis and had to make a quick plane change for our
flight to Toronto. In Toronto we had to get off the plane and head threw
Canadian customs. And then pick up our luggage to be rechecked. We ended
up missing our connecting flight to Halifax because we only had about 45
minutes in between. We got new tickets for a later plane. We arrived in
Halifax around 1130, collected our luggage (which was easy to spot
because both of my xl rolling duffles are bright blue), and then caught
a taxi into Halifax. The airport was 25 miles from downtown Halifax.
8/21/12
Today we checked into the Atlantica Hotel in downtown Halifax. We then
cleaned up in the hotel headed on a walk down to the harbor bay at the
Atlantic Ocean!!! This was super exciting; it made it seem so real that
i will be sailing on this ocean in 2 days! Ahhh! We proceeded to book a
ticket to do the Harbor Hopper tour. I would recommend it to anyone in
Halifax. It is a tour that goes on land and then into the harbor. The
vehicle is amphibious. The tour took us to see downtown Halifax. Most of
the buildings in Halifax have an older feel to them. Seeing ships in the
harbor on the tour made me more excited to see our ship the MV Explorer!
I bought a Halifax magnet at a little shop on the harbor. After the tour
we ate at Split Crow. This was the first restaurant in Halifax to get a
liquor license many years ago. After dinner we made the uphill walk back
to the hotel. My mother complained almost the whole way, even though it
was like a 10-15 minute walk and not too bad. I was so proud of myself
being able to navigate around the town just using a little map! Managed
to make it back to the hotel for a little R & R.
Well until next time,
Amy
8/20/12
Hey everyone, My mom & I flew out to Halifax on Monday. I got up at 3:45
am MT time and we left Sidney about an hour later to make the drive to
Minot, ND. Our first plane flew out at 11 am. Getting through security
went pretty well. At first though our boarding pass from Minot to
Minneapolis didn't print, but the clerks at the counter figured it out.
We flew to Minneapolis and had to make a quick plane change for our
flight to Toronto. In Toronto we had to get off the plane and head threw
Canadian customs. And then pick up our luggage to be rechecked. We ended
up missing our connecting flight to Halifax because we only had about 45
minutes in between. We got new tickets for a later plane. We arrived in
Halifax around 1130, collected our luggage (which was easy to spot
because both of my xl rolling duffles are bright blue), and then caught
a taxi into Halifax. The airport was 25 miles from downtown Halifax.
8/21/12
Today we checked into the Atlantica Hotel in downtown Halifax. We then
cleaned up in the hotel headed on a walk down to the harbor bay at the
Atlantic Ocean!!! This was super exciting; it made it seem so real that
i will be sailing on this ocean in 2 days! Ahhh! We proceeded to book a
ticket to do the Harbor Hopper tour. I would recommend it to anyone in
Halifax. It is a tour that goes on land and then into the harbor. The
vehicle is amphibious. The tour took us to see downtown Halifax. Most of
the buildings in Halifax have an older feel to them. Seeing ships in the
harbor on the tour made me more excited to see our ship the MV Explorer!
I bought a Halifax magnet at a little shop on the harbor. After the tour
we ate at Split Crow. This was the first restaurant in Halifax to get a
liquor license many years ago. After dinner we made the uphill walk back
to the hotel. My mother complained almost the whole way, even though it
was like a 10-15 minute walk and not too bad. I was so proud of myself
being able to navigate around the town just using a little map! Managed
to make it back to the hotel for a little R & R.
Well until next time,
Amy
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, and catch trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." Mark Twain
I find this quote so inspiring. I don't want to look back at my teenage & college years and realize I missed out on something because I stayed on the normal path and and didn't take chances. I want to take a road less traveled and I mean that both figuratively and literally. This trip is an amazing opportunity that most people don't have and I get to do it!!! I also plan to while abroad visit places that are not as well known (along with some tourist trap places of course). But I hope to be a traveler, not a tourist and see these countries from a traveler's view (if that makes sense).
I find this quote so inspiring. I don't want to look back at my teenage & college years and realize I missed out on something because I stayed on the normal path and and didn't take chances. I want to take a road less traveled and I mean that both figuratively and literally. This trip is an amazing opportunity that most people don't have and I get to do it!!! I also plan to while abroad visit places that are not as well known (along with some tourist trap places of course). But I hope to be a traveler, not a tourist and see these countries from a traveler's view (if that makes sense).
Getting excited with only 4 days left till I leave for Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada where the ship debarks next Wednesday the 23rd! I have recently bought some trips. I purchased 5 service trips through Semester at Sea (SAS) that go to orphanages. I can't wait to meet these children and try to put a smile on their faces. Meeting these kids will let me know how good I had it as a kid. I also bought an Amazon Riverboat Expedition Express trip in Manuas, Brazil. I am really excited for this I stay on the riverboat in a hammock. We travel through the Amazon river, looking at the beautiful scenery, visit the meeting of waters that form the Amazon River, go alligator spotting, have a luau on the beach, explore a local village, take a jungle walk, and most important swim with pink dolphins!!! I also signed up for a scavenger hunt on the first day in Lisbon, Portugal! I decided to venture on the wild side a little and plan some trips outside of SAS. I am planning on doing a Monkey Village trip that involves visiting the Tafi Atome Monkey Village, Wli waterfall, another waterfall, a school, and meeting locals in Ghana. It is through Can Do Land Tours, a company highly recommended by SAS alumni. I have been talking to the owners of the company and they seem so nice and accomodating! I also joined a Camel ride trip in Morrocco that some people in my Fall 2012 SAS facebook group put together. It only costs $200 Euros and is 4 days & 3 nights involving riding camels in the desert & sleeping under the stars (OMG, Amazing). I also am thinking about doing a safari in Capetown through Aquila Game Reserve. People on my facebook group are planning it and it sounds fun. I'm still debating cage diving with sharks, since it scares me to death, but on the otherhand i don't know if i wanna pass up that opportunity. Well that is all for now on my trips. I plan to wing everything else. I know somethings I wanna do, but i will see when i get on the ship.
I have got to say having a Facebook group for our voyage has been the best thing. It reassures me I am not the only one in this situation and has helped answer a lot of my questions. In addition,the Considering SAS facebook group has been great at answering any questions my voyage has. I am starting to feel somewhat ready. Now that i received my credit card & eurail pass today. I have gotten foreign currency & hit up target for school supplies & everything I will need for almost 4 months at sea. All that is left is to pack. I guess i shouldn't say it like that cause it is one of the most important and time taking parts of the trip, but i will begin it tomorrow. Hope everything i need fits!
Well until next time,
Amy
I have got to say having a Facebook group for our voyage has been the best thing. It reassures me I am not the only one in this situation and has helped answer a lot of my questions. In addition,the Considering SAS facebook group has been great at answering any questions my voyage has. I am starting to feel somewhat ready. Now that i received my credit card & eurail pass today. I have gotten foreign currency & hit up target for school supplies & everything I will need for almost 4 months at sea. All that is left is to pack. I guess i shouldn't say it like that cause it is one of the most important and time taking parts of the trip, but i will begin it tomorrow. Hope everything i need fits!
Well until next time,
Amy
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Trying out posting from my email
Hoping this works and it posts to my blog. Tip of the day: Set out
everything you possibly think you need, go through it and ask have i
ever used this/do i REALLY need this if not leave it. Also pack half of
the clothes you think you need.
Amy
everything you possibly think you need, go through it and ask have i
ever used this/do i REALLY need this if not leave it. Also pack half of
the clothes you think you need.
Amy
Preparing for SAS
8/14/12
I have never blogged before so here I go....I can't believe all I have done since I decided to take a trip of a lifetime with Semester at Sea (SAS). From applying back in February (i think) to all the paperwork including scholarships, forms, passports, visas and so much more. It has been an interesting journey getting to this one week away point, but it will be worth it when the voyage begins. I have literally spent so much time researching the places I'm going & what I wanna do there. I have so far booked a few SAS trips & a few independent trips. I have loved the opportunity to research trips & discuss plans with alumni & my fellow fall 2012 future classmates. Joining the facebook group for my voyage has been one of the best things to help me prepare. Alumni's advice has also had a great impact on helping me prepare for the trip.
I am so excited; it is hard to explain it in words. I have literally cried tears of joy when thinking of this trip! It is really my motivation for everything. I used it to get me through last semester & working all summer. Just knowing that this trip is coming has been very inspirational to all I do.
Well for now this is all for my first post, still trying to figure all this blogging stuff out. Now i just need to figure out how to use my email to send blogs since i have very limited internet on the ship.
Amy
I have never blogged before so here I go....I can't believe all I have done since I decided to take a trip of a lifetime with Semester at Sea (SAS). From applying back in February (i think) to all the paperwork including scholarships, forms, passports, visas and so much more. It has been an interesting journey getting to this one week away point, but it will be worth it when the voyage begins. I have literally spent so much time researching the places I'm going & what I wanna do there. I have so far booked a few SAS trips & a few independent trips. I have loved the opportunity to research trips & discuss plans with alumni & my fellow fall 2012 future classmates. Joining the facebook group for my voyage has been one of the best things to help me prepare. Alumni's advice has also had a great impact on helping me prepare for the trip.
I am so excited; it is hard to explain it in words. I have literally cried tears of joy when thinking of this trip! It is really my motivation for everything. I used it to get me through last semester & working all summer. Just knowing that this trip is coming has been very inspirational to all I do.
Well for now this is all for my first post, still trying to figure all this blogging stuff out. Now i just need to figure out how to use my email to send blogs since i have very limited internet on the ship.
Amy
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