Hello to all,
Sorry for the long break between my posts. I had a whole draft ready to go but haven't been able to open it. I'll be getting some help - I hope - from an expert later today or tomorrow. In the meantime, just want you all to know I'm alive and well and still enjoying myself. Ghana was great...I loved it, as you will see when I get that draft back. It contained lots of details about what we saw and did so I hope I can retrieve it. The people were so friendly. I could see myself returning to Ghana sometime.
A few of you have let me know that e-mails have been bouncing back to you. Could be I made a mistake giving you the correct address which is: earubin@semesteratsea.net. If you still have problems, just send to my home E-mail address which is: erjk@mac.com. As you can imagine, I love hearing from you all. It's such a thrill to open my computer and find mail!! I'll get back to you soon. Love l
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Ghana
Four days in Ghana could be a complete short story or even a book rather than a short blip on the pages of this blog about my trip around the world. I fell in love with Ghana. Perhaps it was because of the contrast to Morroco. People on board seemed to agree that they didn't like Morocco. either. To me it was dour and heavy which probably had a lot to do with the real or imagined condition of women, certainly in the more recent light that’s been shining on Islam in general. True we don’t have anything like a complete story of the Islamic world, in particular with regard to women, but, on the surface of it, it ain’t pretty and makes me uncomfortable. When it is underscored by seeing so many women covered, when you hear music that is so unfamiliar and feels not at all uplifting, when you look at the Islamic art which seems to be based so much on geometry and all this is being colored by stories of the Taliban and blue burkas, it is difficult to conjure up a positive attitude toward even this more Westernized country. If only the extremists could soften their views about what God-Allah wants for/from us. If only 9/11 had never happened, I believe my view of this country that is so ‘other’ might be a little more positive.
But back to Ghana. I slept through our arrival, preferring to face the world after the early rush of so many of the field trips disembarking at once. That process can be exciting but chaotic, with all the students milling around, backpacks loaded, water bottles dangling, with the chatter of anticipation buzzing all over the ship. Also I knew we would be docking in a crowded port 30 minutes by bus to Accra (over an hour during rush hours). We soon learned that the road situation and infrastructure in general in Ghana is woefully inadequate. I had nothing scheduled for that first day until the Welcome Reception at a University at 6pm so I just stayed on board. The ship had arranged for shuttle buses to and from town on the half hour. Having misread my watch, I left an hour early… a good thing because slow traffic allowed me to take pictures from the bus. I made notes of some of the sights along the way at roadside stands: a dozen different colored fitted sheets hanging from a line and blowing in the wind like spinnakers; piles of green and orange oranges stacked in triangles on a makeshift table along with other produce in baskets; terribly unkempt (by our standards) soccer fields with three or four games going on at a time (like in the US) ; a naked toddler running around while his mother sat chatting with her friends ; a wonderful music video on the TV in the bus with what sounded to me like reggae music played by colorfully dressed musicians; dirt paths through stubbly fields leading from the main road to residential areas that looked nothing like Levittown or Somerset NJ or Elmhurst ILL; huge trees shaped like umbrellas with groups of people sitting under them to escape the sun, some tending little wooden stalls selling …whatever; cell phone towers…many cell phone towers…we were told that almost everyone in Ghana has a cell phone; electric wires strung on bumpy poles that looked like they’d been processed by hand rather than in a lumber mill - we learned that many houses have illegal power lines running to them; shack after shack after shack made out of pieces of red railroad freight cars, most of them with “Vodaphone” signs painted on them. (no slouchers, the Vodaphone folks!). I wasn’t sure if these shacks were dwellings in addition to being ‘stores”; patches of black where vegetation had been burned – the roadsides seemed clean except for concentrated areas of debris all swept up waiting to be collected or, more realistically, just burned so we could breathe plastic fumes instead of nice clean air…(excuse my cynicism –“plastics, my boy, plastics). Some of the burned out areas were, I believe, burned patches of sugar cane, which needs to be burned to enrich the soil or some such thing. Rows of stands selling everything from diapers to new furniture, cabinets, refurbished hubcaps), bikes (if you lost your bike, this is the place to find it), coconuts, fish, produce – a veritable Wallmart on the side of the road!; women (rarely a man) balancing big metal or plastic tubs on their heads full, I suppose, of the goods they had purchased along the road. I have concluded that this accounts for the beautiful posture they all exhibit.
We finally reached the Total Gas Station that also serves as a bus terminal in Accra. I was able to catch another bus that took us to the reception. We were in a large tented outdoor area at a small university with molded plastic chairs in pastel colors lined up or piled up; a long buffet table was set up off to the side. After some drumming and dancing, followed by a few welcoming speeches, we all ate while mingling with the Ghanian students – all very friendly and well spoken. It was a nice little mixer. The drink of the day was pineapple juice – the most delicious I have ever tasted. Luca, are you the one that loves pineapple so much? Well you would have LOVED this juice!
The next day a group of us – students and LLL’s – took the bus to town for some shopping. As we stepped off the bus we were ‘accosted’ by hordes of young men with bracelets and carvings and necklaces and lord-knows-what-all being pushed at us. “What is your name, Mama? I want to make you a bracelet like this one with your name. I’ll give it to you for very good price.” “Why you not buy from me, Mamma? I very nice guy.” Their 'assertiveness' was a little annoying but most were good natured and even funny. So I just held my head up and marched on saying with a laugh, “No. No. No thank you.” When we crossed the street and stepped up on the walkway where the ATMs were located, they all backed away. Off limits and they knew it. Pretty funny I thought. So we got our ‘cedes’ (Ghanaian money pronounced like the music discs) and headed for the Global Mammas shop on a side street nearby. I bought a few things there and later wished I’d gone back for more. Everything is hand made and charming. On each article there is a hangtag with the name of the woman who made it. If you google Global Mammas, you can learn more about this wonderful program of micro lending.
Before leaving the ship I had spoken briefly to Lisa Salmans who manages a restaurant in Accra. Kathy sent me her number & e-mail address. She met Lisa in LA at the showroom where she works. Lisa was there to buy furnishings for the restaurant in Ghana. “ My mother’s going to be in Ghana! …”, Kathy told her. Good. A contact! I had no idea what to expect: would it be a little place on a side street with local food or what? And here I was bringing a bunch of women to a place I knew nothing about. Well it was a beautiful place in a tall pink – PINK – building right in the middle of town. The décor was lovely – all black and white in a round room with window walls looking out in all directions over the city. The white dishes, the black placemats, the sparkling glassware, the ceiling to floor sheer drapes and the white leather chairs were all simple and very elegant. Lisa was generous in her praise of your help in choosing everything, Kathy. The place really could have been in New York or even Paris. There were 8 of us including three students. We had a lovely lunch including some traditional Ghanaian dishes. While we drank champagne, courtesy of Lisa, she told us about how she came to be the manager of Citizen Kofi. The naming of the restaurant was interesting I thought: implying that Ghana is a citizen of the world and Kofi is a name that personifies peace as in the work of Kofi Annan at the United Nations. It would have been great to hear more about Lisa’s life but time just didn’t allow.
But back to Ghana. I slept through our arrival, preferring to face the world after the early rush of so many of the field trips disembarking at once. That process can be exciting but chaotic, with all the students milling around, backpacks loaded, water bottles dangling, with the chatter of anticipation buzzing all over the ship. Also I knew we would be docking in a crowded port 30 minutes by bus to Accra (over an hour during rush hours). We soon learned that the road situation and infrastructure in general in Ghana is woefully inadequate. I had nothing scheduled for that first day until the Welcome Reception at a University at 6pm so I just stayed on board. The ship had arranged for shuttle buses to and from town on the half hour. Having misread my watch, I left an hour early… a good thing because slow traffic allowed me to take pictures from the bus. I made notes of some of the sights along the way at roadside stands: a dozen different colored fitted sheets hanging from a line and blowing in the wind like spinnakers; piles of green and orange oranges stacked in triangles on a makeshift table along with other produce in baskets; terribly unkempt (by our standards) soccer fields with three or four games going on at a time (like in the US) ; a naked toddler running around while his mother sat chatting with her friends ; a wonderful music video on the TV in the bus with what sounded to me like reggae music played by colorfully dressed musicians; dirt paths through stubbly fields leading from the main road to residential areas that looked nothing like Levittown or Somerset NJ or Elmhurst ILL; huge trees shaped like umbrellas with groups of people sitting under them to escape the sun, some tending little wooden stalls selling …whatever; cell phone towers…many cell phone towers…we were told that almost everyone in Ghana has a cell phone; electric wires strung on bumpy poles that looked like they’d been processed by hand rather than in a lumber mill - we learned that many houses have illegal power lines running to them; shack after shack after shack made out of pieces of red railroad freight cars, most of them with “Vodaphone” signs painted on them. (no slouchers, the Vodaphone folks!). I wasn’t sure if these shacks were dwellings in addition to being ‘stores”; patches of black where vegetation had been burned – the roadsides seemed clean except for concentrated areas of debris all swept up waiting to be collected or, more realistically, just burned so we could breathe plastic fumes instead of nice clean air…(excuse my cynicism –“plastics, my boy, plastics). Some of the burned out areas were, I believe, burned patches of sugar cane, which needs to be burned to enrich the soil or some such thing. Rows of stands selling everything from diapers to new furniture, cabinets, refurbished hubcaps), bikes (if you lost your bike, this is the place to find it), coconuts, fish, produce – a veritable Wallmart on the side of the road!; women (rarely a man) balancing big metal or plastic tubs on their heads full, I suppose, of the goods they had purchased along the road. I have concluded that this accounts for the beautiful posture they all exhibit.
We finally reached the Total Gas Station that also serves as a bus terminal in Accra. I was able to catch another bus that took us to the reception. We were in a large tented outdoor area at a small university with molded plastic chairs in pastel colors lined up or piled up; a long buffet table was set up off to the side. After some drumming and dancing, followed by a few welcoming speeches, we all ate while mingling with the Ghanian students – all very friendly and well spoken. It was a nice little mixer. The drink of the day was pineapple juice – the most delicious I have ever tasted. Luca, are you the one that loves pineapple so much? Well you would have LOVED this juice!
The next day a group of us – students and LLL’s – took the bus to town for some shopping. As we stepped off the bus we were ‘accosted’ by hordes of young men with bracelets and carvings and necklaces and lord-knows-what-all being pushed at us. “What is your name, Mama? I want to make you a bracelet like this one with your name. I’ll give it to you for very good price.” “Why you not buy from me, Mamma? I very nice guy.” Their 'assertiveness' was a little annoying but most were good natured and even funny. So I just held my head up and marched on saying with a laugh, “No. No. No thank you.” When we crossed the street and stepped up on the walkway where the ATMs were located, they all backed away. Off limits and they knew it. Pretty funny I thought. So we got our ‘cedes’ (Ghanaian money pronounced like the music discs) and headed for the Global Mammas shop on a side street nearby. I bought a few things there and later wished I’d gone back for more. Everything is hand made and charming. On each article there is a hangtag with the name of the woman who made it. If you google Global Mammas, you can learn more about this wonderful program of micro lending.
Before leaving the ship I had spoken briefly to Lisa Salmans who manages a restaurant in Accra. Kathy sent me her number & e-mail address. She met Lisa in LA at the showroom where she works. Lisa was there to buy furnishings for the restaurant in Ghana. “ My mother’s going to be in Ghana! …”, Kathy told her. Good. A contact! I had no idea what to expect: would it be a little place on a side street with local food or what? And here I was bringing a bunch of women to a place I knew nothing about. Well it was a beautiful place in a tall pink – PINK – building right in the middle of town. The décor was lovely – all black and white in a round room with window walls looking out in all directions over the city. The white dishes, the black placemats, the sparkling glassware, the ceiling to floor sheer drapes and the white leather chairs were all simple and very elegant. Lisa was generous in her praise of your help in choosing everything, Kathy. The place really could have been in New York or even Paris. There were 8 of us including three students. We had a lovely lunch including some traditional Ghanaian dishes. While we drank champagne, courtesy of Lisa, she told us about how she came to be the manager of Citizen Kofi. The naming of the restaurant was interesting I thought: implying that Ghana is a citizen of the world and Kofi is a name that personifies peace as in the work of Kofi Annan at the United Nations. It would have been great to hear more about Lisa’s life but time just didn’t allow.
Monday, September 21, 2009
September 19, Saturday
The Talent/No Talent Show was last night and yes, I did my “The Thip” pome to thunderous applause. People in the back couldn’t hear cause I forgot to turn on my mike. Oh well, they got the idea. I was one of three or four LLL’s who had the audacity to get up there. What the heck: if you aren’t willing to make a fool of yourself once in a while, you miss out on some good fun. The place was packed. Some of the acts were hilarious; I can’t wait for Halloween to see what these kids come up with. No doubt many came prepared. Anyway, the AV people recorded the show and someone said they were going to put it on the SAS website. Two whole hours?
We’re heading towards our next port: Ghana. There are a couple of Ghanian students who came aboard in Morocco and have been giving presentations and mixing with everyone. Very interesting to see the similarities: people are people. Many of the adults have commented about the quality, the maturity and poise of the students as a whole. They are impressive, demonstrating intelligence and …and…I don’t know: I simply haven’t seen any sloppy drunks staggering around this ship. They seem to be just nice, normal kids, serious enough about their work, grateful to be on SAS, silly, studious and having fun. The trick is not to get kicked off the ship. Tom Hogarty the “Community Resource Director”, or law and order guy, who patrols the halls all night long and is in the know, says these kids are extraordinary. And that’s not to say that one or two didn’t overindulge in Casa, but for the most part they seem to be steering clear of trouble. In my book they are all darling and I’m looking at them and seeing you, Greg and Emily and Taylor and Ben. Wish you all were here; maybe you will be soon!
In the Jazz class I attend, the prof has been talking about Ghanain music using recordings and demonstrations. It’s amazing what he can do along with the recordings, stomping his foot, beating tables with drum sticks. One of the field trips I’m going on is a workshop in music and dancing. The Ganain music reminds me a little of the music our marimba group played in Santa Fe although that music is from East Africa – Zimbabwe. This music is wild with multiple rhythms and tunes all at the same time. Some would call it loud noise. I’ll try to get some good pictures at the workshop.
Several LLL’s will be leaving the ship in Accra and in Capetown so there was a special dinner in their honor. Earlier this week there was a reception for Staff, crew, faculty and LLL’s. All the ladies got dressed up, except for a couple who just don’t ever get dressed up, I guess. What did I wear? White pants, coral pink E. Fisher short sleeved sweater and the scarf you gave me, Elise. I can assure you that I looked fab. I got there a little late and was looking for a place to sit down or a group to join. There were three bright white uniforms sitting alone so I decided to join them. Meet some new people, you know. Two were from Bulgaria and one from Greece – chief engineer, assistant engineer, and the air conditioning engineer who looked like a giant Robert De Niro. He said people tell him that all the time. 50 years old. Three months at sea; three at home. Wife. 2 kids. 2 grandkids. With a bit of a heavy accent: “I come home and my wife, she complain to me. I tell her she should not give her life to the grandkids…etc.” I told him: “The minute you get home, take her to a lovely dinner and a nice hotel for a few days. She’ll be fine.” The older guy, the one from Greece wanted to know why I was on this voyage – “Just to see the world?” as if: what’s the big deal to see the world. “What you do all day???” he asked as if we adults should be back where we belong. All in all it was fun talking to these guys. We had plenty of laughs.
I can’t help but compare this experience to the one I had in 1951 when we sailed across the ocean and then lived in France for three years. For me it was the adventure of a lifetime …like going to Mars. Europe was SO far away, so different, so old. There were no jets so people weren’t traveling much and, of course, it was right after the end of the 2nd world war so we saw plenty of the destruction from the war – bombed out buildings etc. Going to Europe and seeing so many things you’d read about in history books was not something people could easily do. Yes, they went on ships, but traveling the way we do now was impossible. I wonder if anyone in the Williams Family remembers that clay pitcher I found on a field trip with our history teacher, Mr. Fay (upon whom, by the way, I had a huge crush) who took us to see some Roman ruins near Chateauroux. To this day I can see the mounds of dirt around some broken down piles of stones that had been a Roman house or barn or something. The pitcher was probably made in 1940 but Mr. Fay and I both agreed that the pitcher was from Roman times. Remember, we used to serve lemonade in that pitcher? Okay, so which one of you has it????
One of the activities planned is the Neptune Day celebration. Now children – all of you who are school age, including the children at Trinity School in New Orleans and those at Canterberry and those at Karlthorpe and Elmhurst middle school and St. Whatchamahoodles in Chicago etc. when I tell you to look up a word or to Google something, I want you to DO IT AND REPORT BACK TO ME. My e-mail address is: earubin@semesteratsea.com. So tell me what you find out about Neptune Day Celebrations. Who or what is Neptune? What happens on Neptune Day? What happens to people who have never celebrated Neptune Day? You kids have gotta git on the stick here and PARTICIPATE!!!! Annabel…Elia…Sarah?
What does that word, “participate” mean?
After Ghana we’ll be going to South Africa. Who knows where it is? What is apartheid? Who knows anything about Nelson Mandela? Who knows anything about Nelson Mandela and rugby? Taylor????
Well chilluns, granny has to go to the Lounge for the daily gathering of LLL’s. It’s cocktail time tra la. I wish those engineers would show up again. I don’t think they’re allowed.
Love you all.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 11 am-ish.
First of all, I woke in the middle of the night, slapped my thigh, so to speak, and said out loud: “The feast of the Immaculate Conception is DECEMBER the 8th, dum-dum!” At least I was thinking about you, Mar.
At this moment, I’m sitting in the faculty lounge (which we are allowed to use) looking out at an enormous cupcake with humongous globs of whupped cream on top, sitting on a navy blue tablecloth: The Rock of Gibraltar with hovering clouds, no less!!!
Before I forget – will some family member please send Maeve my blog and e-mail addresses. People have asked how I heard of SAS. It was from you, Maeve, that day at Spring Hill when I listened to you and silently prayed that God would please, please make Carolyn want to go on Semester at Sea and keep me from opening my mouth, lest I say the wrong thing and turn her off. Needless to say my prayers were answered. Oh what a gift this was/is. Thank you, Maeve.
We’re re-fueling just off Gibraltar.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2009
We spent almost a whole day bobbing in the waters off Gibraltar, waiting in line to refuel. It was a beautiful day and the scenery could not have been better. Funny thing I always thought Gibraltar was on the northern edge of Africa and that you could look across the Mediterranean from Spain and see it. Wrong. It’s part of Europe, as everyone probably knows, but is British, I believe. This is a time when I’m frustrated by not getting a signal for the internet in my room. Gotta go out in the hall. I’d like to Google Gibraltar right now.
So after refueling we headed off for Casablanca. It felt so good to be back at sea. It is SOOO soothing to me, so relaxing. Tonight I have the balcony door open and can hear the purr of the engines and the splashing of the waves as we glide along ever so smoothly. At noon today the water was 74 degrees F and the air was 73. The water was 2000 feet deep! Announcements are broadcast each day at noon and at 6pm (1800) and always include info about our speed, water temp etc. Today was gorgeous and I spend quite a lot of time on my balcony, reading. Thank you God for such blessing!
So…our next stop was Casa, as they call Casablanca. The port was an impressive sight as we approached it early in the morning. Cranes, cranes and more cranes jutting into the sky along with the tower of the new mosque. As we drew closer and as we docked we found ourselves in a vast port area that was paved with containers stacked two high. I sat and watched a- I don’t know what to call it – a huge upside-down u- shaped contraption with a cab on top for the operator. Hanging down at the end of at least 8 cables was a metal thing that looked like a table with enormous claws on each corner. This thing would descend over a container, hover then the claws would reach out and grasp the corners of the container then the whole thing would rise in the air and slide over to the waiting ship where it would then disappear into the hold of the ship. I watched this operation for a while and decided to time how long it took to move one container from the ground to the ship. Two and a half minutes. It was intriguing because this vast area was covered with containers and I just wondered how long it would take to move them all. When you think of all the ports in the world and all the containers…do the math. Amazing world we live in!
I went on what they call the “City Orientation Tour” which is a good way to get an overview of a city. We got a look at an old market with narrow aisles and aggressive merchants, many office buildings and apartment buildings – all dingy white – with laundry hanging on lines strung between windows; fancy hotels; we visited some kind of building the king uses for Idon'trememberwhat; we saw many women in long dresses and veils- a sight we found startling if not disturbing. It’s not that we didn’t know to expect to see covered women in Morocco, it just was so striking to see. Thank God they don’t have the Taliban there insisting on blue burkas! I would have stood up and screamed! Eventually we went through a residential area with nicer apartments and townhouses. Then we came to a very upscale area where Arab jillionaires have houses they visit occasionally. Oh and we passed one of the king’s houses – one of his 36 or so palaces. He’s a good guy and has made many improvements in Morocco since taking office – in the 60’s I think.
Is my lack of enthusiasm for Casablanca coming through? I wasn’t the only one who found it missing a je ne sait quoi. Even those who explored the city in a little more depth reported their disappointment.
Rabat, down the coast, however was more appealing. I ask myself if it was because it was cleaner and chastise myself for thinking cleaner is necessarily better. How in the world will we do in India? Again I was on a bus going to Rabat and loved getting outside the city and seeing open space, farms (no, not like in Iowa or Nebraska). The harvest must just be over because the fields were brown stubble often dotted with small groups of cattle and largish herds of sheep or goats with a shepherd standing watch over them. We saw many people walking down little dirt roads, an occasional donkey cart – with a woman at the reins, covered, of course. We saw kids playing soccer. Everywhere laundry was hanging on lines. The houses and outbuildings appeared to be made of adobe. Too bad there was no time to walk around, to meet some of the people. I’ve had to reconcile myself to the fact that this experience can only be a cursory glance at the places we visit.
Noon report: the sea is 4000 feet deep; we’re 64 miles from the nearest land, sliding down the coast of Africa! Can I believe I’m, actually here? …
… So the noon report was upstaged when one of the students came ripping past my window here in the faculty lounge, pointing and screaming as she rounded the bow and began jumping up and down. “There! There!”
Dolphins! LOTS of dolphins!!! Jumping. Surfing. Oh lord, there are no words to describe the excitement of seeing them. “Cetaceans”: Grace? Luca? Devon? Dictionary time. Will someone please send me an e-mail with the definition of ‘cetacean’? And how bout some of those other words? Comeon, kids!
On Tuesday I had dinner with my Extended Family. I was assigned six kids and invited two others I’d met to join us. We were stealing chairs and silverware from other tables when they all showed up. I must admit to having felt a little nervous. Who is this lady? What are we supposed to do or say? Everything was fine and fun and I spend some time in the bed that night mentally going around the table remembering their names: Grace, Rebecca, Marcus, Denise, Charlotte, Barry, Louis, and Carol. I’ll get pictures of them all. Oh lord, I don’t want to think about pictures. At least I have them all in the computer and the camera is emptied. I’ve labeled some and created categories based on our ports. I’ll keep trying and getting help with this project. Anyway the kids are all so cute. We went around the table and told a little about ourselves. I told them they couldn’t say “Me and Billy went to the store.” And they had to ask to be excused when they wanted to leave the table. All that was good for some laughs.
The Talent/No Talent show is tomorrow night – the 18th. When I see one of my family in the halls or the dining room I remind them that they have to come to the talent show and clap for me. I told Allysa, who’s running the show, that I wanted a dressing room backstage with 2 dozen roses in a crystal vase on my makeup table. I’ve told the Life Long Learners they have to all come and cheer for me. They want to know what I’m going to do. “I’m going to recite a poem.” I say. “Oh, how interesting! Which poem will you be reciting?" they ask ever so politely. “No, no, no. You have to come.” I sit here laughing, It’s just wonderful to be able to amuse one’s self! Stop rolling your eyes, Kathy!
Before I forget, Linda & Bub: the gal’s name is Shirley Lowes.
Just in case any of you didn’t see it, here’s my new e-mail address: earubin@semesteratsea.com. I don’t think you should send anything very long like jokes etc. By the way, I told Rankin the Clarence joke and he cracked up. He’s a lawyer from Huntsville. There are several southerners on board and you know what happens to me when I’m around the drawl. Lots of fun. “I don’t know Clarence…there’s just something about you…” Credit: Karl Gordinier. It was so good to see you and Vera at the dedication, Karl. Thanks for your support. Same for all who were there. So little time to talk; such depth of feeling for you all.
Ahm gunna go put this thang in the ether. More next time. Love to all. EWR xxxooo
First of all, I woke in the middle of the night, slapped my thigh, so to speak, and said out loud: “The feast of the Immaculate Conception is DECEMBER the 8th, dum-dum!” At least I was thinking about you, Mar.
At this moment, I’m sitting in the faculty lounge (which we are allowed to use) looking out at an enormous cupcake with humongous globs of whupped cream on top, sitting on a navy blue tablecloth: The Rock of Gibraltar with hovering clouds, no less!!!
Before I forget – will some family member please send Maeve my blog and e-mail addresses. People have asked how I heard of SAS. It was from you, Maeve, that day at Spring Hill when I listened to you and silently prayed that God would please, please make Carolyn want to go on Semester at Sea and keep me from opening my mouth, lest I say the wrong thing and turn her off. Needless to say my prayers were answered. Oh what a gift this was/is. Thank you, Maeve.
We’re re-fueling just off Gibraltar.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2009
We spent almost a whole day bobbing in the waters off Gibraltar, waiting in line to refuel. It was a beautiful day and the scenery could not have been better. Funny thing I always thought Gibraltar was on the northern edge of Africa and that you could look across the Mediterranean from Spain and see it. Wrong. It’s part of Europe, as everyone probably knows, but is British, I believe. This is a time when I’m frustrated by not getting a signal for the internet in my room. Gotta go out in the hall. I’d like to Google Gibraltar right now.
So after refueling we headed off for Casablanca. It felt so good to be back at sea. It is SOOO soothing to me, so relaxing. Tonight I have the balcony door open and can hear the purr of the engines and the splashing of the waves as we glide along ever so smoothly. At noon today the water was 74 degrees F and the air was 73. The water was 2000 feet deep! Announcements are broadcast each day at noon and at 6pm (1800) and always include info about our speed, water temp etc. Today was gorgeous and I spend quite a lot of time on my balcony, reading. Thank you God for such blessing!
So…our next stop was Casa, as they call Casablanca. The port was an impressive sight as we approached it early in the morning. Cranes, cranes and more cranes jutting into the sky along with the tower of the new mosque. As we drew closer and as we docked we found ourselves in a vast port area that was paved with containers stacked two high. I sat and watched a- I don’t know what to call it – a huge upside-down u- shaped contraption with a cab on top for the operator. Hanging down at the end of at least 8 cables was a metal thing that looked like a table with enormous claws on each corner. This thing would descend over a container, hover then the claws would reach out and grasp the corners of the container then the whole thing would rise in the air and slide over to the waiting ship where it would then disappear into the hold of the ship. I watched this operation for a while and decided to time how long it took to move one container from the ground to the ship. Two and a half minutes. It was intriguing because this vast area was covered with containers and I just wondered how long it would take to move them all. When you think of all the ports in the world and all the containers…do the math. Amazing world we live in!
I went on what they call the “City Orientation Tour” which is a good way to get an overview of a city. We got a look at an old market with narrow aisles and aggressive merchants, many office buildings and apartment buildings – all dingy white – with laundry hanging on lines strung between windows; fancy hotels; we visited some kind of building the king uses for Idon'trememberwhat; we saw many women in long dresses and veils- a sight we found startling if not disturbing. It’s not that we didn’t know to expect to see covered women in Morocco, it just was so striking to see. Thank God they don’t have the Taliban there insisting on blue burkas! I would have stood up and screamed! Eventually we went through a residential area with nicer apartments and townhouses. Then we came to a very upscale area where Arab jillionaires have houses they visit occasionally. Oh and we passed one of the king’s houses – one of his 36 or so palaces. He’s a good guy and has made many improvements in Morocco since taking office – in the 60’s I think.
Is my lack of enthusiasm for Casablanca coming through? I wasn’t the only one who found it missing a je ne sait quoi. Even those who explored the city in a little more depth reported their disappointment.
Rabat, down the coast, however was more appealing. I ask myself if it was because it was cleaner and chastise myself for thinking cleaner is necessarily better. How in the world will we do in India? Again I was on a bus going to Rabat and loved getting outside the city and seeing open space, farms (no, not like in Iowa or Nebraska). The harvest must just be over because the fields were brown stubble often dotted with small groups of cattle and largish herds of sheep or goats with a shepherd standing watch over them. We saw many people walking down little dirt roads, an occasional donkey cart – with a woman at the reins, covered, of course. We saw kids playing soccer. Everywhere laundry was hanging on lines. The houses and outbuildings appeared to be made of adobe. Too bad there was no time to walk around, to meet some of the people. I’ve had to reconcile myself to the fact that this experience can only be a cursory glance at the places we visit.
Noon report: the sea is 4000 feet deep; we’re 64 miles from the nearest land, sliding down the coast of Africa! Can I believe I’m, actually here? …
… So the noon report was upstaged when one of the students came ripping past my window here in the faculty lounge, pointing and screaming as she rounded the bow and began jumping up and down. “There! There!”
Dolphins! LOTS of dolphins!!! Jumping. Surfing. Oh lord, there are no words to describe the excitement of seeing them. “Cetaceans”: Grace? Luca? Devon? Dictionary time. Will someone please send me an e-mail with the definition of ‘cetacean’? And how bout some of those other words? Comeon, kids!
On Tuesday I had dinner with my Extended Family. I was assigned six kids and invited two others I’d met to join us. We were stealing chairs and silverware from other tables when they all showed up. I must admit to having felt a little nervous. Who is this lady? What are we supposed to do or say? Everything was fine and fun and I spend some time in the bed that night mentally going around the table remembering their names: Grace, Rebecca, Marcus, Denise, Charlotte, Barry, Louis, and Carol. I’ll get pictures of them all. Oh lord, I don’t want to think about pictures. At least I have them all in the computer and the camera is emptied. I’ve labeled some and created categories based on our ports. I’ll keep trying and getting help with this project. Anyway the kids are all so cute. We went around the table and told a little about ourselves. I told them they couldn’t say “Me and Billy went to the store.” And they had to ask to be excused when they wanted to leave the table. All that was good for some laughs.
The Talent/No Talent show is tomorrow night – the 18th. When I see one of my family in the halls or the dining room I remind them that they have to come to the talent show and clap for me. I told Allysa, who’s running the show, that I wanted a dressing room backstage with 2 dozen roses in a crystal vase on my makeup table. I’ve told the Life Long Learners they have to all come and cheer for me. They want to know what I’m going to do. “I’m going to recite a poem.” I say. “Oh, how interesting! Which poem will you be reciting?" they ask ever so politely. “No, no, no. You have to come.” I sit here laughing, It’s just wonderful to be able to amuse one’s self! Stop rolling your eyes, Kathy!
Before I forget, Linda & Bub: the gal’s name is Shirley Lowes.
Just in case any of you didn’t see it, here’s my new e-mail address: earubin@semesteratsea.com. I don’t think you should send anything very long like jokes etc. By the way, I told Rankin the Clarence joke and he cracked up. He’s a lawyer from Huntsville. There are several southerners on board and you know what happens to me when I’m around the drawl. Lots of fun. “I don’t know Clarence…there’s just something about you…” Credit: Karl Gordinier. It was so good to see you and Vera at the dedication, Karl. Thanks for your support. Same for all who were there. So little time to talk; such depth of feeling for you all.
Ahm gunna go put this thang in the ether. More next time. Love to all. EWR xxxooo
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Sept 7. Cadiz and Marrakech
Monday, September 7, 2009
Our arrival at Cadiz on Saturday was wonderful. I was up before 6 am, out on my balcony looking for lights. The moon was nearly full and the stars were bright. No daylight savings time so it stays fairly dark until about 7:30. I went up on deck where there were some students and some LLL’s. (Life Long Learners, to refresh your memories)> The air was full of anticipation and excitement. Everyone was taking pics of the moon and then…the lights appeared and the skyline grew as we approached land. A little roar went up. It was such fun. “I can’t believe I’m actually in Spain!” people kept saying. We watched over the side as the pilot boat approached and then as the pilot came aboard. The skyline is a mixture of new and old buildings, and, of course, of the cranes poking into the sky all around the harbor. Modern bldgs and golden domes and steeples – all was just beautiful in the morning light.
A group of us went ashore about 10 am and walked and walked and walked and walked some more all around the narrow alley-like streets of the old part of town. Checked out a couple of churches, a museum, some shops. Had lunch at an outdoor café and enjoyed the people-watching. I stopped to rest now and then, sat down on a shady bench in the middle of a small, busy square near the cathedral. A beautiful white haired woman sat next to me. She wore a bracelet that spelled out ‘Marta’ in silver letters. I touched it and said, “Usted es Marta; me Elizabeth.” It was such fun conversing with her even though she spoke no English and my Spanish is ridiculous. I asked could I take her picture and she agreed. There was an iron ball behind her – part of a fence – that looked like a growth coming out of her neck, so I asked her to move and took another picture. We laughed looking at the first one. It was time to go and I told her we’d become friends in a very short time in spite of not being able to talk. She drew me near to her and kissed me on each cheek. Priceless and so much fun!
In our meanderings we came across a restored Roman arch and later a Roman theater with stone bleachers and parts of the Roman wall that had surrounded the city. It had all been buried under centuries of rubble. It’s amazing to see such a thing. Our church in St. Benoit du Sault where we lived in France, was ‘romanesque’ and was…I need help from my sibs … I’ll just say it was very old because the house we lived in was 500 years old and the church was built way before that!
AND: have any of you kids found out about the very important event in history that made Cadiz famous? Let me know!
So we finally made it home (the ship has for sure already become home to me) from our long, long walk and I went right up to the pool deck for a swim and a snooze in a deck chair. Loverly! The pool is small but I had it to myself – so many people had gone off to Barcelona and Seville etc. It’s a salt water pool. By the way, we’re bathing with and drinking ocean water!!! They have desalination on the ship. There’s a little bit of chlorine but if you let it sit a little while, the chlorine taste dissipates. Look that word up in the dictionary, children, and tell G’ma=mommaliz what it means. Sean and Joey, that means you!
Yesterday I stayed on the ship, recuperating from the longest walk I’ve taken in months. I have to get myself a pedometer because I’m doing lots of walking on the ship in the hallways alone. Dealing with the rock and roll must surely be adding some benefit as well.
Little-by-little I’ve calmed down. Sorry for that last blog being so negative with TMI, perhaps. Oh well. I’m finding my way around just fine. I’ve met some very nice people and am finding it’s a pleasure getting to know them. It’s especially fun to talk to the kids. Let’s see, there’s Louie who is on a work/study program and helps out in the computer lab. He calls me Mommaliz. Then there’s Carina who also helped me with some computer stuff. And Alyssa whom we met, Chrissy, in Halifax with her mother. She and a couple of her friends that I’ve met call me Queen Elizabeth. Ellie, another LLL, who also walks with a cane (which I’m only doing occasionally now, thank God.), and I went to town today and ran into Alyssa who joined us for lunch. She’s so cute …had gone shopping and was thrilled with all her purchases – all very mod and European looking.
At meal times you go into the dining room and if you aren’t with anyone, you just look for a place to sit with someone – young or old. I’ve had some wonderful conversations with kids from all over…today at lunch there was a girl, Carol, who is originally from Uganda, now from Staten Island, I think she said!
The night before we got to Cadiz there was a ‘cultural orientation’ attended by everyone.
Various people talked about various aspects of life in Spain. One young prof was talking about sports in Spain … you know, futball; then he brought up the subject of stereotypes (another good word to look up in the dictionary, kids). “We Spanish think all American men wear low white sox with sandals. See my feet?” He pointed to the white sox and sandals he was wearing. “Do NOT do this in Spain! Now what is a stereotype Americans have of the Spanish?” He walked straight over to me, put the mike in my face and stood there grinning at me, waiting. “All Spanish men are sexy?” I blurted out. Got a pretty good laugh.
So I have questions to answer from some of you. First of all, thank you so much for your e-mails. As much as I’d like to, I don’t think I can answer each one. At least I’ll try to answer your questions. Actually your questions help me with this blog.
What classes am I taking? Well I’m not officially taking any but have sat in on several so far. This seems to be the norm amongst us LLL’s. “Making Documentary Films”, one on “Terrorism” and one on “Muslim Women in the World Today”. I’m just going to bounc around as if I were simply attending a different interesting lecture every day. Everyone on board attends the Global Studies Course which has been very interesting so far…except for one guy who put me to sleep.
Our crossing of the Atlantic was, according to some of the more seasoned voyagers, very smooth. Personally I loved it. Someone was talking about outriggers being deployed. All I could think of was the things that stick out on the side of those Hawaiian canoes. Sure enough, it seems stabilizers are the big ship name for them. These things are deployed in order to stabilize the roll from side to side. Someone else said we don’t do much lurching up and down, thanks to some other wonder of modern maritime engineering. At any rate I have not felt a moment of seasickness… not even queasiness. Here’s what my sister, Mary, wrote to me in her bon voyage note: “Fantastic. Remember the first time you went to sea? Dead of winter, gray waves, gray sky, howling winds and you were thrilled.”
I do indeed remember and I remember that my theory about that was that I never missed a single meal. Hope I haven’t jinxed myself here. Someone said we are supposed to have some rough seas on our way to Casablanca.
How many 20 year old boys have crushes on me? Oh at least 150.
There’s going to be a yoga class.
My cabin is fabulous. I measured it the first day and it was something like 11X17 plus the bathroom which has a very nice shower etc. Plenty of storage in the cabin and in the bathroom plus under the bed. My little balcony is great to have. I love just sitting out there and looking at the water. Also sometimes I can connect to the internet on the balcony which unfortunately I cannot do in my cabin. Some can and some can’t.
The food is fine but desert is usually white cake with no icing so I’m able to easily forego that indulgence. Otherwise I’m happy to be able to say I’ve been eating well – meaning the way I’m supposed to.
I’ve found several computer helpers. Little by little I’m learning things. It’s like starting school in Sophmore year of college and having to catch up on everything from pre-school onward. Oh well.
I want to share this wonderful quote Chrissy sent me:
If you touch it you set the whole thing trembling…
As we move around this world and as we act with kindness or with indifference, or with hostility, toward the people we meet we too are setting the great spider web a-tremble. The life that I touch for good or ill will touch another life, and that in turn another, until who knows where the trembling stops or in what far place and time my touch will be felt. Our lives are linked.
Love it, Chrissy.
Love your drawing of my ship, Lindsey and all your letters, “Darien”.
Bub and Linda: there’s a gal on board, Susan Sutton, who has a house in Northstar and who recognized your names. Proved it by saying you, Linda, are a fabulous decorator! She knows you through a friend …forgot the name.
We left Cadiz about two hours ago and now, the ship is back to its gentle rocking. The departure was very dramatic with more of the high winds we’d been having for the last three days. People were out on the decks pushing into the wind trying not to fall over, hair and clothes blowing like crazy. My midriff was exposed to the public for the first time after lo these many years of hiding in the dark. I was comforted by the fact that many midriffs – young and old - were showing and everyone was just laughing. At first there was a tug boat at the bow, trying to pull us away from the dock, but the wind was just too strong and so another tug had to be called into duty. The two of them, plus our own engines finally got us out of there and we’re off to Morocco!
How did I like Spain? Well, As some of you know, I’ve been to Spain before. I found Cadiz to be a…
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 11 am-ish.
First of all, I woke in the middle of the night, slapped my thigh, so to speak, and said out loud: “The feast of the Immaculate Conception is DECEMBER the 8th, dum-dum!” At least I was thinking about you, Mar.
At this moment, I’m sitting in the faculty lounge (which we are allowed to use) looking out at an enormous cupcake with humongous globs of whupped cream on top, sitting on a navy blue tablecloth: The Rock of Gibraltar with hovering clouds, no less!!!
Before I forget – will some family member please send Maeve my blog and e-mail addresses. People have asked how I heard of SAS. It was from you, Maeve, that day at Spring Hill when I listened to you and silently prayed that God would please, please make Carolyn want to go on Semester at Sea and keep me from opening my mouth, lest I say the wrong thing and turn her off. Needless to say my prayers were answered. Oh what a gift this was/is. Thank you, Maeve.
We’re re-fueling just off Gibraltar.
Now it's Sat. the 12th of Sept. I've been sitting here having a silent blue conversation with this computer and finally...FINALLY was able to cut and copy (paste?) this last entry onto the blog. I'm going to hit the send - no, 'publish' button before I lose everything.
Oh heck, I'll write a little more and then 'publish it.'. We're docked at Casablanca. They had the movie running on the in-house, on-board TV. So romantic. But then on the City Orientation tour, the guide assured us that the film was made in Hollywood. Boo hoo. But some woman bought property here, opened up "Rick's Cafe" and no doubt is making a bundle with the tourists who think it's the real deal.
It was raining when we had that tour so things looked a bit dreary. Casablanca is a very industrial city. We saw the old market, the new mosque (from the outside only because it's Ramadan (look it up, children) and the mosque was closed. We drove through commercial areas, poorer residential areas where wet laundry hung on balconies, past the king's palace and a couple of his other residences (my facts could be a wee bit inaccurate) and through some very upscale neighborhoods where the jillionaires from Saudi Arabia and Darfur have houses - homes they don't live in but just visit. We passed by three Catholic churches, a slum area or ghetto - can't think of the exact word - where every shack had a satellite dish that comes with everyone's electric bill, the guide informed us. So that was it for me in Casablanca. I stayed on board all day yesterday since it was raining. Gave me a chance to do some little housekeeping things and to visit with some folks.
This afternoon a group of us are taking a bus tour to Rabat and tomorrow I'm going to Marrakech with my new friend, Susan and with one of the nurses. We're going on the Marrakech Express and spending the night at a charming little hotel Susan found online.
More on that adventure when we return.
Liz, G'ma, Mommaliz, Mom, 'heyyou". xxxooo
Monday, September 7, 2009
Our arrival at Cadiz on Saturday was wonderful. I was up before 6 am, out on my balcony looking for lights. The moon was nearly full and the stars were bright. No daylight savings time so it stays fairly dark until about 7:30. I went up on deck where there were some students and some LLL’s. (Life Long Learners, to refresh your memories)> The air was full of anticipation and excitement. Everyone was taking pics of the moon and then…the lights appeared and the skyline grew as we approached land. A little roar went up. It was such fun. “I can’t believe I’m actually in Spain!” people kept saying. We watched over the side as the pilot boat approached and then as the pilot came aboard. The skyline is a mixture of new and old buildings, and, of course, of the cranes poking into the sky all around the harbor. Modern bldgs and golden domes and steeples – all was just beautiful in the morning light.
A group of us went ashore about 10 am and walked and walked and walked and walked some more all around the narrow alley-like streets of the old part of town. Checked out a couple of churches, a museum, some shops. Had lunch at an outdoor café and enjoyed the people-watching. I stopped to rest now and then, sat down on a shady bench in the middle of a small, busy square near the cathedral. A beautiful white haired woman sat next to me. She wore a bracelet that spelled out ‘Marta’ in silver letters. I touched it and said, “Usted es Marta; me Elizabeth.” It was such fun conversing with her even though she spoke no English and my Spanish is ridiculous. I asked could I take her picture and she agreed. There was an iron ball behind her – part of a fence – that looked like a growth coming out of her neck, so I asked her to move and took another picture. We laughed looking at the first one. It was time to go and I told her we’d become friends in a very short time in spite of not being able to talk. She drew me near to her and kissed me on each cheek. Priceless and so much fun!
In our meanderings we came across a restored Roman arch and later a Roman theater with stone bleachers and parts of the Roman wall that had surrounded the city. It had all been buried under centuries of rubble. It’s amazing to see such a thing. Our church in St. Benoit du Sault where we lived in France, was ‘romanesque’ and was…I need help from my sibs … I’ll just say it was very old because the house we lived in was 500 years old and the church was built way before that!
AND: have any of you kids found out about the very important event in history that made Cadiz famous? Let me know!
So we finally made it home (the ship has for sure already become home to me) from our long, long walk and I went right up to the pool deck for a swim and a snooze in a deck chair. Loverly! The pool is small but I had it to myself – so many people had gone off to Barcelona and Seville etc. It’s a salt water pool. By the way, we’re bathing with and drinking ocean water!!! They have desalination on the ship. There’s a little bit of chlorine but if you let it sit a little while, the chlorine taste dissipates. Look that word up in the dictionary, children, and tell G’ma=mommaliz what it means. Sean and Joey, that means you!
Yesterday I stayed on the ship, recuperating from the longest walk I’ve taken in months. I have to get myself a pedometer because I’m doing lots of walking on the ship in the hallways alone. Dealing with the rock and roll must surely be adding some benefit as well.
Little-by-little I’ve calmed down. Sorry for that last blog being so negative with TMI, perhaps. Oh well. I’m finding my way around just fine. I’ve met some very nice people and am finding it’s a pleasure getting to know them. It’s especially fun to talk to the kids. Let’s see, there’s Louie who is on a work/study program and helps out in the computer lab. He calls me Mommaliz. Then there’s Carina who also helped me with some computer stuff. And Alyssa whom we met, Chrissy, in Halifax with her mother. She and a couple of her friends that I’ve met call me Queen Elizabeth. Ellie, another LLL, who also walks with a cane (which I’m only doing occasionally now, thank God.), and I went to town today and ran into Alyssa who joined us for lunch. She’s so cute …had gone shopping and was thrilled with all her purchases – all very mod and European looking.
At meal times you go into the dining room and if you aren’t with anyone, you just look for a place to sit with someone – young or old. I’ve had some wonderful conversations with kids from all over…today at lunch there was a girl, Carol, who is originally from Uganda, now from Staten Island, I think she said!
The night before we got to Cadiz there was a ‘cultural orientation’ attended by everyone.
Various people talked about various aspects of life in Spain. One young prof was talking about sports in Spain … you know, futball; then he brought up the subject of stereotypes (another good word to look up in the dictionary, kids). “We Spanish think all American men wear low white sox with sandals. See my feet?” He pointed to the white sox and sandals he was wearing. “Do NOT do this in Spain! Now what is a stereotype Americans have of the Spanish?” He walked straight over to me, put the mike in my face and stood there grinning at me, waiting. “All Spanish men are sexy?” I blurted out. Got a pretty good laugh.
So I have questions to answer from some of you. First of all, thank you so much for your e-mails. As much as I’d like to, I don’t think I can answer each one. At least I’ll try to answer your questions. Actually your questions help me with this blog.
What classes am I taking? Well I’m not officially taking any but have sat in on several so far. This seems to be the norm amongst us LLL’s. “Making Documentary Films”, one on “Terrorism” and one on “Muslim Women in the World Today”. I’m just going to bounc around as if I were simply attending a different interesting lecture every day. Everyone on board attends the Global Studies Course which has been very interesting so far…except for one guy who put me to sleep.
Our crossing of the Atlantic was, according to some of the more seasoned voyagers, very smooth. Personally I loved it. Someone was talking about outriggers being deployed. All I could think of was the things that stick out on the side of those Hawaiian canoes. Sure enough, it seems stabilizers are the big ship name for them. These things are deployed in order to stabilize the roll from side to side. Someone else said we don’t do much lurching up and down, thanks to some other wonder of modern maritime engineering. At any rate I have not felt a moment of seasickness… not even queasiness. Here’s what my sister, Mary, wrote to me in her bon voyage note: “Fantastic. Remember the first time you went to sea? Dead of winter, gray waves, gray sky, howling winds and you were thrilled.”
I do indeed remember and I remember that my theory about that was that I never missed a single meal. Hope I haven’t jinxed myself here. Someone said we are supposed to have some rough seas on our way to Casablanca.
How many 20 year old boys have crushes on me? Oh at least 150.
There’s going to be a yoga class.
My cabin is fabulous. I measured it the first day and it was something like 11X17 plus the bathroom which has a very nice shower etc. Plenty of storage in the cabin and in the bathroom plus under the bed. My little balcony is great to have. I love just sitting out there and looking at the water. Also sometimes I can connect to the internet on the balcony which unfortunately I cannot do in my cabin. Some can and some can’t.
The food is fine but desert is usually white cake with no icing so I’m able to easily forego that indulgence. Otherwise I’m happy to be able to say I’ve been eating well – meaning the way I’m supposed to.
I’ve found several computer helpers. Little by little I’m learning things. It’s like starting school in Sophmore year of college and having to catch up on everything from pre-school onward. Oh well.
I want to share this wonderful quote Chrissy sent me:
If you touch it you set the whole thing trembling…
As we move around this world and as we act with kindness or with indifference, or with hostility, toward the people we meet we too are setting the great spider web a-tremble. The life that I touch for good or ill will touch another life, and that in turn another, until who knows where the trembling stops or in what far place and time my touch will be felt. Our lives are linked.
Love it, Chrissy.
Love your drawing of my ship, Lindsey and all your letters, “Darien”.
Bub and Linda: there’s a gal on board, Susan Sutton, who has a house in Northstar and who recognized your names. Proved it by saying you, Linda, are a fabulous decorator! She knows you through a friend …forgot the name.
We left Cadiz about two hours ago and now, the ship is back to its gentle rocking. The departure was very dramatic with more of the high winds we’d been having for the last three days. People were out on the decks pushing into the wind trying not to fall over, hair and clothes blowing like crazy. My midriff was exposed to the public for the first time after lo these many years of hiding in the dark. I was comforted by the fact that many midriffs – young and old - were showing and everyone was just laughing. At first there was a tug boat at the bow, trying to pull us away from the dock, but the wind was just too strong and so another tug had to be called into duty. The two of them, plus our own engines finally got us out of there and we’re off to Morocco!
How did I like Spain? Well, As some of you know, I’ve been to Spain before. I found Cadiz to be a…
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 11 am-ish.
First of all, I woke in the middle of the night, slapped my thigh, so to speak, and said out loud: “The feast of the Immaculate Conception is DECEMBER the 8th, dum-dum!” At least I was thinking about you, Mar.
At this moment, I’m sitting in the faculty lounge (which we are allowed to use) looking out at an enormous cupcake with humongous globs of whupped cream on top, sitting on a navy blue tablecloth: The Rock of Gibraltar with hovering clouds, no less!!!
Before I forget – will some family member please send Maeve my blog and e-mail addresses. People have asked how I heard of SAS. It was from you, Maeve, that day at Spring Hill when I listened to you and silently prayed that God would please, please make Carolyn want to go on Semester at Sea and keep me from opening my mouth, lest I say the wrong thing and turn her off. Needless to say my prayers were answered. Oh what a gift this was/is. Thank you, Maeve.
We’re re-fueling just off Gibraltar.
Our arrival at Cadiz on Saturday was wonderful. I was up before 6 am, out on my balcony looking for lights. The moon was nearly full and the stars were bright. No daylight savings time so it stays fairly dark until about 7:30. I went up on deck where there were some students and some LLL’s. (Life Long Learners, to refresh your memories)> The air was full of anticipation and excitement. Everyone was taking pics of the moon and then…the lights appeared and the skyline grew as we approached land. A little roar went up. It was such fun. “I can’t believe I’m actually in Spain!” people kept saying. We watched over the side as the pilot boat approached and then as the pilot came aboard. The skyline is a mixture of new and old buildings, and, of course, of the cranes poking into the sky all around the harbor. Modern bldgs and golden domes and steeples – all was just beautiful in the morning light.
A group of us went ashore about 10 am and walked and walked and walked and walked some more all around the narrow alley-like streets of the old part of town. Checked out a couple of churches, a museum, some shops. Had lunch at an outdoor café and enjoyed the people-watching. I stopped to rest now and then, sat down on a shady bench in the middle of a small, busy square near the cathedral. A beautiful white haired woman sat next to me. She wore a bracelet that spelled out ‘Marta’ in silver letters. I touched it and said, “Usted es Marta; me Elizabeth.” It was such fun conversing with her even though she spoke no English and my Spanish is ridiculous. I asked could I take her picture and she agreed. There was an iron ball behind her – part of a fence – that looked like a growth coming out of her neck, so I asked her to move and took another picture. We laughed looking at the first one. It was time to go and I told her we’d become friends in a very short time in spite of not being able to talk. She drew me near to her and kissed me on each cheek. Priceless and so much fun!
In our meanderings we came across a restored Roman arch and later a Roman theater with stone bleachers and parts of the Roman wall that had surrounded the city. It had all been buried under centuries of rubble. It’s amazing to see such a thing. Our church in St. Benoit du Sault where we lived in France, was ‘romanesque’ and was…I need help from my sibs … I’ll just say it was very old because the house we lived in was 500 years old and the church was built way before that!
AND: have any of you kids found out about the very important event in history that made Cadiz famous? Let me know!
So we finally made it home (the ship has for sure already become home to me) from our long, long walk and I went right up to the pool deck for a swim and a snooze in a deck chair. Loverly! The pool is small but I had it to myself – so many people had gone off to Barcelona and Seville etc. It’s a salt water pool. By the way, we’re bathing with and drinking ocean water!!! They have desalination on the ship. There’s a little bit of chlorine but if you let it sit a little while, the chlorine taste dissipates. Look that word up in the dictionary, children, and tell G’ma=mommaliz what it means. Sean and Joey, that means you!
Yesterday I stayed on the ship, recuperating from the longest walk I’ve taken in months. I have to get myself a pedometer because I’m doing lots of walking on the ship in the hallways alone. Dealing with the rock and roll must surely be adding some benefit as well.
Little-by-little I’ve calmed down. Sorry for that last blog being so negative with TMI, perhaps. Oh well. I’m finding my way around just fine. I’ve met some very nice people and am finding it’s a pleasure getting to know them. It’s especially fun to talk to the kids. Let’s see, there’s Louie who is on a work/study program and helps out in the computer lab. He calls me Mommaliz. Then there’s Carina who also helped me with some computer stuff. And Alyssa whom we met, Chrissy, in Halifax with her mother. She and a couple of her friends that I’ve met call me Queen Elizabeth. Ellie, another LLL, who also walks with a cane (which I’m only doing occasionally now, thank God.), and I went to town today and ran into Alyssa who joined us for lunch. She’s so cute …had gone shopping and was thrilled with all her purchases – all very mod and European looking.
At meal times you go into the dining room and if you aren’t with anyone, you just look for a place to sit with someone – young or old. I’ve had some wonderful conversations with kids from all over…today at lunch there was a girl, Carol, who is originally from Uganda, now from Staten Island, I think she said!
The night before we got to Cadiz there was a ‘cultural orientation’ attended by everyone.
Various people talked about various aspects of life in Spain. One young prof was talking about sports in Spain … you know, futball; then he brought up the subject of stereotypes (another good word to look up in the dictionary, kids). “We Spanish think all American men wear low white sox with sandals. See my feet?” He pointed to the white sox and sandals he was wearing. “Do NOT do this in Spain! Now what is a stereotype Americans have of the Spanish?” He walked straight over to me, put the mike in my face and stood there grinning at me, waiting. “All Spanish men are sexy?” I blurted out. Got a pretty good laugh.
So I have questions to answer from some of you. First of all, thank you so much for your e-mails. As much as I’d like to, I don’t think I can answer each one. At least I’ll try to answer your questions. Actually your questions help me with this blog.
What classes am I taking? Well I’m not officially taking any but have sat in on several so far. This seems to be the norm amongst us LLL’s. “Making Documentary Films”, one on “Terrorism” and one on “Muslim Women in the World Today”. I’m just going to bounc around as if I were simply attending a different interesting lecture every day. Everyone on board attends the Global Studies Course which has been very interesting so far…except for one guy who put me to sleep.
Our crossing of the Atlantic was, according to some of the more seasoned voyagers, very smooth. Personally I loved it. Someone was talking about outriggers being deployed. All I could think of was the things that stick out on the side of those Hawaiian canoes. Sure enough, it seems stabilizers are the big ship name for them. These things are deployed in order to stabilize the roll from side to side. Someone else said we don’t do much lurching up and down, thanks to some other wonder of modern maritime engineering. At any rate I have not felt a moment of seasickness… not even queasiness. Here’s what my sister, Mary, wrote to me in her bon voyage note: “Fantastic. Remember the first time you went to sea? Dead of winter, gray waves, gray sky, howling winds and you were thrilled.”
I do indeed remember and I remember that my theory about that was that I never missed a single meal. Hope I haven’t jinxed myself here. Someone said we are supposed to have some rough seas on our way to Casablanca.
How many 20 year old boys have crushes on me? Oh at least 150.
There’s going to be a yoga class.
My cabin is fabulous. I measured it the first day and it was something like 11X17 plus the bathroom which has a very nice shower etc. Plenty of storage in the cabin and in the bathroom plus under the bed. My little balcony is great to have. I love just sitting out there and looking at the water. Also sometimes I can connect to the internet on the balcony which unfortunately I cannot do in my cabin. Some can and some can’t.
The food is fine but desert is usually white cake with no icing so I’m able to easily forego that indulgence. Otherwise I’m happy to be able to say I’ve been eating well – meaning the way I’m supposed to.
I’ve found several computer helpers. Little by little I’m learning things. It’s like starting school in Sophmore year of college and having to catch up on everything from pre-school onward. Oh well.
I want to share this wonderful quote Chrissy sent me:
If you touch it you set the whole thing trembling…
As we move around this world and as we act with kindness or with indifference, or with hostility, toward the people we meet we too are setting the great spider web a-tremble. The life that I touch for good or ill will touch another life, and that in turn another, until who knows where the trembling stops or in what far place and time my touch will be felt. Our lives are linked.
Love it, Chrissy.
Love your drawing of my ship, Lindsey and all your letters, “Darien”.
Bub and Linda: there’s a gal on board, Susan Sutton, who has a house in Northstar and who recognized your names. Proved it by saying you, Linda, are a fabulous decorator! She knows you through a friend …forgot the name.
We left Cadiz about two hours ago and now, the ship is back to its gentle rocking. The departure was very dramatic with more of the high winds we’d been having for the last three days. People were out on the decks pushing into the wind trying not to fall over, hair and clothes blowing like crazy. My midriff was exposed to the public for the first time after lo these many years of hiding in the dark. I was comforted by the fact that many midriffs – young and old - were showing and everyone was just laughing. At first there was a tug boat at the bow, trying to pull us away from the dock, but the wind was just too strong and so another tug had to be called into duty. The two of them, plus our own engines finally got us out of there and we’re off to Morocco!
How did I like Spain? Well, As some of you know, I’ve been to Spain before. I found Cadiz to be a…
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 11 am-ish.
First of all, I woke in the middle of the night, slapped my thigh, so to speak, and said out loud: “The feast of the Immaculate Conception is DECEMBER the 8th, dum-dum!” At least I was thinking about you, Mar.
At this moment, I’m sitting in the faculty lounge (which we are allowed to use) looking out at an enormous cupcake with humongous globs of whupped cream on top, sitting on a navy blue tablecloth: The Rock of Gibraltar with hovering clouds, no less!!!
Before I forget – will some family member please send Maeve my blog and e-mail addresses. People have asked how I heard of SAS. It was from you, Maeve, that day at Spring Hill when I listened to you and silently prayed that God would please, please make Carolyn want to go on Semester at Sea and keep me from opening my mouth, lest I say the wrong thing and turn her off. Needless to say my prayers were answered. Oh what a gift this was/is. Thank you, Maeve.
We’re re-fueling just off Gibraltar.
Now it's Sat. the 12th of Sept. I've been sitting here having a silent blue conversation with this computer and finally...FINALLY was able to cut and copy (paste?) this last entry onto the blog. I'm going to hit the send - no, 'publish' button before I lose everything.
Oh heck, I'll write a little more and then 'publish it.'. We're docked at Casablanca. They had the movie running on the in-house, on-board TV. So romantic. But then on the City Orientation tour, the guide assured us that the film was made in Hollywood. Boo hoo. But some woman bought property here, opened up "Rick's Cafe" and no doubt is making a bundle with the tourists who think it's the real deal.
It was raining when we had that tour so things looked a bit dreary. Casablanca is a very industrial city. We saw the old market, the new mosque (from the outside only because it's Ramadan (look it up, children) and the mosque was closed. We drove through commercial areas, poorer residential areas where wet laundry hung on balconies, past the king's palace and a couple of his other residences (my facts could be a wee bit inaccurate) and through some very upscale neighborhoods where the jillionaires from Saudi Arabia and Darfur have houses - homes they don't live in but just visit. We passed by three Catholic churches, a slum area or ghetto - can't think of the exact word - where every shack had a satellite dish that comes with everyone's electric bill, the guide informed us. So that was it for me in Casablanca. I stayed on board all day yesterday since it was raining. Gave me a chance to do some little housekeeping things and to visit with some folks.
This afternoon a group of us are taking a bus tour to Rabat and tomorrow I'm going to Marrakech with my new friend, Susan and with one of the nurses. We're going on the Marrakech Express and spending the night at a charming little hotel Susan found online.
More on that adventure when we return.
Liz, G'ma, Mommaliz, Mom, 'heyyou". xxxooo
Monday, September 7, 2009
Our arrival at Cadiz on Saturday was wonderful. I was up before 6 am, out on my balcony looking for lights. The moon was nearly full and the stars were bright. No daylight savings time so it stays fairly dark until about 7:30. I went up on deck where there were some students and some LLL’s. (Life Long Learners, to refresh your memories)> The air was full of anticipation and excitement. Everyone was taking pics of the moon and then…the lights appeared and the skyline grew as we approached land. A little roar went up. It was such fun. “I can’t believe I’m actually in Spain!” people kept saying. We watched over the side as the pilot boat approached and then as the pilot came aboard. The skyline is a mixture of new and old buildings, and, of course, of the cranes poking into the sky all around the harbor. Modern bldgs and golden domes and steeples – all was just beautiful in the morning light.
A group of us went ashore about 10 am and walked and walked and walked and walked some more all around the narrow alley-like streets of the old part of town. Checked out a couple of churches, a museum, some shops. Had lunch at an outdoor café and enjoyed the people-watching. I stopped to rest now and then, sat down on a shady bench in the middle of a small, busy square near the cathedral. A beautiful white haired woman sat next to me. She wore a bracelet that spelled out ‘Marta’ in silver letters. I touched it and said, “Usted es Marta; me Elizabeth.” It was such fun conversing with her even though she spoke no English and my Spanish is ridiculous. I asked could I take her picture and she agreed. There was an iron ball behind her – part of a fence – that looked like a growth coming out of her neck, so I asked her to move and took another picture. We laughed looking at the first one. It was time to go and I told her we’d become friends in a very short time in spite of not being able to talk. She drew me near to her and kissed me on each cheek. Priceless and so much fun!
In our meanderings we came across a restored Roman arch and later a Roman theater with stone bleachers and parts of the Roman wall that had surrounded the city. It had all been buried under centuries of rubble. It’s amazing to see such a thing. Our church in St. Benoit du Sault where we lived in France, was ‘romanesque’ and was…I need help from my sibs … I’ll just say it was very old because the house we lived in was 500 years old and the church was built way before that!
AND: have any of you kids found out about the very important event in history that made Cadiz famous? Let me know!
So we finally made it home (the ship has for sure already become home to me) from our long, long walk and I went right up to the pool deck for a swim and a snooze in a deck chair. Loverly! The pool is small but I had it to myself – so many people had gone off to Barcelona and Seville etc. It’s a salt water pool. By the way, we’re bathing with and drinking ocean water!!! They have desalination on the ship. There’s a little bit of chlorine but if you let it sit a little while, the chlorine taste dissipates. Look that word up in the dictionary, children, and tell G’ma=mommaliz what it means. Sean and Joey, that means you!
Yesterday I stayed on the ship, recuperating from the longest walk I’ve taken in months. I have to get myself a pedometer because I’m doing lots of walking on the ship in the hallways alone. Dealing with the rock and roll must surely be adding some benefit as well.
Little-by-little I’ve calmed down. Sorry for that last blog being so negative with TMI, perhaps. Oh well. I’m finding my way around just fine. I’ve met some very nice people and am finding it’s a pleasure getting to know them. It’s especially fun to talk to the kids. Let’s see, there’s Louie who is on a work/study program and helps out in the computer lab. He calls me Mommaliz. Then there’s Carina who also helped me with some computer stuff. And Alyssa whom we met, Chrissy, in Halifax with her mother. She and a couple of her friends that I’ve met call me Queen Elizabeth. Ellie, another LLL, who also walks with a cane (which I’m only doing occasionally now, thank God.), and I went to town today and ran into Alyssa who joined us for lunch. She’s so cute …had gone shopping and was thrilled with all her purchases – all very mod and European looking.
At meal times you go into the dining room and if you aren’t with anyone, you just look for a place to sit with someone – young or old. I’ve had some wonderful conversations with kids from all over…today at lunch there was a girl, Carol, who is originally from Uganda, now from Staten Island, I think she said!
The night before we got to Cadiz there was a ‘cultural orientation’ attended by everyone.
Various people talked about various aspects of life in Spain. One young prof was talking about sports in Spain … you know, futball; then he brought up the subject of stereotypes (another good word to look up in the dictionary, kids). “We Spanish think all American men wear low white sox with sandals. See my feet?” He pointed to the white sox and sandals he was wearing. “Do NOT do this in Spain! Now what is a stereotype Americans have of the Spanish?” He walked straight over to me, put the mike in my face and stood there grinning at me, waiting. “All Spanish men are sexy?” I blurted out. Got a pretty good laugh.
So I have questions to answer from some of you. First of all, thank you so much for your e-mails. As much as I’d like to, I don’t think I can answer each one. At least I’ll try to answer your questions. Actually your questions help me with this blog.
What classes am I taking? Well I’m not officially taking any but have sat in on several so far. This seems to be the norm amongst us LLL’s. “Making Documentary Films”, one on “Terrorism” and one on “Muslim Women in the World Today”. I’m just going to bounc around as if I were simply attending a different interesting lecture every day. Everyone on board attends the Global Studies Course which has been very interesting so far…except for one guy who put me to sleep.
Our crossing of the Atlantic was, according to some of the more seasoned voyagers, very smooth. Personally I loved it. Someone was talking about outriggers being deployed. All I could think of was the things that stick out on the side of those Hawaiian canoes. Sure enough, it seems stabilizers are the big ship name for them. These things are deployed in order to stabilize the roll from side to side. Someone else said we don’t do much lurching up and down, thanks to some other wonder of modern maritime engineering. At any rate I have not felt a moment of seasickness… not even queasiness. Here’s what my sister, Mary, wrote to me in her bon voyage note: “Fantastic. Remember the first time you went to sea? Dead of winter, gray waves, gray sky, howling winds and you were thrilled.”
I do indeed remember and I remember that my theory about that was that I never missed a single meal. Hope I haven’t jinxed myself here. Someone said we are supposed to have some rough seas on our way to Casablanca.
How many 20 year old boys have crushes on me? Oh at least 150.
There’s going to be a yoga class.
My cabin is fabulous. I measured it the first day and it was something like 11X17 plus the bathroom which has a very nice shower etc. Plenty of storage in the cabin and in the bathroom plus under the bed. My little balcony is great to have. I love just sitting out there and looking at the water. Also sometimes I can connect to the internet on the balcony which unfortunately I cannot do in my cabin. Some can and some can’t.
The food is fine but desert is usually white cake with no icing so I’m able to easily forego that indulgence. Otherwise I’m happy to be able to say I’ve been eating well – meaning the way I’m supposed to.
I’ve found several computer helpers. Little by little I’m learning things. It’s like starting school in Sophmore year of college and having to catch up on everything from pre-school onward. Oh well.
I want to share this wonderful quote Chrissy sent me:
If you touch it you set the whole thing trembling…
As we move around this world and as we act with kindness or with indifference, or with hostility, toward the people we meet we too are setting the great spider web a-tremble. The life that I touch for good or ill will touch another life, and that in turn another, until who knows where the trembling stops or in what far place and time my touch will be felt. Our lives are linked.
Love it, Chrissy.
Love your drawing of my ship, Lindsey and all your letters, “Darien”.
Bub and Linda: there’s a gal on board, Susan Sutton, who has a house in Northstar and who recognized your names. Proved it by saying you, Linda, are a fabulous decorator! She knows you through a friend …forgot the name.
We left Cadiz about two hours ago and now, the ship is back to its gentle rocking. The departure was very dramatic with more of the high winds we’d been having for the last three days. People were out on the decks pushing into the wind trying not to fall over, hair and clothes blowing like crazy. My midriff was exposed to the public for the first time after lo these many years of hiding in the dark. I was comforted by the fact that many midriffs – young and old - were showing and everyone was just laughing. At first there was a tug boat at the bow, trying to pull us away from the dock, but the wind was just too strong and so another tug had to be called into duty. The two of them, plus our own engines finally got us out of there and we’re off to Morocco!
How did I like Spain? Well, As some of you know, I’ve been to Spain before. I found Cadiz to be a…
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 11 am-ish.
First of all, I woke in the middle of the night, slapped my thigh, so to speak, and said out loud: “The feast of the Immaculate Conception is DECEMBER the 8th, dum-dum!” At least I was thinking about you, Mar.
At this moment, I’m sitting in the faculty lounge (which we are allowed to use) looking out at an enormous cupcake with humongous globs of whupped cream on top, sitting on a navy blue tablecloth: The Rock of Gibraltar with hovering clouds, no less!!!
Before I forget – will some family member please send Maeve my blog and e-mail addresses. People have asked how I heard of SAS. It was from you, Maeve, that day at Spring Hill when I listened to you and silently prayed that God would please, please make Carolyn want to go on Semester at Sea and keep me from opening my mouth, lest I say the wrong thing and turn her off. Needless to say my prayers were answered. Oh what a gift this was/is. Thank you, Maeve.
We’re re-fueling just off Gibraltar.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
We didn’t get to Cadiz today…we get there tomorrow. I can’t believe we’ve just about crossed the Atlantic Ocean. THE ATLANTIC OCEAN!!!!! Elle, Grace, Leo, Emily, Luca, Annabel, Lindsey, Cole, Elia, Gregorio, Look and see if you can find Cadiz. Then look and see if you can find New Jersey or your state and you’ll be able to see how far away I am. By the way, I’ll bet you thought you say Cadiz like this: Ca-DEEZ, huh? Nope. It’s CA-deeth. There was a very important person who did something very very important a long long time ago at Cadiz. Who can find out what it was and let me know.
By the way if you want to follow along go to www.semesteratsea.org then Voyages then Current Voyage then explore the sight. Check out “Field Trips” for an idea of some of our options when at a port. I’ll be letting you know what I’ll be doing along the way. I finally got my brain around how to do all the sign ups etc. thank goodness. It was driving me mad. Also, Elise, this afternoon I successfully put all the pics in my camera into IPhoto and deleted them from my camera. Progress. The ‘campus photographer’, Steven, promised to help me with labeling and organizing so by the time I get home you will be totally impressed.
I’m beginning to settle down. Got some help today and sent off the blog to you all. What an accomplishment!
I wish you could see this ocean. It’s made of jillions of melted sapphires with diamond dust appearing and disappearing on the tops of the waves. Earlier today we saw a shadow on the horizon and couldn’t tell for a while if it was a weird cloud or what. Turned out to be a huge container ship. They caught up to us, passed us and disappeared. How fast could they have been going? We’re averaging 14.5 knots. Who can figure out how many miles per hour that would be? Do you think you could walk or run 14 knots an hour? Common, math geniuses.
Yesterday afternoon I went to the purser’s desk (three doors down from where my cabin is) and asked if they’d put an announcement in the Dean’s Memo. “If anyone finds two pairs of reading glasses, please return them to C 5019.” I’ve been two whole days without glasses.
A few minutes ago I opened the left hand drawer on my desk and… right. I hope I won’t have many more tales to tell on myself like that now that I’m getting a little acclimated.
Who knows what acclimated means – Luca? Grace? Anyone?
Oh, on the website there’s a map of the ship. I’m on deck 5 on the starboard side three doors forward of Tymitz Square. I’m going to see about sending pictures soon. If they let me, I’ll include some of my cabin. It’s fa-bu-lous!
Off to my LLL meeting. More later.xo
10:30pm or: who knows what’s the other way to write that? I just came from the “Preport Logistics” meeting- all about times for getting off the ship tomorrow, and various safety and how-to-get-around things. They showed a very good film called “Hazed” – with a drink responsibly message. Very good and, I hope, effective.
Everyone’s all excited to be getting off the ship in Spain tomorrow. Then on the 10th we’ll be going to Casablanca where some folks will be going to the desert, staying with Nomads in tents and riding camels!! Imagine.
Got your e-mail, Jean. Miss you too. This ship would be a wonderful alternative to an assisted living joint – oops, sorry – facility. Whaddaya think: 4 months in an RV in the states, 4 months on SAS and 4 months seeing family and playing clay. We’ve got to do that pottery cruise, girl!
I like the kiss and drop, Lizzie. Keep me posted on the house. It would be great for you to get in and settled before the new baby comes. I have my fingers crossed.
When are you guys leaving, Stacy & CJ? Thank you so much for a wonderful time at the Riveria. It was so nice to be there with you, as always, and to get to see everyone, including Ellen and Rick and Susanne. Oh, AND JULIE!!!! Julie, thank you so much for the wrist bands. How thoughtful of you! I wore them the first couple of days at sea but haven’t needed them
For everyone: please feel free to give the blog address to anyone you like. It’s fun to read the comments.
Happy Birthday to Marilyn on the 8th. I always remember but never send a card.
How are Max and Natalya doing?
More next time.
Adios et Buenos noces a todos. L xo
We didn’t get to Cadiz today…we get there tomorrow. I can’t believe we’ve just about crossed the Atlantic Ocean. THE ATLANTIC OCEAN!!!!! Elle, Grace, Leo, Emily, Luca, Annabel, Lindsey, Cole, Elia, Gregorio, Look and see if you can find Cadiz. Then look and see if you can find New Jersey or your state and you’ll be able to see how far away I am. By the way, I’ll bet you thought you say Cadiz like this: Ca-DEEZ, huh? Nope. It’s CA-deeth. There was a very important person who did something very very important a long long time ago at Cadiz. Who can find out what it was and let me know.
By the way if you want to follow along go to www.semesteratsea.org then Voyages then Current Voyage then explore the sight. Check out “Field Trips” for an idea of some of our options when at a port. I’ll be letting you know what I’ll be doing along the way. I finally got my brain around how to do all the sign ups etc. thank goodness. It was driving me mad. Also, Elise, this afternoon I successfully put all the pics in my camera into IPhoto and deleted them from my camera. Progress. The ‘campus photographer’, Steven, promised to help me with labeling and organizing so by the time I get home you will be totally impressed.
I’m beginning to settle down. Got some help today and sent off the blog to you all. What an accomplishment!
I wish you could see this ocean. It’s made of jillions of melted sapphires with diamond dust appearing and disappearing on the tops of the waves. Earlier today we saw a shadow on the horizon and couldn’t tell for a while if it was a weird cloud or what. Turned out to be a huge container ship. They caught up to us, passed us and disappeared. How fast could they have been going? We’re averaging 14.5 knots. Who can figure out how many miles per hour that would be? Do you think you could walk or run 14 knots an hour? Common, math geniuses.
Yesterday afternoon I went to the purser’s desk (three doors down from where my cabin is) and asked if they’d put an announcement in the Dean’s Memo. “If anyone finds two pairs of reading glasses, please return them to C 5019.” I’ve been two whole days without glasses.
A few minutes ago I opened the left hand drawer on my desk and… right. I hope I won’t have many more tales to tell on myself like that now that I’m getting a little acclimated.
Who knows what acclimated means – Luca? Grace? Anyone?
Oh, on the website there’s a map of the ship. I’m on deck 5 on the starboard side three doors forward of Tymitz Square. I’m going to see about sending pictures soon. If they let me, I’ll include some of my cabin. It’s fa-bu-lous!
Off to my LLL meeting. More later.xo
10:30pm or: who knows what’s the other way to write that? I just came from the “Preport Logistics” meeting- all about times for getting off the ship tomorrow, and various safety and how-to-get-around things. They showed a very good film called “Hazed” – with a drink responsibly message. Very good and, I hope, effective.
Everyone’s all excited to be getting off the ship in Spain tomorrow. Then on the 10th we’ll be going to Casablanca where some folks will be going to the desert, staying with Nomads in tents and riding camels!! Imagine.
Got your e-mail, Jean. Miss you too. This ship would be a wonderful alternative to an assisted living joint – oops, sorry – facility. Whaddaya think: 4 months in an RV in the states, 4 months on SAS and 4 months seeing family and playing clay. We’ve got to do that pottery cruise, girl!
I like the kiss and drop, Lizzie. Keep me posted on the house. It would be great for you to get in and settled before the new baby comes. I have my fingers crossed.
When are you guys leaving, Stacy & CJ? Thank you so much for a wonderful time at the Riveria. It was so nice to be there with you, as always, and to get to see everyone, including Ellen and Rick and Susanne. Oh, AND JULIE!!!! Julie, thank you so much for the wrist bands. How thoughtful of you! I wore them the first couple of days at sea but haven’t needed them
For everyone: please feel free to give the blog address to anyone you like. It’s fun to read the comments.
Happy Birthday to Marilyn on the 8th. I always remember but never send a card.
How are Max and Natalya doing?
More next time.
Adios et Buenos noces a todos. L xo
August, 31, 2009
A bit more chop today with little whitecaps and more rock and roll. Didn’t get out of bed til 10:30. That warm rocking cocoon was just too sweet to leave… but I did and then returned as if pulled by a giant magnet until 2:30 in the afternoon. That I am sleeping so well and so long tells me I need the rest and that I need the rocking so I’m letting myself have it. Also we’ve lost an hour each night and I think it’s catching up with me.
The ‘desk’ here in my cabin is a thick glass shelf spanning two of the built in cabinets. There’s a ceiling-to-floor mirror on the wall so that as I sit and type, if I look up from the keys, there I am! It occurs to me that I’m going to get to know myself in an entirely new way on this voyage! With the light coming in on my left, every wrinkle on that side of my face is illuminated and seems exaggerated. I look pretty good when I put some make up on and look at myself in a softly lit bathroom mirror. But this natural light is too honest. It’s interesting to me that I have more going on on the left side of my face than the right and I realize, looking at myself, that I have a way of grinning on the left side of my mouth…thus more wrinkles; and I also notice that I can see Grandma Williams’ twinkle in my eyes. I wonder how in the world I got to be 73 years old!
Later – after finishing the process of choosing and signing up for day trips in Accra, Morocco and I forget where else, I went to the LifeLongLearners evening meeting, had a glass of wine then went to dinner with Susan and several others. At the LLL meeting, Eileen had the group resume telling about themselves in more detail. I sat there listening and shrinking back into my seat, hoping I could just pass when it came my time. I got a reprieve but oh my! We heard from: a lawyer, a retired teacher who now works as a messenger between the house and the senate of her state – Kentucky; a young woman who’s on board with her husband, two little boys and her father-in-law - she’s a business woman who owns three or four corporations and has participated in many iron wo-man triathlons or whatever and looks like a 19year old; another retired teacher whose accomplishments have something to do with helping troubled companies come back to life. I was to be next. All the time sitting there listening, I was thinking, I can’t talk about myself. I don’t want to tell the truth of my life: the 8 kids and the cancer, etc, especially after the Global Studies speech the other day in which the guy was talking about the over-population and how it impacts sustainability and all that. What else is there to say about myself vis-à-vis Eileen who was a Fulbright scholar and all these other accomplished folks. I’m an actor? Really! Do you do films or do you work on the stage? I’m a writer? No kidding? What kind of books have you written? I’m a potter? Do sell your work in a gallery? Well………………….. (I know, studio friends, I know!)
John was right, Liz, you are a beautiful woman. I can see that you are when I glance up and look at you –wrinkles and all - in the mirror here at my desk.
I just took a Melatonin. It’s 10:30 and I’m suffering, I think, from ocean lag ( we had to advance our clocks yet again last night). I think I’d like to get up for breakfast tomorrow. Hell I missed both breakfast and lunch today. Good. But I feel like I need to get on a schedule. Why? Well. You know. I don’t want to sleep away this whole trip – oops, ‘voyage’. What would be wrong with that? If your body and soul need to sleep, let them. Well, you know, in a flash we’ll be in Spain. What am I going to do, sleep through our time in Spain? So what if you do?
I’ve been increasingly anxious about being confused, forgetful, not hearing or grasping what people have said, about not knowing where I’m supposed to be at any given time. Where does it say I’m supposed to do anything on this ship? It’s just that there’s a lot of orientation stuff, administrative stuff. The calendar they passed out is in such a small font I can’t read it … and do you think I know where I put my new little lighted magnifying glass? Not. This afternoon I went down, no up, to the beauty salon just to check it out. FYI: it’s full service, including massages- hooray. I knew I took my glasses with me. When I got back to my cabin, I looked everywhere for them to no avail. Called the salon. They hadn’t found them. An hour later I looked down and there they were, hanging from the vee of my shirt! That kind of thing is SO FRUSTRATING. It’s part of this business of getting old – the inconveniences of not hearing well, not remembering. Whew. These things I do not like.
When I checked my e-mails (I actually managed to do that!) there were two from Frank Tomaino – one listed all the sins of ‘newly canonized St. Ted Kennedy’. I stopped reading and hit the ‘junk’ button. Sorry, Frank.
The ship rocks and I just want to go get in my cradle.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
It feels like this is going to be over too soon. The sky cleared around 2 this afternoon so I sat out on my balcony for a while in my bathing suit with sunscreen all over me. The sun was hot. Read a while. Looked out at the water mostly. Close to the ship under the foam the water is the color of the Caribbean or the color of the ice on the rocks we’d see going up to the Pocono house. It’s so, so beautiful as is the deep marine blue, navy blue of the rest of the ocean. The things I think about when I look at the waves seem trite: it’s a metaphor – duh. But I just love the ocean: being on it, looking at it, listening to it, rocking on it. There was a sailboat off the starboard side when I returned to my cabin from lunch today. Not a very big boat …maybe 40 feet long though I’m really not a judge. Who’s on it?, I wondered. Could they be relatives of mine from Ireland or Denmark? When a little white cap disappears into the blue, I get it, that inter-connectedness they’re talking about so much these days. One little bubble in the Atlantic today could have been part of the rain falling in Texas when I was a kid! Hell, specs of ash from Greg’s forehead or something are probably floating by out there! I know John’s not out there yet cause he’s still sitting in a little box on the book case at home.
Milton Orris, a fellow LLL and a journalist by trade, gave a symposium last night… I think it will become a class of sorts…on creative non-fiction writing, or journaling. He writes journal in the morning and gratitude journal in the evening. He recommends discipline as to time of day and regularity – with room for exceptions – and says to try to stay positive. I’ve been staying away from writing journal. The computer thing has had me crazy, so that’s a negative topic; also I find there’s pressure for me in being with people so much. I want to give myself a chance to pick and choose – to find the folks I’m comfortable with. Some of the ones I’ve talked to, though very nice and pleasant, are, let’s face it, academic types. Their language is on the formal side and they talk a lot about their reading or publishing or traveling. Then there are prim and propers – lovely ladies with lovely outfits and makeup – the kind who would never say the s word let alone the f word, except for Gretchen (age 77) who’s already said a couple of curse words, like hell and damn. Her husband, Ray, has speech aphasia, I think she called it. He has difficulty getting words out. Sad. He’s a handsome guy, but seems pretty lonely. Gretchen told me this is a precurser to dementia. Kind of like ALS or Alzheimer’s, I suppose. Anyway, I like Gretchen…knew that I liked her the first time I talked to her. Nothing prim and proper about her. This is their 7th voyage, I think she said. They know and love all the ‘guys’ (the stewards etc). She’s going to be a good resource for me.
I don’t mean to be so harsh on the prims and the propers of the world. I really do love ‘em; heck some of my best friends are prims and propers like, Mary Mora and Claudia and Corrine and Mary S., and Judy T, and, and, and… you know who you are.
I’m going to the Captain’s Dinner tonight at 7:30! It will be the first of several he hosts during the voyage. Gotta get dressed up but didn’t bring anything very dressy. What I brought will have to do. Gotta talk to people like you do at a cocktail party. I’m uncomfortable about that… no man to help me out, to pick up the slack, to hide behind. It feels like it will bework. Though yesterday when I went up to the bar-b-q on the pool deck, I sat down at the empty bar stool next to a guy who was talking to some woman on his left. The kids were all over the place, some large groups, some diads and triads, some were dangling their feet in one of the kiddie pools, a choice few dancing fabulously. The gal departed and the guy turned to me and introduced himself as Nick. I looked at the name tag dangling from a lanyard around his neck: Innanu…something or other. I recognized it because yesterday afternoon I read through the faculty names and bios. ‘Oh I know who you are!” I exclaimed. “You’re a big mucky-muck! I was just reading about you. You’re the…” “…executive dean.”, he helped me out. “Yeah, you’re a big shot.” He laughed. So I asked him about which voyage this is for him and where he comes from- the usual questions. “Oh yes, I remember, you’re the kinesiologist!” “Well, not really.” He replied. “I’m mainly in public health. That’s just some…” blah blah – obviously not wanting to be pegged a kinesiologist.. but not getting on any academic high horse either. We were both amused by our exchange; it was short and sweet and fun.
So that little conversation was fine. I told him about the 4 kids being alumnae and about how it’s now my turn. Very pleasant. I was relieved it didn’t go any farther, because these little getting-to-know-you conversations invariably end up with me having to indicate I agree with people or act like I know what they’re talking about, when in fact, I don’t have a clue. I can’t keep up with these people!!! “When I was in graduate school…” or I was in Prague (or somewhere) working on my doctorate thesis or dissertation, whichever it is); and the head of the department asked me to…; or when I was dean at the University of Such and Such…”
What am I supposed to say? “Well: I was drunk on Scotch and Rusty Nails the night my 6th was born and we’d gone out to dinner with friends and were driving over bumpy dirt roads to induce my labor and I woke up with one of those kidney shaped plastic dishes next to my shoulder and learned that I had another baby girl. Must have been vomiting, heh, heh.” I DON’T THINK SO. But that baby girl has turned out to be a magnificent woman who, along with her siblings, is contributing to the world each in a very special way
This is a bitch because I wouldn’t mind sending this entry to my blog for some people to read but not for all on my list. How‘m I gonna do this? Parents of little ones, censor for me and I’ll try to clean up my mouth. I don’t want to have to be writing four or five different things every day. Milt was talking about that last night: audience. Know who you’re communicating to. (Dangling participle?).
The Atlantic crossing is almost over - we’ll be in Spain on Friday morning! Amazing.
If I’m feeling nervous and a little scared, it’s natural and normal, I believe. So I’ve talked about it here. Better than letting the fear and sense of inferiority linger and ferment.
Hell I went to the Captain’s dinner tonight! I looked good in my black pants, sheer black and white tunic, my Taryn Rose shoes, my eye makeup and my lipstick and my Route de The` perfume from Barney’s!. I talked to enough people and it was very pleasant in spite of the fact that being a woman alone is a new role for me…one I’m going to have to get accustomed to. Food was good; conversation was interesting, centering mostly on Stephan’s input. He’s the officer in charge of hotel services. It was fun picking his brain about how things work on board the ship as well in his personal life with so much of his time spent at sea. He’s from Hamburg Germany originally and now he, his wife and two little ones live in Thailand. He talked about the staff, most of whom are from the Philipines.When Stephan said “Hamburg” I was reminded of the morning I was awakened by the sound of men speaking German. We had crossed the Atlantic and arrived in Hamburg, on oure way to St. Benoit, France – the excitement of my 15 year-old lifetime.
Ellen and Rob Vaughn – they were the first folks I spoke to when I came into the lounge for cocktails and we were at the same table for dinner. He’s a prof at UVA and she worked for years at a hospital in Charlottesville and created a program that serves kids who are facing surgery, among other things. I told her about Super Sibs and will for sure give her Melanie’s address etc. Ripple effect at work. Lovely. Proof that good can come out of life’s difficulties. Also at my table were Tim (IT guy) and his wife, Brenda, the librarian and Greg and Wanda who teaches anthropology. All very nice people. It was a wonderful evening.
At noon and again at 6 pm, that’s 1200 and 1800 – ahem, a lady comes on the loudspeaker and makes announcements. I don’t always catch what she says, of course, but I heard her say that the sea was 14,000 feet deep!!!! Hey Greg, wanna go snorkeling? Remember that day in the Galapagos? What a day, baby, Huh?
I’ve received e-mails from some of you but haven’t had time to respond to them. I probably won’t be able to do that, but if you ask a question, I’ll try to answer it and include it in the blog and I’ll try to direct things now and then to individuals. I miss all of you so much – family – biological and step, friends, studio...special sugar from Greg,Emily,Lindsey,Grace,Annabel,Elle,Cole,Leo,Luca,Elia…oh yes, I miss you all and love you all so much. But that doesn’t mean I’m not happy as can be to be going around the world on the EXPLORER. Am I blessed by all of you and by this? Oh my. Thank you, God, Whoever You are.
And a VERY SPECIAL NOTE TO AN OH-SO-SPECIAL PERSON I LOVE SO VERY MUCH: KATHY, MY FIRST BORN, WHO AS OF SEPT. 1ST HAS BEAUTIFULLY GRACED THIS EARTH FOR HER FIRST 50 YEARS! LOVE YOU, KATHY!
MOM, LIZ, MOMMALIZ XXXXXXXXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
PS: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO: Mary Lucille, Audrey, Carol D, Bonnie and…oh lord, who else was born in Aug or Sept? HB to you, too!
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