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