21st birthday

September 28, 2009
13:57
So far a lot of people have wished me a happy birthday! Along with other random wishes: My LLC stopped me in the hallway to wish me a happy birthday, Ryan came to our room this morning before Global to say happy birthday, James drew me an R2D2 that looks SO FREAKING COOL, Kristin stopped by with a little birthday card, my parents left me a Star Wars card (which I’ve been carrying around the ship, because it’s one of those music cards... and it does the imperial march), my other parents and sisters made me a card (which is hanging on my wall), Amy emailed me (along with parents and grandparents) and the day is still young! I also bought myself lunch (chicken sandwich with cheese - not even close to Chick-fil-a, but oh well!) and a root beer! Yum!

Side note:
Terrance’s tour bus broke down in Ghana and he suggested putting it in 2nd and pushing it... like in Little Miss Sunshine. He has a video of it. IT WORKED.

13 days

Thursday, September 18 – Water
1:16
Jackie, my new friend Ryan and I had this strange "shock" the other day. We were watching Milk, and in Milk they got pizza delivered or someone brought it by that was in their group. Jackie said, "Pizza sounds so good." I almost suggested ordering it, and as it almost came out of my mouth, Ryan started laughing because he almost did the same thing. We all talked about how strange it was that we temporarily forgot that we were on a ship, no longer in the USA and unable to do such things like order Pizza. It's strange how something like watching a movie can make you feel at home, and make you slip into a feeling of comfort and make you completely forget where you really are... like on a ship docked in Morocco.
It’s ten days until my 21st birthday. I have made friends with a boy named Marco who has Dr.Peppers and is going to give me one on my birthday. My friend Terrance says he’s going to do my makeup on my birthday. I’m going to wear one of my new Spain dresses. I will have four classes that day, and I will have the rest of the night to do whatever I want. I will have a three drink (beer or wine, both my favorite) limit. I will then have the following day to do whatever I please because I will have no classes - not like I’ll be hung over and have to sleep it off or anything.
Tonight while Ryan was studying with Jackie and I (which is never a productive thing, because we always end up talking and laughing), Viki stopped by and we all had a really nice convo for about a hour and a half! Seriously, I love the friends I’ve made on this trip. I know I will have them for the rest of my life. I know I will see all them all again, even if it’s years from now. 
Well, I really shouldn’t of stayed up this late and of course I was starting to fall asleep around 9 but somehow managed to stay up past when I planned on sleeping... Here’s to my first day of my new class and all my classes being on the same day! Even if it goes miserably, the ship has a full day off tomorrow and I personally have another day off following that one. I am so loving this new schedule.

13:41
I forgot to mention our little caffeine high from our Moroccan Pepsi from last night. The trio (Ryan, Jackie and I) got so silly. I like to pretend argue loudly. I took a very giggly Jackie by the arm and “threw” her out of the room, into the hallway. Go figure that our friend Nikola would be out in the hallway, looking at us like we’re crazy. It’s a lot of fun laughing and being silly. It seems like I do it a lot on this ship.
I forgot to mention how I got to lay out in the sun and pretend like I was at the beach yesterday. AND there were no annoying girls with their stereo to ruin it! I got a lot of socializing done with Terrance, Matt, Ryan and Beno. I thoroughly enjoy my time on this ship!
Today was my first day in my International Service Learning class. This was what I was looking for in Semester at Sea. I already love it and I’m only one class in. The class is divided into groups, and I had to be accepted into one - which happened within 30 sections. I amazed one of my classmates/group members, James (who I met in the Casablanca train station when I was buying my tickets to Marrakech), by loving Star Wars. Sometimes I forget it’s not normal to be as obsessed with Star Wars as I am. The class is basically learning how to be of service. There’s 4 criteria for it to be considered service learning: big question (What can we do to enhance the quality of life?), reflection, sustainability, and reciprocity. Service learning is about US whereas volunteering is all about THEM.

I wanted to be able to come away from this semester as a better person, and I feel like this class is going to change me as a person - maybe not immensely, and maybe no one will be able to tell, but I feel like it will change me for the better. Professor Dr. Bernard J. Strenecky is so passionate about this class and this idea I feel like I can really learn from him in many ways. He’s been around the world multiple times helping in various different ways. I’m just so rejuvenated and happy from this class change.
I have one more class (Deviance and Social Control) today, in which we’re watching the movie Edmund. After class I’m hitting up the gym and the “beach” (as I like to call it). To be honest, all we’re missing is the sand. The pool water is the ocean water. I’m not that far off calling it the beach. Talent show tonight and two days off! Chicka Chicka What!

Sunday, September 20
0:16
Let’s see. Last nights Talent Show lasted about two hours, but it was really funny. There were some acts that were really difficult to watch - like this one guy’s stand up that was racist and rude. Other acts were hilarious - like this kid who made a PB&J, the Latin Lovers who lip synced to a spanish tennis song (so cute) and George who did impressions (he does our captain really well - he got first place, btw). There was some real talents, like the band “After Byron Time”, Alex’s tahitian dance and Beno with his lyrical interpretive dance and the sax player. My favorite was the guy who did an edited acoustic version of “I’m on a boat” and changed mother fers to rubber ducker and boat to ship. He did leave out my favorite verse, but I still loved every second of it. Some students did a skit of the voyage thus far, and it was pretty hysterical. We have announcements every day that are done by the same woman. She is known as “the voice”. They made fun of her by saying, “This is the 1800 report WON WON WON”. They also mocked the captain with, “Attention ship’s company, attention ship’s company”. Also, the children on the ship did their own version of “Yellow Submarine” and their chorus is, “We all live on a university - Semester at Sea, the best place to be.” While deciding the winner they needed another act to fill up time and they called for anyone else that had a talent that had not gone up yet. There were shouts for Terrance throughout the union. So, he got up and taught everyone how to walk down a runway - using the supermodel, himself and another friend. He followed up his runway walk with, “And no... I’m NOT gay” and cracked up laughing. It was icing on the cake.


After the talent show everyone was wound up and didn’t want to go to bed, even though it was eleven. Some friends and I ended up on the 7th deck with about 50 other people. Groups started to play elementary games - which I joined in on and it was really silly and fun. Following that Kristin, ZZ, Alex, Terrance, Matt and Ryan all headed back to my and Jackie’s room to watch Darjeeling Limited. Watching movies in our room with a bunch of people is now one of our favorite things to do - considering we did it again tonight with Little Miss Sunshine.


The majority of the day off was spent out by the pool, which is what I’m going to be doing again tomorrow after I get some homework done. The whole ship was woken up (ON OUR DAY OFF) to the captain doing drills (“Attention ships company” - we all think it was a prank) around 9 am! I did go to a few meetings today - one was very productive. Jackie and I’s Students of Service group put together some really great ideas and I’m pretty pumped about it. Also, at dinner “the voice” came on as usual for the 1800 report and said, “This is your 1800 report. WON. WON. WON.” The whole ship was dying! And that’s all she said!


I absolutely love this trip. I have no regrets about doing this whatsoever. My favorite part of this voyage is this community, these friendships - I’m just so happy. And hell - I’ve already been to three countries in the last month and I’ll be stepping into another country in two days!

Wednesday, September 23 – Tema, Ghana
22:51
I love Ghana. It’s my favorite port thus far! I will definitely be coming back. A decent amount has happened the past few days, but the past few days have been exhausting - so I’ll have to write later! Tomorrow is another long day!

Friday, September 25 – 7th deck, pool side leaving Ghana
21:27
We’re sailing out of Tema, Ghana at the moment. I’m sitting on the 7th deck, listening to some guys play the guitar and their newly purchased African drum. I love listening to “live” music. It’s really quite nice. The weather is beautiful - tshirt, shorts and a nice breeze. I have so much to write, but no drive to do so. Hopefully I will feel up to it soon. James has just started to play Crush by Dave Matthews and I swear I use to hate that “band” until this year - and I increasingly like them more and more. This music circle is clearing my head. 
Instead of doing what I planned to do: fix everything that is crazy in my life; I’m going to sit out here, enjoying the weather and the acoustic music. It puts me at ease.

Sunday, September 27 – Gulf of Guinea
1:52
Yesterday was the Neptune Ceremony! I have officially crossed the equator! It was pretty silly and a bit fun. Viki, my girl, got a lot of pictures of the day from my camera because 1. she didn’t want “fish guts” dumped on her head and 2. her camera was lost/stolen in Ghana on our last night. About a dozen girls shaved their heads - one shaved half, others did mohawks. I still have my hair (sorry mom)! 
Where can I even begin with Ghana? I guess I can explain that a lot of our time in Ghana was spent traveling since you can really dock in Accra, so we were about 45 minutes away in Tema.

Monday, September 28 – off the West coast of Africa
10:13
"Zum Geburtstag viel Glück”! Twenty-first birthday on a twenty-three hour day with a three drink limit (with the option of 4 beers and wine), four classes, no cookie cake, no family and no boyfriend! BUT I’ll make the most of my special on-a-ship, off-the-coast-of-Africa birthday! I’m wearing one of my new dresses that I bought in Spain. Terrance is going to do my makeup after my classes are over. I’m going to buy whatever I want to eat for dinner. Jackie has already told me she’s going to buy me cookies - yum! Ryan and I just made a bet in Global Studies about how long time zones have been around and he lost - which results in him getting me m&ms (which he said he was going to get me anyway today). 
Side note: the bets I make on the ship have the wager of a pack of m&ms. I lost the first one, which was if we were going to have a time change that night. I also lost the second one, which was where Matt would find his roommate (Terrance) when he went back to his room after a night of drinking - I said in either bed, Matt said still in the room. Terrance was hiding in the closet to scare Matt, and he fell asleep there.

Continuing with my birthday celebration. Two of friends (now three) live in a quad down the hall from Ryan. The third friend, Marco, has DR. PEPPER and is going to give me one! Oh my... I can’t wait to taste those 23 flavors of deliciousness! My friends and I are going to eat dinner together and after dinner we are going to rent Balderdash and play! Hopefully I can stay cool and not show my Brennan side. After that we are going to go to “pub night” where I’m going to make summer time sangria (which mom makes a version of). How do you make summer time sangria, you ask? One part wine, the other part orange Fanta. When I had it in Spain it was delicious! I wish orange Fanta was everywhere in the states for this reason! And since “pub night” ends at 2300, we’re going to do whatever we want or whatever there is to do after that. No classes for me tomorrow!

Sailors life for me

Tuesday, September 15 – Off the coast of Africa
23:47 pm
Today has been a good day. A weight has been lifted off my shoulders! I feel much more happy and like I can enjoy this semester fully now!

Tonight was the dinner with the extended family. It wasn’t the woman I thought it was, but she’s still very nice. She’s from St. Petersburg! So, we’ll probably be seeing each other after the voyage. She takes the elderly to a seeing eye dog center when the dogs are puppies so they can be loved and nurtured - SHE INVITED ME TO GO SOMETIME. Of course I’d go. PLEASE.

After the dinner I went to Church (aka Gay and Straight Alliance meeting). I loved it! I think I’ll stay involved in this group. 

Currently I am with Ryan, Terrance, Cody and Jackie studying. I really enjoy making friends on this ship. Terrance and Ryan are friends I’m going to have for a lifetime from this voyage (other than Jackie). I know I’m going to miss seeing them every day. Until then...

The rest of my stay in Morocco

Monday, September 14 – Morocco
1:45 am
I have not been writing about Morocco, and there is a decent amount to write! Four days worth of happenings haven’t even been recorded!  


As a side note, it seems that all of my friends are on the same page with me with the question of: Where are all the genuine people at?


1st Casablanca day (9.10)
Let me go into more detail about my first Morocco day. I was disappointed from the moment I stepped outside. The port we docked in is on no level attractive. Pictures will explain this better. It had been raining, and it was gloomy. Jackie and I took a tour of Casablanca through Semester at Sea. I actually enjoyed it a bit. We got to go inside the Mosque, which is absolutely beautiful and huge. So huge I couldn’t believe it. (That’s what she said.) The tour guide was funny and kept telling us jokes - which I hope I remember to tell everyone (mother of 6, 4 children = car, polite; for reference).


After the tour, Jackie and I attempted to go to the train station with some other SASers. We had no idea what the makeup of this group consisted of beforehand. It ended up being 5 girls. Jackie and I assumed this group was committed to going to Marrakech, which is why we were going to the train station with them to begin with. We also assumed that there was going to be at least one male in the group - wrong again. Half the girls weren’t 100 percent sure if they wanted to go or not. After walking around Casablanca for about 20 minutes, the group decided to give up on finding the train station and then the group wanted to split from Jackie and I to do their own thing. Thanks, really. Can we mention how overwhelming Morocco is at first? Also, can we talk about the way they drive? There is no solid crossing section for pedestrians - it’s go whenever you see you have the chance. So, I wasn’t very happy with that little excursion to say the least. I was very irritated - insert crying entry here.


A few moments after writing my crying entry, my friends came by to see where I disappeared to. We all chatted about my “deal”, and I calmed down a bit. We ended up going out to smoke hookah with a very large group. Of course the large group thing wasn’t going to work out. Side note: like 70+ SASers all climbed onto the shuttle bus that takes us from the ship to port that night/ I have a video of us getting off the shuttle. Anyways, the big group split up and I was left with Ryan, Jackie, Viki, Vicki and Robin. We eventually found a hookah spot after about 15 minutes of searching. It was pretty cool - we were basically the only women in the bar. I hadn’t smoked hookah in a long time, and it was really interesting to do it in Casablanca. By the end of the night, I felt a little better about Morocco.


2nd day Casablanca (9.11)
Ryan and I spent the afternoon hitting up the internet cafe and skyping our loved ones back home. I was so excited to be able to talk to my mother and Bryent. I had the biggest smile on my face when I left the internet cafe. Talking to them made me feel so much more relaxed and better about the previous day. Ryan and I also got train tickets to and from Marrakech for Jackie and I (Ryan bought his ticket earlier that day, but was escorting me to the train station).


I took Jackie’s SAS field program “evening with a Moroccan family” that night. Groups of about 4 SASers were matched up with families. The father and his children were at the ship to pick us up. We gave them a tour of our home. The daughter, who is 7, was amazed by the ship. She didn’t believe there was something bigger than a limousine! It was cute seeing how excited she was. After the tour, they took us back to their house where we were greeted by the mother with a kiss on each cheek. They’re observing Ramadan currently and as we entered the house it was time for them to break the fast for the day. Their meal starts off with a traditional soup to break the fast. It was pretty tasty. Their meals consist of a lot, and it seems like the courses don’t stop coming. I especially enjoyed the last dish that included meat. I hope I’m able to recreate that last dish. I learned a lot by talking to the family. The children are taught to speak English and French in school, and they learn Arabic at home. I think that’s incredible in itself. We talked a bit about September 11, 2001 - since it was it’s anniversary. We talked about some differences between the US and Morocco. The father also didn’t understand why in America we are unable to talk about religion and politics - he said, “you can believe in what you believe and I can believe in what I believe and we can talk peacefully”. It’s interesting to think that Americans have such a problem with disagreeing that even the people we tend to disagree with the most agree more than we do. Understand? They taught us a bit about their religion, and he told us jokes - mostly having to do with George Bush. I hope I can remember those, too. It was a really special experience that I never imagined I would ever do - but I will always remember.


3rd day Rabat/4th day Marrakech
The following day, Jackie and I took a SAS tour of Rabat. It was so boring, and you can basically get the same tour by looking through my pictures. So, I’ll leave it at that.


Jackie and I packed for our independent overnight stay in Marrakech and had dinner. At the last moment, Nikola decided to join us which made me feel a bit more safe. We took a taxi to the train station, in which the taxi driver ripped us off by going the wrong way first and racking up money on the meter. After our uneventful three hour train ride to Marrakech we got McDonald’s, because it was so tempting. And a meal at Mickey D’s is basically the same as the first class ticket on the train. Silly? Yes. After getting ripped off by another taxi driver, we arrived at our hotel (which I planned and booked) and it was so cute! The pictures don’t do it justice. It was a bit difficult to sleep at night, especially when the call to prayer was blasting in the window at 4 am, but besides that a pretty sweet hotel. We got free wifi and breakfast - which we ate on the roof, which was adorable. After breakfast, we attempted to join up with Ryan which failed and we ended up hitting up the Souks until we successfully joined up with him. I can say that I don’t really enjoy Souks much. I don’t like the whole bargaining thing, even though I didn’t buy anything today and I hate everyone being in my face, a lot. I had felt sick from the previous night and I couldn’t do Marrakech or the souks anymore and we all ended up leaving Marrakech earlier than planned. But we were all ready to leave. Another 3 hour train ride and a too expensive taxi ride and we were back on the ship watching The Little Mermaid and Milk. My friends are great!


20:55 pm
Today Jackie, Ryan and I hit up the free wifi - because we’re all addicted to the internet and we’re not ashamed. There was already around 7 other SASers there! After wifi we went to try to find art and a few other gift type items. Basically, shopping here is really stressful. I really do not enjoy people being in my personal space or begging me for money. We did not have enough money to get the art Jackie wanted, it was really quite beautiful - but she was able to get another piece of art by the end of the day. We also missed going to Rick’s Cafe, but oh well. I’m glad to be back on the ship and on our way to Ghana!



Afterthoughts:
I forgot to mention the screaming we heard during our first night in Casablanca. It was right after my crying entry, when I went out with my friends and had cooled off a bit/wasn’t AS scared because I was with a group of people that I’m comfortable with and know wouldn’t leave me, etc. As we were trying to find a hookah spot, we passed this stairwell going into the ground, that looks like a subway but isn’t. And we all heard a woman screaming. None of us knew what to do. It was really uncomfortable and put me back in the red zone.


I’d also like to mention, although I was ripped off in every taxi ride I took in Morocco, that I loved being in cars in Morocco. They drive crazy! They don’t use the “lanes”. I don’t think they have a speed limit. I don’t think there are any traffic laws at all. It’s quite fun being in the cars, especially when they’re weaving in an out of traffic. I also didn’t see one car accident while I was here, fyi.


In the last store we went into, where we used the rest of our non-convertible dirhams (Dh), a little boy and his sister came in. The boy had to be around a year, and the sister around 5. The boy was adorable and had the biggest smile on his face. He grabbed on to my leg and giggled and wouldn’t let go. It’s was quite cute. After leaving the store, the children went to a woman who was sitting on the side of the store. I wondered afterward if the children were sent into the store to try to get money from us.


Not many people seemed willing to help us out at all in this country or if they did help it seemed like they wanted something out of it. It seemed like a lot of people were begging, and using their children to help them get money. I understand that isn’t how everyone lives in Casablanca/Morocco, and the family I ate with definitely doesn’t live that way, but it’s shocking to see all those people on the streets, all the trash, all the dirtiness.


I liked Marrakech a lot more than Casablanca.


According to our Academic Calendar we have four days of classes, a big event (TBD), two days of classes (with a preport each night) and then GHANA! Three countries in less than a month - I would never have imagined.

The rest of my stay in Morocco

Monday, September 14 – Morocco
1:45 am
I have not been writing about Morocco, and there is a decent amount to write! Four days worth of happenings haven’t even been recorded!


As a side note, it seems that all of my friends are on the same page with me with the question of: Where are all the genuine people at?

1st Casablanca day (9.10):
Let me go into more detail about my first Morocco day. I was disappointed from the moment I stepped outside. The port we docked in is on no level attractive. Pictures will explain this better. It had been raining, and it was gloomy. Jackie and I took a tour of Casablanca through Semester at Sea. I actually enjoyed it a bit. We got to go inside the Mosque, which is absolutely beautiful and huge. So huge I couldn’t believe it. (That’s what she said.) The tour guide was funny and kept telling us jokes - which I hope I remember to tell everyone (mother of 6, 4 children = car, polite; for reference).


After the tour, Jackie and I attempted to go to the train station with some other SASers. We had no idea what the makeup of this group consisted of beforehand. It ended up being 5 girls. Jackie and I assumed this group was committed to going to Marrakech, which is why we were going to the train station with them to begin with. We also assumed that there was going to be at least one male in the group - wrong again. Half the girls weren’t 100 percent sure if they wanted to go or not. After walking around Casablanca for about 20 minutes, the group decided to give up on finding the train station and then the group wanted to split from Jackie and I to do their own thing. Thanks, really. Can we mention how overwhelming Morocco is at first? Also, can we talk about the way they drive? There is no solid crossing section for pedestrians - it’s go whenever you see you have the chance. So, I wasn’t very happy with that little excursion to say the least. I was very irritated - insert crying entry here.

A few moments after writing my crying entry, my friends came by to see where I disappeared to. We all chatted about my “deal”, and I calmed down a bit. We ended up going out to smoke hookah with a very large group. Of course the large group thing wasn’t going to work out. Side note: like 70+ SASers all climbed onto the shuttle bus that takes us from the ship to port that night/ I have a video of us getting off the shuttle. Anyways, the big group split up and I was left with Ryan, Jackie, Viki, Vicki and Robin. We eventually found a hookah spot after about 15 minutes of searching. It was pretty cool - we were basically the only women in the bar. I hadn’t smoked hookah in a long time, and it was really interesting to do it in Casablanca. By the end of the night, I felt a little better about Morocco.

2nd day Casablanca (9.11):
Ryan and I spent the afternoon hitting up the internet cafe and skyping our loved ones back home. I was so excited to be able to talk to my mother and Bryent. I had the biggest smile on my face when I left the internet cafe. Talking to them made me feel so much more relaxed and better about the previous day. Ryan and I also got train tickets to and from Marrakech for Jackie and I (Ryan bought his ticket earlier that day, but was escorting me to the train station).


I took Jackie’s SAS field program “evening with a Moroccan family” that night. Groups of about 4 SASers were matched up with families. The father and his children were at the ship to pick us up. We gave them a tour of our home. The daughter, who is 7, was amazed by the ship. She didn’t believe there was something bigger than a limousine! It was cute seeing how excited she was. After the tour, they took us back to their house where we were greeted by the mother with a kiss on each cheek. They’re observing Ramadan currently and as we entered the house it was time for them to break the fast for the day. Their meal starts off with a traditional soup to break the fast. It was pretty tasty. Their meals consist of a lot, and it seems like the courses don’t stop coming. I especially enjoyed the last dish that included meat. I hope I’m able to recreate that last dish. I learned a lot by talking to the family. The children are taught to speak English and French in school, and they learn Arabic at home. I think that’s incredible in itself. We talked a bit about September 11, 2001 - since it was it’s anniversary. We talked about some differences between the US and Morocco. The father also didn’t understand why in America we are unable to talk about religion and politics - he said, “you can believe in what you believe and I can believe in what I believe and we can talk peacefully”. It’s interesting to think that Americans have such a problem with disagreeing that even the people we tend to disagree with the most agree more than we do. Understand? They taught us a bit about their religion, and he told us jokes - mostly having to do with George Bush. I hope I can remember those, too. It was a really special experience that I never imagined I would ever do - but I will always remember.

3rd day Rabat/4th day Marrakech
The following day, Jackie and I took a SAS tour of Rabat. It was so boring, and you can basically get the same tour by looking through my pictures. So, I’ll leave it at that.


Jackie and I packed for our independent overnight stay in Marrakech and had dinner. At the last moment, Nikola decided to join us which made me feel a bit more safe. We took a taxi to the train station, in which the taxi driver ripped us off by going the wrong way first and racking up money on the meter. After our uneventful three hour train ride to Marrakech we got McDonald’s, because it was so tempting. And a meal at Mickey D’s is basically the same as the first class ticket on the train. Silly? Yes. After getting ripped off by another taxi driver, we arrived at our hotel (which I planned and booked) and it was so cute! The pictures don’t do it justice. It was a bit difficult to sleep at night, especially when the call to prayer was blasting in the window at 4 am, but besides that a pretty sweet hotel. We got free wifi and breakfast - which we ate on the roof, which was adorable. After breakfast, we attempted to join up with Ryan which failed and we ended up hitting up the Souks until we successfully joined up with him. I can say that I don’t really enjoy Souks much. I don’t like the whole bargaining thing, even though I didn’t buy anything today and I hate everyone being in my face, a lot. I had felt sick from the previous night and I couldn’t do Marrakech or the souks anymore and we all ended up leaving Marrakech earlier than planned. But we were all ready to leave. Another 3 hour train ride and a too expensive taxi ride and we were back on the ship watching The Little Mermaid and Milk. My friends are great!

20:55 pm
Today Jackie, Ryan and I hit up the free wifi - because we’re all addicted to the internet and we’re not ashamed. There was already around 7 other SASers there! After wifi we went to try to find art and a few other gift type items. Basically, shopping here is really stressful. I really do not enjoy people being in my personal space or begging me for money. We did not have enough money to get the art Jackie wanted, it was really quite beautiful - but she was able to get another piece of art by the end of the day. We also missed going to Rick’s Cafe, but oh well. I’m glad to be back on the ship and on our way to Ghana!

Afterthoughts:
I forgot to mention the screaming we heard during our first night in Casablanca. It was right after my crying entry, when I went out with my friends and had cooled off a bit/wasn’t AS scared because I was with a group of people that I’m comfortable with and know wouldn’t leave me, etc. As we were trying to find a hookah spot, we passed this stairwell going into the ground, that looks like a subway but isn’t. And we all heard a woman screaming. None of us knew what to do. It was really uncomfortable and put me back in the red zone.


I’d also like to mention, although I was ripped off in every taxi ride I took in Morocco, that I loved being in cars in Morocco. They drive crazy! They don’t use the “lanes”. I don’t think they have a speed limit. I don’t think there are any traffic laws at all. It’s quite fun being in the cars, especially when they’re weaving in an out of traffic. I also didn’t see one car accident while I was here, fyi.


In the last store we went into, where we used the rest of our non-convertible dirhams (Dh), a little boy and his sister came in. The boy had to be around a year, and the sister around 5. The boy was adorable and had the biggest smile on his face. He grabbed on to my leg and giggled and wouldn’t let go. It’s was quite cute. After leaving the store, the children went to a woman who was sitting on the side of the store. I wondered afterward if the children were sent into the store to try to get money from us.

Not many people seemed willing to help us out at all in this country or if they did help it seemed like they wanted something out of it. It seemed like a lot of people were begging, and using their children to help them get money. I understand that isn’t how everyone lives in Casablanca/Morocco, and the family I ate with definitely doesn’t live that way, but it’s shocking to see all those people on the streets, all the trash, all the dirtiness.

I liked Marrakech a lot more than Casablanca.


According to our Academic Calendar we have four days of classes, a big event (TBD), two days of classes (with a preport each night) and then GHANA! Three countries in less than a month - I would never have imagined.

Water - Morocco

Wednesday, September 9 – Water
9:35 am
Jackie and I are currently attending our Global Studies class. We are sitting in our beds, freezing, watching our TV, which is streaming what is happening in the Union. How awesome is my life?  

19:40 pm
Every day we get a Bridge Noon Report. This is todays:

Cadiz to Gibraltar

At noon today the Explorer’s position was…

Latitude: 36degrees,07minutes North

Longitude: 005degrees,22minutes West        

Distance Made Good: 99 Nautical miles (Since Cadiz)

Distance Made Good: 99 Nautical miles (Since Noon)

Distance to go to the next Port: 195.4 Nautical miles(Casablanca)                                         

Average Speed:  0.0 knots

Distance to nearest land: 0.7 Nautical miles from GIBRALTAR

Sea Depth: 262.4 Feet

Sea Water Temperature: 25º Celsius (69.8 º F)  

Air Temperature: 24 º Celsius (69.8 º F)

Wind: East / 16.5 knots

Sunset Today: 20:37

Sunrise Tomorrow: 06:09


23:22 pm (after I turned my clock back 2 hours)
I’m so nervous about Morocco. I’m really worried about my safety. I’m worried about my belongings being stolen. I can’t wait to see it, though. My mood is weird, therefore I can’t express how I feel very well.


Thursday, September 10 – Casablanca, Morocco
18:08 pm
I just had to leave dinner on the ship because I started to cry.  Today has not been a very good day. I’m sure going to sleep having such high anxiety didn’t help set a good tone for the day. Although the tour was decent today, the rest of the day has not been good. Morocco is a lot different than I expected. It’s dirty - it’s so disgusting. Bryent and my mom would not even step off the ship. There is literally liter everywhere. On our tour I noticed really nice houses, and then the lot next to that house was full of garbage - like 3 feet high and a lot the size of the houses. There’s garbage on every street. It’s so disgusting. 
The only thing I did expect was to not feel safe. And I don’t. I just had a really awful experience with these other 5 girls and Jackie. We were just trying to find the train station, but half the girls weren’t committed to the idea of going there and wanted to split up. I can’t and don’t want to explain the story, but those other 5 girls did not make me feel safe whatsoever. With every step I just wanted Bryent there. I wanted some kind of protection.
And everyone - EVERYONE - on the streets of Morocco stare at me (and everyone else that’s from SAS). They STARE. It’s so uncomfortable. It doesn’t make me feel the least bit safe. 
I feel like there aren’t many people on this trip that are like me, that I can get along with. I truly feel that a lot of these people are not considerate and lack commonsense. In order to go out in these countries, I’m going to need a decent amount of friends to make up for the friends that have schedules that conflict with mine.
I really wanted to eat dinner with my friends, but my emotions were so high. As I was writing this I calmed down, but my anxiety was so high. On top of that I was irritated. I just got to the point where I was really sensitive to everything that was happening around me. I wish I had some kind of comfort. I wish I could crawl into my own bed at home, be in Bryent’s arms, hug my mom, pet my dogs, eat some cookie dough - anything.

Spanish Adventures

Tuesday, September 8 – Cadiz
21:45 pm
I love Spain. I’ll definitely be back here in the future. Although there is graffiti everywhere, Cadiz and Spain is beautiful.  I feel like Spain is cheaper than the US. Drinks and food aren’t as expensive. The weather in Spain is about 90+, but with all of the shadows from the buildings and the breeze make it very tolerable. I feel like there’s no humidity, but I’m use to Florida. I wish Florida felt like Spain.

Seville:
Yesterday I went to Seville on a field program through Semester at Sea. Besides sight seeing, we didn’t do much and I can’t give you a valid opinion on Seville. I did find it to be quite beautiful, and very similar to Cadiz - I think there is less graffiti. 
It’s difficult for me to write about some of the things I saw, experienced, et cetera - so, I will let my photographs tell some of my stories. For example, the Alcazar has incredible tile work left over from when the Moors occupied Spain. I love the Arabic arches - and you can tell from my pictures.
The Cathedral, which is mostly gothic, was incredible. The moment I stepped inside I was overwhelmed. The high ceilings, with their arches, the religious “art”- everything - was just so overwhelming to me, being the “shutter bug” that I am. I literally didn’t know where to start taking pictures - but of course I figured it out and got at least 100 of the Cathedral. I was extremely excited to see Christopher Columbus’ tomb. I almost felt like crying. I’ve never seen a tomb so magnificent. I mostly don’t believe in being buried, but if I ever did something amazing like “discovering” a new world I’d love to be in a  tomb like Cristobal Columbus for the rest of my death. I have about 300 pictures from my trip to Seville, because everything was so beautiful. 
I can give you a valid opinion on the lunch we had that was complimentary. DELICIOUS! We ate at a small restaurant near the Cathedral. We had several tapas and wine. It was nice eating with such a large group. The warmth of Seville, and our yummy lunch in our tummies put us all to sleep on the bus ride back to Cadiz.


Cadiz:
When I got back from my semester at sea trip, Ryan, Jackie and I headed to new Cadiz to meet up with our local friends at 7. Jose and Sergio showed up to go out with us! It was lovely.  They took us to this bar called Woodstock that is on the beach. It was such a cool bar and I wish we had a place like it back home. It was dedicated to Woodstock, if you couldn’t tell by the name. I had actual sangria this time, and not the summer version. It was delicious! I also had rum and fanta again - but the bartender hooked me up and gave me a huge glass. And our friends wouldn’t let us pay for our drinks! 
We talked about music, which they basically only like American. We talked about how they like us (Americans) or don’t like us based on our president. We talked about how they want to come to America, and it was Sergio’s dream to see the Twin Towers. I absolutely loved talking to them about anything and everything.
We went back to the ship around midnight because Jackie was not feeling well. Ryan and I both wanted to go out to another bar or club. We ran into some other friends leaving the ship and went out with them. I had so much fun, I can’t even put it into words. There was a big group of us that ran into even more SASers and we all infiltrated this bar in New Cadiz. That bar closed around 3 and we headed to a club nearby. I DRANK A BEER. ONE FULL BEER, like it was no big deal. We were given free beer by the owner of the club, for whatever reason - so I drank it. I had a blast dancing with SASers. I know this trip is about meeting locals and learning about their culture, but I really enjoyed spending some time with my sea mates. I feel like going out with the SASers once every port would be great - not every night, because then I wouldn’t really experience the port and because I wouldn’t want to do that anyway. Ryan, Terrence and I got back to the ship around 7 am - SEVEN in the morning. These Spaniards are loco! Their nightlife is incredible here. We tried staying up to get breakfast by watching Family Guy Blue Harvest in the Union, but we failed and all went to bed. I had such a great time. I only wish I got pictures. 
Today, Jackie and I went into Cadiz and shopped! I didn’t think I’d want to shop in Spain, but I sure wanted to the first moment I saw all the stores. I really enjoyed spending the rest of my Euros on clothes. The rest of the day was spent soaking up Spain. I got ice cream, which was good - but I was so thirsty I couldn’t enjoy it. 
Side story: The first day we were in Cadiz, Jackie, Ryan and I were trying to find a post office to get stamps. We actually stopped once, in front of this building where a lot was happening in front of it (a market), and pulled out the map. It was really difficult because there aren’t any clear street signs like we’re use to in the states. I found out two nights ago that the building we were standing in front of was the post office... I might not be so good at Amazing Race.
I regret not seeing a Flamenco dance, but half of that wasn’t my fault. They don’t have Flamencos on Sundays and Mondays - the only nights I could of gone. I regret not getting sea glass from the beach for Aunt Bonnie, but I ran out of time today. I know I’ll be back in Spain, though.
I’m worried a bit about all the reading I need to do for my classes, but I know it will all work out in the end. I miss everyone back home a lot, and I really love all the emails I’ve been getting. I feel like I talk to some of you better now than I did back home! Haha! Morocco in one day!

Pictures from Spain

Spain

22:50 pm
I got up around 7 am this morning to see the ship pull into the first port and take pictures. It’s incredible to imagine Christopher Columbus leaving from the same port that I am at! I also watched the sunrise over the Atlantic, which is beautiful. 
Around 9 am, Jackie, Ryan and I ventured off into Cadiz! It’s rather beautiful, and quite a bit different than America. The streets here seem like alley ways, which is always good. There are puppies around every corner, which makes me very happy and makes me miss my puppies. I couldn’t help but wish that Bryent was here with me - to show me around, help me with the language barrier, and be there with me. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my walk around the town - taking pictures of everything, because everything seems beautiful and different to me. And I didn’t think I’d want to shop in Spain - but I so do. A lot. Stupid Euro.
Around noon we headed back to the ship and split up. After lunch, I joined up with some other friends - Chelsea and Andy. Our adventures consisted of eating at this random bar that had AMAZING Calamari - and I wish I could find it again, because it was only 4 euros! The server, however, was not very nice at all - but luckily the bartender was. 
Andy noticed my wrist tattoo, and then Chelsea asked if I had anymore. I began to show them without noticing a table full of guys behind us... who ended up clapping at the end of me showing my tattoos. A few of them had tattoos, but we were lost in translation. Chelsea and I found one of the many free wifi spots in town, and took the opportunity to cure our lust for the internet!
The day was basically spent walking around Cadiz, and now my legs are killing me! Jackie and I took a late Siesta, after taking half a camera tour with the photographer. Now, we’re about ready to go out into Cadiz for the nightlife!

Sunday, September 6 – Cadiz
3:35 am
Jackie, Ryan and I got back to the ship about 20 minutes ago from “New Cadiz”. After walking around trying to find a bar there, and Ryan ordering some gross food, we settled on a very tiny bar. We all had such a blast! We talked to some locals - Jose spoke English very well, Sergio tried pretty hard and the others only know bits and pieces - like we know Spanish! Ryan, Jackie and I all started out with summer sangria (wine and Limon Fanta) - which is very tasty and my mother would love. Jackie’s second drink was a mojito, which are so delicious here in Spain (and my mother would also love). And then Ryan and I shared Limon Fanta with rum - which might be my new favorite drink. (Word for delicious here) Sergio loves the Foo Fighters and Arctic Monkeys (whom I’ve never heard of, but I’ll probably check out). He also knows of Incubus, Radiohead, and Animal Collective. We are all supposed to meet them again on Monday at 7 pm - to see them again before we leave to Morocco.

LAND

Saturday, September 5 – Cadiz, Spain
12:25 pm
I’M IN SPAIN! 
More later.

From my travel journal

Pre-note: If you want me to respond to you, you have to email me. I will not be able to check the comments while out at sea, and I'll be very limited to internet in most ports - I'm guessing. bcdavis@semesteratsea.net - I'd love to hear from you!

Thursday, September 3 – Atlantic
22:51 pm
Tonight we had a mandatory culture pre-port meeting for Spain! The whole Union was laughing - it was really a good time. I recorded some of it, and I can’t wait to put all these memories together to look back at someday or share with my loved ones! Tomorrow is the logistical pre-port meeting. It will definitely be very helpful, I’m sure. We lose yet another hour tonight. I don’t know about everyone else, but I have really no sense of time - but it’s not that bad. Currently, I’m wishing I knew Spanish - for obviously reasons.
I’ve discovered (by stealing it from Andy) a nice spot on Deck 5 where not a lot of people go, that I can lay out and read. It’s a lovely spot for a nap, too! 
Everyone is so nice and happy on the ship. There are definitely some kids on here that aren’t very respectful to others, and are treating this semester as a party - or trying as hard as they can to. It’s pretty sad, actually. They can’t wait to drink on “pub nights” - when I haven’t even had a sip of alcohol on this ship. I tried to read by the pool the other day, like I would at the beach, and this girl came over and blared her speakers to the point the music sounded terrible. I had to leave.
Every day I meet someone new, talk to someone new - it’s great. I love it. I’ve had one of the lifelong learners sit down and eat lunch with me. I also think it’s wonderful that there’s families on this trip - it must be so cool for those children!

"But there is one priceless thing I brought back from my trip around the world, one that cost no money and on which I paid no customs duty: humility, a humility born from watching other peoples, other races, struggling bravely and hoping humbly for the simplest things in life."   
Félix Martí-Ibáñez, Spanish-born American

Still sailing the ocean blue

Monday, August 31 – Atlantic
20:11 pm
There is not much to report. I enjoy all of my classes (okay... not Global Studies -so far) and professors. One, Dr. Hunt, has already recognized me outside of the classroom. We signed up for more field programs, which I’m very excited about. I’m doing an Operation Hunger service project in Africa, which I’m very excited for, as well as other service projects and fun things. I can’t wait for Spain! Four more days! It’s a bit tough trying to plan things out with your new found friends, especially working around field programs.
So far we’ve passed through four time zones (EDT, AST, GFT, GST), and we’ll be going through another one tonight, and two more before we hit Spain! Yay sleep...
We’re currently going 14 knots and it’s a bit rocky - but we started off this voyage going 19! These swells are huge! I have not seen a whale yet, but some people have claimed to have seen sea turtles and dolphins - but no big deal on the dolphins since I live in Florida.
One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.
  -André Gide

Wednesday, September 2 – Big Blue Ocean
1:14 am
Last night we had a BBQ dinner with a “Mash Up” dance afterward to celebrate the 100th voyage. It was really fun and the outfits were crazy! And dinner was good - I had a cheeseburger and a baked potato! 
Yesterday, I took a tour of the Bridge, and got to wear the captain’s hat and sit in his chair! Apparently, if we ran all four engines we would of gotten to Spain in 4 days - but alas, we have classes. We also learned that the ship uses 56 tons of fuel a day!
I’m a bit worried about one of my classes, because he has assigned a lot of reading - but I think it will all work out in the end. 
Also, the night before last, I had a dream that the voyage was canceled - I was very relieved when I woke up to a big rocking motion of the boat. 
I’ve found a few people to hang out with Cadiz, who are as broke as me! And they’re cool girls that I met the last night in Halifax that I really like! I plan to see flamenco dancers, because Bryent says it’s a must. I’m also going to Seville with SAS on Monday. Other than that, there isn’t much planned! Probably hitting up the coastline one of the days, as well as a club or bar one of the nights!