Semester at Sea - Fall 2010 Itinerary

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada – August 27
Cadiz, Spain – September 4-8
Casablanca, Morocco – September 10-14
Takoradi, Ghana – September 22-25
Cape Town, South Africa – October 3-8
Port Louis, Mauritius – October 14-15
Chennai, India – October 22-27
Singapore – October 31-November 1
Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam – November 3-8
Hong Kong / Shanghai, China – November 11-16
Yokohama / Kobe, Japan – November 19-23
Honolulu / Hilo, Hawaii, USA – December 3-6
San Diego, California, USA – December 13

Monday, August 30, 2010

Classes begin

Classes have now begun on my Semester at Sea(SAS) Voyage, I am taking four classes that SAS explains are accelerated courses due to the lack of time to fill an entire semester in. Weeks we are traveling at sea and not in a port classes are held while weeks when we are in a port classes are not held. I like this system as it gives me a break from both the learning and a recovery period from the traveling. This semester I am taking Consumer Psychology, Globalization, Emerging Markets, and Global Studies. So far the introduction to each class has been very interesting as they all relate to life experiences we will have in the port and the examination of the different cultures we will be visiting rather than on facts and stats.

Days at sea consist of A or B days so classes change back and forth day to day. I have lucked having only morning classes that start on A Day at 10:45 AM and finish at 1:30 PM, while on B Day I start my day at 9:20 AM and finish at 12:00 PM. Having the rest of the day to myself I spend most of my time out on the decks six and seven where I can relax by the pool or hang out with friends and work on important things like staying tan for Spain (FOUR DAYS AWAY)!!!! Infact as we speak I am outside writing this blog enjoying the amazing weather( no dolphin, whale, or shark sitings today) So far though we have lucked out nice warm weather for us to be outside and not cooped up in our small rooms.

Tomorrow we have signed up for a tour of the bridge of the boat where we get to explore areas that are off limits. One thing i am surprised about is how cheap the boat actually is, at the snack bar a double cheeseburger is $2.95 not a bad deal seeing that a gatorade is $3.00. At night we have a late night snack that consists of treats and fruit. This is when we break out the cards and play some golf, spoons (Knives due to lack of spoons and is much more intense), bullshit, and asshole. Such nice card game names they got but its fun and when you have no tv or internet it is the thing to do for nightlife. We have started to get our sea legs so minus some minor diggers by kayla and myself everyone has been doing better and better. Sleeping however, is still something I am getting used too especially since the dungeon of deck two rocks life a wagon wheel... Tonight we lose yet another hour of sleep but its gradual so by the time we get to spain we will be used to it.

Our friend Mackenzie is by far the comic relief of the group and we have started writing down her "mackenzie-isms" for everyones enjoyment including her own. With spain approaching the six of us (Me, Tom, Amy, Marcus, Kenzie, and Kayle) are planning a night trip to seville for Kenzie's birthday which is sure to be an amazing time. By then everyone will be ready to get off the boat too. I'm excited to reach the first port, but i digress that it does make me miss Nichols and the whole moving in experience. Oh well January comes quick...

Until Next Time Enjoy Life

Ed

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Life Aboard the MV Explorer



Well I finally made it after months and months of waiting I have made it aboard the MV Explorer and cannot wait to see the world. I boarded nice and early around 8 am, and immediately ran into some "close friends" from the bar the other night. Immediately I am still referred to as "Boston" due to my accent and my hat. I take this compliment and fun fact for you Massachusetts is the fourth most represented state here at SAS!!!!! Already I have met a great group of friends, Kayla and Amy, who are also reppin Massachusetts, Marcus from Washington State, Tom, My roommate who I didn't meet until an hour before dinner, and Mackenzie who shares the same last name as Mackenzie Walsh on Nichols College.

So my room is small, but not unbearable, I have my Celtics and Pats Jerseys up next to a map of the world and Dave Matthews poster that has been in the Nichols Residence Hall for the past two years now. It's funny, my roommate, our four friends, and I can comfortably sit in our room and prefer to go to it even if they have bigger rooms and are not in the dungeon of Deck Two as I am.

Here are some fun facts I have already learned in my Two Days on the MV Explorer
1. It's called a Ship not a Boat
2. Aft means backwards
3. We are no longer on days of the weeks, rather A or B Day
4. My sense of time is completely gone, and I have to learn Military time to get around
5. Peanut Butter is in Short Supply
6. New Englanders Really Standout and everyone is intrigued by our accents
7. This ones for Proko, Even SAS has a Summer Reading Program, and does discussion on the book (Ours was "A Small Place" by Jamacia Kincaid, Book was lousy by the way)
8. Inside cabins are the best for sleeping
9. Dramamine is a lifesaver
10. The TV is used only for tracking our voyage

Yesterday as we pulled away all I could think of was how amazing the next four months are going to be and how much I am going to love this experience with great people. I met Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa who will be joining us for the entire voyage. To be honest I did not know much about him, but after learning of his accomplishments including a Nobel Peace Prize winner!!!! I think him being here will be an great experience for not only me but the students and life long learners...

I have already been yelled at for going through areas I'm not suppose to go into, but when you are bored and there is improper signage these things tend to happen on explorations. It's been pretty much a standard orientation here for the past two days lots of Do's and Don'ts and how not to get kicked off the boat. it's still though surreal to think I am at Sea and it didn't hit me until this morning when i woke up. Last night we went out to watch the starts from the seventh deck, and it was the most peaceful thing i have done in a while.

So in closing here are few thing's im looking forward too

1. Classes starting tomorrow (actually am, taking some interesting ones)
2. Seeing Land Again
3. Spain and the Beaches
4. Kenzies Birthday
5. Going to a Bullfight

That's it everyone and HI CARLY KELLY and good luck with EAB,

Ed

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Here we go

I have finally made it, after a year on applying and waiting the trip I never thought would come finally did... In just 13 hours I will be boarding the MV Explorer on the trip of a life time. Already I can tell that you a few things; first I completely over packed, lets hope that my roommate did not bring nearly as much as me so our room won't be that crammed, second I am gonna miss the "Dirty Dud" and all the wonderful things I do and people I see daily at Nichols College, it's hard to imagine that I am basically starting over again with the whole meeting people and starting a new chapter of my life basically. Third, I am sure that  I will leave this experience changed completely for the better of myself.

The plane that brought me to Halifax
As I am repacking my stuff into my suitcases all I keep thinking about is what do I want to get out of this amazing experience. To be honest I don't know what it is I am looking for. I mine as well be blindfolded and thrown onto the ship and just see what happens. It's crazy to think that I will be away from my bubbles of both Nichols College and Burlington, Mass. for nearly four months, two places I know I flourish in and places that bring out the best in me. However, they are as I said bubbles. This is a chance for me to break that bubble and really see how other people live not only in these countries that I visit but with the people I am traveling with. I want to take advantage of every experience thrown at me.

Halifax has already been an amazing time and I haven't even been on the boat. Minus the plane ride from hell with the rain from Boston on a plane so small I thought my luggage could bring it down. Finally though an hour and thirty minute flight later I made it and the first part of my excursion had officially begun. Last night I went to a club called Argyle for a meet and greet for the Students going on Semester at Sea. I can already tell that there will be people here that I form lifelong bonds with and cannot wait to see where the next four months take us.
Me on the top of my hotel overlooking the city of Halifax and the Seaport
Well that's mostly it, Good Luck to all you heading back to Nichols, it'll be another great semester and I cannot wait to see you all and share all my stories with you

Until then
- Ed