I am sooooooooooooooooooo sorry for being such a procrastinator.  I just really had to give myself time to digest probably one of the most eventful and amazing times of my life.  Also, I just wrapped up all of my midterm papers and exams…  Yes, midterms!

I was going to do this entire blog in Spanish, but I’ll spare both you and I because I’m definitely not fluent and I bet you aren’t either.  So Hola!  (That’s about as much Spanish as you’re going to get out of me)

But anyway, we docked in Cadiz, Spain on June 24th at about 8am (2am Eastern).  Oh yeah I’ve been exhausted because as we sailed across the Atlantic we lost an hour everyday.  Mind you, my classes begin at 8am EVERY morning, so I’m hurting.  Who knew that the difference in a 23-hour say and a 24-hour day could cause such a strain. 

I keep going on a tangent, but yeah so, my friends and I woke up at 6:30am to watch the sun rise over Cadiz and it was breathtaking.  Minus all of the eye boogers and head wraps I got some amazing shots of the ocean, the skyline, the dock, and of course the sun. 

The first day in port I had a field excursion through Semester at Sea, which was a requirement for my African American Women Literature course, called Women in Cadiz, however, it had little to do with women, and more so a city orientation.  But Cadiz is BEAUTIFUL.  It’s a quaint seaside town, they get a few tourists because of the harbor, and a lot of cruise lines dock here; Its one of the oldest cities of Western civilization.

Throughout the tour, we explored several museums; we walked through ruins of an ancient Roman coliseum.  We visited the cathedral and surveyed the crypt (it was so CREEPY).  Outside of the cathedral was this adorable Spanish man playing his red guitar, he had long black hair in a ponytail, and a white linen suite on, with a cigarette hanging on his bottom lip, as he played “A Wonderful World.”  We also went to Torre Tavira Camera Obsucra, which is like the first satellite.  It was so cool!  What happens is they project a mirror through this tunnel that reflects moving images of the city down the shaft and projects it onto this circular/scoop-like canvas.  You really had to be there to understand but it was interesting.  After the presentation we went to the top of the roof (mind you it was like 250 stairs, I counted!), the view was amazing and so worth the walk (my thighs are going to be so tight LOL). 

After the camera obsucra, we went to the seaside park and played on the swings (childish I know, but I swung on a Spanish swing set sucker!)  Apparently, that night Spain was playing the USA in the Confederations Cup in South Africa, which is a major soccer championship.  My roommate is a BIG soccer fan and dragged me to a plaza where it seemed like everyone in Cadiz went to watch the game.  Now I don’t know much about soccer, but we’re not that into it back in the States, obviously Spain was the favorite going in; even the Americans said that the US would lose.  Well, well, well America made the first goal, and before this point, I felt safe in Spain.  Like seriously I think you have more of a chance to get mugged in NYC then in Cadiz, but I thought that I was going to get shanked because, my friends started cheering and this little Spanish boy turned around and told them to shut up.  So I chucked them the deuces and rolled out with some of my other friends (who aren’t really soccer fans) to a pub, called Good Music.  

This was a small, but nice bar, the game was still on, so four of my friends, and I went to sit at a booth in the back.  I got a Tinto de Verno, which is Spanish for Tint of Summer, which is red wine and lemon Fanta.  Delish!  So we’re laughing and talking about our day, and guess what American ends up winning the game.  All the heads in the bar turn in our direction and I just knew that they were going to kill us for sure.  But no, they smiled and said: “Viva Estados Unidos”.  I met a Spanish man named Phillipe and he gave me the two-cheek kiss, and assured me that there were no hard feelings. 

Speaking of this two-cheek kiss, I love it!  You feel like people are genuinely happy to have met you.  I went to shake everyone’s hand when first introduced, because I’m clearly not accustomed.  But they just pulled me in and demonstrated how to properly greet.  The Spanish men are also a class of their own.  I was approached so many times, and just told very boldly, and NOT disrespectfully that: “Tu es muy guapa,” which translated means “you are very handsome/beautiful.”  I blushed and said “gracias” which is the one of my five Spanish words.  But those Spaniards really do know how to romance you.

Moving on, the streets in Spain are literally cobble sidewalks.  I don’t know how or why they drive down such narrow streets, but the neighborhoods have so much personality, and feel so cozy, once you get past the fear of being hit by a Vespa (the little scooters). 

We went out to the club the first night, and Spaniards definitely know how to party!  One they don’t go out until around 2am because they don’t eat dinner until 10-11pm.  They eat breakfast from 8-10am, Lunch 2-4pm; have a Siesta, which is a nap in the middle of the day.  I must say though I was a little disappointed about the Spanish food.  I was expecting a lot of seafood and delicious goodness, and it really wasn’t all that great.  But you win some and you loose some. 

The second day, (I know you’re like “dang!” but I felt the same way, we we’re in port for three days and I felt like I was in Spain for 3 weeks, because I experienced every bit of that 72 hours, from sun up to sun down) we went to Sevilla, which is a two-hour train ride from Cadiz.  The scenery on the train was breathtaking, the countryside had fields of sunflowers tilting towards the sun; it was so beautiful. 

Okay so here’s the bad news, when we arrived in Sevilla, we took a taxi to our hostel.  In the taxi, I carelessly, dramatically, and sadly, lost my camera!  I know, I know, I know!  Why...  I underwent a mini severe breakdown, called the train station, and stalked every taxi service, with no avail.  No worries, it just material things. My friends took a lot of photos for me and I copied them onto my computer so I guess you live and you learn. 

Sevilla is a beautiful city and a little more metro than Cadiz.  We went to another Cathedral where Christopher Columbus is buried and the Gardens at this majestic palace.  The pictures are breathtaking, because the scenery is so indescribable.  Oh, I saw a peacock.  It was bright royal blue and its tail was about 3 feet long, I was fearful the whole time though that it was going to attack, because ever since I saw Alfred Hitchcock’s Birds, I realized how vicious pheasants can be. 

The final day in Spain, we returned to Cadiz and went to the market.  I actually witness pure Spanish life.  Everyone was out shopping at the open markets and tents.  The merchants sold fresh crabs, watermelon, sterling silver rings, leather wallets, and post cards.  It was so lively. 

BTW (by the way) I bought a couple of post cards and mailed them to those who addresses I remembered by heart, or thought that I could make out.  So, either a complete stranger will end up with a greeting from Spain, or I did good and have a memory like an elephant.  But I want to send everyone at least one post card, so if you would be so kind as to email me you address at: SECHAPPELL@SEMESTERATSEA.NET, I would be so grateful.  But you must be patient; you may not receive the letter for 10 days.

I ended my trip to Spain with a day on the beach.  YES, I was sprawled out on the white sandy beaches of the South of Span…  CAN YOU DIG IT…  I know I can barely stand myself!!!  The water was freezing and kind of full of seaweed, but hey, it was beautiful without a cloud in the sky.  The weather was PERFECT!  If you could measure perfection in a degree, with the sweetest breeze, you would have the temperature in Cadiz.  (That rhymed and I didn’t even mean it to, I’m a poet and didn’t even know it… OMG its late and I’m becoming delusional!)

All in all my time in Spain, although short lived was FANTABULOUS…  I’m planning a trip to return next summer for 3 weeks, yeah I’m that thirsty about it.  I bid you ado.  Tomorrow I’ll be in Italy!  So, for now and until next time be encouraged!

Con Amor
(With Love)

Adios

Getting Her Sea Legs

My apologizes for not having written to you in a while.  Honestly, I’ve been a bit overwhelmed… in a good way!  Okay let me retrace my steps so that I may, to the best of my abilities tell you what’s been happening. 

My first full day on the ship was interesting to say the least.  I shall call this chapter of my Voyage: “Getting Her Sea Legs”.  Granted that I have never been on a large sailing vessel, never partook in the likely of cruising across a large body of water, or even been off land for more than 5 hours, I thought that perhaps I would fall victim to what is often referred to as sea sickness. 

Some of the other voyagers (that is what we are affectionately referred to as by our faculty) have been plagued in the worst way by this nautical nausea.  Running to bathrooms while clutching their stomachs and mouths, drugging themselves with all kinds of prescription to hopefully prevent these occurrences I, luckily enough, have not been subject to this kind of torture, which our on board physician said: “can be cured by a tree in Spain” (i.e. Land).  The only symptoms I suffered were headaches.  and the occasional tripping.  Walking on a boat…  I mean ship (this has been drilled in us that we are on a SHIP not a boat, and that this is a VOYAGE and not a cruise, dually noted). 

Anyway, my mechanical skills have been strengthen by this experience.  I have gone to the gym everyday since arriving onboard.  The first day I tried out the treadmill….  BAD IDEA, I almost died!  I’ll let you use your imagination for most of the details, but let’s just say we hit a wave or more so the wave hit us, and I hit the floor and almost took out two people on the elliptical.  So, for the rest of my journey I’ll be burning up my caloric intake on the elliptical machine. 

I should tell you about the accommodations of the ships, I don’t want to deny you all of its glory and grandeur.  Well as you’ve read it’s equipped with a gym containing: 1 treadmill, 5 elliptical machines, 3 cycles, and 2 stair masters.  There are also 5 weight machines on deck 7, and they have a closet full of yoga mats and jump ropes.  Next to the gym is a fully staffed spa/salon, where you can get your hair and nails done, along with aromatherapy and massages. 

The dining areas can be found on the 5th and 6th decks, and they have an outside café on the 7th deck by the pool.  I’m feeling a little spoiled because the crew come and take the dishes off of the table when I’m finished, and refill my cups if I get parched, like seriously!  We even have cabin stewards who make our beds, everyday, and clean our bathrooms, fold our clothes, and provide us with fresh towels.  I’m living the life. 

The people are cool.  I’ve met a lot of individuals that I have become fond of in this short time, we’ve planned trips to the different countries that we will be exploring in the up coming days, weeks, and months.  I’ve also signed up to be on committees throughout the ship.  I’m one of the event planners; my duty is to come up with events (DUH) for the shipboard community.  Sunday (tomorrow) our first event is “Rock the Boat” a ship wide dance.

 I also am Sea Council Representative for the Red Sea.  It’s our version of a Student Government Association.  “Sea” is also code for our floors, and my floor section is called the “Red Sea”.  So my duties are to make my cabin mates aware of activities, ask them if they have any concerns and rely those concerns to the leadership (Dean of Students).  This position also makes me co-captain of our Sea Olympic teams, which are held at the end of the semester.

All this and you’re probably asking yourself when do I have time for class.  And the answer is plenty, plus school comes first.  The courses that I’m taking include: Intro to Political Theory, Global Studies (which the entire ship participates in, including the other faculty members), and African American Women Writers.  Both of my teachers are professors from the University of Virginia.  I have about 30-50 pages to read a night for my classes; but luckily, I’m through with all of my classes at noon.  So, I have time to get everything done. 

My favorite place on the ship is the 7th deck.  That’s where I go to read.  I slide one of the chairs close to the railing and just take it all in.  I can’t even describe it….  I don’t think I could really do it justice, but I keep saying to myself “your in the middle of the ocean, on a magnificent ship, being educated” (maybe I don’t say all of that but something to that degree), but I’m just mesmerized none the least every time, all the time.  I don’t think that it’s actually hit me yet, but I’m taking it all in.  I love it and feel so privileged. 

Her Maiden Voyage...

So as I'm typing this, the theme of 'Titanic' is streaming through the earphones of my iPod!

But I digress...

I AM SO EXCITED!!! Actually, excited might be an under statement. On the outside I'm pretty sure I seem calm, cool, and collected, sitting in this coffee shop, typing on my MacBook, but internally: my stomach is doing cartwheels, my heart is racing, and I'm barely containing myself (I'm glad I went to the bathroom earlier)!

Anyway I'm rambling. Also I'm sorry for the construct of this blog. Firstly, I suffer from a disease that prevents me to do anything in the alloted amount of time given before hand, known as procrastination (that's why my first entry is being written an hour before the ship sails). Also, I've never written a blog, haven't read that many either; so I'm sorry if this one happens to suck. I promise it'll get better... maybe... probably... um it probably won't, but work with me, I'm doing my best here!

Let's start from the beginning. I'll give you a quick run down of what happened on the plane trip up here without making this entry too long.

Me and mommy (Casandra as I affectionately call her...) left Atlanta at 10:19 on Sunday morning, flew into Laguardia around 12:30, then had to take a shuttle to JFK. Now on the bus ride to JFK an Asian man was seated in front of me, he was probably from South Korea or Japan, and the bus driver was also Asian, but he was Cambodian. So the Black man that was taking the money was having trouble relying to the Asian passenger that the shuttle ticket was $13.00, and as he's getting flustered from being lost in translation he goes to the Asian bus driver who has to speak the same "Asian" as the passenger, its logic right... right?.

The Black man ask his co-worker: "Hey, tell him it's $13.00"
Bus Driver: "It's $13.00."
(mind you, he says this in perfect english). The Black man just looks at him and then me like 'what?'

Okay so maybe that was a bad joke!

And maybe you had to be there when it happened; but I found this to be hilarious and could not stop laughing. I know you're probably looking at your computer screen like "What is she talking about", I told you I never did this before, and shoot it was funny to me.

But when we got to JFK our flight got delayed for 4 hours, and we didn't get to Nova Scotia until 2 am. And yes it is cold! Not the OMG (and I apologize in advance for text message talk) its snowing kind of cold, but I should have worn some socks, sneakers, and a coat, instead of these cargo shorts, flip flops, and hoody, kind of cold.

Halifax, Nova Scotia is beautiful. Its surrounded by the water and very clean. The citizens drive on the right side of the road, and the Taxi drivers are up to speed on the cities history. I find that when you're talking to perfect strangers the best conversation starter is weather. I've discussed precipitation, wind currents, longitudes and latitudes, sea level, humidity Fahrenheit and Celsius degree conversions. Its all really trivial, but it breaks the silence.

Anyway, Canada is pretty American. Yesterday, I watched 'Peachtree TV' a television station broadcasted out of Atlanta, and got the weather for the metro and traffic for I-75. They have a lot of car dealerships 'GM, Cadillac, Hummer, etc. (perhaps they didn't get the memo).

Oh I think that this has gotten a little long, so I'll wrap it up. I just checked into the boat and it is grand! My room is small but I have a big window with a nice view. Good closet space, clean bathroom (to be shared by me and my one roommate), we have a television set, a vanity/ desk, and a little table. The rest of the ship is beautiful, words can't really do it justice, plus I think I've bored you long enough, about nothing really! Classes start Thursday (today is Tuesday).

I'll take lots of pictures (haven't figured how to up load them yet)!


P.S.
Thanks to all of those who helped make this trip possible. I appreciate it more than you know, or than I can actually express. I'm so grateful!