NEPTUNE DAY!

Today was the day that we have been looking foward to, Neptune Day. It is tradition that whenever a boat crosses the equator (for the first time on a voyage), the Pollywogs, or individuals who have never been across the equator must be initiated. This initiation usually involves lowering the Pollywogs in a cage to a depth of After this they go through rituals such as shaving their heads, pouring blood, ect. This all to pay homage to King Neptune so that the boat will not sink. Although we technically don't cross the equator until tomorrow (a fact I just found out), our unexpected extra day in Gibraltar caused us to be a day behind so we had to celebrate today. We were awoken at 8:00am, although I was already awake, but about 15 of the crew members dressed up with tin foil hats on their heads, banging pots and pans and singing. It was hilarious. I got pictures. On a side note, we love the crew here. They are awesome. They carry your plates to your table, clear off your table, bring you drinks, make your bed, fold your clothes, ect. But anyway, at 9am the celebrations began on the 7th deck (the top deck, also the deck with the pool and where we have our pub nights). After the parade of pan banging waker-upers came onto the deck, the introduction of King Neptune and his queen began. We then recited the oath to Neptune, which I have videotaped. It was priceless. Then, for the next 4 hours, groups of 2 or 3 people got initiated and payed homage to Neptune. This involved getting "fish guts" poured onto us. It wasn't really fish guts, but whatever it was was soooo cold. We then had to kiss a fish, kiss the ring of King Neptune (our captian on the ship), bow to the queen, jump in the frigid pool, then kiss a fish again. I also have this on take, and again, priceless. Then those who wish to shave their head could. Six of the 18 people in my group of friends did shave their heads, one girl and five guys. They all look awesome. They had music playing for most of the DJ and it was just an amazing moring. After that a few of us made claim to some real estate on the Observation Deck (7th floor, front of the ship). Yes, real estate. At about 12pm these days this ship turns into a floating skin roaster. The front of the ship is the best. It isn't crowded because people don't think to go there, it is so windy so it doesn't get that hot, and someone always has music playing. After relaxing out there for a few hours we all went to play cards. I then showerd and read a little bit (oh yeah, this is college after all, right?). For dinner they held a BBQ outside along with the normal dinner that they have in the 5th Floor Formal Dining Hall and the 6th Floor Informal Dining Hall. We ate outside by the pool. Yum. Later tonight, at 20:00, we are going to the Union to listen to a presentation by one of the staff on board. She was Desmond Tutu's personal assistant for many years, and I can't wait to hear what she has to say. After that maybe a movie with the group, some hot chocolate, and then bed? Classes, tomorrow, boo, but then I have to remember that the day after tomorrow I don't have classes and can lay out and be lazy all day again! Woo Hoo! Don't worry mom and dad, no tests yet, and I have a paper done that isn't due until the end of the semester (typical me). Well, today was pretty awesome . . . oh, and go SPF 45 . . . no burn yet, only a nice tan glow!

 

Oh, and I used some internet time to upload a few Morocco pictures and Neptune Day pictures to facebook. On of the pictures in my Morocco batch of me on the side of the ship with land in the background . . . this is Gibraltar. I only have 5 minutes of internet left, so I am going to have to buy a package. I am considering the $250 package which will give me another 750 minutes. I think this will due, but if not I'll have to buy more. It is expensive, but I want to keep supplying all of you with images of my semester! I figure this trip cost my parents enough, I can shell out $250 to keep them updated! 

 

PS. King Neptune rules all.