Namibia

Day 1- We arrived to Namibia (a country north of South Africa on the western side of Africa) at around 8am. After breakfast we had our first diplomatic briefing, when two ambassadors from the US Embassy came aboard and gave us current safely concerns along with a brief history of Namibia. After the briefing we all filed up to Deck 7 because there was an all girls children’s choir that was performing on the dock for us. They were from the capital city which is inland, and many of the girls had never seen the ocean before. They were going to tour the ship later in the day. After the ship was cleared we disembarked and found our line of 10 Wild Dog Safari buses/vans. With 14 people in each van, the group of us left the dock at Walvis Bay, pronounced Valfish Bay. Ater making a brief stop at an ATM and the grocery store to stock up on snacks and beverages we left the area. It wasn’t long until we were out of the Walvis Bay area and were into the open desert. We passed some sand dunes where people were hang gliding! The sand was a beautiful orangy tan. We went through the town of Swapukmond, a German city 35km away from the dock. I was shocked at how modern and clean both Walvis Bay and Swapukmond were. It felt like you were in any old beach town. After Swakupmond there was not much more to see. Our bus, which came to be called “Bus Number Two”was myself, Colleen, Matt Wald, Jull, Phil, Joe, Allison, Celest, Karen, Tyler, Colin, Erika, and a few others. The full cooler of beer was opened early. The sun is so hot here, and the water is terrible (we had no choice!). Both beer and wine are very cheap in Namibia. You could buy a 6-pack of beer for $N67,00, or $US6.70. Wine was even cheaper. You could buy a bottle for $N37, or $US3.70. Most of us bought a bottle, and I sprung for a Rose with the giraffe on the front, made in South Africa. After about 3 hours we realized that the 4-hour bus ride was going to be much longer than that. One bus broke down and we picked up two of their passengers, Joe and Casey. We also rigged the intercom system with an ipod, headphones, a deck of cards and a cap in order to broadcast music. That was the best idea of the tip. 6 hours into the trip and a few beers later we began a sing along to Lion King songs, followed by dance party marathon. Bus Number Two turned into Disco Number Two. All of us put the other buses to shame as we passed them by. They all looked so tired and bored, but not our bus! After about 8 stops (both at toilets and on the side of the road) I stopped counting. Evidentially drinking leads to excessive peeing, a concept that my bus didn’t catch on to that well. When we finally made it to our campsite in Etosha Wildlife Park it was pouring rain. We had to pitch our tents in the rain and the dark, and it was a disaster. My tent didn’t have enough poles so I squeezed in Jill and Colleen’s tent. After a midnight dinner of past and cheese we went to sleep. Sleeping was rough, though. It kept pouring, we were soaked, our stuff was soaked, and it was so hot and humid . . . but “Hey, we’re in Africa!”

 

Day 2- After a 6am wakeup call we all rushed the bathrooms to brush out teeth. There we found a million giant beetles everywhere! Egh! I dealt well, though, they don’t hurt! We had a light bre3akfast and jumped on our bus for our Safari! The first animal that we saw was a Springbok. We were all so excited to see an animal so we took a million pictures of this single Springbok that was in the distance half covered with brush. This came to be a joke, as Springbok are EVERYWHERE! We were just excited at the first one. We drove around until 2 when we stopped and had lunch at another campsite about 65km into Etosha towards the west of where our site was. After lunch we headed back via a different route. At the end of the day we had seen, in the order in which we saw them: Springbok, Zebra, Wildabeast, Giraffe, Oryx/Gamestock, Red Hearted Breast/Antelope, Black Faced Impala, Warthog, Blue Crain (rare to Etosha), and a Lion. You can only imagine how amazing it was to see these animals! Zebra crossed the road in front of us! “Hey, we’re in Africa!” The giraffe were my favorite. They are “sexy animals” They are so majestic, agile, and sleek. We even got to see on running! I bough this amazing wooden bowl that has a giraffe bending down into the cent of it and it is painted with African designs. Can you say future coffee table centerpiece? Back at the campsite we all relaxed as our guides made us dinner. Some people went swimming, but I didn’t want to be a mosquito breeding ground. Etosha was in the malaria danger zone. After dinner we all just sat around and talked, had a cup of wine, and sang a few songs. Many people chose to party late into the morning, but Colleen, Jill, and myself went to bed. Before heading into our tent, however, we stargazed for a while. They say Namibia is the best place in the world to stargaze, and it was beautifully amazing. Perfectly clear, crisp, Christmas lights in the sky. We found Orion’s Belt, and then went to sleep.

 

Day 3- The last day was uneventful. Most of bus #2 hated me in the morning for being so lively and perky when half of them were still partially intoxicated from the previous night’s festivities. I was extremely glad that I chose to sleep, because we did have to get u at 5am. The sunrise was amazing. It was 360 degrees of color: bright pinks and oranges I have never seen before. I took my last picture of an “African tree,”my bus’s name for a tree that stands alone and looks like the tree from the Lion King. As I am writing this in my journal I am on the bus on the way back to the ship, and I am the only one awake. The sun is shining brightly through the windows now, and the clouds that look painted are clearing. Only one day no the ship until our next port. Is this really happening? Am I dreaming? But “Hey, I’m in Africa!”and have never felt so alive.

 

PS: Just to let you know, the same outfit –shorts, tank top, socks, underwear –that I left the boat wearing was what I wore the entire time in Namibia . . . during the day, sleeping. Yeah for camping, not showering, and being gross!

 

PPS: Thanks Mom and Dad, Aunt Fern and Bill, Grandma and Grandpa Kelly, and the Helpa’s for the Valentine’s Day greetings! It is such a good feeling to come back to the ship and have four letters on your bed from the people who you love. I appreciate your support and I hope that you are living the journey with me. I think about everyone all the time and know how lucky I am to have support at home. Thank you everyone for being so awesome. One month down L but three more to go J! 

Walk the Line

Today, at 3:23, the MV Explorer crossed the equator. It is hot, and humid. Tomorrow is my class free day, so I am looking forward to a day of laying out and studying for my first two quizzes. 

 

"The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be the beginning" -Ivy Baker Priest

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.

 

The past few days have been uneventful. Back to classes. Today was B5, which means we have officially had ten days worth of classes, but since in only have A day classes (other than global studies) I can say that I’ve only really had 5 class days so far. Today I woke up, went to breakfast as usual, had global studies, and then laid out for a few hours. It was probably about 75 out today, but in the sun it was so hot. We are currently stopped in Senegal to get some fuel, so I can add Senegal to the list of places I have “seen.” Tomorrow we don’t have classes because it is Neptune Day . . . the celebration of us crossing the equator. It’s a hard life, but someone’s got to do it. (Check my facebook for a picture of today’s activities). Dinner tonight was one of the best so far. Mac and Cheese made with cottage cheese, bbq chicken, chick pea polenta, devils food cake, cranberry juice . . . yum. Doesn’t get much better than that on the ship. Tonight we are going to play some games and maybe go to pub night! Miss you all tons!

 

Morocco

 

So we finally got to Morocco, about one day late. My trip met in the Union at 7:30, and we received our passports which were stamped (we got no stamp in Spain!). We al boarded mini buses, 3 buses of 15 people each. My friends Matt, Chris, and Yaisel were on my trip so it was good to know people. The port where the shipped docked was extremely shady. Casablanca is an industrial city, and the port was mainly used for this purpose: cranes, shipping containers, endless pieces of equipment. The entrance to the port was actually about 1.5 miles from our ship! As we drove through Casablanca I was drawn back in disbelief. It was not what I was expecting. Everything was covered in dirt and mud, cars, streets, buildings, businesses, everything. Casablanca is not a very nice city. The one thing that amazed me was the variety of clothing. Some women wore very traditional Islamic garb and covered every part of their bodies, while some women wore mid-calf length skirts and didn’t cover their head. The same went for men, too. Our first rest stop on our 3 hour ride to Marrakech was very clean, and definitely stood out amongst the dirt and dust that surrounded it. As we drove father the land opened up in to rolling green fields. Once in a while we passed a small village built of brick and mud. While the villages at first look like a deserted bombing zone, a closer look reveals freshly washed colorful clothing hanging to dry. It is very sad. There are lots of cattle and lamb, and men in the field attending to their livestock. It was a weird feeling that was shared between all of us at that moment, an unstated sensation of unreality. The surroundings could easily be those of Virginia or even the mid-west at times, but they were not, and we were really in Morocco. I think in the states Africa is portrayed unfairly. We are taught about AIDS and the poor traditional tribes, but no one bothers to look at how similar many aspects of the continent are to every other. Don’t always get that “I feel bad for Africa”feeling.  Yes, there are many issues here, but now, not everyone here is the same. As the sun started coming up I was surprised at how much warmer the sun was here than in Spain, even though their latitudes aren’t that different. When we passed through Marrakech I was amazed. It reminded me of Arizona in some richer areas. We passed by the market where we were to return the next day. There are tones of people and animals in extremely close quarters. There are also tons of orange trees here, like the ones I saw in Sevilla. The threes, evidentially, were taken to Sevilla from Morocco. Driving towards Ozouratate, our destination, we passed through The High Atlas Mountains. These mountains are the tallest in North Afria, and are indeed impressive. The mountains were snowier than those in Alaska! I can’t describe how beautiful they were . . . We ate lunch at 4pm at a touristy “authentic”restaurant before heading to Ozouratate (population 1200). We saw the most beautiful sunset of pink, purple, and orange. The clouds reflected the light perfectly . . . the sky looked like a painting. When we arrived to the Nomad/Berber village it was dark so we couldn’t see the surroundings but we knew that we were 10km off-road away from everything. Right before we went off-road we passed CLA studios, the setting for lots of American-made films such as Gladiator, and Bable (which happened to be filmed in the village where I stayed!). At the village we had tents of 6 people with mattresses, heavy blankets, pillows, and sleeping bags. There was also a toilet and a sink, with no toilet paper of course. We ate a dinner f bread, soup, a meat dish, and amazing Moroccan oranges, followed by the most amazing mint tea I will most likely ever have. The campsite played music and dancing started, but I was disappointed that it was American music. A group of about 8 Berber men came out of the village and began to interact with us. We sang and danced to their music around a fire they built. They only spoke broken English, what they had learned for previous tourists. One Berber, who called himself Kamel (because Kamel was his last name) had his eye on me. He took his head wrap and made me a turban, leaving only my eyes uncovered. “Beautiful,”he said, and he gave me the nickname Fatima Couscous. So, for the rest of the night, he called me Fatima. Also, using palm leaves he weaved me a camel (and later another, 2 humped camel), and called them my GPS’s to find my way back to the village. Kamel was 21 years old. After taking a picture he wanted me to send him a copy, so I gave him a pen and paper to write down his address. He gave me an email address . . . go figure (I think he goes into town to get the internet). After brushing my teeth with bottled water we all went to sleep. We ended up having eight people in our tent, not six, because there was not enough beds for everyone. So it was me, Trish, Faith, Matt (who is in my group on the ship), Derek, and 3 other boys who I didn’t know. We all slept in what we were wearing and woke up and stayed in our clothes because it was so so cold, probably about 30 degrees. We smelled yummy. After having bread with honey and mint tea for breakfast we left the village. The surroundings were beautiful,. The village was in an oasis in the Sahara with the high Atlas mountains in the background. My experience with the Berbers was a life changing experience, We always fear the different and unknown, but through community and broken English we shared culture, political, and religious ideas, and felt like were were all the same for one night. I am looking forward to keeping in contact with Kamel. Although he wanted to marry me and told me his mom would make me great couscous, I’m sure having a pen-pal will be fine. The Berbers really make you realize how the simple life, yet hard-working life, may lead to more happiness than what we perceive in the US. Although far fetched I would love to someday move back and learn the language and culture of this beautiful group of individuals. Oh, and for the record, my camels from Kamel are my favorite souvenirs so far, and I’m sure they will always remain special. When we got back to Marrakech we ate lunch and then wandered around one of the largest bizarres in North Africa. It was called Jemma Lel Fna. There were so many vendors, snake charmers, monkeys on shoulders, fresh fruit, every type of produce, everything. You had to keep your money close, however. We also heard the mosque call to prayer twice. After making a few purchases we went to our hotel . . .. interesting. You had to press a light switch to light the hallway and you had to insert a card in the wall to get light for your room! I was roomed with Danielle, a girl from Alaska who works at Coldstone too, perfect! After checking in we went to dinner and a horst fantasia at this extremely toursity Disneyland type place. The food was amazing (soup, bread, couscous with pumpkin, cabbage, chicken, oranges, and mint tea), but way to overdone was the whole production. I didn’t appreciate how my can of coke was DHR 25,00 or about $3 US. Rip off city. Overall prices here are good, but they try to get the tourists. After the show we all came back to the hotel. The majority of people went to waste their money in extremely shady bars, but a few of us, my roommate and myself included, went to go to sleep.  We when went to take our shower the water was shut off, and they wouldn’t turn it back on until the morning. So, we went to sleep in our same gross clothes, because, well, why not. The next day, our last day in Maroc (Morocco), a small group of us went to free breakfast at the hotel. They had olives, tomatoes, pastries, “pancakes,”fresh jams, honey, and fresh orange juice. The pancakes were amazing . . . thin squares of fried flat dough. Amazing. After breakfast we wandered around town for a while and spend the rest of our Durham at a grocery store. You could get Moroccan candy/wafer type bars for DHR 0,95, or about ten cents US. The American food, like Oreos and such, were very expensive however. We bought bread and a chunk of gouda cheese for lunch for only DHR 20,00. Split between three people it was less than a dollar each. The buses then took us back to Casablanca where we boarded the ship . . . and so ends Morocco. I wish we had more time tin Morocco, it really flew by.  There is so much here left to explore, and so much culture, this is one place where I definitely want to get back to. 

Change of Plans

Minor change of plans . . . due to a storm in Gibraltar the ship was unable to connect with the refueling ship.  We have been in Gibraltar for about 24 hours now . . . just sitting and waiting.  We are supposed to connect this morning and then head off, but this obviously makes us late into Morocco because we were supposed to arrive there in 10 minutes.  This will make us completely miss our first day in Morocco . . . and my 3 night awesome trip will probably be canceled.  There is no point in worrying about it, though, because it is no ones fault.  I'll probably end up going to Marrekech with a lot of people who were already going to go there from my group.  I'm excited for the possibility of that, too!

Gibraltar

 

Last night 8 of us crammed into a room and watched the movie 21.  It was a good time, except that we were all half asleep do to our exciting trip to Spain!  Right now we are docked at Gibraltar (sp?) to take on some fuel.  We have spent all day waiting to get into the area because there was a storm and no boats were able to dock.  It was awesome, though, seeing all of the boats waiting.  At one point you could count about 20 boats!  Gibratal is very unexciting, just a large rock pretty much.  I did take a few pictures that I will post later, but seriously, it’s just a rock.  In a half hour there is a guest speaker doing a presentation called Morocco Over Time, Through Poetry . . . should be interesting.   Then dinner will be after that, and I’ll have to savor my last salad for 5 days (because you can’t eat that kind of food in Morocco without getting very sick).  I am greatly missing the pastries from Spain, and the ones that they serve on the ship for breakfast are just not adding up.  I am already sick of potatoes and peanut butter sandwiches, but I am enjoying eating the soup, salad, fresh fruit, cheese, and the fish of the day.  Also, the desert is pretty good.  I bought a some snack foods in Spain which should hold me over for a few weeks.  Kayla (my roommate) and I are struggling with our room smelling.  Since the bathroom is so closed up and our fan doesn’t work 100% right, the water ends up sitting and its just musty in there.  Also, since the Spanish smoke an insane amount, any clothes you were to the bar end up smelling like a smoldering cigarette.  No joke.  So our room smells a little bit.  I bought an air freshener today so hopefully that will help!   I hope to get on the internet sometime in Morocco!  PS.  I have never loved sleeping as much as I do on a rocking boat!

Chrissy Mathues