August and I loved Spain. We decided to stay in the Southern part and went to Cordoba, Granada, Sevilla, Jerez de la Frontera, and Cadiz. We can't wait to go back again.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Mezquita - Cordoba, Espana
August and I loved Spain. We decided to stay in the Southern part and went to Cordoba, Granada, Sevilla, Jerez de la Frontera, and Cadiz. We can't wait to go back again.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Dubrovnik!
November 18, 2007
This city is incredibly beautiful. The entire time we were here, I kept thinking of the horrors of war they had recently. As much as I appreciated the beauty of this place, I am always reminded of the losses that result from nationalism and ethnic genocide. I think that Rick Steves said it best when he wrote that no one is innocent in the war. I also could not help but think of the history of colonialism and that this must be an exciting time for Croatians as they now have the ability to chart their own course and rule for themselves. We were freezing though and there was quite a bit of rain the first couple of days. But we braved the cold and on the second day, walked all over the city and climbed the famed city walls.
Inside the city walls
Our friends Paul and Alexis braved another excursion with us and it was so much fun. We ate the yummiest pasta, pizza, and salad at Spaghetteria Toni (thank you R.Steves), had ice cream at Dolce Vita and hot chocolate (their version is basically melted chocolate and that’s it). We had dinner later on with the Taylors and had some of the best tasting lightly breaded fried calamari, red wine, pizza, and salad. I ended up meeting friends at my favorite bar in Dubrovnik – the Arsenal wine bar and kept going back there every night until we left.
August was armed with the Rick Steves’ guidebook and the top ten things to do in Dubrovnik and led us on a tour…we were quite a challenging group as we kept veering off from his path and taking random pictures, eating food from time to time, petting dogs and cats, and pretty much foolin’ around. WE did learn a lot though and were thankful (and mighty tired) at the end. At the end of our stay, we were treated to a citywide festival of lights which commemorated the victims of the war. As we went from the old city walls to the port, we saw candles in colored glass containers throughout the sidewalks. We hope to come to this port on warmer days to do some water sports, hiking, and more museum visits.
Gobble Gobble – It’s time for Turkey!
November 17, 2007
Turkey is definitely on my top five favorite countries list. I loved it the first time and even more so the second time I visited. We stayed in Istanbul for the 5 days we were there and found that we could have stayed in that city for a month and not seen enough. Here are my thoughts about our magical stay at Istanbul. We had such a great time with friends, colleagues, and students. Our student life dinner occurred then as well and that was a blast. Beyond the things below, what I most treasure about my time in Turkey is feeling of wonder at everything I saw and the good times I had with friends. It was also so neat to see the students being fairly independent as they took charge of their days and evenings and explored the sites on their own. We spent mornings having coffee or hot cocoa, bread, and contemplating life while we looking at the beautiful views of the Bosphorous and the Golata Bridge. This picture is taken from the Topkaki Palace.
Yummy bread!
The people: We found people there to be welcoming, nice, fun loving, and politically engaged. Just an fyi, we did not find a single person there who liked GW Bush or Texas. The people we met had a great sense of humor - some favorites include Mustafa, my favorite bowl vendor, the owners of our favorite restaurant Nev – Alem, Hussein, Martin, and our Kurdish waiter at Omar’s, and the policeman who liked to walk arm in arm with August when we walked out from the port because August was so warm. I will also miss the many cafes and bakeries we stopped at and the old man I befriended who sold the round bagel / pretzel like bread and said hello to me every morning as I took out my 75 cents to buy my early morning treat.
The sites: I can’t even tell you all about how beautiful the city of Istanbul is. We went to the Blue Mosque, Aya Sofya, Topkaki Palace, was at the Golden Horn, Suleyman Mosque, Fatih Mosque, Istanbul University, the old city walls, the Jewish quarters, the Greek quarters, The Bosphorous, the men fishing on the bridges everyday, the sunset while we had drinks at the 5th floor of a restaurant right outside the Blue Mosque and Aya Sofya, the Church of St. Saviour in Chora (one of my favorite places and days in Istanbul – thank you August, Samantha, Jordan, and Scott). I learned there that it was because of the Muslims that the Icons on the walls were saved for us to now view since the Christians were at that time trying to destroy icons from their churches. We saw the cartoon museum which is located inside a former medrese from the 17th century. We also saw so many of the mosques built by Sinan – I call him the Gaudi of Istanbul with regards to the fact that he built so many of the mosques in the great city like Gaudi built so many of the famous architecture in Barcelona. We also had a glorious day going to the third sacred place in Islam – the Eyup Mosque. We missed going to the Pierre Loti café this time but we did learn so much about Eyup – the companion and standard bearer of the Prophet Mohamed. Walking around the city allowed us to make new discoveries and long to stay for just a few months more. I can’t honestly tell you if I prefer seeing a famous site or just looking out at the Golata Bridge or watching the men cast their fishing lines and show off their catch of the day to those of us passing by. The fat cats were some of favorites sites by the way. I loved the way the locals just kept feeding them and cuddling with them. We did too as well – hopefully, none of us got cat rabies!
The food: I gained whatever weight I lost on the voyage back in Istanbul! The breads and pastries were incredible. I had chicken doners salad with olive oil and lemon, Ottoman feasts which included chicken and rice baked in a phylo coating, fresh fish, thick lentil soup, corn on the cob with lemon, chili pepper, and salt, and this pasta with meat inside served with a white thick garlic sauce and red marinara on top. The hot chocolate was the best – it reminded me of the ones I had on Bavarian trains as we whizzed by forests.
August, Jordan, Scott, & Samantha at St. Savior in Chora
Other experiences: I went back to my favorite hamam – Cemberlitas. I was scrubbed, cleaned, slapped around a little, and in the end, my skin was so soft and smooth. Really, the pain is worth the results. The port felt so safe and the students I saw had such a good time. The shopping for many was incredible – Taksim Square was the place to be. And the transportation system – loved the trams and buses – made everything run smoothly. One of the funniest memories I had was when 8 of us had to get into the tram which was more crowded than a Tokyo train during Friday, rush hour. I don’t know how we did it but we just made our way and ended up squashed in, some of us in uncomfortable positions. Finally, I was moved by the spirituality of the people we saw in Istanbul. The call to prayer sounded beautiful – some of them were haunting and melodic. The way in which the mosques would fill up 5 times a day as a normal part of their everyday life looked so powerful. From a distance, I saw men performing their ablutions (washing of the feet, hands, face) as part of the preparation to pray. It was quite an experience to be there and be allowed to share in their sacred space.
Turkey was a great place to visit. We hope to go again and visit other cities as well. There is so much to see and do there and not enough time. My only regret is to my inability to engage the political situation in that country during my visit. I have mixed emotions being there and thinking of their lack of acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide. I also have mixed emotions about what is happening to the Kurdish population. It amazes me how we can be on this voyage, learn so much about the places we are visiting, and yet sometimes, hardly be able to learn or engage anything at all.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Egypt posts - how to read them
Hi Folks -
The way I posted these things...you should read the Egypt (the older post first) and then read Egypt II. Sorry for the confusion.
anna
The way I posted these things...you should read the Egypt (the older post first) and then read Egypt II. Sorry for the confusion.
anna
Egypt Part II
From August:
On the second day we flew in the early morning from Cairo to Sharm El Sheik at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula. While most of Egypt is in the African continent, the Sinai is in the Asian continent. Anna flew by herself from Alexandria to Sharm El Sheik and we were reunited at the Sharm airport. What followed was an incredible off-roading experience, as we took 4-wheel drives through rough valleys and canyons at speeds of 80 kilometers per hour. After a half an hour drive, we entered a Bedouin community, and the young people were waiting for us with camels. We went on a camel caravan through a “wadi” (a dry bed that becomes a watercourse during the rainy season). It was like a scene from “Lawrence of Arabia.” I can’t describe to you the incredible feeling of being in this desert landscape flanked on each side by gorgeous stone mountains and the wide blue sky above.
On the third day, we went snorkeling at Ras Mohammed (“Head of Mohammed) National Park. The park was like no park that I have ever visited. There were remnants of lookouts, tanks, and trenches from the Egypt-Israel War of the early 1970s, and areas that were off-limits due to the presence of Israeli-planted land mines. The highlight of the visit was the beautiful inlets, meeting points between the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba. We stopped by a peaceful bay called “Baraka” (“Blessing”), off limits because the coral was being allowed to grow, a place called the “Magic Lake,” and then snorkeling in the coral reefs of Ras Mohammed. I got tired from following the long snorkeling route. I felt my life pass before me, but luckily one of the students was a great swimmer and helped me get back to shore. I was so enthralled by the motley goldfish and the thick coral that I had lost track of how far I had swam.
On the fourth day, we took a three-hour drive through the Sinai desert to St. Katherine’s Monastery, on the foot of Gebel Musa (“Moses’ Mountain,” or more commonly known as “Mt. Sinai”). The last remaining Byzantine-era icons of Jesus, St. Peter, and Mary were there – the rest had been destroyed by one of the popes because he feared that they had become objects of worship in themselves. We visited a spot known as Jethro’s Well, Jethro being Moses’ eventual father-in-law. Near it was the “Burning Bush,” where Moses was supposed to have spoken to God. We took pictures of Mt. Sinai, at the top of which there is a marker where tradition has indicated that Moses received the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. We also stopped by a natural stone structure where Moses was supposed to have found the Israelites worshipping the Golden Calf and in anger had hurled it at the mountain – today this structure resembles that of a calf.
From Anna:
St. Katherine’s also held a great surprise for us. We were the only group to be allowed to go to the monastery’s monks quarters and into the library. The library houses the largest collections of religious works (in latin and greek I believe) outside of the Vatican. The head librarian who is one of the 25 monks at the monastery is from Texas. He was so great! We hope to keep in touch with him. The semester at sea participants just loved this part of the trip. We then went to a wonderful place (another resort time town) for lunch..it was just as beautiful as Sharm and we hope to visit there again on a next Egypt visit. That hotel had the best food and awesome never ending pools surrounding wrapped around it. It was also famous for windsurfing as well and the hotel itself was about 5 minutes walk to the sea. After that, we had free time (again) yay! And we once again went around Sharm.
On a final note – evenings at Sharm were so much fun! We walked all over the place..it was kinda weird…something like being in Nice or even Laguna Beach but people just had a little bit more clothes on…One of the restaurants I loved was called Ali Baba’s Oriental Seafood (my favorite!). It was affordable, yummy, and offered the best views. Students were cracking me up because they kept ordering McDonalds to the hotel just to say that they had it delivered to them from pedi-cabs….I took a picture with a delivery person but did not buy anything…I figured eating at Ali Baba’s was enough for you all to judge me. Sharm itself was a playground for the rich and the tourists. Except for the workers, there were hardly any “everyday” Egyptians there. It was relaxing and magical for us. More importantly, we really enjoyed spending time with our bus – bus 11 rocks! Our habibis and pharaohs bonded. We also really enjoyed our wonderful “mom” – guide. The students and I keep seeing each other on the ship and greet each other either hey bus 11 or habibi habibi. It really was the best sas trip ever J.
Egypt!
Egypt – with excerpts from guest writer Augusto Espiritu Ph.D. J
November 15, 2007
From Anna;
My favorite country during my first voyage was Egypt – and I must say this holds true for this one as well. I think it is a semester at sea cardinal sin to say that you have a favorite country but I will break that time and time again for Egypt. Where do I even begin? Oh – before I do, friends – take your honeymoon here, take your family vacations here, celebrate your birthday here, go to Egypt!
From Augusto:
Egypt was unforgettable. I shed invisible tears as we sailed from the port of Alexandria. It seemed unreal to have visited the land of the Pharaohs, one of the two vital centers of Islam, and part of the Holy Land.
On the first day, I lead students and lifelong learners on a trip to Cairo and Sharm El Sheik. I had to do this by myself because Anna had to stay behind in Alexandria to take care of important matters. We drove three hours from Alexandria to Giza, through desert and fertile lands.
It was mystical to see the famed Pyramids of Giza. I rode on a two-humped camel from pyramid to pyramid and for some time took over the reins while it went into a nice gallop. The camel driver was a crook and managed to squeeze ten Egyptian pounds (2 US dollars) from me, but the “baksheesh” (or “tip” in Arabic) was well worth it. At the Pyramid of Khefren, I paid 25 Egyptian pounds (5 dollars) to walk on a crouch through the tunnel about 200 feet inside the pyramid leading to an old sarcophagus. It was dark and steamy inside but there were a lot of us and we had a lot of fun.
November 15, 2007
From Anna;
My favorite country during my first voyage was Egypt – and I must say this holds true for this one as well. I think it is a semester at sea cardinal sin to say that you have a favorite country but I will break that time and time again for Egypt. Where do I even begin? Oh – before I do, friends – take your honeymoon here, take your family vacations here, celebrate your birthday here, go to Egypt!
From Augusto:
Egypt was unforgettable. I shed invisible tears as we sailed from the port of Alexandria. It seemed unreal to have visited the land of the Pharaohs, one of the two vital centers of Islam, and part of the Holy Land.
On the first day, I lead students and lifelong learners on a trip to Cairo and Sharm El Sheik. I had to do this by myself because Anna had to stay behind in Alexandria to take care of important matters. We drove three hours from Alexandria to Giza, through desert and fertile lands.
It was mystical to see the famed Pyramids of Giza. I rode on a two-humped camel from pyramid to pyramid and for some time took over the reins while it went into a nice gallop. The camel driver was a crook and managed to squeeze ten Egyptian pounds (2 US dollars) from me, but the “baksheesh” (or “tip” in Arabic) was well worth it. At the Pyramid of Khefren, I paid 25 Egyptian pounds (5 dollars) to walk on a crouch through the tunnel about 200 feet inside the pyramid leading to an old sarcophagus. It was dark and steamy inside but there were a lot of us and we had a lot of fun.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Monday, November 5, 2007
Suez Canal
October 30, 2007
This is an amazing day! (how many times do I say that word – amazing – on this blog?). We are traveling slowly on the Suez canal with Egypt to the left and right of us. The day started off with the Sea Olympics where the Dead Sea (that is our team – faculty, staff, Life long learners) get out in our grey colored shirts, pants, etc. and our awesome banner (hanks Paul and team) and chanting “not dead yet1”. The other seas were pretty good – scary good – and this was happening all at 9 am. We ended up placing 1st in this competition which was great and gave us a boost of confidence. Not sure we will actually win the entire thing but as I told the entire team, the goal is to not finish dead last.
It was surreal to have all of us running around, chanting, competing, etc. as we sail through this historic canal and really the country known as the cradle of civilization. At different points of the day, in the midst of meetings and competition, we heard the call to prayer coming from various mosques and loudspeakers. I saw a soldier at one point had his gun turned to us and in the next minute, put his gun down and faced Mecca, began the ritual of washing his face. I ran to the AFT of the ship to see if he was praying and when I got there, he was indeed. We saw old cannons that must have been built for the wars fought around the Suez, little boats driven by young and old men, and women covered from head to toe going about their daily lives. I had to laugh as students, some clad in bathing suits, shorts, tanks,, complain to me that they keep waving at the people but there are so few that wave back. I replied that with what we are all wearing (we had a big hair contest and toilet paper fashion contest ok?), it’s a miracle they haven’t shot at us yet so no, I don’t think we’ll be waved at much. All of us continue to marvel at where we are traveling through as we gaze out at the dessert, see camels walking with their jockeys along side them, watch small towns and cities at different points, and wonder at how lucky we all are to be here. It hurts my heart looking at the magnificent beauty around me and I know that I did not describe this experience well enough. And while the sunset will I am sure be great, I don’t want it to happen just yet because that would mean an end to another very special sea day.
Namaste - India!
October 27, 2007
Before you read about India, I would like to say that many view this country as poverty stricken. People felt sad and helpless at the level of poverty and inhumane conditions they saw people live in. So many were depraved of clean potable water, shelter, food, medicine. There is an India that is not much discussed in the face of this heart-wrenching poverty. There is an India which impacts the price of gold worldwide because of the heavy demand for it during their wedding season. There is the India that lives in the bollywood of their (and our) fantasies – upper and upper middle class living in luxury, with new imported cars, mansions, and beautiful clothes. There are the rich in India who thank their gods for their wealth and give money and jewelry to their Brahmins but not to give funds that will enable the creation of a better social welfare system that will truly break down class and caste barriers. There are those who think and write about poverty and how to end it as they sit in their offices not having to worry about hunger pains and lack of medical care for themselves. I wonder if perhaps countries should be discussed not in whether one is third or first world but rather the division between the worlds within one nation and how that great divide looks like. I don’t know how the problem of poverty can be solved but I hope that those who are not impoverished work on solving this issue rather than just wish it away.
We loved India! I think that I say that about every country we visited by the way J. Using a John Denver phrase (and by the way, the voyage is making me into a John Denver fan so watch out) India filled up my senses. I was told that best way to experience India is to take it in slowly and then it becomes something wonderful (thanks Sally!). I decided to do just that by not going to the whirlwind India tour in 4 1/2 days. This meant that I did not go to the Taj, Varanassi, etc. – places that you would more likely associated India with and see on tv and movies. We stayed within 2 hours of the ship most of the time (I was also duty dean for 3 days so actually 1 hour of the ship) in the province of Tamil Nadu where the city of Chennai is located.
For the first two days, we went to Mamallapuram or Mahabalapuram as many people kept telling us (t was two places next to each other by the way). We hired a driver who August and I hope to keep in touch with – Mr. Tulasiram. He was a nice guy and we actually ended up hiring him for 4 days. He did not attempt to take us to any shops, etc. He knew what we wanted and gave us a great tour. The four of us (Paul, Eric, August, and myself) rented 2 rooms at the Ideal Beach Resort. It was so great. We had our own entrance to the beach, the resort was nice and clean, and the food at breakfast so good. Our room was the deluxe and it had its own veranda and very large bathroom. On the first night, we had dinner by the beach at a restaurant called Luna Magica. Funny story – we went out to the town and they had a blackout. Mr. Tulasiram said that this was normal – it could last an hour or half a day depending. It was pitch black in many areas save for the candles you saw lit up from time to time. Our way to the restaurant was scary, funny, and quite an adventure – seriously I am ready for Amazing Race! Mr. T. dropped us off near the beach and said just walk down the narrow street (the car can’t go in) and you will find the restaurant at the end. We got out of the car and started walking. Thank goodness August had the flashlight he bought from REI (I initially gave him a hard time for getting this saying, we can get that in China – thank goodness because all we got in Qingdao is buckets of rain on our heads) and he kept telling this story as he led the way. I decided not to argue for fear that he may just turn off the light. Anyway, we all kept saying this is crazy, I think I hear dogs nearby, don’t stop over this or that, and we would discover people laying out and hanging out on the street saying hello hello or just observing our crew walk tentatively through their neighborhood. We dd find the restaurant at the end of the street and walked up 3 flights of steps. With our deet on, listening to the waves, drinking our Kingfisher beer, and laughing about our misadventures thus far, we ate some of the best seafood ever. Large freshly caught prawns, tuna, curry, rice, garlic naan with butter! We sat there for hours! The lights in the town did get turned on so we found Mr. Tulasiram and headed off to the hotel. At the hotel, we all walked along the beach and watched the moon.
The next day at 5:30 am, all four of us went to the beach and watched the sunrise. The scene was my perfect India – herds of cows strolling amongst us, vendors coming up to try to sell us something, Europeans in linen and cotton blends meditating and doing yoga on the sand, dogs eyeing us, little rafts and boats coming in with fresh seafood and goods, and us listening to the waves as we watched the sun rise. The water was warm although we did not really swim as the currents were pretty wild. After hours in this atmosphere, we had breakfast and went off to explore the temples in the two cities. The temples were GREAT! Many of them were carved out of one big stone and the designs were beautiful. For august and myself, this completed (well, going to Bagan would have also been really important but we did not go there due to the Human Rights abuse going on) our goal to see first hand the religious, cultural, and architectural relationship between Cambodia, Thailand, and India. I can’t even describe to you all that we saw but what amazed me is the reverence and faith people have to build these shrines, temples, monuments to express their feelings for and about their gods. Our final temple (this one was an active temple where the Brahmin priests feed the eagle like birds midday and pray for us) made us walk over 500 steps each way in the hot sun, barefoot! No shoes allowed in temples. We loved it even though I was upset at the way people were “charging’ us falsely at the bottom. Our lunch that day was also yummy – Eric liked that the best. We had grilled fish, more curry, rice with chicken, cooked veggies, and piles of garlic butter naan. We made our way back to Chennai tired, exhausted, but feeling so great to be in India.
Over the next three days, we went out and toured Chennai. We walked on the beach and found out that Chennai’s beach is the second longest coastline in the world, second only to Miami’s. We went to the museum, saw the various parts of the city including Mylapore which is one of the city’s oldest area. We went inside the temple (no shoes again, barefoot, oh so hot) and we were welcomed into various areas. There was a festival going on when we were there so we saw Hindu priests give blessing to the faithful. Some were eating on banana leaves with rice and curried vegetables on top. We saw the Baliwood / Bollywood? Studios / Sets, various universities (Madras was my favorite), the high court (it looked like the Kremlin), St. Thomas Cathedral and found out that only black and dark brown cows get turned into leather goods / materials. The white ones survive and are never bothered. Racism even with the cows – go figure.
Thinking of India overwhelms me and re-reading this entry make me realize that I can’t put into words all that I saw. India was sad, joyful, brilliant colors, laughter, friends, tears, hunger, unlimited food, giving, taking,. I don’t know which story I can say is my favorite about our journey through India. It could be the Semester at Sea student who saved the life of a child she cared for in one of Mother Theresa’s orphanages (She went there everyday on her own to spend entire days with the children). It could be the student who went to do a spiritual pilgrimage and visit specific temples that represent enlightenment (he went to 3 of the 4 because he got tired and they “all looked the same.”) Or it could be the students who finally allowed themselves to let go of their Western values and embrace a culture different from theirs. Or maybe it was the memory of students hugging their new friends from India, their tuk tuk (ok, they call them motor taxis) drivers, or their homes stay families tearfully saying goodbyes and saying that they wished they could stay longer. So I leave India overwhelmed and yet at peace. Surrounded by the Hindu religion with sprinkling of Islam at different moments, this was the country that brought out the Catholic in me. We walked into St. Thomas’ Cathedral which we found out was only one of three cathedrals that an apostle was buried under. In the small chapel where his body / relic was kept, there was a service in Hindu or Tamil. August and I knew exactly what to do and the response, even though we could not really “understand” the language. We were foreign and yet felt at home. Maybe it was that memory that I will take back with me from India. In a land of mostly Hindus, the Catholic in me stepped out and grabbed hold, and I felt strangely at home.
Before you read about India, I would like to say that many view this country as poverty stricken. People felt sad and helpless at the level of poverty and inhumane conditions they saw people live in. So many were depraved of clean potable water, shelter, food, medicine. There is an India that is not much discussed in the face of this heart-wrenching poverty. There is an India which impacts the price of gold worldwide because of the heavy demand for it during their wedding season. There is the India that lives in the bollywood of their (and our) fantasies – upper and upper middle class living in luxury, with new imported cars, mansions, and beautiful clothes. There are the rich in India who thank their gods for their wealth and give money and jewelry to their Brahmins but not to give funds that will enable the creation of a better social welfare system that will truly break down class and caste barriers. There are those who think and write about poverty and how to end it as they sit in their offices not having to worry about hunger pains and lack of medical care for themselves. I wonder if perhaps countries should be discussed not in whether one is third or first world but rather the division between the worlds within one nation and how that great divide looks like. I don’t know how the problem of poverty can be solved but I hope that those who are not impoverished work on solving this issue rather than just wish it away.
We loved India! I think that I say that about every country we visited by the way J. Using a John Denver phrase (and by the way, the voyage is making me into a John Denver fan so watch out) India filled up my senses. I was told that best way to experience India is to take it in slowly and then it becomes something wonderful (thanks Sally!). I decided to do just that by not going to the whirlwind India tour in 4 1/2 days. This meant that I did not go to the Taj, Varanassi, etc. – places that you would more likely associated India with and see on tv and movies. We stayed within 2 hours of the ship most of the time (I was also duty dean for 3 days so actually 1 hour of the ship) in the province of Tamil Nadu where the city of Chennai is located.
For the first two days, we went to Mamallapuram or Mahabalapuram as many people kept telling us (t was two places next to each other by the way). We hired a driver who August and I hope to keep in touch with – Mr. Tulasiram. He was a nice guy and we actually ended up hiring him for 4 days. He did not attempt to take us to any shops, etc. He knew what we wanted and gave us a great tour. The four of us (Paul, Eric, August, and myself) rented 2 rooms at the Ideal Beach Resort. It was so great. We had our own entrance to the beach, the resort was nice and clean, and the food at breakfast so good. Our room was the deluxe and it had its own veranda and very large bathroom. On the first night, we had dinner by the beach at a restaurant called Luna Magica. Funny story – we went out to the town and they had a blackout. Mr. Tulasiram said that this was normal – it could last an hour or half a day depending. It was pitch black in many areas save for the candles you saw lit up from time to time. Our way to the restaurant was scary, funny, and quite an adventure – seriously I am ready for Amazing Race! Mr. T. dropped us off near the beach and said just walk down the narrow street (the car can’t go in) and you will find the restaurant at the end. We got out of the car and started walking. Thank goodness August had the flashlight he bought from REI (I initially gave him a hard time for getting this saying, we can get that in China – thank goodness because all we got in Qingdao is buckets of rain on our heads) and he kept telling this story as he led the way. I decided not to argue for fear that he may just turn off the light. Anyway, we all kept saying this is crazy, I think I hear dogs nearby, don’t stop over this or that, and we would discover people laying out and hanging out on the street saying hello hello or just observing our crew walk tentatively through their neighborhood. We dd find the restaurant at the end of the street and walked up 3 flights of steps. With our deet on, listening to the waves, drinking our Kingfisher beer, and laughing about our misadventures thus far, we ate some of the best seafood ever. Large freshly caught prawns, tuna, curry, rice, garlic naan with butter! We sat there for hours! The lights in the town did get turned on so we found Mr. Tulasiram and headed off to the hotel. At the hotel, we all walked along the beach and watched the moon.
The next day at 5:30 am, all four of us went to the beach and watched the sunrise. The scene was my perfect India – herds of cows strolling amongst us, vendors coming up to try to sell us something, Europeans in linen and cotton blends meditating and doing yoga on the sand, dogs eyeing us, little rafts and boats coming in with fresh seafood and goods, and us listening to the waves as we watched the sun rise. The water was warm although we did not really swim as the currents were pretty wild. After hours in this atmosphere, we had breakfast and went off to explore the temples in the two cities. The temples were GREAT! Many of them were carved out of one big stone and the designs were beautiful. For august and myself, this completed (well, going to Bagan would have also been really important but we did not go there due to the Human Rights abuse going on) our goal to see first hand the religious, cultural, and architectural relationship between Cambodia, Thailand, and India. I can’t even describe to you all that we saw but what amazed me is the reverence and faith people have to build these shrines, temples, monuments to express their feelings for and about their gods. Our final temple (this one was an active temple where the Brahmin priests feed the eagle like birds midday and pray for us) made us walk over 500 steps each way in the hot sun, barefoot! No shoes allowed in temples. We loved it even though I was upset at the way people were “charging’ us falsely at the bottom. Our lunch that day was also yummy – Eric liked that the best. We had grilled fish, more curry, rice with chicken, cooked veggies, and piles of garlic butter naan. We made our way back to Chennai tired, exhausted, but feeling so great to be in India.
Over the next three days, we went out and toured Chennai. We walked on the beach and found out that Chennai’s beach is the second longest coastline in the world, second only to Miami’s. We went to the museum, saw the various parts of the city including Mylapore which is one of the city’s oldest area. We went inside the temple (no shoes again, barefoot, oh so hot) and we were welcomed into various areas. There was a festival going on when we were there so we saw Hindu priests give blessing to the faithful. Some were eating on banana leaves with rice and curried vegetables on top. We saw the Baliwood / Bollywood? Studios / Sets, various universities (Madras was my favorite), the high court (it looked like the Kremlin), St. Thomas Cathedral and found out that only black and dark brown cows get turned into leather goods / materials. The white ones survive and are never bothered. Racism even with the cows – go figure.
Thinking of India overwhelms me and re-reading this entry make me realize that I can’t put into words all that I saw. India was sad, joyful, brilliant colors, laughter, friends, tears, hunger, unlimited food, giving, taking,. I don’t know which story I can say is my favorite about our journey through India. It could be the Semester at Sea student who saved the life of a child she cared for in one of Mother Theresa’s orphanages (She went there everyday on her own to spend entire days with the children). It could be the student who went to do a spiritual pilgrimage and visit specific temples that represent enlightenment (he went to 3 of the 4 because he got tired and they “all looked the same.”) Or it could be the students who finally allowed themselves to let go of their Western values and embrace a culture different from theirs. Or maybe it was the memory of students hugging their new friends from India, their tuk tuk (ok, they call them motor taxis) drivers, or their homes stay families tearfully saying goodbyes and saying that they wished they could stay longer. So I leave India overwhelmed and yet at peace. Surrounded by the Hindu religion with sprinkling of Islam at different moments, this was the country that brought out the Catholic in me. We walked into St. Thomas’ Cathedral which we found out was only one of three cathedrals that an apostle was buried under. In the small chapel where his body / relic was kept, there was a service in Hindu or Tamil. August and I knew exactly what to do and the response, even though we could not really “understand” the language. We were foreign and yet felt at home. Maybe it was that memory that I will take back with me from India. In a land of mostly Hindus, the Catholic in me stepped out and grabbed hold, and I felt strangely at home.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
On ship life
October 27, 2007
Whales, Dolphins, and Rainbows
I just want to share that the last few days have been great with regards to the view on the ship. We went under or through 2 rainbows, saw schools of dolphins, and at least 20 or 30 whales. Those scenes and experiences make the voyage so worth everything else we do. As much as folks can’t wait to get off the ship to get to the various ports, these days really make me long for more sea days, traveling on calm seas, looking at the beauty of the ocean, and wishing that we can preserve it all for the future. The moon has also been full the last couple of days and we have seen so many stars as we sail through the Red Sea. I can’t believe that I am back here again – on our way to Egypt….This and Turkey were favorites for me the last time I sailed.
Something funny – we had a fun (no gambling) poker tournament amongst the faculty, LLL, family and staff to figure out who the two reps from our team (the DEADly Sea) will be. I came in second and Nurse Karen came in first so we have an all women team! We hope to not be the first ones out during the tournament…I’m slightly frightened of the competition since the students definitely know how to play the game better than I. My tactic is just to go all in during hands that I play! August by the way is still in the faculty / staff / LLL / family ping pong tournament. He hopes to make it through so he can be on the team as well. This Sea Olympics is something fierce. Because I had to go to a meeting that evening and could not stay for the sign up meetings, I somehow was volunteered to be on the synchronized swim team….scary….I will not be sharing pictures of videos of that one. At least I was not signed up for limbo or the slippery twister….
Whales, Dolphins, and Rainbows
I just want to share that the last few days have been great with regards to the view on the ship. We went under or through 2 rainbows, saw schools of dolphins, and at least 20 or 30 whales. Those scenes and experiences make the voyage so worth everything else we do. As much as folks can’t wait to get off the ship to get to the various ports, these days really make me long for more sea days, traveling on calm seas, looking at the beauty of the ocean, and wishing that we can preserve it all for the future. The moon has also been full the last couple of days and we have seen so many stars as we sail through the Red Sea. I can’t believe that I am back here again – on our way to Egypt….This and Turkey were favorites for me the last time I sailed.
Something funny – we had a fun (no gambling) poker tournament amongst the faculty, LLL, family and staff to figure out who the two reps from our team (the DEADly Sea) will be. I came in second and Nurse Karen came in first so we have an all women team! We hope to not be the first ones out during the tournament…I’m slightly frightened of the competition since the students definitely know how to play the game better than I. My tactic is just to go all in during hands that I play! August by the way is still in the faculty / staff / LLL / family ping pong tournament. He hopes to make it through so he can be on the team as well. This Sea Olympics is something fierce. Because I had to go to a meeting that evening and could not stay for the sign up meetings, I somehow was volunteered to be on the synchronized swim team….scary….I will not be sharing pictures of videos of that one. At least I was not signed up for limbo or the slippery twister….
Thailand's Top Ten
October 24, 2007
10) Tom Yum (make it Thai style spicy please)– I know we have this in the U.S. but it can’t compare to the ones they cook in Thailand
9) It’s good to be the king – okay, so the King’s picture is EVERYWHERE…And even though he is approaching 80, according to the pictures, he does not look older than 40 – Wow!
8) ooooooh the massages – I had 4 in 5 days…..what more can I say?
7) All you can eat fresh prawns, crab, clams, mussels
6) Guavas, mangoes, lanzones (don’t know the English translation), santol,
5) The Tuk-Tuk rides – it was like riding in an out of control derby car without seatbelts or really any measure of safety for the passenger.
4) All the buddhas, the palace, the night market, and the water taxi!
3) Ayuthaya – It was wonderful to leave the hustle and bustle of Bangkok and take a leisurely drive to the “country” and see the old capital. We went to ruins and still active temples and fell in love with Thailand there.
2) Time with Friends – August’s roommate and best buddy Sudi who was so hospitable welcomed us into his home and life. We were treated to a special Tour of Thailand by his brother Arnie and had a wonderful time. It was great to see August and Sudi play the guitar and sing old Beatles songs.
1) Staying at the Shangri-La exclusive / members only / newest wing in a fully loaded suite with 2 private balconies. One of the bathrooms was bigger than our cabin on the ship.
10) Tom Yum (make it Thai style spicy please)– I know we have this in the U.S. but it can’t compare to the ones they cook in Thailand
9) It’s good to be the king – okay, so the King’s picture is EVERYWHERE…And even though he is approaching 80, according to the pictures, he does not look older than 40 – Wow!
8) ooooooh the massages – I had 4 in 5 days…..what more can I say?
7) All you can eat fresh prawns, crab, clams, mussels
6) Guavas, mangoes, lanzones (don’t know the English translation), santol,
5) The Tuk-Tuk rides – it was like riding in an out of control derby car without seatbelts or really any measure of safety for the passenger.
4) All the buddhas, the palace, the night market, and the water taxi!
3) Ayuthaya – It was wonderful to leave the hustle and bustle of Bangkok and take a leisurely drive to the “country” and see the old capital. We went to ruins and still active temples and fell in love with Thailand there.
2) Time with Friends – August’s roommate and best buddy Sudi who was so hospitable welcomed us into his home and life. We were treated to a special Tour of Thailand by his brother Arnie and had a wonderful time. It was great to see August and Sudi play the guitar and sing old Beatles songs.
1) Staying at the Shangri-La exclusive / members only / newest wing in a fully loaded suite with 2 private balconies. One of the bathrooms was bigger than our cabin on the ship.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
Cambodia: On Genocides and Ancient Civilizations
October 12, 2007
Cambodia was amazing! I honestly was not looking forward to this country as I longed to stay in Vietnam and even go to central and northern parts of that country….We started out our journey by taking a flight into Phnom Phen. After obtaining our Cambodian visas, we headed off to our buses. We had parents joining us with me as the trip leader for both buses. Thank goodness, Mike (one of the parents) volunteered to help out so he took the parents and their kids on bus 3 while we went on bus 2 and away we went. After checking in to a very nice hotel located across the street from the U.S Embassy (the building alone without land cost $65 million U.S. dollars!) and a tempe which is a safe haven for free roaming monkeys and an elephant, we went to a sunset cruise. After the cruise, we had an amazing dinner at a famous and for Cambodian standards, expensive restaurants. Of course the meal was included in our trip so all we had to worry about were the drinks. After relaxing that evening, we woke up early the next day to have a really great buffet breakfast.
Our entire group made our way to the Genocide Museum. The Cambodian Genocide, led by Pol Pot (athough so many other individuals and even nations should be held just as responsible for this!) is one of humankind’s worst tragedies. We were stunned and moved to tears as we saw pictures, heard stories, and went inside the prison where intellectuals and suspected enemies of the Khmer Rouge were tortured mercilessly. What was more tragic in our eyes was the fact that for most of the students, this was the first time they were really learning about this historical event. One woman questioned why we only hear of some genocides but not all and why don’t we know about this one which has resulted in over 2 million deaths? After that, we went to the Killing Fields. It was a chilling experience – we walked over remnants of clothes, bone, teeth from that time. We also went to a shrine built there which housed hundreds of skulls from the victims. This was just one of a large number of “killing fields” in the country. Tens of thousands were killed here including children and even babies in front of their parents before they were murdered as well. This experience really bonded our group, particularly the 23 of us on our bus (bus 2). When we went to the Russian Market afterwards, it was a somber group and although there was some shopping involved, many of us chose to sit down at a nearby “café,”, ordered sodas, and talked about what we had seen thus far. We were particularly touched when our tour guide shared with us that his mother was killed in one of those prisons by the Khmer Rouge and that every Cambodian has had at least one member of his/her family murdered during this genocide. It was a different atmosphere in the afternoon that we experienced as they took us to the royal palace, temples, and museums. They were all very beautiful locales. The royal palace was amazing and students were pretty awestruck. We kept marveling at the architecture, art, color, cleanliness, etc. By the end of that day, no one wanted to leave the city and the country.
That evening, we flew out to Siem Reap (defeat of Siam (old name of Thailand) where we immediately went to a cultural show and dinner. It was great except for this weird moment. At the end of the show, dozens of Japanese tourists ran up the stage as the dancers (mostly women) took their final bow. The Japanese started taking pictures with them, one even tried to kiss one of the dancers. It was distasteful and you can see and feel the strong discomfort of the Cambodians on and off the stage. About a dozen SAS students ran up as well but thankfully, most of the others just looked and told their friends that it seems inappropriate. It was so weird – the women dancers were being treated as if they were some kind of Disney characters there for the pleasure of the tourists. I doubt it if at the end of a play in the U.S. or Swan Lake in England would a group of tourists run up to take posed pictures and kiss the prima ballerina! Later that night, we checked into our hotel – an amazing place again – and had a message in our room. It was a traditional Cambodian massage similar to Thai massage but slightly more painful.
The next morning, we got up at 4:30 am and went to see the Sunrise at Angkor Wat. Although it was too hazy and cloudy, it was still so cool to be there before the hordes of tourists came. For a while, it seemed like our private place (well, private in a sense that there were hundreds, not thousands of us at the moment). After going back to the hotel and having breakfast, we went to several temples in the area. They were all magnificent. I can’t even tell you the names (I Have them written somewhere else) and I am not sure my pictures will truly capture all that we saw. We climbed, ducked, walked inside, under, over, various ruins. I can’t put to words what I saw but I can tell you that I was overwhelmed and humbled all at the same time. I get teary eyed thinking of the beauty of that place, of the remarkable artistry and architectural genius of her people. I get so sad too thinking of what Cambodia has been through – that they have remnants of this great past and at the same time, they continue to clean up unexploded land mines all over their country, they have to deal with sex slaves, child labor, and pedophilia.
We left Cambodia wishing that we could have stayed a little longer. All the students and parents loved it and most were thinking of when they could go back. We took from us the warmth of the people, the beauty of the country, and a reminder that we need to be more responsible for knowing about history so that genocides and wars will cease to begin. Cambodia is a must see place so I hope you all have the chance to go there!
Cambodia was amazing! I honestly was not looking forward to this country as I longed to stay in Vietnam and even go to central and northern parts of that country….We started out our journey by taking a flight into Phnom Phen. After obtaining our Cambodian visas, we headed off to our buses. We had parents joining us with me as the trip leader for both buses. Thank goodness, Mike (one of the parents) volunteered to help out so he took the parents and their kids on bus 3 while we went on bus 2 and away we went. After checking in to a very nice hotel located across the street from the U.S Embassy (the building alone without land cost $65 million U.S. dollars!) and a tempe which is a safe haven for free roaming monkeys and an elephant, we went to a sunset cruise. After the cruise, we had an amazing dinner at a famous and for Cambodian standards, expensive restaurants. Of course the meal was included in our trip so all we had to worry about were the drinks. After relaxing that evening, we woke up early the next day to have a really great buffet breakfast.
Our entire group made our way to the Genocide Museum. The Cambodian Genocide, led by Pol Pot (athough so many other individuals and even nations should be held just as responsible for this!) is one of humankind’s worst tragedies. We were stunned and moved to tears as we saw pictures, heard stories, and went inside the prison where intellectuals and suspected enemies of the Khmer Rouge were tortured mercilessly. What was more tragic in our eyes was the fact that for most of the students, this was the first time they were really learning about this historical event. One woman questioned why we only hear of some genocides but not all and why don’t we know about this one which has resulted in over 2 million deaths? After that, we went to the Killing Fields. It was a chilling experience – we walked over remnants of clothes, bone, teeth from that time. We also went to a shrine built there which housed hundreds of skulls from the victims. This was just one of a large number of “killing fields” in the country. Tens of thousands were killed here including children and even babies in front of their parents before they were murdered as well. This experience really bonded our group, particularly the 23 of us on our bus (bus 2). When we went to the Russian Market afterwards, it was a somber group and although there was some shopping involved, many of us chose to sit down at a nearby “café,”, ordered sodas, and talked about what we had seen thus far. We were particularly touched when our tour guide shared with us that his mother was killed in one of those prisons by the Khmer Rouge and that every Cambodian has had at least one member of his/her family murdered during this genocide. It was a different atmosphere in the afternoon that we experienced as they took us to the royal palace, temples, and museums. They were all very beautiful locales. The royal palace was amazing and students were pretty awestruck. We kept marveling at the architecture, art, color, cleanliness, etc. By the end of that day, no one wanted to leave the city and the country.
That evening, we flew out to Siem Reap (defeat of Siam (old name of Thailand) where we immediately went to a cultural show and dinner. It was great except for this weird moment. At the end of the show, dozens of Japanese tourists ran up the stage as the dancers (mostly women) took their final bow. The Japanese started taking pictures with them, one even tried to kiss one of the dancers. It was distasteful and you can see and feel the strong discomfort of the Cambodians on and off the stage. About a dozen SAS students ran up as well but thankfully, most of the others just looked and told their friends that it seems inappropriate. It was so weird – the women dancers were being treated as if they were some kind of Disney characters there for the pleasure of the tourists. I doubt it if at the end of a play in the U.S. or Swan Lake in England would a group of tourists run up to take posed pictures and kiss the prima ballerina! Later that night, we checked into our hotel – an amazing place again – and had a message in our room. It was a traditional Cambodian massage similar to Thai massage but slightly more painful.
The next morning, we got up at 4:30 am and went to see the Sunrise at Angkor Wat. Although it was too hazy and cloudy, it was still so cool to be there before the hordes of tourists came. For a while, it seemed like our private place (well, private in a sense that there were hundreds, not thousands of us at the moment). After going back to the hotel and having breakfast, we went to several temples in the area. They were all magnificent. I can’t even tell you the names (I Have them written somewhere else) and I am not sure my pictures will truly capture all that we saw. We climbed, ducked, walked inside, under, over, various ruins. I can’t put to words what I saw but I can tell you that I was overwhelmed and humbled all at the same time. I get teary eyed thinking of the beauty of that place, of the remarkable artistry and architectural genius of her people. I get so sad too thinking of what Cambodia has been through – that they have remnants of this great past and at the same time, they continue to clean up unexploded land mines all over their country, they have to deal with sex slaves, child labor, and pedophilia.
We left Cambodia wishing that we could have stayed a little longer. All the students and parents loved it and most were thinking of when they could go back. We took from us the warmth of the people, the beauty of the country, and a reminder that we need to be more responsible for knowing about history so that genocides and wars will cease to begin. Cambodia is a must see place so I hope you all have the chance to go there!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Good Morning Vietnam!
October 10 2007
Two days (and counting!) to Vietnam (and Cambodia!)
Vietnam
War torn, ravaged, broken
Guns bombs blasting
Hiding, hidden lives
Schoolgirls in white
Waiting
Walking through roads once stained
In red
Soaked in the rain
Outsider watching from inside
Sweet milk and coffee
Sugar from cane
In the fields walking, waiting, hoping
Asking for forgiveness
Of an (un)forgotten war
Wishing all of this had never happened
Wondering when wars will truly end
I am afraid to say that we are tired. The shipboard community is excited to get to Vietnam…but almost everyone is tired of the port days and then just 2 days at sea. We barely have time to get our laundry taken care of (okay, so we don’t actually do the washing or even folding…the ship’s crew does that) but putting it into the bag and thinking about it has clearly stressed out many of our students. Seriously, people do need more than 2 days to recuperate from the Great Wall (oh Beijing, why must you get all of us sick?), the food and drinks in Hong Kong, plus the papers and exams due or given during this time. August has been particularly stressed. He is loving the voyage thus far and has already asked me when I think we can sail again. He was asked to help coordinate a panel on the Vietnam War, its relevance yesterday and today, and connection to the Iraq War. It was a great panel (cultural pre-port). All 5 faculty members were excellent, thoughtful, moving, informative. Those of us who went really got a lot out of what was said. I thought (and other folks voiced this) of how we were coming into Vietnam, a country we bombed and innocent and civilian lives we destroyed, as visitors. I felt shame and embarrassment and was amazed by how they welcomed us. They were on a road to forgiveness (but thank the Buddha that they were not about forgetting) and wanted to share with us their culture and history. How amazing it is to think of a people who fought against so many for thousands of years from the Chinese to the French to the Khmers to the U.S. and others along and in between the way and emerge to have their nation state.
In Vietnam, I saw folks who were willing to talk about the war. How complicate it was for them. How it is over but how they worked (and continue to work) so hard to heal themselves and their country. Our taxi driver told us about particular dark periods during and after the war…so many people were killed. Our tour guide spoke of how his own family was divided – his father who fought with the Nationalists (north) while his uncle fought on the side of South Vietnam and the U.S. How Ho Chi Minh himself wished only the best for his people and that freedom was what he longed for, not a far between brothers and sisters. So many students really were affected by what they saw in Vietnam, particularly the War Remnamts Museum. Learning about the atrocities our solders committed sent a chill down my spine. What affected me the most was when our tour guide reminded us that every family in Vietnam today has been personal. Iy touched by the war. Someone was killed and / or maimed, raped, etc. from each family during the war between the Vietnamese and the U.S. I wonder if we could forgive them the way they seem to be able to be nice and hospitable to us.
Vietnam amounted to two days for us. Most of those days were spent at Ho Chi Minh City (what folks also call Saigon). We went to the historic Rex Hotel for massage, lunch, and drinks, followed by a trip to the Ben That market (indoor, big, fun!) where we got fitted for our handmade clothes I was so nervous because again, I was charged with negotiating prices for our group. We had so much fun once we learned to cross the street that we actually were going to brave crossing the city’s busiest section where we had to cross about 14 lanes altogether of non-stop traffic that looped in a circle. No one stops although they are supposed to go around you but really…I think they get special prices if they ran tourists over. In any case, we actually did not need to cross this street but rather was instructed to go into a cab where we met with our tailor who sewed our lovely new clothes. After this, we went back to Ben That market and ate at Pho 2000, a place made famous by Bill Clinton on a previous visit to the country. The pho was good (we had an even better one on our last day in another part of town) and with the egg rolls, drinks, etc., I think we paid about 2 or 3 dollors each. Yum! As usual, the downpour came down upon us and we went home looking like wet cats but feeling very satisfied.
On the second day, August and I got up and went to the War Museum. This is a place everyone should go to. I hated the war even more than I thought possible. I felt so sad and ashamed at a person’s capacity to do hateful, racist, murderous acts against a fellow human. There were moments when I realized that those who did this to the Vietnamese and other Southeast Asians killed and attacked did not see them as people who deserved to have a life. At the same time, I was so happy to see SAS students there who went without being forced to go. They simply wanted to learn about the war through the eyes of the Vietnamese. A young woman who I talk with once in a while came up to me and said that she felt genuine sadness and helplessness at that moment. It surprised me a little because she is known as one of the party (but responsible) women on the ship who likes to have a lot of fun. That was the first time she and I talked of things other than Brangelina, what club she went to at the ports, and what she bought in the markets. She and I spoke of how we were fortunate to see the war through the eyes of the Vietnamese and not just through the eyes of the U.S. and wondered if it can ever really be possible for those in the states to get this perspective unless they traveled to Vietnam. It was a very special moment for me to talk with her and made that trip all the more wonderful since I have been longing to make connections to students beyond judicial matters.
August and I by the way were being driven around by an awesome driver who served in the South Vietnam Army and later during their war against Pol Pot in Cambodia. He was so knowledgeable. I wish that we had more time with him but we had to go back to the ship. We took his card (it has a working email etc.) so for those of you going to Vietnam, ask me later for his info. He gives tours and you will not be disappointed. I will skip the next few days because that will be in the Cambodia entry. For now, I’ll tell you about our last day in Vietnam.
We came back late at night from Cambodia tired, hungry, dirty but really appreciative of all the things we experienced there. Because it was raining and because we did not want to go through the hassle of negotiating a price to get into the center of town, we decided to stay on the ship, have the box lunch dinner they prepared for us, and wash the deet of our clothes. The next day, we got up very early to go to the Cu Chi Tunnels trip. August was the trip leader for our group of about 35 SASers. He was really good, particularly letting folks know that while the tunnels have been turned partly into a weird pseudo amusement park atmosphere where at the end, you can even shot the guns both sides used during the war, folks really needed to remember that people actually died there and that people were fighting for their lives and for their beliefs – on both sides of the war. The tunnels were really interesting – again, I could not help but think of the resilience of the Vietnamese. They built the tunnels for over 20 years using things like small bowls and small gardening shovels (that ones you use to build sand castles when you were little). They lived and worked in these tunnels and used them against the French and the U.S. As one of the students said, it was quite ingenious. We got to go inside the tunnels (they had a couple that they enlarged for western size!) so I crawled inside. It was hot, dirty, and dark – quite an experience! The students we were with were thoughtful and considerate. Only a few tried to shoot with the guns. The rest were really engaged in thinking about all that they saw and learned from. I think that what was so great about this port was even though there were so much shopping, massages, great food and drinks at cheap prices, and numerous bars and clubs, many of us were still able to engage in the history, culture, and everyday life of the Vietnamese. So many of our students spoke of a growing sentiment against violence and war and they even began exploring the similarities between Vietnam and Iraq. They also began exploring things such as some flaws in the U.S. educational system, what bias means, and what privilege looks like. We ended our trip with one final bowl of pho and a promise to each other that we will definitely return to Vietnam!
Two days (and counting!) to Vietnam (and Cambodia!)
Vietnam
War torn, ravaged, broken
Guns bombs blasting
Hiding, hidden lives
Schoolgirls in white
Waiting
Walking through roads once stained
In red
Soaked in the rain
Outsider watching from inside
Sweet milk and coffee
Sugar from cane
In the fields walking, waiting, hoping
Asking for forgiveness
Of an (un)forgotten war
Wishing all of this had never happened
Wondering when wars will truly end
I am afraid to say that we are tired. The shipboard community is excited to get to Vietnam…but almost everyone is tired of the port days and then just 2 days at sea. We barely have time to get our laundry taken care of (okay, so we don’t actually do the washing or even folding…the ship’s crew does that) but putting it into the bag and thinking about it has clearly stressed out many of our students. Seriously, people do need more than 2 days to recuperate from the Great Wall (oh Beijing, why must you get all of us sick?), the food and drinks in Hong Kong, plus the papers and exams due or given during this time. August has been particularly stressed. He is loving the voyage thus far and has already asked me when I think we can sail again. He was asked to help coordinate a panel on the Vietnam War, its relevance yesterday and today, and connection to the Iraq War. It was a great panel (cultural pre-port). All 5 faculty members were excellent, thoughtful, moving, informative. Those of us who went really got a lot out of what was said. I thought (and other folks voiced this) of how we were coming into Vietnam, a country we bombed and innocent and civilian lives we destroyed, as visitors. I felt shame and embarrassment and was amazed by how they welcomed us. They were on a road to forgiveness (but thank the Buddha that they were not about forgetting) and wanted to share with us their culture and history. How amazing it is to think of a people who fought against so many for thousands of years from the Chinese to the French to the Khmers to the U.S. and others along and in between the way and emerge to have their nation state.
In Vietnam, I saw folks who were willing to talk about the war. How complicate it was for them. How it is over but how they worked (and continue to work) so hard to heal themselves and their country. Our taxi driver told us about particular dark periods during and after the war…so many people were killed. Our tour guide spoke of how his own family was divided – his father who fought with the Nationalists (north) while his uncle fought on the side of South Vietnam and the U.S. How Ho Chi Minh himself wished only the best for his people and that freedom was what he longed for, not a far between brothers and sisters. So many students really were affected by what they saw in Vietnam, particularly the War Remnamts Museum. Learning about the atrocities our solders committed sent a chill down my spine. What affected me the most was when our tour guide reminded us that every family in Vietnam today has been personal. Iy touched by the war. Someone was killed and / or maimed, raped, etc. from each family during the war between the Vietnamese and the U.S. I wonder if we could forgive them the way they seem to be able to be nice and hospitable to us.
Vietnam amounted to two days for us. Most of those days were spent at Ho Chi Minh City (what folks also call Saigon). We went to the historic Rex Hotel for massage, lunch, and drinks, followed by a trip to the Ben That market (indoor, big, fun!) where we got fitted for our handmade clothes I was so nervous because again, I was charged with negotiating prices for our group. We had so much fun once we learned to cross the street that we actually were going to brave crossing the city’s busiest section where we had to cross about 14 lanes altogether of non-stop traffic that looped in a circle. No one stops although they are supposed to go around you but really…I think they get special prices if they ran tourists over. In any case, we actually did not need to cross this street but rather was instructed to go into a cab where we met with our tailor who sewed our lovely new clothes. After this, we went back to Ben That market and ate at Pho 2000, a place made famous by Bill Clinton on a previous visit to the country. The pho was good (we had an even better one on our last day in another part of town) and with the egg rolls, drinks, etc., I think we paid about 2 or 3 dollors each. Yum! As usual, the downpour came down upon us and we went home looking like wet cats but feeling very satisfied.
On the second day, August and I got up and went to the War Museum. This is a place everyone should go to. I hated the war even more than I thought possible. I felt so sad and ashamed at a person’s capacity to do hateful, racist, murderous acts against a fellow human. There were moments when I realized that those who did this to the Vietnamese and other Southeast Asians killed and attacked did not see them as people who deserved to have a life. At the same time, I was so happy to see SAS students there who went without being forced to go. They simply wanted to learn about the war through the eyes of the Vietnamese. A young woman who I talk with once in a while came up to me and said that she felt genuine sadness and helplessness at that moment. It surprised me a little because she is known as one of the party (but responsible) women on the ship who likes to have a lot of fun. That was the first time she and I talked of things other than Brangelina, what club she went to at the ports, and what she bought in the markets. She and I spoke of how we were fortunate to see the war through the eyes of the Vietnamese and not just through the eyes of the U.S. and wondered if it can ever really be possible for those in the states to get this perspective unless they traveled to Vietnam. It was a very special moment for me to talk with her and made that trip all the more wonderful since I have been longing to make connections to students beyond judicial matters.
August and I by the way were being driven around by an awesome driver who served in the South Vietnam Army and later during their war against Pol Pot in Cambodia. He was so knowledgeable. I wish that we had more time with him but we had to go back to the ship. We took his card (it has a working email etc.) so for those of you going to Vietnam, ask me later for his info. He gives tours and you will not be disappointed. I will skip the next few days because that will be in the Cambodia entry. For now, I’ll tell you about our last day in Vietnam.
We came back late at night from Cambodia tired, hungry, dirty but really appreciative of all the things we experienced there. Because it was raining and because we did not want to go through the hassle of negotiating a price to get into the center of town, we decided to stay on the ship, have the box lunch dinner they prepared for us, and wash the deet of our clothes. The next day, we got up very early to go to the Cu Chi Tunnels trip. August was the trip leader for our group of about 35 SASers. He was really good, particularly letting folks know that while the tunnels have been turned partly into a weird pseudo amusement park atmosphere where at the end, you can even shot the guns both sides used during the war, folks really needed to remember that people actually died there and that people were fighting for their lives and for their beliefs – on both sides of the war. The tunnels were really interesting – again, I could not help but think of the resilience of the Vietnamese. They built the tunnels for over 20 years using things like small bowls and small gardening shovels (that ones you use to build sand castles when you were little). They lived and worked in these tunnels and used them against the French and the U.S. As one of the students said, it was quite ingenious. We got to go inside the tunnels (they had a couple that they enlarged for western size!) so I crawled inside. It was hot, dirty, and dark – quite an experience! The students we were with were thoughtful and considerate. Only a few tried to shoot with the guns. The rest were really engaged in thinking about all that they saw and learned from. I think that what was so great about this port was even though there were so much shopping, massages, great food and drinks at cheap prices, and numerous bars and clubs, many of us were still able to engage in the history, culture, and everyday life of the Vietnamese. So many of our students spoke of a growing sentiment against violence and war and they even began exploring the similarities between Vietnam and Iraq. They also began exploring things such as some flaws in the U.S. educational system, what bias means, and what privilege looks like. We ended our trip with one final bowl of pho and a promise to each other that we will definitely return to Vietnam!
R & R
October 9, 2007
Best days ever!
All I can say is that we had two days between Qingdao and Hong Kong. Most of the students, faculty, staff, and LLLs went to overland trips (mostly for the Great Wall of China) meaning that only abut 130 participants were on the ship to have a two day, 3 night crossing between the two ports. I organized a pool day (yes, it rained most of the time but we were able to swim and lay out for about 2 hours out of that entire crossing – woo hoo!), then we had a couple of concerts by Judy and August (they are a great duo!) and on the last evening, we had line dancing taught by Judy (so much fun!). I read, did dissertation work, and other than some meetings, had a relaxing time. It was the best two days ever – at least on the ship itself! Unfortunately, those are the last of their kind for the entire voyage….
Best days ever!
All I can say is that we had two days between Qingdao and Hong Kong. Most of the students, faculty, staff, and LLLs went to overland trips (mostly for the Great Wall of China) meaning that only abut 130 participants were on the ship to have a two day, 3 night crossing between the two ports. I organized a pool day (yes, it rained most of the time but we were able to swim and lay out for about 2 hours out of that entire crossing – woo hoo!), then we had a couple of concerts by Judy and August (they are a great duo!) and on the last evening, we had line dancing taught by Judy (so much fun!). I read, did dissertation work, and other than some meetings, had a relaxing time. It was the best two days ever – at least on the ship itself! Unfortunately, those are the last of their kind for the entire voyage….
Tsingdao Write up - finally!
October 9, 2007
It’s been too long since I wrote on the blog save some pictures I put up from Qingdao and Hong Kong. Since my last real writing, we have gone to China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand.
Qingdao:
It rained most of the time we were in Qingdao. I was excited at first to see a former German colony in Asia. Some of the tour books and websites talked up the city and for various reasons, I was disappointed. In part, the rain contributed to my disappointment as did the actual port itself. We walked through oil filled rain water to get to town and had the hardest time exchanging / taking out money. For being a port city, Qingdao seemed unprepared for the onslaught of tourists that may come with the Olympics as well as their hopes to expand into a port for tourism. On the other hand, I felt that I saw everyday life in China or rather in a Chinese city which was educational. We walked through street markets where we saw livestock and freshly caught fish butchered as folks ordered. We saw vegetables fresh from gardens and farms, and we smelled and tasted (thank you Marianne!) green onion bread and fried chicken from street vendors at such cheap prices. SAS students were disappointed in the city and could not wait to get out. I was very impressed with those who traveled independently through China and who later met up with us in Hong kong. They all survived and seemed to grow from the experience of riding an overnight train to Beijing and making your way on a bus to a portion of the Great Wall.
Qingdao itself taught me about how cities view tourists, particularly those from 1st world nations ( I include Japan in this category). The locals did not seem to understand our fascination, curiousity, genuine admiration for their everyday “habits.” They did not understand why we would want to wander through the market after all. I wonder how we would feel if some tourists came to the local Trader Joe’s, ,started taking pictures and pointing at all the “exotic” food? I felt that locals were ok with tourism and tourists provided we stay on our side of the fence and that we do what is expected of us – clearly, trampling through their market day is not something normal for us or them. Where it seems to be ok for us to go to is to the Qingdao or Tsingdao Brewery. Clearly set up for tourists, the brewery is situated in a “happening” side of town with many restaurants and bars along the streets. By the time we got there (3 pm I the afternoon), some of the students were actually pretty inebriated, one to the point that he was throwing up. Students were really good though about taking care of their friends and after seeing that some of the individuals needed R & R, I had them be taken by their friends to the ship. Between the rain and the ride back, these folks were able to walk into the ship and sleep off their drinking. The rest of us and some students went ahead to the brewery and took a self-guided tour. It was a pretty neat facility and explained the history of the place as well as the beer itself. There was a small but informative section on global warming and the importance of recycling etc. They connected the importance of saving our earth with beer by the slogan Green China, Green Tsingdao (Qingdao) and Good earth makes good water makes good beer…Makes sense to me! While we had a leisurely self guided tour where the 3 staff, 1 faculty, and 3 students who followed us in actually read and took notes, there were groups of U.S. and Japanese trourists who were being shuttled in at a fast pace. There were barely any information given to them and they were being told that the tasting room is below, the tasting room is below. We enjoyed the tipsy or tipping room…they stimulated what you would be walking like if you had too much to drink..it was hilarioius, kinda like being on the ship in rough seas but without the feeling of wanting to throw up your previous meal. So, we get to the tasting room. For some funny reason, the servers were quite curious about me and August being “American” but looking Chinese. This gave us the advantage of getting all the beer that we wanted to consume. I had only one pitcher while August did not have any other than a sip or two as he was the designated sober walker for our group. It was interesting to watch the Americans (many SASers) and Japanese bond over beer. They were toasting each other quite loudly and it looked like a bad beer garden scene. There was no one that got out of control though and the students even commented on how much they liked to see us be in their space with a drink in our hand. I told them that I was there to teach them how to drink normally and to model how to walk upright after a couple of hours in a brewery. The Chinese were much more welcoming to us at the brewery. They expected us to be there and expected the loud and sometime raucous behavior to take place there rather than have us and our cameras at their local markets and neighborhoods.
The fragile relationship between the real people and what they really do vs. that of what commodities they make and sell as well as what areas are famous enough for them to promote was so interesting to watch. As a traveler and a generally curious person, I truly want to talk with and get to know who the people are in the various places I visit. How do they live, what are their opinions, how are we connected? They however seem to want to maintain a safe distance from that, a reaction in part to the way in which they have seen tourists act (e.g. obsessed with buying rather than experiencing their culture, obsessed with the exotic or if not that, the comforts of western lifestyles in these countries). After all, why should they waste their time to tell folks about the real Qingdao when what people seem to truly want to experience is Tsingdao the beer.
It’s been too long since I wrote on the blog save some pictures I put up from Qingdao and Hong Kong. Since my last real writing, we have gone to China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand.
Qingdao:
It rained most of the time we were in Qingdao. I was excited at first to see a former German colony in Asia. Some of the tour books and websites talked up the city and for various reasons, I was disappointed. In part, the rain contributed to my disappointment as did the actual port itself. We walked through oil filled rain water to get to town and had the hardest time exchanging / taking out money. For being a port city, Qingdao seemed unprepared for the onslaught of tourists that may come with the Olympics as well as their hopes to expand into a port for tourism. On the other hand, I felt that I saw everyday life in China or rather in a Chinese city which was educational. We walked through street markets where we saw livestock and freshly caught fish butchered as folks ordered. We saw vegetables fresh from gardens and farms, and we smelled and tasted (thank you Marianne!) green onion bread and fried chicken from street vendors at such cheap prices. SAS students were disappointed in the city and could not wait to get out. I was very impressed with those who traveled independently through China and who later met up with us in Hong kong. They all survived and seemed to grow from the experience of riding an overnight train to Beijing and making your way on a bus to a portion of the Great Wall.
Qingdao itself taught me about how cities view tourists, particularly those from 1st world nations ( I include Japan in this category). The locals did not seem to understand our fascination, curiousity, genuine admiration for their everyday “habits.” They did not understand why we would want to wander through the market after all. I wonder how we would feel if some tourists came to the local Trader Joe’s, ,started taking pictures and pointing at all the “exotic” food? I felt that locals were ok with tourism and tourists provided we stay on our side of the fence and that we do what is expected of us – clearly, trampling through their market day is not something normal for us or them. Where it seems to be ok for us to go to is to the Qingdao or Tsingdao Brewery. Clearly set up for tourists, the brewery is situated in a “happening” side of town with many restaurants and bars along the streets. By the time we got there (3 pm I the afternoon), some of the students were actually pretty inebriated, one to the point that he was throwing up. Students were really good though about taking care of their friends and after seeing that some of the individuals needed R & R, I had them be taken by their friends to the ship. Between the rain and the ride back, these folks were able to walk into the ship and sleep off their drinking. The rest of us and some students went ahead to the brewery and took a self-guided tour. It was a pretty neat facility and explained the history of the place as well as the beer itself. There was a small but informative section on global warming and the importance of recycling etc. They connected the importance of saving our earth with beer by the slogan Green China, Green Tsingdao (Qingdao) and Good earth makes good water makes good beer…Makes sense to me! While we had a leisurely self guided tour where the 3 staff, 1 faculty, and 3 students who followed us in actually read and took notes, there were groups of U.S. and Japanese trourists who were being shuttled in at a fast pace. There were barely any information given to them and they were being told that the tasting room is below, the tasting room is below. We enjoyed the tipsy or tipping room…they stimulated what you would be walking like if you had too much to drink..it was hilarioius, kinda like being on the ship in rough seas but without the feeling of wanting to throw up your previous meal. So, we get to the tasting room. For some funny reason, the servers were quite curious about me and August being “American” but looking Chinese. This gave us the advantage of getting all the beer that we wanted to consume. I had only one pitcher while August did not have any other than a sip or two as he was the designated sober walker for our group. It was interesting to watch the Americans (many SASers) and Japanese bond over beer. They were toasting each other quite loudly and it looked like a bad beer garden scene. There was no one that got out of control though and the students even commented on how much they liked to see us be in their space with a drink in our hand. I told them that I was there to teach them how to drink normally and to model how to walk upright after a couple of hours in a brewery. The Chinese were much more welcoming to us at the brewery. They expected us to be there and expected the loud and sometime raucous behavior to take place there rather than have us and our cameras at their local markets and neighborhoods.
The fragile relationship between the real people and what they really do vs. that of what commodities they make and sell as well as what areas are famous enough for them to promote was so interesting to watch. As a traveler and a generally curious person, I truly want to talk with and get to know who the people are in the various places I visit. How do they live, what are their opinions, how are we connected? They however seem to want to maintain a safe distance from that, a reaction in part to the way in which they have seen tourists act (e.g. obsessed with buying rather than experiencing their culture, obsessed with the exotic or if not that, the comforts of western lifestyles in these countries). After all, why should they waste their time to tell folks about the real Qingdao when what people seem to truly want to experience is Tsingdao the beer.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
September 18, 2007
Yokohama Mama!
Well, it’s been a while since I wrote to everyone on the blog. We have already seen Japan and now, the MV Explorer is docked in Qingdao, China. Japan was fabulous. It was great to have the shipboard community develop a strong affection for the country. August and I really felt at home there, in large part because this is our third year in a row going there and the people are just so nice and accommodating. The transportation system was flawless and the food was just fabulous. When we got to Yokohama, we went straight to Tokyo where we took a number of our friends and August’s students to Yasukuni Shrine. We were met by a friend and colleague, Satoshi at the shrine and he helped us get to our favorite tempura restaurant (6 stories!) in Asakusa. We then went to the temple in Asakusa and took the train back home to the ship. The next day, I was “Duty Dean” so we decided to stay in Yokohama and wandered around. After dealing with some students’ issues (definitely some memorable ones I must say!), we went to Chinatown and got some really good food. For the dessert, I bought the yummy sesame balls with the azuki beans and I broke down and had Starbucks – oh the guilt. Hopefully, that is the last one I will have during this voyage. We walked and walked and walked the town and for dinner, went to a Hawaiian restaurant. The music and outfits were quite authentic but the food was so not!
Best Day Ever!
We had the best day ever so far on the voyage. Because of the overland option (we dropped off folks in Yokohama and they will rejoin us in Kobe), the ship had about 200 participants only. I kept calling that day the one day SAS cruise. I finally got to swim in the pool (yay, I am no longer the pale Pilipina) and did some writing. It was fantastic!
Umm beef, Kobe Beef!
After dealing with more student issues, we got out of the ship along with one of our professor friends, Lara P. We went to Himeji Castle in the town of Himeji. It is considered the most beautiful castle in Japan and I had to say that it was the most beautiful castle I ever went to in that country. We walked all the way to the top – honestly, I stopped counting the steps – where there was a shrine. The shrine had 2 large bottles of sake and also beer. We were so hot after that climb that I contemplated actually seeing how I could take a quick sip without the gods getting too mad at me. Our walk down was much easier although those steps were made for people with size 4 feet! Our lunch that day was amazing – udon, tonkatsu, veggies, and cola. We later met up with 3 of the RDs – Jen, Paul, and Michele – and we scampered off to Kobe City. Amazingly enough, August and I led them to the same place that Gen, Glen, Koji, and us went to last year which was Ikuta Road. We took them to a Kobe Beef restaurant while we had shabu shabu and sushi at a traditional tatami mat type restaurant.
The next day, we decided to stay around Kobe City again and walk around. With us this time were Meagan, Jessica, and Eric. We went to some really fun stores and it took all of my will power to not buy any shoes! We did go to Daimaru dept. store where we did some sake tasting. That area by the way, looked like Union Square in San Francisco but of course Kobe was much cleaner and quieter. Lunch was yummy – we went to a great restaurant and yup, I did have Kobe beef. August had salmon ;-). We took many pictures with our chef and the waiter and maitre d’ who by the way were just fantastic.
That evening, I had to be at the gangway and supervise the embarkation process. The students were great that evening – they were entertained with my constant saying that “let us not repeat Honolulu!”. Someone said that he is going to make me a shirt with those words. Overall, the students really loved Japan – they were so sad to leave and many said that they wanted to come back. If you have not gone to Japan, you should really try to visit.
Yokohama Mama!
Well, it’s been a while since I wrote to everyone on the blog. We have already seen Japan and now, the MV Explorer is docked in Qingdao, China. Japan was fabulous. It was great to have the shipboard community develop a strong affection for the country. August and I really felt at home there, in large part because this is our third year in a row going there and the people are just so nice and accommodating. The transportation system was flawless and the food was just fabulous. When we got to Yokohama, we went straight to Tokyo where we took a number of our friends and August’s students to Yasukuni Shrine. We were met by a friend and colleague, Satoshi at the shrine and he helped us get to our favorite tempura restaurant (6 stories!) in Asakusa. We then went to the temple in Asakusa and took the train back home to the ship. The next day, I was “Duty Dean” so we decided to stay in Yokohama and wandered around. After dealing with some students’ issues (definitely some memorable ones I must say!), we went to Chinatown and got some really good food. For the dessert, I bought the yummy sesame balls with the azuki beans and I broke down and had Starbucks – oh the guilt. Hopefully, that is the last one I will have during this voyage. We walked and walked and walked the town and for dinner, went to a Hawaiian restaurant. The music and outfits were quite authentic but the food was so not!
Best Day Ever!
We had the best day ever so far on the voyage. Because of the overland option (we dropped off folks in Yokohama and they will rejoin us in Kobe), the ship had about 200 participants only. I kept calling that day the one day SAS cruise. I finally got to swim in the pool (yay, I am no longer the pale Pilipina) and did some writing. It was fantastic!
Umm beef, Kobe Beef!
After dealing with more student issues, we got out of the ship along with one of our professor friends, Lara P. We went to Himeji Castle in the town of Himeji. It is considered the most beautiful castle in Japan and I had to say that it was the most beautiful castle I ever went to in that country. We walked all the way to the top – honestly, I stopped counting the steps – where there was a shrine. The shrine had 2 large bottles of sake and also beer. We were so hot after that climb that I contemplated actually seeing how I could take a quick sip without the gods getting too mad at me. Our walk down was much easier although those steps were made for people with size 4 feet! Our lunch that day was amazing – udon, tonkatsu, veggies, and cola. We later met up with 3 of the RDs – Jen, Paul, and Michele – and we scampered off to Kobe City. Amazingly enough, August and I led them to the same place that Gen, Glen, Koji, and us went to last year which was Ikuta Road. We took them to a Kobe Beef restaurant while we had shabu shabu and sushi at a traditional tatami mat type restaurant.
The next day, we decided to stay around Kobe City again and walk around. With us this time were Meagan, Jessica, and Eric. We went to some really fun stores and it took all of my will power to not buy any shoes! We did go to Daimaru dept. store where we did some sake tasting. That area by the way, looked like Union Square in San Francisco but of course Kobe was much cleaner and quieter. Lunch was yummy – we went to a great restaurant and yup, I did have Kobe beef. August had salmon ;-). We took many pictures with our chef and the waiter and maitre d’ who by the way were just fantastic.
That evening, I had to be at the gangway and supervise the embarkation process. The students were great that evening – they were entertained with my constant saying that “let us not repeat Honolulu!”. Someone said that he is going to make me a shirt with those words. Overall, the students really loved Japan – they were so sad to leave and many said that they wanted to come back. If you have not gone to Japan, you should really try to visit.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Lost Day!
!September 8, 2008
Hello Everyone!
Today is now September 8th. This is important because yesterday was September 6th. That’s right folks, we did not have a September 7th. Crossing the international date line somewhere here in the Pacific Ocean meant that we went from being folks in the past to folks in the future (speaking to those of you in Cali). I have really embraced the system here (A / B days rather than actual date and days) which I believe makes the journey so much more enjoyable and so easier. For example, today, students said I can’t believe we have class today – it’s Saturday! If one just embraces A and B days system, you just know you have particular classes and activities based on the particular letter day.
For those on you who did experience September 7th, how was it? Tell me how that day was, what happened??? There was a woman ho had her 21st birthday on the 7th so we had a happy unbirthday for her since technically, that day did not exist for us.
We had a great time at the faculty staff LLL social at the faculty staff LLL (aka A/Fore) Lounge. The captain and officers were there as well and we had a great time socializing them. It was not rowdy at all and we had a great time and behaved ourselves.
August and I also adopted 5 children…that’s right, we went from 0 – 5 in a few days. Actually, it’s a program we have on the ship were the students get to sign up and then get paired with the faculty, staff, and LLL. We’re having dinner in a couple of days so that should be fun!
Folks are getting excited to go to Japan. The ship is a buzz with trying to figure out how to get on the trains, what hotels they should stay at, and which cities they should go to. Our two Japanese interport students have been wonderful and helpful to the entire shipboard community. I am hopeful that our own SAS students will show the same time of sensitivity and friendliness to the Japanese when we dock at Japan.
Hello Everyone!
Today is now September 8th. This is important because yesterday was September 6th. That’s right folks, we did not have a September 7th. Crossing the international date line somewhere here in the Pacific Ocean meant that we went from being folks in the past to folks in the future (speaking to those of you in Cali). I have really embraced the system here (A / B days rather than actual date and days) which I believe makes the journey so much more enjoyable and so easier. For example, today, students said I can’t believe we have class today – it’s Saturday! If one just embraces A and B days system, you just know you have particular classes and activities based on the particular letter day.
For those on you who did experience September 7th, how was it? Tell me how that day was, what happened??? There was a woman ho had her 21st birthday on the 7th so we had a happy unbirthday for her since technically, that day did not exist for us.
We had a great time at the faculty staff LLL social at the faculty staff LLL (aka A/Fore) Lounge. The captain and officers were there as well and we had a great time socializing them. It was not rowdy at all and we had a great time and behaved ourselves.
August and I also adopted 5 children…that’s right, we went from 0 – 5 in a few days. Actually, it’s a program we have on the ship were the students get to sign up and then get paired with the faculty, staff, and LLL. We’re having dinner in a couple of days so that should be fun!
Folks are getting excited to go to Japan. The ship is a buzz with trying to figure out how to get on the trains, what hotels they should stay at, and which cities they should go to. Our two Japanese interport students have been wonderful and helpful to the entire shipboard community. I am hopeful that our own SAS students will show the same time of sensitivity and friendliness to the Japanese when we dock at Japan.
Friday, August 31, 2007
life at sea....
August 30, 2007
SAS Blog
At Sea (between Ensenada, Mexico and Honolulu, Hawaii, USA)
At Sea
What do I do when I am sea? Well, I finally have what I believe is a schedule. I am missing “the finch” who usually handles that but I do have Jennifer who is very helpful. I told hter that I will do my best to handle my own schedule but she is definitely back up. Funny thing is that like the staff on land at UCI, the shipboard staff already told me the other day that they need a GPS tracker to find me…Apparently I move around a lot! In any case, my days at sea is as follows:
0615 teach either TKB or Weights
0700 shower, get ready
0730 breakfast
0800 student life team meeting
0925 global studies (formerly known as core)
1050 break
1100 A-Team meeting
1200 Lunch (usually outside where it is nice, sunny, relaxing!)
1320 anna’s office hours (one on ones, conduct officer, etc.) at the faculty staff lounge
(aka 7/Fore)…no students are allowed there. I also walk around and visit the
dependent children “school” etc.
1600 work on UCI stuff
1800 dinner or special event
1930 break, work on dissertation, go to community college (1 hour seminars, workshops)
2100 Walk around, go to duty desk, go to AFTer hours, go to 7/Fore
2300 Write (dissertation, blog, letters, journal)
2400 lights out!
After reading this schedule, I realized that nothing changed much from land to sea in my life. Today was a big day for Jessica and Paul (two RDs, yes, the Jessica C. from UCI). They had an amazing scavenger hunt – too fun – and had over 140 students participate. I really had a great time watching students be engaged with the activity. They were able to meet new people, became more familiar with the ship, and had fun chasing faculty, administrators, and staff all over. Some even got a hold of the captain to take a picture. Tomorrow night will be the cultural pre-port, AFTer hours (alcoholic beverage service in a specific location on the ship), and games and guitar night….The students are also becoming even more engaged in their classes and are busy reading, doing homework, etc. They too are getting used to their schedules. It is funny that we have been one community for only about 4 days…it feels as if we have all already bonded, gotten into a routine, and are quite familiar with one another. There are plenty of conversations, jokes, etc.
Finally, I just have to say that I really like the crew and officers on the ship. I am getting a lot of practice with my Tagalog (teaching staff and students as well) and also finding that the officers on this voyage are quite professional and nice. We had chicken adobo today and friend rice – Pilipino style…yummy!!!! I am however missing my Mexican food already….yes, those arriba tacos, all rice, no beans, with pico de gallo….aaargh, my stomach is growling.
Until the next blog –
SAS Blog
At Sea (between Ensenada, Mexico and Honolulu, Hawaii, USA)
At Sea
What do I do when I am sea? Well, I finally have what I believe is a schedule. I am missing “the finch” who usually handles that but I do have Jennifer who is very helpful. I told hter that I will do my best to handle my own schedule but she is definitely back up. Funny thing is that like the staff on land at UCI, the shipboard staff already told me the other day that they need a GPS tracker to find me…Apparently I move around a lot! In any case, my days at sea is as follows:
0615 teach either TKB or Weights
0700 shower, get ready
0730 breakfast
0800 student life team meeting
0925 global studies (formerly known as core)
1050 break
1100 A-Team meeting
1200 Lunch (usually outside where it is nice, sunny, relaxing!)
1320 anna’s office hours (one on ones, conduct officer, etc.) at the faculty staff lounge
(aka 7/Fore)…no students are allowed there. I also walk around and visit the
dependent children “school” etc.
1600 work on UCI stuff
1800 dinner or special event
1930 break, work on dissertation, go to community college (1 hour seminars, workshops)
2100 Walk around, go to duty desk, go to AFTer hours, go to 7/Fore
2300 Write (dissertation, blog, letters, journal)
2400 lights out!
After reading this schedule, I realized that nothing changed much from land to sea in my life. Today was a big day for Jessica and Paul (two RDs, yes, the Jessica C. from UCI). They had an amazing scavenger hunt – too fun – and had over 140 students participate. I really had a great time watching students be engaged with the activity. They were able to meet new people, became more familiar with the ship, and had fun chasing faculty, administrators, and staff all over. Some even got a hold of the captain to take a picture. Tomorrow night will be the cultural pre-port, AFTer hours (alcoholic beverage service in a specific location on the ship), and games and guitar night….The students are also becoming even more engaged in their classes and are busy reading, doing homework, etc. They too are getting used to their schedules. It is funny that we have been one community for only about 4 days…it feels as if we have all already bonded, gotten into a routine, and are quite familiar with one another. There are plenty of conversations, jokes, etc.
Finally, I just have to say that I really like the crew and officers on the ship. I am getting a lot of practice with my Tagalog (teaching staff and students as well) and also finding that the officers on this voyage are quite professional and nice. We had chicken adobo today and friend rice – Pilipino style…yummy!!!! I am however missing my Mexican food already….yes, those arriba tacos, all rice, no beans, with pico de gallo….aaargh, my stomach is growling.
Until the next blog –
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Ensenada, Mexico
We finally have set sail and arrived in Ensenada, Mexico. It is A1 (first day of class) and I honestly do not know what the date or day is in real world time. The student life staff rocks and we are having a great time getting to know faculty and the other staff members. We love the captain, officers and the crew. The students for the most part are so positive and excited to be here. I have had a very emotional bon voyage - in part because of the family and friends who were able to see me off in San Diego. August and I miss everyone and at the same time are having a wonderful time making new friends. Two things that I have told the staff is to not say "on my campus" and "on my last voyage"....although i often think of my campus and my past voyage (shout outs to UCI and SAS Summer 01 voyage whoo whoo!). We had such a unique experience of participating in a shipboard event to celebrate the contributions of both Max and John during our orientation. What an amazing day and night of partying that turned out to be!
The first night when we left Ensenada was quite eventful. The students were excited, asking me if they could change rooms, looking at the picture boards, and trying to find their friends they "met" on facebook. It was quite fun for all for the most part. They all wanted to get into their internet right away so the questions about games and movies was quite minimal. The seas seemed rought that night so we had quite a few people quite sick, including me. I was told that I looked green (my favorite color!). I recovered nicely and so far have had no more incidents. The captain is pretty fun - I have to say that he really liked the brown polka dot floppy hat and wants me to wear it during boat drill...thanks y'all.
So as we travel through the Pacific Ocean (it's weird and calming at the same time to not see land or any ships), my hope is to be able to create positive experiences for the students and the rest of the shipboard community during this voyage. I think what is hard is to have them realize that seeing the world as half full rather than half empty is easier than one thinks. Hopefully, they will all come around. I have met 3 of the 6 anteaters on board and all three have been very positively engaged. I am excited to see Honolulu mostly because of the friends I have there! Shout outs by the way to all the folks who visited during our stay in SD. Shout outs also to those of you who I had lunch, dinner, happy hour with the week before I left - it was all appreciated!!!
more to come later...
anna
The first night when we left Ensenada was quite eventful. The students were excited, asking me if they could change rooms, looking at the picture boards, and trying to find their friends they "met" on facebook. It was quite fun for all for the most part. They all wanted to get into their internet right away so the questions about games and movies was quite minimal. The seas seemed rought that night so we had quite a few people quite sick, including me. I was told that I looked green (my favorite color!). I recovered nicely and so far have had no more incidents. The captain is pretty fun - I have to say that he really liked the brown polka dot floppy hat and wants me to wear it during boat drill...thanks y'all.
So as we travel through the Pacific Ocean (it's weird and calming at the same time to not see land or any ships), my hope is to be able to create positive experiences for the students and the rest of the shipboard community during this voyage. I think what is hard is to have them realize that seeing the world as half full rather than half empty is easier than one thinks. Hopefully, they will all come around. I have met 3 of the 6 anteaters on board and all three have been very positively engaged. I am excited to see Honolulu mostly because of the friends I have there! Shout outs by the way to all the folks who visited during our stay in SD. Shout outs also to those of you who I had lunch, dinner, happy hour with the week before I left - it was all appreciated!!!
more to come later...
anna
Friday, June 29, 2007
Home
In less than 59 days, I will be on this ship to take me on a voyage of a lifetime. How do I make this ship be my home? Sharing space with so many people will be the biggest challenge - wow!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
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