out at sea

I ’ve been so busy on this ship, I finally have time to sit down and relax. Four more days til I’m in Salvador, Brazil and I am so psyched for it. Carnival is supposed to be the largest party in the world and I cannot even comprehend it. In Global Studies the prof said that the life expectancy for a young boy in Brazil is only 25 because it is so dangerous there. I’m pretty nervous, especially about going out at night. In the advice we’re given were told not to wear any bling bling, to be in groups with guys, to only carry $20 in cash and stuff it in your shoes, and to NOT wear skirts because the Brazilian guys reach in between! Isn’t that sick? Im scurred!!! We arrive on Saturday the 17th which is supposed to be the craziest day. Carnival ends on Fat Tuesday and then we leave on Wednesday so we’re there for a good 5 full days. I signed up for a walking tour of Salvador on the first day we’re there and then Im planning on going to a Condomble which is a spirit possession ritual. I’m scurred for that too!! Im not that disappointed about going to Rio anymore because Salvador is supposed to have a better Carnival anyways. Im also planning an indy trip with a few other ppl to Lencois which is an old mining town about 6 hours west of Salvador. There is a national park there that I want to check out. Ill probably spend one day hiking up to see the highest waterfall in Brazil. We haven’t decided if we’re going to sleep/camp in caves or if we’re going to stay at a cheap hostel.
So what have I been doing on the ship? Well we had our Activities meeting on Monday and I signed up for mad activities. I’m doing Vicarious Voyages which is keeping in contact with a classroom back in the states. This other girl from Minnesota and I have a 2nd grade class in Apple Valley, MN. We collect items from each country and send it to the class along with a letter and the students then write you letters while Im on the ship (so I know for sure ill be getting some hard copy mail J). From Puerto Rico I got some postcards, maps, magazines, and menus. Hopefully when we’re all done with the trip I can visit the students. There are a total of 19 of them. I also signed up for the Social Committee which is just planning out events. Our first event is tomorrow on Valentine’s Day, a Stoplight Dance. So if you’re taken you wear red, if you’re single you wear green, and if you’re confused you wear yellow. Other events we have are the Talent Show at the end of the trip, a Casino Night (which is on my birthday), Ambassadors Formal, movie nights, etc. On Sunday night we had our first pub night and I actually did not have as much fun as I thought I would. Alcohol is served on the 7th deck by the pool and you’re not allowed to bring it back into the ship, kinda lame, but I must say it was pretty hott just chillen outside under the stars. I should also mention that they changed the alcohol rules for this SAS trip. Instead of just specific days of drinking we’re actually allowed to drink every night now and instead of just 4 drinks, we can now have 6. The idea of being able to drink every night doesn’t appeal to me as much because it’s not that big of a deal, but 6 glasses of wine can def give you a good enough buzz.
My days have consisted of going to classes, working in the library, and working out. The RD (resident director) for health and wellness is still working on the aerobics schedule so I haven’t had a chance to teach classes, but Im excited & eager. There are about 4 other fitness instructors on the ship and we’ve talked about maybe doing joint classes later on in the semester. I’ve kept my celebrity status even here on the ship. Two girls from PSU came up to be a few days ago telling me they love my full body class. Those compliments always put a smile on my face J. I’ve also been waking up at the crack of dawn (730am) every day so I’ve been taking much needed power naps. Yesterday when I opened up the library for work, Archbishop Tutu came by looking for books. I didn’t have a chance to talk to him, but hopefully I can have a conversation when I get him to sign my journal. He has autograph times throughout the voyage. The captain also has bridge (like the cockpit of a plane, but for the boat) tours throughout the voyage. Lauren and I took a picture with him (view pic), he’s British and is the one who has hair. Hope everyone back in the US is doing well, I miss you . But laying out every day after class makes up for it! Loves u. PS: I am black!