31st January
We sailed out of beautiful Cadiiz at 8 pm. Linda our cabin stewardess from Guyana came in with dire words of warning and cord to tie up the table and two chairs on our balcony....'and don't untie it!' she admonished me because I had been guilty of doing so on a previous occasion (I wanted to sit out there and thought it was calm enough). 'It's gonna be rough' she continued 'clear all this stuff away.' 'This stuff' was all our bottles of booze which we have collected! Scotch, red wine, Cointreau (pour moi!) and Ouzo, Pastis and Campari for George. We took her advice and stowed them away and she was right, we are rockin'! We all thought we were going into Gibraltar as I mentioned however it has not been spoken of on our tannoy reports so I guess we're on our way to Morocco. We arrive there on Monday and set off almost immediately for Marrakesh for 3 days so shall be off line again then.
For Liam & Katie our coordinates:
Lat: 36 degrees 19.4 N
Lon: 006 degrees 29,97 W
Speed: 13.7 knots
Course: 180 degrees
Time: 22.02 43
George has swallowed the sea sickness pills from the clinic and I am wearing my wrist bands again.
Thank you to both Evelyn and Lisa for messages on my blog...I only just discovered how to pick them up! Thank you both for your good wishes....so far we are having a ball!
I am now going to literally roll into bed with Billy Connolly....I'm reading 'Billy' written by Pamela Stephenson his wife. Another great read....Audrey (Hunter) have you read it?
Saturday, January 31, 2009
A tale of two Cities
Saturday 31st January
Seville and Cordoba:
We left Cadiz by train on Thursday morning. We were surrounded in our carriage by SAS students, all very excited and planning the next few days. After a 2 hour journey we arrived in what we shall always now call the city of orange trees....Seville. They are everywhere; every little side street and square is lined with these loaded orange trees. We walked to our hotel which was very comfortable; our room overlooked a little square away from the tourist area so we could wach everyone going about their daily business; little boys playing soccer, George yelling instructions from the window which, thank goodness, they couldn't hear...but I could: 'Off side!' "GOAL!" 'Get it....go on run!' My daughters will know just what I mean!
In fact after exploring the stunningly beautiful Emperer's palace, which had once been a fort and was a wonderful mixture, as so many buildings are in Spain, of Moslem and Christian archictecture, and after having our main meal of the day in a restaurant, we ended up that evening having Tapas in a little local bar watching soccer on TV....Seville vs Valencia. Seville won and no one was more excited than George. The other patrons were rather restrained by comparison! As we left who should we spot sitting at the bar but about eight SAS students....and we thought we had escaped! They had found really cheap accomodation in a nearby hostel.
The Alcazar, the palace, was breathtaking in its beauty. Lacy carvings in pale stone surrounding Moorish arches in red and creamy white and all encircled by fountains, pools and wonderfully designed gardens with peacocks strolling majestically along the broad avenues.
The next day we set off, again by train, for Cordoba. Both cities by the way are situated on a river, the Rio Quadalquivir. We went immediately to the Information office in the station where we were given a map of the city and told which buses would take us into the old town. We hopped on to the first we saw and were there in 10 minutes. The old part of the city overlooks the river with narrow cobbled streets and mellow, golden walled buildings. We went first to the Cathedral of Cordoba, the Mezquita, a world heritage site, and the most interesting and unique of cathedrals. The Christians have claimed to be first on the site, then came the Moslems who built an enormous and unique mosque. There are hundreds of small arches as far as your eye can see in the dim light of hanging lamps; they are red brick and white in alternating colours and the separate chambers are huge. In fact it is one of the largest churches in the world. There is a stark beauty to this design which is intruded upon by the later Christian take-over which hung huge renaissance-type paintings and built opulent gold and silver ornamentation, crucifixes and tombs. (There are times when I think the Christian hierarchy just doesn't get it....the simplicity and unworldliness of the teachings of Jesus as opposed to the wealth poured into these places of worship..this was certainly one of those times. I also remember being in Barcelona years ago in another church where the trappings were opulant and the parishioners, pale elderly women in simple black dresses and head scaves, were obviously poor but deeply devout....and again I was disturbed by contrast.)
We explored the Jewish quarter and the Sephardic house; the Jews were expelled from Cordoba in 1492. They were told to leave or lose all rights and property. There were some beautiful paintings in the house, of Jewish women and I hope to insert some photos of them on this blog site.
We walked back to the train station after a huge, late lunch of soup, stewed goat and pineapple dessert (salty salty goat!). The train ride back to Seville took 45 minutes on a very fast smooth train. European trains are absolutely wonderful; frequent and very comfortable they are used by everyone.
We ate a snack supper in a very local bar/cafe not far from our hotel. The little proprietor, not used to tourists I suspect, rushed around making sure that everything was just right. He made us delicious sandwiches carved from the huge ham shoulders and legs that hang in so many Spanish bars. Accompanied of course by beer and red wine! Both George and I love to find places to eat where the locals do and here we did not bump into any SAS students.
We took a slow train back to Cadiz this morning and again shared our carriage with faculty and students from the ship. They had had a marvellous few days and we enjoyed hearing them compare experiences....what a fantastic education this is! We went immediately to a favourite (already?!) Cadiz restaurant for a tapas lunch of small fresh rolls stuffed with a variety of cheeses, chicken, tomatoes and tuna; delicious! Then back to the ship...a five minute walk. On the way I picked up a pair of runners made in Spain for Eu 15.00 ( I find I need thicker soles for all this walking) and a simple cotton skirt for Eu 10.00 which nicely matches some tops I have brought. From here it will become warmer: Seville was cool, Cordoba was cold and Cadiz is pleasant and warm by comparison.
G's turn on the computer.
Seville and Cordoba:
We left Cadiz by train on Thursday morning. We were surrounded in our carriage by SAS students, all very excited and planning the next few days. After a 2 hour journey we arrived in what we shall always now call the city of orange trees....Seville. They are everywhere; every little side street and square is lined with these loaded orange trees. We walked to our hotel which was very comfortable; our room overlooked a little square away from the tourist area so we could wach everyone going about their daily business; little boys playing soccer, George yelling instructions from the window which, thank goodness, they couldn't hear...but I could: 'Off side!' "GOAL!" 'Get it....go on run!' My daughters will know just what I mean!
In fact after exploring the stunningly beautiful Emperer's palace, which had once been a fort and was a wonderful mixture, as so many buildings are in Spain, of Moslem and Christian archictecture, and after having our main meal of the day in a restaurant, we ended up that evening having Tapas in a little local bar watching soccer on TV....Seville vs Valencia. Seville won and no one was more excited than George. The other patrons were rather restrained by comparison! As we left who should we spot sitting at the bar but about eight SAS students....and we thought we had escaped! They had found really cheap accomodation in a nearby hostel.
The Alcazar, the palace, was breathtaking in its beauty. Lacy carvings in pale stone surrounding Moorish arches in red and creamy white and all encircled by fountains, pools and wonderfully designed gardens with peacocks strolling majestically along the broad avenues.
The next day we set off, again by train, for Cordoba. Both cities by the way are situated on a river, the Rio Quadalquivir. We went immediately to the Information office in the station where we were given a map of the city and told which buses would take us into the old town. We hopped on to the first we saw and were there in 10 minutes. The old part of the city overlooks the river with narrow cobbled streets and mellow, golden walled buildings. We went first to the Cathedral of Cordoba, the Mezquita, a world heritage site, and the most interesting and unique of cathedrals. The Christians have claimed to be first on the site, then came the Moslems who built an enormous and unique mosque. There are hundreds of small arches as far as your eye can see in the dim light of hanging lamps; they are red brick and white in alternating colours and the separate chambers are huge. In fact it is one of the largest churches in the world. There is a stark beauty to this design which is intruded upon by the later Christian take-over which hung huge renaissance-type paintings and built opulent gold and silver ornamentation, crucifixes and tombs. (There are times when I think the Christian hierarchy just doesn't get it....the simplicity and unworldliness of the teachings of Jesus as opposed to the wealth poured into these places of worship..this was certainly one of those times. I also remember being in Barcelona years ago in another church where the trappings were opulant and the parishioners, pale elderly women in simple black dresses and head scaves, were obviously poor but deeply devout....and again I was disturbed by contrast.)
We explored the Jewish quarter and the Sephardic house; the Jews were expelled from Cordoba in 1492. They were told to leave or lose all rights and property. There were some beautiful paintings in the house, of Jewish women and I hope to insert some photos of them on this blog site.
We walked back to the train station after a huge, late lunch of soup, stewed goat and pineapple dessert (salty salty goat!). The train ride back to Seville took 45 minutes on a very fast smooth train. European trains are absolutely wonderful; frequent and very comfortable they are used by everyone.
We ate a snack supper in a very local bar/cafe not far from our hotel. The little proprietor, not used to tourists I suspect, rushed around making sure that everything was just right. He made us delicious sandwiches carved from the huge ham shoulders and legs that hang in so many Spanish bars. Accompanied of course by beer and red wine! Both George and I love to find places to eat where the locals do and here we did not bump into any SAS students.
We took a slow train back to Cadiz this morning and again shared our carriage with faculty and students from the ship. They had had a marvellous few days and we enjoyed hearing them compare experiences....what a fantastic education this is! We went immediately to a favourite (already?!) Cadiz restaurant for a tapas lunch of small fresh rolls stuffed with a variety of cheeses, chicken, tomatoes and tuna; delicious! Then back to the ship...a five minute walk. On the way I picked up a pair of runners made in Spain for Eu 15.00 ( I find I need thicker soles for all this walking) and a simple cotton skirt for Eu 10.00 which nicely matches some tops I have brought. From here it will become warmer: Seville was cool, Cordoba was cold and Cadiz is pleasant and warm by comparison.
G's turn on the computer.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
evening in Cadiz
Just to finish the day especially for you Tess! George and I had supper on board because Spain closes down for siesta until 8-9 pm when they eat dinner and we couldn't wait until then, besides it's cheaper on the ship! The dining room as packed so obviously everyone had the same idea. However we went out again, walked through the lively streets and sat outside a bar and drank wine...sitting outside on the 28th January! It suddenly dawned on me how extraordinarily fortunate we are to be doing this trip. I haven't taken it foregranted but as I looked at the green trees and listened to a table near us full of happy SAS students and watched the dog walkers (lots of those in Cadiz) and listened to the Spanish around me I thought WOW! isn't this amazing?! As you said Tess.... I'm in SPAIN!
A first: on the way back George admitted he had no idea where we were in relation to the harbour....George said that? Yes, he's human after all! So we just enjoyed wandering the streets until we saw the Cathedral and then we both knew the way home.
So now we're back in our cabin all packed (just our backpacks) for Seville.
Goodnight all. Will probably not be on line for the next few days....we have to be back Saturday remember....6 pm or else!
A first: on the way back George admitted he had no idea where we were in relation to the harbour....George said that? Yes, he's human after all! So we just enjoyed wandering the streets until we saw the Cathedral and then we both knew the way home.
So now we're back in our cabin all packed (just our backpacks) for Seville.
Goodnight all. Will probably not be on line for the next few days....we have to be back Saturday remember....6 pm or else!
A lovely breath of Europe
Wed. Jan 28th
George, Theresa mueller and I walked all round Cadiz this morning, it is such a beautiful city! Built on cliffs andstone walls along the sea front with a towering cathedral, whose towers I first saw early this morning from out at sea. It is built in the baroque style, quite elaborate on the outside but with towering stone pillars and high, high vaults in the knave. The multitude of figures inside made me feel wicked and facetious because of their VERY expressive faces! As I looked I found myself speaking for them 'Why have you dressed me up like this for God's sake and left me standing here looking ridiculous?' that was Mary. 'This headress is way too heavy, get it off!' Mary again Then there was the tableau with Mary Magdalene, Jesus and Mary (again) looking tired and worried, 'Oh come on give us a break!' The 'sculpting' for want of a better word, was naive in style and they looked like worn out actors....truly.
The rest of this stunning cathedral left me in awe and there were great paintings adorning the vast stone walls, of the Anunciation, the Ascension, the birth of Christ and many of the saints; St Sebastion, St Francis ( not the St Francis), St Pedro (Peter), utterly beautiful.
We were fascinated and surprised that all the candles you pay to light for someone were those the little battery ones we cheat with at Christmas! The Spanish are very religious but even more practical.
We had lunch sitting outside in the bright sunshine but it is winter so there is a coolness in the air and i wore layers and was just warm enough. We ordered 20 Tapas thinking they would be the size served in Canada but they were HUGE and so we grabbed Semester at Sea students as they passed and fed them....they were not too keen on the anchovy so George and I got to eat those. They were delicious.
John Mueller, Theresa's husband who is teaching psychology took his students into the streets and asked them to observe Spanish body language and report on it. I thought that a brilliant idea because he could sit outside in a lovely square with cafes and trees and eat and drink while they did all the foot and brain work but always knew where to find him. I look forward to hearing how it went.
The atmosphere is so relaxed and friendly and this is a busy working city; most people use mopeds and motor bikes in preference to cars which is much more sensible because the streets are narrow and cobbled and very shady.....lovely and cool during the summer months I should think.
Must let George get to his email. We have been to the station (which is ten minutes away walking, not one as they said!) and have our train tickets to leave for Seville at 8.50 am tomorrow morning.
George, Theresa mueller and I walked all round Cadiz this morning, it is such a beautiful city! Built on cliffs andstone walls along the sea front with a towering cathedral, whose towers I first saw early this morning from out at sea. It is built in the baroque style, quite elaborate on the outside but with towering stone pillars and high, high vaults in the knave. The multitude of figures inside made me feel wicked and facetious because of their VERY expressive faces! As I looked I found myself speaking for them 'Why have you dressed me up like this for God's sake and left me standing here looking ridiculous?' that was Mary. 'This headress is way too heavy, get it off!' Mary again Then there was the tableau with Mary Magdalene, Jesus and Mary (again) looking tired and worried, 'Oh come on give us a break!' The 'sculpting' for want of a better word, was naive in style and they looked like worn out actors....truly.
The rest of this stunning cathedral left me in awe and there were great paintings adorning the vast stone walls, of the Anunciation, the Ascension, the birth of Christ and many of the saints; St Sebastion, St Francis ( not the St Francis), St Pedro (Peter), utterly beautiful.
We were fascinated and surprised that all the candles you pay to light for someone were those the little battery ones we cheat with at Christmas! The Spanish are very religious but even more practical.
We had lunch sitting outside in the bright sunshine but it is winter so there is a coolness in the air and i wore layers and was just warm enough. We ordered 20 Tapas thinking they would be the size served in Canada but they were HUGE and so we grabbed Semester at Sea students as they passed and fed them....they were not too keen on the anchovy so George and I got to eat those. They were delicious.
John Mueller, Theresa's husband who is teaching psychology took his students into the streets and asked them to observe Spanish body language and report on it. I thought that a brilliant idea because he could sit outside in a lovely square with cafes and trees and eat and drink while they did all the foot and brain work but always knew where to find him. I look forward to hearing how it went.
The atmosphere is so relaxed and friendly and this is a busy working city; most people use mopeds and motor bikes in preference to cars which is much more sensible because the streets are narrow and cobbled and very shady.....lovely and cool during the summer months I should think.
Must let George get to his email. We have been to the station (which is ten minutes away walking, not one as they said!) and have our train tickets to leave for Seville at 8.50 am tomorrow morning.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Arrival in Cadiz
Wednesday, January 28th 7 am
I am writing this in the pitch dark but with the twinkling lights of Cadiz all round the ship as we gently sway into our berth. It is amazing because we are obviously in the sea centre of the city! There is the cathedral and there apartment blocks and shops and somewhere in all of that the cobbled streets we will be walking today.
I went up to the observation deck earlier and spent part of my time taking photos of groups of excited students in between aiming my own camera at the coastline...without much success I might add, it is just too dark. The stars are huge and bright, low enough almost to touch it seems and the air is crisp and cold.
There are students in the dining room now wrapped in blankets....but all smiling, laughing and chatting. Hardly any faculty did I see there and George is just a white lump in the bed!! Ah there goes the anchor dropping with a long, loud roar. We have arrived.
I'm going off to breakfast after shaking my better (?) half awake! Talk again later. Liam and Katie you may put our ship right on Cadiz!
I am writing this in the pitch dark but with the twinkling lights of Cadiz all round the ship as we gently sway into our berth. It is amazing because we are obviously in the sea centre of the city! There is the cathedral and there apartment blocks and shops and somewhere in all of that the cobbled streets we will be walking today.
I went up to the observation deck earlier and spent part of my time taking photos of groups of excited students in between aiming my own camera at the coastline...without much success I might add, it is just too dark. The stars are huge and bright, low enough almost to touch it seems and the air is crisp and cold.
There are students in the dining room now wrapped in blankets....but all smiling, laughing and chatting. Hardly any faculty did I see there and George is just a white lump in the bed!! Ah there goes the anchor dropping with a long, loud roar. We have arrived.
I'm going off to breakfast after shaking my better (?) half awake! Talk again later. Liam and Katie you may put our ship right on Cadiz!
last word before bed
Tuesday Jan 27th - 10.30 pm
The sea has calmed right down as we approach the coast of Spain. It is cold on our balcony...fresh is the word! We dock tomorrow at 8 am and will be 2 minutes from the centre of town and 1 minute from the railway station which is great for us on Thursday.
We have been lectured to on health and security tonight: watch out for pickpockets, ATM hijackers, drugs dropped into drinks, rogue taxi drvers who will overcharge, don't drink too much and be back on the ship by 1800 hrs Saturday or else! Almost not worth getting off the ship you might think!
Needless to say all this is mainly aimed at the 730 students who will be let loose on Spain. Some are flying to Barcelona , some following the Seville, Cordoba route, some venturing to Granada and some faculty heading over to Gibraltar. We shall be refueling there we have just been told but not allowed ashore, so we shall be forced to gaze at The Rock from the ship. John and I were there many years ago when one of the famous apes tore my head scarf off my head and took off with it giving loud shrieks of triumph! They can be mischievous and bad tempered I remember.
Off to bed because I want to take photos of the sun rise....actually it isn't until about 8.30 am I think. It is so dark when we wake up these mornings as we head into European winter.
I would wish you a good night in Spanish if I could...... I can say however 'Donde esta el bano?'...do you know what that means/ It's a very useful phrase....
The sea has calmed right down as we approach the coast of Spain. It is cold on our balcony...fresh is the word! We dock tomorrow at 8 am and will be 2 minutes from the centre of town and 1 minute from the railway station which is great for us on Thursday.
We have been lectured to on health and security tonight: watch out for pickpockets, ATM hijackers, drugs dropped into drinks, rogue taxi drvers who will overcharge, don't drink too much and be back on the ship by 1800 hrs Saturday or else! Almost not worth getting off the ship you might think!
Needless to say all this is mainly aimed at the 730 students who will be let loose on Spain. Some are flying to Barcelona , some following the Seville, Cordoba route, some venturing to Granada and some faculty heading over to Gibraltar. We shall be refueling there we have just been told but not allowed ashore, so we shall be forced to gaze at The Rock from the ship. John and I were there many years ago when one of the famous apes tore my head scarf off my head and took off with it giving loud shrieks of triumph! They can be mischievous and bad tempered I remember.
Off to bed because I want to take photos of the sun rise....actually it isn't until about 8.30 am I think. It is so dark when we wake up these mornings as we head into European winter.
I would wish you a good night in Spanish if I could...... I can say however 'Donde esta el bano?'...do you know what that means/ It's a very useful phrase....
Tomorrow Spain
Coordinates for Liam and Katie: Tuesday 27th January
Time: 16.24
Speed; 20.5 knots
Lat: 35 degrees 43.7 N
Long: 011 degrees 59.8 W
Course: 80 degrees
Lovely sunny day but the sea has enormous swells so we are rocking again.
Will hope to 'blog' again this evening. No lectures for either of us for 9 days....yipee! I feel like a kid out of school...excited about Spain and taking the train to Seville and Cordoba after exploring Cadiz tomorrow.
Talk later.
Time: 16.24
Speed; 20.5 knots
Lat: 35 degrees 43.7 N
Long: 011 degrees 59.8 W
Course: 80 degrees
Lovely sunny day but the sea has enormous swells so we are rocking again.
Will hope to 'blog' again this evening. No lectures for either of us for 9 days....yipee! I feel like a kid out of school...excited about Spain and taking the train to Seville and Cordoba after exploring Cadiz tomorrow.
Talk later.
Monday, January 26, 2009
two more sleeps to Cadiz
The students are sooo excited about Spain! We arrive in Cadiz on Wednesday 28th, the day after tomorrow. As we sail further North we can feel the increasing swells of the ocean and stronger winds; our ship is rockin'! In more ways than one, the growing student energy is palpable.
We are still losing an hour each night and it becomes darker and darker in the mornings and correspondingly more difficult to get up. If we find it hard the students for the most part find it well nigh impossible! The breakfast dining room hasn't been as empty since Nassau! At noon some students were eating their first foodof the day. Meals shut down right on the second and if you are two minutes late the food has disappeared and you're out of luck.
We have had some wonderful talks on Spain given by a professor who leaves us in Cadiz. He is articulate, very knowledgeable and something of a comedian; all of which makes him exremely popular with the students. Our theatre prof is similar and it's like watching a stand up comic in class....I find I am learning certainly but laughing all the way to knowledge!
paiin because there were no seats available by the time G and i arrived and the entand we have a rehearsal from 9-10:30 pm tonight...shall I be wakeful enough to declaim my lines? it is all going to be larger than life and the cast probably masked....not really my choice of play but it's fun doing it. (God help the audience!)
I just snuk out of a mandatory lecture on Spain because there were no more seats available when G and I showed up and standing for an hour as we pitched and swayed was difficult to say the least...besides the entertaining part was over and I had this to complete before rehearsal! That's my story and I'm sticking to it....
Better make my way to classroom 4, aft, port side! (have to use nautical terminology just to prove I'm a sailor at heart..). By the way did you know that the word 'posh' comes from the preferable sides of the ship for travellers to India in the Empire/Colonial days were 'port out, starboard home'? Out being UK to India and home the reverse.
Good night sweet amigos, may flights of angels sing you to your rest.
We are still losing an hour each night and it becomes darker and darker in the mornings and correspondingly more difficult to get up. If we find it hard the students for the most part find it well nigh impossible! The breakfast dining room hasn't been as empty since Nassau! At noon some students were eating their first foodof the day. Meals shut down right on the second and if you are two minutes late the food has disappeared and you're out of luck.
We have had some wonderful talks on Spain given by a professor who leaves us in Cadiz. He is articulate, very knowledgeable and something of a comedian; all of which makes him exremely popular with the students. Our theatre prof is similar and it's like watching a stand up comic in class....I find I am learning certainly but laughing all the way to knowledge!
paiin because there were no seats available by the time G and i arrived and the entand we have a rehearsal from 9-10:30 pm tonight...shall I be wakeful enough to declaim my lines? it is all going to be larger than life and the cast probably masked....not really my choice of play but it's fun doing it. (God help the audience!)
I just snuk out of a mandatory lecture on Spain because there were no more seats available when G and I showed up and standing for an hour as we pitched and swayed was difficult to say the least...besides the entertaining part was over and I had this to complete before rehearsal! That's my story and I'm sticking to it....
Better make my way to classroom 4, aft, port side! (have to use nautical terminology just to prove I'm a sailor at heart..). By the way did you know that the word 'posh' comes from the preferable sides of the ship for travellers to India in the Empire/Colonial days were 'port out, starboard home'? Out being UK to India and home the reverse.
Good night sweet amigos, may flights of angels sing you to your rest.
Monday 26th January:
Sorry about the layout of the previous blog I am still learning to insert photos into the text. The photos show our staircase up to the dining room, the dining room and a huge hotel seen from the ship in Nassau. The last was not one I intended to publish but the thumbnails are so small for identification I chose the wrong one...and three's my limit so you are stuck with it! I'll write more later today. Suffice to say it is a calm sunny day ( in spite of the hurricane force gales in Barcelona) so we're keeping our fingers crossed that they don't find us!
Sorry about the layout of the previous blog I am still learning to insert photos into the text. The photos show our staircase up to the dining room, the dining room and a huge hotel seen from the ship in Nassau. The last was not one I intended to publish but the thumbnails are so small for identification I chose the wrong one...and three's my limit so you are stuck with it! I'll write more later today. Suffice to say it is a calm sunny day ( in spite of the hurricane force gales in Barcelona) so we're keeping our fingers crossed that they don't find us!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
photos cabin and sea from our balcony
This is our cabin. Have been attempting to put three photos on but it keeps giving up! So this will have to suffice until tomorrow.
Been at rehearsal this evening am Chorus number 6 in The Persians. Oh God Greek tragedy. I have quite alot of lines but have till almost April to learn them. It's fun to be acting again...
I'm taking a night off blogging for the Sabbath!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
a calm study day
Saturday 24th January.
Coordinates for Liam & Katie:
Time: 21.30
Lat. 32 degrees 29.8 N
Long. 033 degrees 35.4 W
Speed. 15.2 knots
Course. 80 degrees
Today has been sunny, calm and very enjoyable. The students are getting more relaxed and the noise level in the dining room tonight had risen many decibels. In fact beside one table a young man had been dared to strip which he started to do to hysterical catcalls until they suddenly realised there were a few other diners around and quietened down ...somewhat! I had my hair cut in the hairdressers and a girl, student, having highlights put in her hair in the next chair was saying she couldn't get down to studying because 'well after all I'm on a cruise ship'!! Glad mummy and daddy didn't hear that one....or her profs!
Went to my Shakespeare class today and was amazed at how traditional the students were in their thinking about the Bard. In discussion about 'modernising' or changing the location of Romeo and Juliet or Hamlet they asked 'Why do it? They only make sense as they were written'......well I listened most of the time but finally suggested that experimentation and change were what kept 'theatre' evolving and exciting.....they looked at me with some surprise...and concern?! Ithink my prof looked relieved! But discussions were lively and fun to listen to.
A faculty staff social tonight was well attended in the faculty lounge. Fantastic decorations of sculptured fruits and colourful finger foods and free drinks meant that it was both well attended and happy! We shared a table at supper with a painfully shy Economics professor; hard work until I asked him his thoughts on the present economic crunch....well he fairly took off and talked non- stop for 3 minutes. So we egged him on with more queries and put the financial world to rights...or it will be he thinks in about a year. There's an optimistic thought! I jest, he was a sweet shy gentle man.
Watched Longitude on our cabin TV tonight...all films seem to have some relevence to this voyage. Saw a South African film with Tim Robbins doing a very passable South African accent last night; all about the freedom fighters of the ANC against apartheid. There is such a huge awareness of educating us all before we visit other cultures with other histories. Excellent leadership.
We are losing another hour tonight and probably tomorrow night as well, This when the sleepiness sets in and we doze during important lectures....George is already sound asleep. So off to bed with my book.
Coordinates for Liam & Katie:
Time: 21.30
Lat. 32 degrees 29.8 N
Long. 033 degrees 35.4 W
Speed. 15.2 knots
Course. 80 degrees
Today has been sunny, calm and very enjoyable. The students are getting more relaxed and the noise level in the dining room tonight had risen many decibels. In fact beside one table a young man had been dared to strip which he started to do to hysterical catcalls until they suddenly realised there were a few other diners around and quietened down ...somewhat! I had my hair cut in the hairdressers and a girl, student, having highlights put in her hair in the next chair was saying she couldn't get down to studying because 'well after all I'm on a cruise ship'!! Glad mummy and daddy didn't hear that one....or her profs!
Went to my Shakespeare class today and was amazed at how traditional the students were in their thinking about the Bard. In discussion about 'modernising' or changing the location of Romeo and Juliet or Hamlet they asked 'Why do it? They only make sense as they were written'......well I listened most of the time but finally suggested that experimentation and change were what kept 'theatre' evolving and exciting.....they looked at me with some surprise...and concern?! Ithink my prof looked relieved! But discussions were lively and fun to listen to.
A faculty staff social tonight was well attended in the faculty lounge. Fantastic decorations of sculptured fruits and colourful finger foods and free drinks meant that it was both well attended and happy! We shared a table at supper with a painfully shy Economics professor; hard work until I asked him his thoughts on the present economic crunch....well he fairly took off and talked non- stop for 3 minutes. So we egged him on with more queries and put the financial world to rights...or it will be he thinks in about a year. There's an optimistic thought! I jest, he was a sweet shy gentle man.
Watched Longitude on our cabin TV tonight...all films seem to have some relevence to this voyage. Saw a South African film with Tim Robbins doing a very passable South African accent last night; all about the freedom fighters of the ANC against apartheid. There is such a huge awareness of educating us all before we visit other cultures with other histories. Excellent leadership.
We are losing another hour tonight and probably tomorrow night as well, This when the sleepiness sets in and we doze during important lectures....George is already sound asleep. So off to bed with my book.
Friday, January 23, 2009
A calm day
Friday 23rd January.
The sea has been calm and mostly blue today. We have opened the door to our cabin balcony and breathe warm healthy air instead of air conditioning.....aaah! We have sat in the sun on the 6th level deck surrounded this afternoon by what seemed like hundreds of students....all now with pens, pads and books in their hands and one hears a different level of discussion...serious and muted.
I am immersing myself in lectures about theatre; history of, introduction to, Shakespeare international, Our Prof. (Ted Eaton) is very relaxed but passionate about his subject, funny and fun. The level of discussion is at times a bit basic but he is patience personnified and listens to all with great respect...even me! The women I find regard this old lady with some suspicion but the young men are interesting and interested and chat blithely away with me...strange! I would have thought it might be the other way round...I of course don't have to do exams and tests so I can sit back and enjoy the answers to today's question What is Theatre? This brought forth more questions of course: What about reality TV? What about Film and Cinema? What about situation comedies recorded live? What about the Inauguration? Does true theatre require an audience? What's the difference between a theatrical production and a church service? Why do film actors return to the stage when they can make more money in the movies?(!) I was able to quote Christoppher Plummer having just read In Spite of myself.....a great read by the way.
Tonight we do NOT have to put the clock forward an hour thank goodness. Some of us dozed off in our Global Studies lecture today....yes I did! Everyone has been wondering why they feel so sleepy all the time. When we got up this morning at 6 am so that G. could shower, have breakfast and get to his 8 am lecture we realised that only 2 days previously it was 4 am!!
The food is good and nicely presented although of course there has to be tons of it; everyone has a huge appetite with all the sea air.
The crew had an emergency boat drill today during George's lecture. There were loud blasts of whistles and the sound of running feet interspersed with urgent messages from the Captain. George said it was rather difficult to talk liguistics with all the interruptions and we noticed other profs and students leaving their classrooms looking bemused and unsettled!
Note to the Book Club: Tonight we are in our cabin and G in bed now and asleep. I shall follow him soon to read my latest book First Darling of the Morning by Thrity Umrigar (selected memories of an Indian childhood), I'm loving it. Last one was In the Hope of Rising Again by Helen Scully...a superb first novel. I shall move on to a biography of John Mortimer and anothe of Billy Connolly...Billy. I have been good and read The Secret Life of Bees and thoroughly enjoyed it. Let me in on your discussion!
Coordinates for Liam and Katie:
Speed 15.1 knots (I thought we had slowed down!)
Long. 040 degrees 38.0 W
Lat. 31 degrees 25.3 N
Course: 80 degrees
Hey I think we're more than half way across the Atlantic to Spain!
Good night! Sleep well.....
The sea has been calm and mostly blue today. We have opened the door to our cabin balcony and breathe warm healthy air instead of air conditioning.....aaah! We have sat in the sun on the 6th level deck surrounded this afternoon by what seemed like hundreds of students....all now with pens, pads and books in their hands and one hears a different level of discussion...serious and muted.
I am immersing myself in lectures about theatre; history of, introduction to, Shakespeare international, Our Prof. (Ted Eaton) is very relaxed but passionate about his subject, funny and fun. The level of discussion is at times a bit basic but he is patience personnified and listens to all with great respect...even me! The women I find regard this old lady with some suspicion but the young men are interesting and interested and chat blithely away with me...strange! I would have thought it might be the other way round...I of course don't have to do exams and tests so I can sit back and enjoy the answers to today's question What is Theatre? This brought forth more questions of course: What about reality TV? What about Film and Cinema? What about situation comedies recorded live? What about the Inauguration? Does true theatre require an audience? What's the difference between a theatrical production and a church service? Why do film actors return to the stage when they can make more money in the movies?(!) I was able to quote Christoppher Plummer having just read In Spite of myself.....a great read by the way.
Tonight we do NOT have to put the clock forward an hour thank goodness. Some of us dozed off in our Global Studies lecture today....yes I did! Everyone has been wondering why they feel so sleepy all the time. When we got up this morning at 6 am so that G. could shower, have breakfast and get to his 8 am lecture we realised that only 2 days previously it was 4 am!!
The food is good and nicely presented although of course there has to be tons of it; everyone has a huge appetite with all the sea air.
The crew had an emergency boat drill today during George's lecture. There were loud blasts of whistles and the sound of running feet interspersed with urgent messages from the Captain. George said it was rather difficult to talk liguistics with all the interruptions and we noticed other profs and students leaving their classrooms looking bemused and unsettled!
Note to the Book Club: Tonight we are in our cabin and G in bed now and asleep. I shall follow him soon to read my latest book First Darling of the Morning by Thrity Umrigar (selected memories of an Indian childhood), I'm loving it. Last one was In the Hope of Rising Again by Helen Scully...a superb first novel. I shall move on to a biography of John Mortimer and anothe of Billy Connolly...Billy. I have been good and read The Secret Life of Bees and thoroughly enjoyed it. Let me in on your discussion!
Coordinates for Liam and Katie:
Speed 15.1 knots (I thought we had slowed down!)
Long. 040 degrees 38.0 W
Lat. 31 degrees 25.3 N
Course: 80 degrees
Hey I think we're more than half way across the Atlantic to Spain!
Good night! Sleep well.....
Thursday, January 22, 2009
another sea day
The Atlantic has finally calmed down and the ship feels reasonably steady; either that or we're all finding our sea legs.
I attended two lectures today our mandatory Global Studies aand islam and Politics. i was truly grateful not to be student in the latter as the Prof was rather strict and said he would be taking attendance and more than one missed class would be an F grade! He also stated that sea sickness was not an excuse. That said he was an organised and clear lecturer and I shall go back for more. George spoke on Pidgins in the Global Studies lecture amongst others; there were 4 or 5 speakers in all. He was good!
We gathered for drinks in the Faculty lounge tonight and G amused us by singing songs from the show Oklahoma as our friend Theresa Mueller hails from there. (They especially appreciated his accent?!) When he went up to the piano bar after dinner to get hot water to make his own coffee the bar tender who comes from Jamaica imitated his accent saying 'Yes mate I'll give you some hot water' in an almost Essex imitation'! When G, commented on it he said 'We know you....you ruled us for long enough!'
The bar and dining room stewards are delightful, very friendly polite and endlessly helpful and disgustingly cheerful...even at breakfast. They mostly come from the Carribean and Linda our cabin steward from Guyana.
Today wasn't really from a blog point of view wildly exciting so I shall make this short/ I'm going to watch a movie either Traffic or To Kill a Mockingbird....couldn't be further apart in content could they?
As we both seem to have colds we shall have an early night. Sorry to hear from everyone that Ontario is in a deep freeze....our hearts truly bleed for you?!
I attended two lectures today our mandatory Global Studies aand islam and Politics. i was truly grateful not to be student in the latter as the Prof was rather strict and said he would be taking attendance and more than one missed class would be an F grade! He also stated that sea sickness was not an excuse. That said he was an organised and clear lecturer and I shall go back for more. George spoke on Pidgins in the Global Studies lecture amongst others; there were 4 or 5 speakers in all. He was good!
We gathered for drinks in the Faculty lounge tonight and G amused us by singing songs from the show Oklahoma as our friend Theresa Mueller hails from there. (They especially appreciated his accent?!) When he went up to the piano bar after dinner to get hot water to make his own coffee the bar tender who comes from Jamaica imitated his accent saying 'Yes mate I'll give you some hot water' in an almost Essex imitation'! When G, commented on it he said 'We know you....you ruled us for long enough!'
The bar and dining room stewards are delightful, very friendly polite and endlessly helpful and disgustingly cheerful...even at breakfast. They mostly come from the Carribean and Linda our cabin steward from Guyana.
Today wasn't really from a blog point of view wildly exciting so I shall make this short/ I'm going to watch a movie either Traffic or To Kill a Mockingbird....couldn't be further apart in content could they?
As we both seem to have colds we shall have an early night. Sorry to hear from everyone that Ontario is in a deep freeze....our hearts truly bleed for you?!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
truly at sea
Coordinates for Liam & Katie:
Wednesday Jan 21st
Latitude: 28 degrees 41.0 N
Longtitude: 058 degrees 10.87 W
speed: 21.5 knots
Course: 80 degrees
Our first working day. George taught two classes today and was impressed with the variety of languages and travels among his students. He said he was a little nervous this morning but has certainly enjoyed his teaching.
I attended my first lecture on Theatre history and a mandatory one on global studies. The first was very enjoyable as each student identified themselves, their universities (lots from Southern California and Arizona in this class) their favourite movies, TV shows and books...interesting! I wanted to shout PROJECT! They were shy and rushed their words and hung their heads....I'm pretty sure this won't last. They are becoming happier and more relaxed with each other in the lounges and dining rooms; lots of chatter and laughter.
We are getting to know Theresa and John Mueller. (I was corresponding with John from Dundas after an introduction from Journeywoman Editor, Evelyn Hannon) Theresa and I seem to have lots to talk about and spend time together when John and George are teaching. They both work at th University of Calgary and are Canadian citizens but come from Missouri. Theresa is an IT specialist and taught me how to transfer photos from my camera into my blog.
The dining room stewards now call me Margarette in spite of the Maggie I have written above it on my name tag. I don't mind because they are delightful and give me incredible service.....carrying my tray, bringing me coffee and finding Theresa and me dessert when it seems to have run out! So what's in a name anyway!
Wednesday Jan 21st
Latitude: 28 degrees 41.0 N
Longtitude: 058 degrees 10.87 W
speed: 21.5 knots
Course: 80 degrees
Our first working day. George taught two classes today and was impressed with the variety of languages and travels among his students. He said he was a little nervous this morning but has certainly enjoyed his teaching.
I attended my first lecture on Theatre history and a mandatory one on global studies. The first was very enjoyable as each student identified themselves, their universities (lots from Southern California and Arizona in this class) their favourite movies, TV shows and books...interesting! I wanted to shout PROJECT! They were shy and rushed their words and hung their heads....I'm pretty sure this won't last. They are becoming happier and more relaxed with each other in the lounges and dining rooms; lots of chatter and laughter.
We are getting to know Theresa and John Mueller. (I was corresponding with John from Dundas after an introduction from Journeywoman Editor, Evelyn Hannon) Theresa and I seem to have lots to talk about and spend time together when John and George are teaching. They both work at th University of Calgary and are Canadian citizens but come from Missouri. Theresa is an IT specialist and taught me how to transfer photos from my camera into my blog.
The dining room stewards now call me Margarette in spite of the Maggie I have written above it on my name tag. I don't mind because they are delightful and give me incredible service.....carrying my tray, bringing me coffee and finding Theresa and me dessert when it seems to have run out! So what's in a name anyway!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Inauguration Day
Watched the ceremony live on a huge TV in the Students Union today...very moving to be with all these Americans cheering and clapping around us. What a powerful speech from Obama, Celebration tonight with champagne and red white and blue cake and decorations!
Sat on deck near the pool this afternoon, it was amusing to watch reluctant bikini clad students being called in to a mandatory orientation session....talk about walking like snails to school!
George nervously prepared for his first lectures tomorrow, starting at 8am...he is sound asleep as I write. We have put our clocks and watches forward one hour towards European time.
Sea becoming rather rough but there was good attendance at supper: all wearing our pressure point bracelets and patches...so far so good.
Keep fingers crossed that I get into lectures tomorrow....as you know I take up so little space. By the way my shadow is hardly likely to shrink as I had hoped, the food's too good.
Geeorge told me today with great pride that he has been approved to lead a group into a beautiful park in Vietnam; tropical heat and humidity with lots of hiking. On second thoughts perhaps I in total will shrink....
Sat on deck near the pool this afternoon, it was amusing to watch reluctant bikini clad students being called in to a mandatory orientation session....talk about walking like snails to school!
George nervously prepared for his first lectures tomorrow, starting at 8am...he is sound asleep as I write. We have put our clocks and watches forward one hour towards European time.
Sea becoming rather rough but there was good attendance at supper: all wearing our pressure point bracelets and patches...so far so good.
Keep fingers crossed that I get into lectures tomorrow....as you know I take up so little space. By the way my shadow is hardly likely to shrink as I had hoped, the food's too good.
Geeorge told me today with great pride that he has been approved to lead a group into a beautiful park in Vietnam; tropical heat and humidity with lots of hiking. On second thoughts perhaps I in total will shrink....
Position for Liam and Katie's ship
Tuesday 20th January
10.30 am
Speed 19.8 knots
logtitude; 071 degrees 8.78 W
Latitude: 26 degrees 36.9 N
Course: 83 degrees
10.30 am
Speed 19.8 knots
logtitude; 071 degrees 8.78 W
Latitude: 26 degrees 36.9 N
Course: 83 degrees
Monday, January 19, 2009
Departure
Stats for Liam & Katie: Just left Nassau 3 hours ago, on our way to Cadiz. Spain.
Speed: 21.2 knots
Course: 80 degrees
Latitude: 25 degrees 42.8 N
Longtitude: 076 42.60 W
We left Nassau with blasts from our ship which nearly deafened us. Parents in their hundreds waving from the quay, students shouting, laughing and crying, waving and taking their last photos of Mum and Dad, siblings and boy/girl friends. Quite emotional to watch. I was glad none of my own family were there!
As the tug and pilot boat swung away from us we gave a final loud TOOT and were out of there.
We repaired to another prof's cabin for drinks and heard about their previous voyage in 2004 when a 60 ft wave hit the bridge and knocked all the power out. We also watched a video taken at that time by one of the students. Apparently they were very far North (too far) in the Pacific on their way from Vancouver to Japan. The ship was badly damaged inside with pianos and furniture (and people) sliding all over the place. So immediately power was restored they flew South to Hawaii for 5 days (where students had to attend classes in the Hotels) then were flown to San Francisco, then Hong Kong and picked up the ship again in Shanghai.....a very bondong experience we gathered!! One we can do without...!
I had memories of another time when Sheona was a few months old and the two of us travelled out to Accra in Ghana from Southampton (UK). We hit a similar storm in the Western approaches and I seemed to be one of the few people who wasn't sea sick while Sheona slept in her carry-cot blissfully unaware. I stood behind glass in the bows of the Elder Dempster ship the S.S.Apapa and looked at a high wall of sea blotting out the sky. It was a much smaller ship and I was scared! But like all storms, it passed.
We have gathered speed and as I write this in our cabin I hear the waves rushing past and we are rocking more vigorously....time for my wrist bands just in case....
We have been having wonderfully early nights which is just as well as G's classes start at 8 am. I now have permission to attend Shakespeare, theatre history, Islam and Asian American writers so shall be busy. And we have agreed to substitute-parent 4 students so time will not be hanging on our hands!
Speed: 21.2 knots
Course: 80 degrees
Latitude: 25 degrees 42.8 N
Longtitude: 076 42.60 W
We left Nassau with blasts from our ship which nearly deafened us. Parents in their hundreds waving from the quay, students shouting, laughing and crying, waving and taking their last photos of Mum and Dad, siblings and boy/girl friends. Quite emotional to watch. I was glad none of my own family were there!
As the tug and pilot boat swung away from us we gave a final loud TOOT and were out of there.
We repaired to another prof's cabin for drinks and heard about their previous voyage in 2004 when a 60 ft wave hit the bridge and knocked all the power out. We also watched a video taken at that time by one of the students. Apparently they were very far North (too far) in the Pacific on their way from Vancouver to Japan. The ship was badly damaged inside with pianos and furniture (and people) sliding all over the place. So immediately power was restored they flew South to Hawaii for 5 days (where students had to attend classes in the Hotels) then were flown to San Francisco, then Hong Kong and picked up the ship again in Shanghai.....a very bondong experience we gathered!! One we can do without...!
I had memories of another time when Sheona was a few months old and the two of us travelled out to Accra in Ghana from Southampton (UK). We hit a similar storm in the Western approaches and I seemed to be one of the few people who wasn't sea sick while Sheona slept in her carry-cot blissfully unaware. I stood behind glass in the bows of the Elder Dempster ship the S.S.Apapa and looked at a high wall of sea blotting out the sky. It was a much smaller ship and I was scared! But like all storms, it passed.
We have gathered speed and as I write this in our cabin I hear the waves rushing past and we are rocking more vigorously....time for my wrist bands just in case....
We have been having wonderfully early nights which is just as well as G's classes start at 8 am. I now have permission to attend Shakespeare, theatre history, Islam and Asian American writers so shall be busy. And we have agreed to substitute-parent 4 students so time will not be hanging on our hands!
last day on dry land for 8 days
I actually did write a blog last night and it disappeared into cyberspace...frustrating! Hundreds of students are now boarding the ship; the line-up seems to stretch for a mile. We were in Starbucks having a coffee and I heard a mother tell another, My son wouldn't kiss me...he just disappeared on to the ship! I felt for her. They all look so excited and are chatting to each other madly...decks two, three and four are theirs, I can imagine the babble down there! Their baggage looks soft and very heavy as they attempt to drag it along; mostly oversized kit bags. they are all so attractive; the ratio men to women is 200 to 500 roughly/ As one female lifelong learner said succintly, Pity!!
The other tourist liners sailed away last night and we share the harbour front and docks only with the Bahamian navy.....nice to sea HM in front of their ID numbers; a reminder of her British majesty.
I managed to get two chores completed today; got my specs fixed and bought a repair kit and bought a second Clinique lipstick I like. But the only place to put a battery in my watch remained closed.....oh well as I said before who cares about time...except of course for meals!
Weather is warm but not too warm, sun is now shining after a dull start. George and I are sitting quietly in the cabin and on the balcony to avoid the crush . We are on the port side of the ship, looking at this moment at Paradise Island and the blue, blue sea. It is heaven not to see snow!
The other tourist liners sailed away last night and we share the harbour front and docks only with the Bahamian navy.....nice to sea HM in front of their ID numbers; a reminder of her British majesty.
I managed to get two chores completed today; got my specs fixed and bought a repair kit and bought a second Clinique lipstick I like. But the only place to put a battery in my watch remained closed.....oh well as I said before who cares about time...except of course for meals!
Weather is warm but not too warm, sun is now shining after a dull start. George and I are sitting quietly in the cabin and on the balcony to avoid the crush . We are on the port side of the ship, looking at this moment at Paradise Island and the blue, blue sea. It is heaven not to see snow!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Nassau
Ah at last another view, this time the old colonial buildings and the palm trees of Nassau in the bahamas. The sky is blue and the warm sun shining brightly. We are berthed opposite the large, white Cardinal Destiny. I see people jogging round their top deck and passengers staring back at us from their multiple balconies. George is at yet another meeting in the Union and this afternoon has to dress business/casual to meet the parents! I have just vetoed his present pair of crumpled khaki trousers! He finishes at 11 when we shall go ashore....primary chore to get my glasses fixed. Yes I am obssessing!!
Oh I do love the tropics! Will write more tonight.
Oh I do love the tropics! Will write more tonight.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
stats for Liam and Katie
We have finally sailed out of Miami and are on our way to the Bahamas and Nassau. Our position and speed are as follows Liam and Katie:
Speed 14.2 knots
Latitude: 26 degrees 12.9 N
Longtitude: 079 13.3 W
Course: 89 degrees
We arrive in Nassau tomorrow, Sunday at 8 am
Speed 14.2 knots
Latitude: 26 degrees 12.9 N
Longtitude: 079 13.3 W
Course: 89 degrees
We arrive in Nassau tomorrow, Sunday at 8 am
good morning
We awoke to a beautiful morning but still the skyline of Miami on the horizon! We have been rcking here for almost 48 hours now. We have to be in Nassau tomorrow so we should sail today. I am wearing my pressure point sea-sickness bracelets which are wonderfully effective; it is just this rocking motion which sets me off but the bracelets put a stop to it immediately.
We had our fill of meetings yesterday, some seemed hugely repitive so I am skipping the faculty/staff ones today in favour of doing this; sitting on our lovely balcony and reading.
The ship is stunning. It has lovly sweeping staircases, a library, attractive smaller dining room which we have been using ( a huge one will be opened once the students come on board.), a spa, hair dresser, excercise room , swimming pool (not filled yet), a shop, faculty lounge and bar, computer room (where I am working now), a 'Union' where all the meetings have been taking place. The decor os neutral creams and browns Our cabin is certainly the loveliest I have ever had....remember I go back to tiny ones with two bunks one above the other, and sharing a shower and loo down the corridor! Things have changed for the better; we have a lovely balcony with patio doors leading from a spacious cabin with lots of storage space, a couch and chair, mirrors, an en suite with shower and bath and generally a feeling of light and comfort. I'm nt sure george will see much of it when the students come on board because there is a great deal more interaction between profs and students than there is on a land campus. However i am enjoying it alot!
I have been in email cntact with John Mueller a prof from Univ of Calgary and we are getting to know John and his wife Theresa now. Theresa and I have decided to do the flight from Hong Kong to Beijing to see the great wall of China and hopefully (but not sure about this) the Terra Cotta Warriers. I had wanted to go but G. is taking students on a Hong Kong excursion so couldn't come and it is expensive....but if just one of us goes not quite so draining of the ban account! Just hope there is one space left for me as resa is already booked.
My new $ 500 glasses fell apart when a tiny screw fell out so I am wearing my older prescription at the moment....what a pain that is! Down with nina Ricci frames! Shall have to try and get them fixed in Nassau. Then my watched stopped; i hadn't thought of bringing watch batteries.....well who cares about time anyway? I guess Semester at Sea does..... but not me.
This blog will hopefully get more interesting once the MV Explorer decides to actually sail somewhere...........!
We had our fill of meetings yesterday, some seemed hugely repitive so I am skipping the faculty/staff ones today in favour of doing this; sitting on our lovely balcony and reading.
The ship is stunning. It has lovly sweeping staircases, a library, attractive smaller dining room which we have been using ( a huge one will be opened once the students come on board.), a spa, hair dresser, excercise room , swimming pool (not filled yet), a shop, faculty lounge and bar, computer room (where I am working now), a 'Union' where all the meetings have been taking place. The decor os neutral creams and browns Our cabin is certainly the loveliest I have ever had....remember I go back to tiny ones with two bunks one above the other, and sharing a shower and loo down the corridor! Things have changed for the better; we have a lovely balcony with patio doors leading from a spacious cabin with lots of storage space, a couch and chair, mirrors, an en suite with shower and bath and generally a feeling of light and comfort. I'm nt sure george will see much of it when the students come on board because there is a great deal more interaction between profs and students than there is on a land campus. However i am enjoying it alot!
I have been in email cntact with John Mueller a prof from Univ of Calgary and we are getting to know John and his wife Theresa now. Theresa and I have decided to do the flight from Hong Kong to Beijing to see the great wall of China and hopefully (but not sure about this) the Terra Cotta Warriers. I had wanted to go but G. is taking students on a Hong Kong excursion so couldn't come and it is expensive....but if just one of us goes not quite so draining of the ban account! Just hope there is one space left for me as resa is already booked.
My new $ 500 glasses fell apart when a tiny screw fell out so I am wearing my older prescription at the moment....what a pain that is! Down with nina Ricci frames! Shall have to try and get them fixed in Nassau. Then my watched stopped; i hadn't thought of bringing watch batteries.....well who cares about time anyway? I guess Semester at Sea does..... but not me.
This blog will hopefully get more interesting once the MV Explorer decides to actually sail somewhere...........!
Friday, January 16, 2009
we made it
Yes we made it and here we are on board the MV Explorer, a beautiful ship which is rocking gently off Miami at this moment. It has been difficult to get access to hotmail and this blog site so here we go. The flight down was superb with lot of assistance. we just sailed through customs, George being wheeled in a wheel chair, no luggage weighed at all,(and we were well into excess), first on to the plane and met in Miami and again wheel chaired. After a hefty tip got a porter to get all our baggage off the carousel and find us a cab. (very comfy , obviously the Haitian mafia working!)We had booked ourselves into the Chelsea a lovely little hotel right in the middle of South Beach's Art Decco district. Stunning. We walked in warm sunshine along the beach and under the palm trees.....aaah! After the very sub zero temperatures in Toronto this was fantastic!
We boarded the next day at 1 pm with help from students and staff, very smooth. The ship is gorgeous: we have a cabin with a huge king (?) sized bed and a balcony. Lots of storage and hangers etc A bathroom en suite with a bath and shower. really nice,
We seem to have endless meetings and I realise that life is going to be hectic but great fun....it will certainly be a culture shock when 700 students board at Nassau. I loved watching the tug take us away from the quay last night and steer us out to sea. But then we stopped and here we still are but leaving after boat drill at 4 pm for Nassau.
Off to another meeting! May add more later or tomorrow.
We boarded the next day at 1 pm with help from students and staff, very smooth. The ship is gorgeous: we have a cabin with a huge king (?) sized bed and a balcony. Lots of storage and hangers etc A bathroom en suite with a bath and shower. really nice,
We seem to have endless meetings and I realise that life is going to be hectic but great fun....it will certainly be a culture shock when 700 students board at Nassau. I loved watching the tug take us away from the quay last night and steer us out to sea. But then we stopped and here we still are but leaving after boat drill at 4 pm for Nassau.
Off to another meeting! May add more later or tomorrow.
Monday, January 12, 2009
last night
Almost as many nerves as on a First Night! We are packed; our baggage stands all neat and very black (isn't everyones?!) at the front door. Our apartment looks so cosy, the bed so comfortable, the kitchen so familiar and it's so easy to make a cup of tea or coffee; my friends are only a phone call away, the snow covered trees outside are beautiful......what's happening to me? Visions of the exotic suks of Morocco, the massive sand dunes of Namibia and the familiar bulk of Table Mountain all seem to recede and a slight apprehension and anxiety replaces them. This always happens to me.....it's like standing in the wings on a first night waiting to go on stage and asking myself why I'm not curled up at home reading a good book!
The limousine will pick us up at 2 pm tomorrow and take us to the Doubletree Hotel on the airport strip. we must be at the sirport at 6.30 am for our 9.30 flight to Miami. I'm watching the weather....George mustn't lift anything yet so I've arranged with Air Canada for assistance at the airport and to my amazement George actually agreed! Our baggage is heavy....4 months heavy! We shall have to pay alot for excess baggage.
Never mind we're almost on our way....................Bye!
The limousine will pick us up at 2 pm tomorrow and take us to the Doubletree Hotel on the airport strip. we must be at the sirport at 6.30 am for our 9.30 flight to Miami. I'm watching the weather....George mustn't lift anything yet so I've arranged with Air Canada for assistance at the airport and to my amazement George actually agreed! Our baggage is heavy....4 months heavy! We shall have to pay alot for excess baggage.
Never mind we're almost on our way....................Bye!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
getting technical
Another day down and less than a week to go. Packing is going smoothly and all the electronic gadgets being tested. I am now armed with a battery charger, an ipod, an iLuv potable stereo speaker into which I can plug the ipod and listen to my music sans earphones....luverly! The iLuv is tiny, only about 6" long and has 2 speakers, perfect for travelling. I am considering a new camera as I have been a little disappointed with mine; I think I need one with a 'stability' factor as i may be shaky in my old age! I am going to look at the latest Canon Powershot 1100 which has good reports...any knowledgeable commentas will be appreciated!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Relief!
We have just heard from the surgeon that George's surgery showed no spread of the Ca cells into lymph glands....WHAT A RELIEF! Now we can proceed with packing and getting organised. We leave Dundas a week tomorrow, spend one night in Toronto and fly out to Miami on Air Canada on the 14th. We board the MV Explorer on the 15th and have 4 student-free days sailing to Nassau where the students embark. We have already spread into larger and more bags/suitcases trying to fit in enough stuff to keep us clothed and amused for the next few months. It is wonderful to feel free to be excited at last. Bess is up north with Tessa and having a marvellous time with two doggie playmates and one cat. She apparently shares her bed with the latter who uses it in the daytime! It is very strange at home without her.
Trying to see all my friends just one more time this week and fit in a hair trim....George has a light in his eye that has been missing for a few weeks which makes us both very hapy.
Trying to see all my friends just one more time this week and fit in a hair trim....George has a light in his eye that has been missing for a few weeks which makes us both very hapy.
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