sailin'

Hey y’all. We just left Mauritius and are on are way to India. Mauritius was GORGEOUS. Because of past SAS trips where people were a little more than disrespectful to the island, however, SAS isn’t allowed to stay overnight… yeah.  A day trip was nice, though. Sadly our one day was on a Sunday, which meant that most touristy things were closed.  My friends and I ended up spending the day on the beach swimming and relaxing which was a nice needed break because school is hectic right now.  I also bought one of those islandy dance outfits that I have wanted my ENTIRE LIFE and now I own one. I ended up wearing it around the boat last night half because I was excited and half because Paige made me but it was pretty fun.

I realize I haven’t updated on boat life in awhile.  It’s mostly just school, school and more school. We’re halfway through now which means everything is kind of peaking. Projects due, presentations, midterms, etc.  Everyone is also now comfortable and accustomed to travel so we basically just wait until the next port when we can get out and explore and then we sadly slump back to the boat for onship time.

One thing I just learned about SAS is that it takes YEARS to plan each voyage. It’s noe like there are deans and teachers and staff that continuously sail around the world. Each voyage is totally unique with it’s own dean, medical staff, professors, everything. These groups of people work together for years to make their voyage great and run smoothly and function as a legitimate university. I think that is the most awesome thing and that’s a big part of why the majority of the faculty/staff are so cool, because they’re so dedicated to us and to this program because they’ve spent such a long time preparing for it.  I’m really happy with all of the administration and professors on my trip but I’m sure for every trip they’re just as awesome.

We have a few days until we get to India on I think March 6. While there I will be doing an FDP for my religion class called “Ghandi’s Legacy in Non violence” and going to Agra and New Dheli to see the Taj Majal.  Apparently the first night we are in Chennai the Cricket World Cup is going and I am trying SO hard to convince someone to go with me. How epic would that be?! I’ll keep you updated on whether or not it pans out. Also after India apparently it will start to get colder so I’m trying to soak up as much sun as I can right now. I love my tan and do not want it to fade before I get home.

I’m sorry I don’t have too much other news. I’m going to try to start updating relatively consistently again so y’all know what I’m up to. For my religion class we had to do presentations on religious leaders and I picked someone kind of unconventional, Archbishop Desmond Tutu. For those of you don’t know he is a huge advocate for peace/human rights activist and liberal Christian who was extremely influential in the end of apartheid. In my research I discovered he is retiring and his last public appearance is in Tacoma, Washington on May 13… yeah, you better believe I’m going! Rollie was sweet enough to secure tickets since I have no internet and would love nothing more than to see Tutu speak, especially his last public appearance outside of South Africa maybe ever, and I think that will be a nice away to start integrating everything I’m learning here back into my home life. Tutu started his retirment process on his 79th birthday last year and celebrated by sailing on the Fall 2010 SAS Voyage. Im pretty jealous to have missed that but think his association with this program says a lot for it.

Anyway, I’m going to try to do some reading and enjoy this heat… it’s actually pretty cloudy but I’m hoping the sun will come out soon. Love.