This weekend I traveled home to Baltimore to see the family. As always, the holiday was filled with warmth and laughs as everyone related to me descended upon the house to partake in 4,000 calories more than we should have.
A few days ago I eclipsed the "2 months til sailing" date, and I couldn't have more emotions running through my head. About a week ago I got all of my millions of forms in to SAS, I even got my passport back from the travel agency, complete with visas to India and China. Now my focus goes to planning my time for the semester to come. I have spent some time researching and looking at what activities I want to do in each of the 11 countries we stop in, but frankly, it's a bit overwhelming. With final exams looming, I feel as though I'll 'get to it later,' and spend lots of time after the semester ends really getting my hands dirty with plans. I'll be sure to post those once I start getting a handle on things.
It has to be said that the terror attacks in India, the political turmoil in Thailand and the Pirating activity in the Gulf of Aden... all areas of our voyage-to-come, has really put the trip in somewhat of perspective. I know that SAS is dedicated to safety first, no matter what. They have a track record of canceling ports in favor of alternate 'back-up ports' in the case that security situations change (A few summers back, the ship was rerouted from Turkey to Egypt after bombings in Istanbul). While that peace of mind comforts me, I'm also worried about missing out on essential places in the world due to the actions of these horrible terrorists. After all, it's their goal to strike terror and halt the way of life of civilized, democratic citizens. Though I understand if security calls for our avoiding of certain areas, I hope it doesn't. I hope that we don't let them win.
To my friends, family and colleagues at home and abroad, have a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday season.
Talk to you soon,
Greg
