Day 7. 1 week later, clubs and noises.

I can’t believe it’s been a week. I’m terrified. It’s all going by so fast, and yet I’m loving every second. I’m glad so many of you got to check me out on the video clip, and that I didn’t look like too much of an idiot. I swear it was really wavy that day.

Speaking of waves, the explorer picked up some of the rock-y-ness today. I was sitting out on the fifth deck aft with friends doing work and all of a sudden we realized that the ship was pitching at like 30 degrees. It’s been really stable the past few days, so it was a bit of a rude awakening.

Alright. The noise. Right now it’s 00:51 (1251 am) on Monday early morning, really it’s an hour later because we have to change our clocks tonight. The reason why me and all of the starboard side of the ship is up so late is because there is this HORRIBLE noise off our side of the ship. Every time the ship pitches towards our side at all, a creaking runs the length of the walls- it sounds like a horse is being choked to death. It is loud and terrible. I’ve tried to search for answers and here’s the best I can come up with. The ship has things called stabilizer fins that protrude out from one or both sides to prevent the ship from rocking as much. While this is good, apparently our fin is in need of some serious oil cans. And until that happens in Spain, it’s either creak-city or fall flat on your face bumpy. I keep reminding myself that flexibility is the mantra to live by, however, and I’m sure it’ll all work out.

Good news! I was invited to become a part of the Intercultural committee of the Ambassador’s club here on the ship. Basically, SAS welcomes different people on the ship throughout the voyage when in port. This ranges from diplomats who arrive to give lectures, inter-port students who provide cultural insight, and others, like American nationals abroad, embassy workers, and even educational members abroad. One or two US Women’s volleyball players may come aboard, I’ve heard. Anyway, our job is to be there to welcome, wine and dine them, and introduce them to the shipboard community. It’s a prestigious job, and I couldn’t be more excited to get it! Tomorrow we meet to find out what duties we’re all doing in the first port, Spain, in 2 days.

Now on to Spain. Today in global studies, David Gies, a US native and knight of the Spanish crown gave his first lecture on Spain. He is,  by all accounts a genius, and has written many books on Spain… and like I said, is a knight to the Spanish country. He’s also hilarious, and a very personable guy. Today he talked about the different things we’ll see in and around spain, and the different historical events that have happened to provide for what we’ll see. It’s SO COOL to hear about on our WAY to the country. I can’t even explain.

Tomorrow, we learn more about Spanish culture in global studies, and tomorrow night we have our first CULTURAL PRE-PORT, where we learn the ups and downs, ins and outs of Spanish culture (things to and not to do while in Spain). Needless to say, tomorrow’s blog should be quite informative! I’m also pleased to report that Bradee will be joining our trek to Madrid, and I’m sad to say Chazz won’t be- he’ll be on an SAS trip in the south. It’s all good, his itinerary is gonna be great. Here’s my itinerary at this point:

Wednesday: Arrival 0800. Tour Cadiz all day. At night, partake in a great SAS trip and FDP (faculty directed practica): FLAMENCO NIGHT and BULLFIGHT! With my professor of Media Studies
Thursday: Early train through Sevilla to Madrid. Get to Madrid early aft’n, drop stuff in hostel and start looking around. David has provided a bunch of sights we must see. Experience Spanish nightlife and sleep soundly in Madrid
Friday: All day in Madrid
Saturday: Early train back to Sevilla, take a look around and then finish journey back to Cadiz. On-Ship time is 1800, Depart Cadiz at 2000.

We are extremely excited, and anxious to see land. Hopefully all will go well, and we’ll be in soon- the ship is getting very antsy!

We do lose another hour of sleep tonight as I mentioned. We are now at EST + 5 Hours. Only one more to go to get on local Spanish time.

Talk tomorrow!

Greg.