Day 104. The Beginning of the End- the last leg starts

Hey all

I can't write as long as I'd like, because I have to get in bed in prep for an Evolution final exam tomorrow morning.

I can feel muscles in my body that I never knew existed, as I slowly recover from the amazing hike. After my exam tomorrow, I will sit down and compose my thoughts on the time in Guatemala- including, of course, the hike- and post it to the blog.

Tonight, at Post-Port Reflections in the Union, I again got up and shared what I was thinking. I told the community much of what I'm thinking for the end of the voyage as well: That I am exceedingly dissapointed with the English language, with words. I have run out of adjectives, I told the ship. For instance, after getting off of this Volcano, I have no idea what to say. If I describe dinner, or a sunset as "amazing" then I don't know what to describe hiking the volcano. If I call it "amazing," it's like I'm doing an injustice to the experience, the volcano, even the dinner! I have to accept that no matter what I say or how I express myself through pictures or words, I will never convey the whole experience- in that way, I am prisoner to my own thoughts and experiences. (Certainly, of course, I'm the most fortunate prisoner that ever lived :-), but a prisoner nonetheless).

I have resolved myself, though, to continue to try to share these experiences. The Volcano climb was... *something*. It was the most incredible feeling I've ever had- cresting the summit, knowing I had conquered my fears and my pains. I'll never convince another of how influential the experience truly was. I can't wait to write about it, and more about what I said at post-port reflections tomorrow and hopefully you'll have a better idea!

At post-port reflections, also, I realized how much of a community member I have truly become. 3 other people who shared mentioned me in their thoughts, and it was truly flattering (and a bit embarrassing!) Kara talked about our last shabbat; Ben talked about our experience as tent-mates on the mountain; and Rachel talked about my speech.



The Last Shabbat.

Tonight, we had our last Shabbat as a shipboard community. It was a very emotional night. Mikey G, the professor of computer science who has been with the Jewish students all voyage long (along with his wife Mindy and son Eli) talked a lot about our community. The thing is, he said, that "in the real world," when you go to a shabbat service, you are entering a jewish community. It may be for a night, or for a weekend, a shabbat, a month, or for 30 years... but the Jewish community exists in part before you get there and after you leave. On the ship, however, we started with nothing. We entered the ship as separate people and became a prideful jewish community that went through lots together. From Passover in Japan and at sea, to havdallah at sunset on the deck, to singing, to sharing, to dealing with hard issues like death... this has been my family aboard, and I will miss them immensely.

It was a tearful night, full of smiles and sharing of our first shabbats back 16 weeks ago. I can't believe how far we have come, and I truly, truly, have never been more proud. I'll miss you all.



We also celebrated Bradee's birthday downstairs at Special Ocassion Dining.




Alright. I really have to go to bed. Love you all.

Greg