I don't even know where to begin! I am not the best writer but these next few months I will try my best to describe the events of this trip. These first days have already exceeded my expectation! I have been encouraged, stimulated, challenged, and thought about things in a way I haven't since probably my college years. I can feel already that it will be an amazing few months and will be life changing. I have learned so much already. Like this is a ship not a boat (ships carry boats like the life boats), boats don't carry ships. That this is not a cruise but a voyage. We had our first drill before the boat ever left the dock which makes sense and I am not sure why but the academic dean and his wife are on our life boat and came up right next to Ken and I and we had a nice little chat for the 45 minutes we were required to stand still and be quiet-NOT. Then a few people over we discover that the arch bishop Desmund Tutu and his wife are also on our life boat. How crazy is that, out of 1,000 passengers. Early in the day I was in the computer lab trying to figure out how to get on-line, my ship emai,etc. and Desmund comes and sits by me to also receive help from the gurus. We have a short communication and both get excited when we begin to understand some of the new basic concepts. I hope I am still doing this at 78.
The so far has been very good but Steph says after a while it gets pretty old. We have been very busy going to orientation, meetings, talks and learning to know the various area of the ship. Every one from the older "life long learners", the faculty, and the students have been so out going and friendly that its been alot of fun already. Such an interesting group of diverse people.
We left Halifax a few hours ago and the ship is already rocking and rolling and they warn us that its only going to get worse due the hurricanes in the lower Atlantic. They have already placed puke bags all over the ship in anticipation but assure us we will be out of danger but can still have large swells. Steph I hope this isn't starting out like your voyage. Her's had over 30 foot swells their 1st week and alot were sick, couln't attend classes including the profs. and furniture was sliding from one side of the decks to the other. Her videos are wild so I hope this isn't a repeat.
Well all this chatter and I didn't even mention our first day in Halifax. I stepped on my glasses and had to find a shop to repair them, Ken called the hotel reception to see if they sell their pillows since they were so comfy and we were expecting the worst on the ship and low and behold if they did't sell us the pillows and the cases we slept on for Walmart prices, and after we arrived on the boat we were notified that Ken had left his insulin at the hotel. Oh the joys of traveling! It's bound to only get better.
In closing, you can see we are bound for a great adventure that maybe we can return on with some of you. Thinking of each and every one of you and will contnue to stay in touch.
Love,Marty
blog address is martykurica.blogspot.com and e-mail is makurica@semesteratsea.net or you can reach ken at our normal kurica@aol.com and they will be forwarded.gcangelini
I am so excited for both of you and wishing you smooth sailing ahead as you begin this incredible adventure.
ReplyDeletePS Say hi to the archbishop for me
Actually I saw on Wikipedia this quote from him:
Archbishop Tutu has announced he will retire from public life when he turns 79 in October 2010.
"Instead of growing old gracefully, at home with my family – reading and writing and praying and thinking – too much of my time has been spent at airports and in hotels," the Nobel laureate said in a statement.
"The time has now come to slow down, to sip Rooibos tea with my beloved wife in the afternoons, to watch cricket, to travel to visit my children and grandchildren, rather than to conferences and conventions and university campuses."
Really Good to get the Blogs!! Be looking for pictures soon!! Take Care. Love Ya!
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