November 21, 2007

We are currently at 37 degrees latitude, zero degrees longitude, somewhere stopped on the east side of Spain for a medical emergency. My anthropology professor’s husband, who is one of the cutest old men I have ever met, and who comes to class everyday, is in a critical state, and we went at full speed today to reach this port so he could be brought to a hospital. After cultural pre-port I went outside because I noticed we were stopped and the lights and the mountains and huge rocks in the ocean were gorgeous under the clear night sky. I didn’t realize what was going on until I saw everyone peering over the edge of the 5th deck, so I went up to the 7th to see what was going on. A boat from Spain was on the side of our boat, and even though the waves looked like they were flat, the small boat looked like a little toy in the ocean. The Explorer had lowered their platform and was trying to get this small boat next to it, but it kept smashing up against it, and they couldn’t get it secured. The platform almost fell into the water a few times, with several of our crew on board. After about 15 minutes the boat left, and then came back from a different angle, and they tried to secure it more, but it went from smashing into the platform to being 5 feet away from it. They had no other choice. One of the nurses and her husband jumped on, and then Dr. Ruth, my professor, got on the boat safely. Everyone watching was so worried and was grateful that they were okay. The little old Jake in a wheelchair came out, and looked as calm as ever even though he is so sick, and was pulled onto the boat. We all cheered, and he waved goodbye and saluted. That just pushed me over the edge—and I just cried. I just can’t imagine how he and his wife are feeling right now. This must be one of the scariest, most stressful things ever, especially when you are in a critical state. I can’t imagine myself going through that if I was just a little sick—at my age. His courage and strength amaze me. It really put things into perspective for me. It was nice to see the whole shipboard community come together and support him and be concerned about him. It showed me that we have really bonded this semester and are a family. I hope he is okay.
More ship gossip—the Assistant Academic Dean—the Santa Claus that everyone likes and is the balance for the really strict/unfriendly Academic Dean—got fired in Croatia, and left the ship. If you recall, some people were supposed to get kicked off the ship in Egypt because of their behavior, but because of the fact that they have money and they threatened to sue SAS, they were all allowed to stay. The Assistant Dean did not agree with this, as did many other students, who had protests and delivered notes door to door stating that keeping these students on just shows us that if you have money you can break the rules, etc—and so he filed an honor code violation against these students. If you don’t know, UVA is big into the honor code. At their home institution, and therefore here, it rules all, and you have to write it on all assignments, tests, and it is expected you always do right in the community. Obviously, these students broke the code, and didn’t get punished, so he thought that he should punish them by filing a violation. Lots of pressure was put on him by the Dean and UVA and he was told to take the violations off record or he would be fired. He didn’t take them off, so he was fired. I think that this is a worthy move, and the right move, and I am proud of his boldness. I feel like that is the right thing to do and UVA is hypocritical if they do not agree. How do they expect us, as students, to follow this Honor Code if they, themselves, the rule-makers, don’t?
On a brighter note, its Thanksgiving tomorrow and I can’t wait. It doesn’t seem like it will be because we have classes and nothing special will be happening—even though I hope they have half-decent food. I have literally not eaten anything besides potatoes and fruit the past 3 days. I heard that the food gets awful at the end of the voyage—but I didn’t think they could just serve you that! I have been thinking a lot about home, and what I would be doing now if I was home. Thanksgiving is definitely my favorite holiday and this is my first one away from home. I just love being with family, and the feeling of having a few days off from school, and seeing what is really important in life. I love sitting at home in my pajamas, watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV, and eating those chocolate cookies from Trader Joes( I always remember the time right after I got my operation and sitting on the couch in my PJ’s next to grandpa eating nothing but those cookies and Jell-O). I love the smell of the cooking and the sound of family all around. I love cranberry sauce. And Pillsbury doe boy croissants. I love the fall. I can honestly say that I would rather be home right now than here—one of the first times I can say that—but just know everyone—family and friends alike, that I am thinking about you and am with you today. I am so thankful for this opportunity to travel the world and to experience new cultures and to meet and change the lives of as many people as I can on this great earth, but I am also so thankful for my family and friends and their support, love, emails, letters, and for always remembering me. I am the luckiest girl in the world.
We are bunkering at the Rock of Gibraltar tomorrow or the next day—I forget—but I am so excited. Ever since I got the 365 Days: Earth from Above book, and saw this rock, I have wanted to go there! I am so excited and will take lots of pictures!