Check In Day!

Thursday, August 27, 2009 Lauren Gray

Check in day did not get off to a good start. I didn’t really sleep the night before. The whole bed at the hotel was down (which I am allergic to). So needless to say I didn’t get much sleep. I woke up about 6 (after not going to bed until around 1) and I couldn’t breathe and my throat and back hurt. It was pretty much awful. Dad was awake too so we just slowly got moving and then eventually got my bags packed and headed to port. We were one of the first people there since we were about 30 minutes early. I guess that is what happens when you can’t sleep. The ship did not dock until about 7 that morning so we had a little bit of a delay waiting for it to clear customs. It was coming from Norfolk, which is where they picked up the faculty. I kept looking for Charis and she finally showed up about 9:15 or so, Turns out that their flight on Delta was delayed and then canceled so they had to jump on an Air Canada flight and didn’t get in until about 4am. Their bags haven’t made it yet.

Once check in got started, I found out that I got bumped from Deck 2 to Deck 4! Score! That is a slightly bigger and more expensive room, but I still only paid like I was on Deck 2. I think they moved a lot of people out of Deck 2 because there are only 521 students rather then the 700 they were expecting. The only hiccup in security was that they took my duct tape L Apparently it is not allowed on the ship, but I still haven’t figured out why.

Once I got onboard, I found my room and put my backpack, camera bag and computer in the room. SAS took my big bags and they were brought back to my cabin later.

I was able to find Charis on the ship and we just wondered around and met a few more people. We eventually had to go to our Orientation meeting. All the deans introduced themselves, as well as the other staff we will be working with. I got my assignment. I will be working in the career services office, which is basically coming up with seminars (nightly meetings that SAS does an different things). I am working with a guy named Mario, who is my supervisor, and we are the only ones in the office, but we will work with a lot of different offices. The neat thing is that this is the first voyage where this office has been established. So Mario and I basically get to make it our own and pass it on. A little about Mario – he is working on his Masters and is employed at Florida International University and lives in Miami, but originally from California.

After we were done with orientation, I went back to my cabin and unpacked everything. I have a lot more room then I thought I was going to. The sweater organizer thing that I got at Bed Bath and Beyond that hangs in the closet was the best decision ever. I got everything up packed and still had room for my roommate who I am assuming checks in tomorrow. I think her name is Rosario Rico or at least that is the name that was on the box that was in the room.

Dad picked me up and we went and explored Halifax. We walked down to the pier and walked around a bit. We got ice cream at Cows, which apparently is the best ice cream in Canada and in the top 10 in the World. It was pretty tasty. We also saw a bagpipe/drummer pair which I thought was weird but it sounded good.

I am now back in hotel taking advantage of the free internet while I have the chance. Dad and I are about to head back to the ship for the parent’s reception. I have to help check all 350 parents in and then I am free to go. I don’t know how long we are staying or even what this reception is about, but I guess I will find out.

I can’t believe we set sail tomorrow! The ship is beautiful, but it looks so tiny compared to the HUGE Carnival ship that is docked next to it. The Union, where we have Global Studies, isn’t as big as I thought it was and I don’t know how everyone is going to fit in there. I also got to eat lunch on the ship and everyone said ship food was gross, but I didn’t think it was that bad. But that is all I have right now. Update again when I get the chance!

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"I Feel Like I Need to Put On Some Plaid and Be a Lumbejack."

Wednesday, August 26, 2009 Lauren Gray

This morning went a lot smoother then I thought it would. Mom woke me up around 7 and we started getting everything together. Most everything was down in front of the front door so I ran up the stairs many times making sure that I had this or that. I almost forgot Puca! That would have been horrible! Haha. Warren, Tracy, Mom and I all loaded up the car and headed to the airport. I managed to get all my stuff into by two bags (at final weigh in at the airport they were 48.5 and 49 pounds). Dad and I checked in for our Air Canada flight and Bobbi-Lee was with us. After everything was situated we headed to security. I said goodbye to Mom, and Warren and Tracy. Then it was just Pam, Dad and I. We took some pictures and then said goodbye to Pam. Everything this morning went really smoothly. I was expecting everything I could imagine to go wrong. I didn’t forget my passport. We made it to the airport on time. So really it was great.

The flight from Nashville to Toronto was pretty good despite the fact that we were on a little plane. Once we landed in Toronto, we had our customs cards filled out and went through customs. Apparently some SAS people had already been through because the guy already knew what I was talking about. W had to get the bags that we checked. We somehow managed to get all of mine and Bobbi-Lee’s luggage and walk it to the place to drop them off. Then we had to go through security again. I forgot to take off my belt and I had to walk through the stupid thing about 5 times before I figured out what it was.

We got to our gate and dropped our stuff. Dad and I grabbed a bite to eat and then just hung out for the next flight. When we boarded our flight to Halifax I kept looking around to see if any more SAS kids were on board, but I didn’t see any. We were on an airbus so they had TV screens in the headrests with movies to watch and music to listen to, but stupid me put my headphones in checked luggage. I forgot to charge my iPod so I figured I wouldn’t need them. Bad move. The only way to get headphones was to now pay $3. No thanks. It was slightly sad because they had 17 Again as a movie to watch and I wanted to get my Zefron fill. Oh well. The rest of the flight went well.

We got off the plane and headed to baggage claim. After grabbing our bags we went to get the rental car. While we were waiting there a girl asked us if we were on Semester At Sea. Her name was Caitlin I think and she went to school at SMU, but went to high school at Harpeth Hall. Small world! We some how managed to squeeze all of our bags into the impala.

Nova Scotia (at least around Halifax) is very wooded and absolutely beautiful. It seems like how Seattle would be. I was so pretty! Once we got into Halifax, which was about 30 minutes from the airport, it was just this quaint little town. According to Rob (The bellhop at the Marriott), Halifax has the most pubs per capita then anywhere else in Canada. It is an absolutely beautiful city and I wish I had more time to explore.

After dropping Bobbui-Lee off at her hotel, we made out WalMart run. We got there pretty easily and got what I needed. After spending entirely way too much money there, we tried to get back to our hotel to check in. Logic says that you can just follow the MapQuest directions backwards…yeah. Well needless to say it didn’t work out that well. We eventually did get back to hotel, but not without a good tour of the city. We tried to drive down to the port to get a glimpse of the MV Explorer, but it was blocked and we couldn’t see it.

The hotel is interesting. I was sitting in the car waiting on Dad get checked when this man in a kilt comes up and knocks on the window. Why on earth is someone dressed in a kilt in Canada and knocking on my window? Well come to find out, it was Rob the bellhop. So with his help we got the car unloaded and found a place for dinner.

Bobbi-Lee, Dad and I ate at the Five Fisherman. It was delicious. They had a free muscle bar. I had never really had muscles before, but I really liked them. Dinner was good, but just as we were about to leave, a woman came up to our table and asked if we were a part of SAS. Her daughter, Madelyn, was going. So we chatted for a bit. Madelyn is on my deck so we might end up being roommates. That would be interesting.

I check in tomorrow! It’s pretty crazy! I can’t believe everything starts tomorrow. I have so much stuff and I really don’t want to haul it all to the ship tomorrow. All of it has to be searched and what not for prohibited items. We are then spending the rest of the day training or something. I really have no idea.

Dad made up a neat song about Bobbi-Lee and I. I have no idea what tune it is in so make up your own but here it goes

This is the story of Lauren Gray and Bobbi-Lee

Setting out for Semester at Sea

Bobbi-Lee didn’t bring her parents

But Lauren had her Dad in tow oh oh oh

That’s it or something pretty close to that. Haha

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Time To Go!!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009 Lauren Gray
I leave for Halifax in less then 10 hours. And, as usual, I can't sleep. I have my bags all packed and they are waiting for me downstairs. I managed to fit everything into 2 rolling duffels (both of which weigh under 50 pounds), my travel pack, and my camera bag. Dad is carrying on my regular school backpack for me, but I don't count that because all it has in it are my books for class. I plan on not bringing those bad boys back with me so it will be more for all the wonderful things I am going to purchase in the coming months.
I don't think all of this is going to set in until I am on board and I have checked in. I just keep thinking that I am going to get there and I am not going to have my passport, or the whole thing was a joke and I am not going to get to go and I have to go back to WKU. I know neither of these things are not going to happen, but those thoughts are always in the back of my mind. I just have been working towards this for so long that I don't want to have it taken away.
But on a more positive note, Bobbi-Lee and I are meeting at the airport and then us 2 and Dad are boarding our flight through Toronto to Halifax. Dad rented a car so we will be giving Bobbi-Lee a ride to the Sheraton (where she and Carley are staying) and then we are headed to our hotel. After we check in we have to make a WalMart run (which is 2 miles away) so I can get all the heavy stuff that I didn't pack like Shampoo.
I am beyond ready for this adventure to start and I can't wait to meet everybody. I really want to know who my roommate is. Whoever it is, I am sure they are going to be amazing! So I guess I need to go to sleep since it is almost 2 in the morning and I have to get up in 5 hours.
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I Am Officially Freaking Out!

Monday, August 24, 2009 Lauren Gray
Semester At Sea says to layout everything you think you need and then put half of it back and put back the rest....yeah right. I laid everything out and then did not put any of it back and proceeded to put it in my bags. Everything seemed fine - both of my checked bags were under 50 pounds and my camera bag fit everything in it. But then the problem began when I realized how much I had left to put in my carry ons. I am taking my travel pack and my regular school backpack (which Dad is carrying on). Those stupid books for class are SUPER heavy, plus Strenecky wants us to bring a packet of printer paper. Right now, I am thinking I will leave the paper at home and try to scrounge some up in Halifax. For some reason my travel pack seems HUGE. And my laptop is posing a problem because i don't really have a bag to protect it in so that is a little worrisome. Dad and I are going to have a tone of stuff to get in Halifax and I have no idea where I am going to put it to bring it aboard. 
Just to add a little bit more stress, I can't find the cable that connects my external hard drive to my computer, which sucks and I turned my room upside down looking for it. So I guess I just basically I am freaking out about nothing. It is finally hitting me that I am leaving. I went to Bowling Green today and said goodbye to everyone. That was weird and really kind of sad. They were doing recruitment and it was really weird being there and not being completely exhausted, and stressing out about PNMs getting their applications in on time or Pi Chis wearing the right thing and making sure they were ready for their groups. It was really good to get to see everybody again. 
I really can't believe I leave in a little over 24 hours. It all just seems so surreal. 
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This Has Nothing to do with SAS, but....

Saturday, August 22, 2009 Lauren Gray
Today Mom, Memi and I headed to the Wilson County Fair. The only thing I really wanted to
do was get some roasted corn and play bingo. We never found Bingo, but roasted corn was freaking amazing. We made our way over to the rides and rode the carousel - of course. Afterward, we saw some people gathered around a pen for some sort of race. Turns out it was Capuchin monkeys riding on the back's of dogs. I must say that was the first time I have ever seen that. The highlight of the day (and maybe the low point as well) came when we found a free petting zoo. We got a bag of carrots and went on to see the cow, goats, llamas, and a camel. Everything was going great until the llamas. First off, llamas are probably the weirdest cutest animals ever. Well this one brown was following us around. I was feeding him and then got out my camera and took a couple pictures. Then right as I was putting my camera away, the lovely llama sneezed on me. Yep, sneezed on me. Gross, but soooo funny.

There is a picture of the lovely llama

The rest of the day was not that eventful. We found the rabbit and poultry pen. There are some HUGE rabbits! But they are so cute and so soft. There are also some weird looking chickens/rosters.
So in the end at the fair we rode a carousel, fed a camel, watched a monkey race on a dog's back, ate some roasted corn, saw some weird looking chickens and got sneezed on my a camel. All in all a successful day at the fair.


The two llamas
Camel!!
Llama Face
The monkey racing on the dogs back



The kitty at the little produce stand we stopped at on the way home
Weird looking chicken #1
Weird looking chicken #2 (below)
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Money Money Money

Friday, August 21, 2009 Lauren Gray
I was finally able to get some currency converted for all the countries I am going to. If an future SASers read this - get the money packet. It makes life so much easier. There is only one place in Nashville where you can exchange currency and of course it is in the airport. Once I found them it really wasn't all the bad, but the first woman I talked to who had no idea what she was doing and wanted me to wait 30 minutes for the next guy to start his shift. Needless to say Mom and I didn't wait. I went back later and Chad was very helpful. He was able to give the Euro, Japanese Yen and Moroccan money. I went an picked up Vietnam, South Africa, India, and China yesterday. It is neat looking at all the different money. South Africa is my favorite because it has the Big 5 on it. It is also crazy to think that 25 UDS is equal to 330,000 Vietnamese Dong. Kind of crazy.

On a different note - only 5 days until I leave for Halifax - its crazy! Then a week from today we actually set sail. WBKO and WKU both did stories on us this week. Click the links if you want to read more.
I have pretty much everything laid out that I am taking, but it hasn't quite made its way into my suitcases yet. But other then that I only have 3 more things left to buy and they are small things, so now all there is to wait....
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I Want

Thursday, August 13, 2009 Lauren Gray
What do I want from SAS? A life-changing adventure? probably going to happen. But what about the small things that I probably won't notice until I get home? I have come to realize with studying abroad a couple summers ago and with Disney last semester, that I pretty much have to have a list of things I want to and accomplish in order to get it done. There are always those things that you put off for tomorrow and then in the end you never get around to doing them. I was Disney for 4 months and I still didn't do everything there. Mainly because I always put it off thinking....Oh I am going to be here 4 months I will do it eventually - wrong. I realize that when I am in a country that this is not going to be so much of an issue because I realize that I have limited time there. On the ship is a totally different story. At the beginning 109 Days is going to seem like a lifetime, but its not. Before we know it we are going to be disembarking in San Diego. I don't want that to happen with SAS. I want to seize every moment and take nothing for granted.
But back to the original question....what do I want out of SAS? I want a fulfilling experience. I want to be moved and to help other people. I want to make lifelong friends and memories for a lifetime. I also want to make a somewhat bucket list for each country. Just things that I would like to do while I am there. But there are some broad things that have to do with SAS in general and here is what I have come up with so far.
- Do something that scares me and I wouldn't normally do in each country. Whether that be riding a zip line from the top of the Great Wall or getting up and dancing Flamenco in front of an audience.
- Never say no to doing something. Never turn down something that could lead to an amazing experience, new memories, or meeting new people.
- Eat the local cuisine and try things that I would normally turn my nose up at. (and cross my fingers that I don't get sick)
- Have a conversation with a local. That conversation can be either just be a fun conversation or a long meaningful one. I don't really care. I just want to feel out the local people.
- Take a jumping picture
- Leave a piece of myself in every country - not literally - like how I left a piece of my heart in Olomouc, Czech Republic.
- I want to figure out what each city's word is. For those of you who have read Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat Pray Love you know what I am talking about. IF you haven't read it - read it. It's amazing.
- Have my beliefs tested
- Make a difference for someone and give back to each country.

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2 Weeks To Go!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009 Lauren Gray
Holy Crap! In two weeks I will be boarding my flight with Dad and Bobbi-Lee (we just discovered last night that we are on the same flight!) to Halifax by way of Toronto. I am kind of glad we are going through Toronto rather then anywhere in NYC. It really hasn't been a good year for planes and the Hudson.

I have also tried to start packing. After countless trips to Wal-Mart and TJMaxx, I think I finally have enough "dry-drip, lightweight" clothing for washing in the sink and all the medications I could want. With the exception of my always needed Tylenol Allergy Sinus. When I tried to stock up they wouldn't let me buy it because I forgot my ID in the car and I really didn't feel like going out and getting it. Clearly, she didn't believe me when I told her I was 22....whoops! She also didn't seem to believe my reasoning for buying 4 boxes of it. I guess she figured I had something to do with meth - yep totally true. Oh well I will just have to get it later with proper id....so dumb.

WKU held a meeting for all of us going on SAS. Carley and one other person couldn't me there. So 6 of us and our parents met in Grise to discuss this coming semester. I feel like we are all going to be poster children for WKU Study Abroad, which isn't a bad thing. But WKU's study abroad programs kind of suck and they are no help when it comes to classes and info. The real only saving grace of the office is Judy Scott. She is absolutely wonderful! But they are trying to revamp everything. After media release forms we collected and head shots and video were taken, we were finally allowed to get down to business. Prof. Strenecky was there and I am super pumped about his class. It sounds amazing! But then they had this really creepy doctor speak from Health Services and really wasn't that helpful. But then again I had already sat through speech at both the Vanderbilt Travel Clinic and Dr. Mallard's office.

Overall, the meeting I didn't find was really that helpful, but it was nice to meet all the other people from WKU going. Aforementioned Bobbi-Lee is a Chi O at WKU and lives in Portland. So thats exciting. We discovered last night that we are on the same flight. While her and Carley are staying in a different hotel, we are pretty close by.

I also talked to Charis and come to find out we don't have to stay on the ship on the night on the 27th, but we do have to be at work at 8 the next morning to help check everybody in. We also have to work the parents reception thing the night of the 27th in addition to training all day on the 27th. It will be fun to finally meet other people! It is crazy to think that all of this is only 2 weeks away! EEEKKK!
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What In The World Am I Doing?

Thursday, August 06, 2009 Lauren Gray
*Just letting you know this is an uber long post....you were warned!*

I am sitting down trying to figure out what the heck I am going to be doing while I am on Semester At Sea. I think I have finally gotten it figured out. I am combining doing trips through SAS and doing some things independently. I feel like I did a lot through SAS, but as that may have costed extra it will give me piece of mind and now that I really don't have to worry about things going wrong and that all the details are taken care of. So here is what I have got so far:

Spain
I am doing three different day trips through SAS. The days I am not doing the day trips I plan to just go around Cadiz. The trips I have planned are
1. Andalucian Flamenco Night - We are taking a bus to Chiclana to a bullfighting ring where the show takes place. Before the show, we will view an exhibition of spear cow taming, an amateur bullfight with young bulls (bloodless), and a horse and flamenco spectacle. There are 2 different shows. The first show is a normal show and then the second after a break for the dancers then the second show has audience participation. 
2. Hike at Grazalema Natural Park - We take the White Town Route to Grazalema, one of the most famous natural parks in Andalucia.  Where we hike is one of the most important ecological reserves. We will learn about Pinsapo, which is a species of pine tree that is a survivor of the past glacial ages and is considered a "living fossil." The park is also home to many birds of prey. We will hike through the park to reach the Puerto de las Cumbres where the are amazing views of the Andalucian Sierras can be seen.
3. Feria de la Virgen de la Luz - Tarifa - Enjoy the colors, sounds, music and dancing of one of these celebrations and find out why they are some of the most important of the Andalucian calendar. 

Morocco
Most of my time will be taken up on the overnight I am going on. Here is the itinerary. 
Marrakech and Camel Trek in the Sahara - Day 1: Depart by bus to Marrakech where we will have free time to explore the city. That evening we will enjoy a Moroccan dinner with folklore show and horse fantasia at Chez Ali. Day 2: Travel to Zagora in the Draa Valley. We stop in Ouarzazate. We will enjoy dinner in a nomad tent before settling into camp for the night. Day 3: This morning we will venture into the Sahara Desert on an early morning mehari (camel trek) with nomads. We will return to Marrakech later that night and have the evening free to explore. Day 4: Enjoy the morning in the city before returning to Casablanca that afternoon.

Ghana
I get to see Margaret Walker! yay! But when I am not hanging out wit Margaret and exploring Accra. I have to go on a FDP (which is an excursion that is required for class) and an overnight trip.
1. Global Mama: Micro Lending in Action - This will focus on small business and micro-lending in Africa. We are participating in a workshop conducted by Global Mamas. Global Mamas is a non profit organization that develops business programs for small, women-owned businesses in Africa. They aim to increase revenues of those businesses so that women and their families can have sustainable livelihoods. The workshop is designed to provide education on the role of financing, leadership, teamwork and decision making in small business. During the workshop we will meet some of the women operating these businesses and tour Makola Market. If you want to learn more about Global Mamas click here.
2. Cultural Immersion - Day 1: Depart to the village of Torgorme, located on the lower Volta River. We will pay a courtesy call to the paramount chief and elders of the village amidst traditional drumming and dancing by villagers, and participate in a naming ceremony in which you will be given traditional African names (that should be interesting haha). Other activities include a demonstration of pottery-making, which is the main occupation of the women in Torgorme, and traditional drumming and dancing by the villagers. In the afternoon, we will go to Tafi Atome, which is a village that has practiced conservation as a culture by keeping their monkeys sacred. Here is where will be united with our host families. We will join the villagers by the fireside. After dinner, listen to interesting folktales and stories of Ewe history and heroism, and learn the origin and meaning of your clan name as a told with pride by the knowledgeable local people of this land.  Day 2:We leave early morning to go to a viewing of Ghana's sacred monkeys. After breakfast we will drive to the foot of Afadjato Mountain, which is appox. 2950 feet about sea level. We will then climb to the highest peak in Ghana. After descending, we will walk through the rainforest and have lunch at the base of Tagbo Falls. 

South Africa
While in Capetown, I plan on climbing table mountain at some point. If I have time I would love to go to Robben Island too.  But I am also going to a township and to the District 6 Museum, which tells the story of South Africa's racial situation. What I am looking forward to most is the Safari in Kruger National Park!! It is a 3 day safari and we will be looking for the Big 5 (rhino, elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo).  This I will be able to check one thing off my bucket list!!

Mauritius
I am not really sure what to expect here. From what I gather, it the getaway  island of wealthy Asians and Europeans. Past SASers have treated this as a many spring break spending most of the time on the beach and snorkeling. So I am just going to play this one by ear.

India
I am really excited about this port because I get to see Shashank! He is organizing a trip to the Taj and whatever else seems interesting. The only other thing for sure is getting me a sari. I am super pumped about that. I felt really stupid when he asked me what I wanted because apparently there are a ton of different designs and accessories and what not. 

Vietnam
While here I have a couple FDPs. I have to go visit the Nike plant and a sit down session with some of the operators. I think this whole thing is weird because why would Nike invite american students to come see their sweatshop?? But anyway, I am also going to be doing the $100 solution for my international service learning class. I am really excited about this because we are actually going to be making a difference for children at an orphanage. These children have been disabled by the agent orange that was used during the Vietnam War (or the American War as they call it) Last time SAS visited this orphanage they got them a water heater. Before their visit, the children there had never known hot water. So its nice to give something back. The big trip I have planned in Vietnam is going to Cambodia. While in Cambodia we will visit Phnom Penh and Angkor Wat. Day 1:While in Phnom Penh we will visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. We will also visit the Palm Tree Orphanage, which is supported by Cambodia's Hope which was founded by 2 SAS alums. We will have a sunset cruise on the Mekong Delta for dinner. Day 2: In the morning we will visit the Tuol Sleng Museum, the Killing Fields and the Russian Market. Afterward, we will fly to Siem Reap and explore around Angkor Wat. Day 3: We will have the day to explore around the temples until our flight back to Ho Chi Minh City. I really want to go to the Cu Chi Tunnels as well, but I will only do it if I have time. 

China
The ship works a little differently here. The ship docks in Hong Kong as well as Shanghai, but we don't have to be on the boat as it goes from Hong Kong to Shanghai. We can get off the ship in Hong Kong and then meet the ship in Shanghai - that way we have more time to spend in the country. For Hong Kong, the only thing I have planned there is spending the day at Disneyland Hong Kong. I am so pumped. The other thing I have planned is a Beijing University Hosted Tour. This is where there are no professional tour guides, but rather the college students are our guides. They will take around to The Great Wall, Summer Palace, Tiananmen  Square, Forbidden city and the temple of Heaven and many other place as well as getting to interact with the students. So that should be pretty interesting. It is a 4 day trip and will take up most of my time in China. After getting off the ship in Hong Kong I will get on this trip and then meet the ship in Shanghai. 

Japan
This is the country I plan to do completely independently because of the ease of getting around. Also, it is one of the safest countries we are visiting so I don't have to worry too much about getting jumped. The works the same way here as in China. We originally get off in Yokohama and then get back on in Kobe. I plan to spend a day in each city I visit. I really want to go to Hiroshima, Kyoto, Tokyo (Disneyland Tokyo included!!!) and then Kobe to get back on the ship!

So that is basically my journey! I am so excited and I can not even believe I am finally going to get to go! 20 Days!

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