Alright- The past week or so on the ship has been a very chaotic experience. The ambassadors (my work study) held our Auction, shipboard drive/ annual fund, Spirit Week, and so much more. I didn’t sleep for 48 hours, and played Solitaire in the computer lab for 5 hours straight. In this time on the ship I have recognized who I like, who I dislike, and who I wish I had gotten to know.
There are many things in the countries we visited that I wanted to do, but just didn’t have enough time or money. I will surely visit these countries again so I opted to stray away from the “tourist-things”- no matter how amazing it’d be to visit- I did NOT want to be on a bus/plane with 60 other SASers and view the world from inside an Air Conditioned bus while sipping Coca Cola and eating Oreos- that is not what I signed up for. I signed up for a cultural experience- where I could be put in someone else's shoes for even a minute, and enter their world, and by doing what I did; service projects, and touring our ports and going random places- not knowing where I was going to be lead- I feel like I accomplished this. Now I am not saying to not go on the big trips- so many people had the time of their lives on them, I would just rather go see some of the world’s greatest wonders without the conveniences of American, and without the rest of the ship. So here is what I did NOT do:
Spain- I did not go to Barcelona- instead I split my time between Cadiz and Seville and formed some of the best friendships with people on the voyage.
Morocco- I did not go on a camel trek- I have ridden camels (granted not in the Sahara) but I would not want to ride camels through a hot dessert for 5 days- it just doesn’t appeal to me, a day or 2 would be sufficient enough, and then you’d get to see more of Morocco. So instead- I went to Marrakech with 2 people I barely knew, became great friends with them, met a Moroccan man who showed us all around Marrakech, he toured us through the souks, and brought us to a hole-in-the-wall mansion converted to a restaurant for lunch where we had an amazing meal.
In Ghana a lot of people went to Togo and Benin- which would be awesome, but they didn’t even see Ghana- they saw it for about 4 hours when they returned. And to me, Ghana is one of the greatest experiences anyone could indulge in. Everyone is so laid back, and inspirational, and they’re some of the friendliest people in the world. All I did was go to Rasta parties on the beach, play drums for hours on end, and form friendships that would last a lifetime. And almost got arrested…but that was everyone in Ghana on SAS.
In South Africa- this was my top favorite fun port. I did go bungee jumping and shark diving, which a lot of kids did- but clearly not through SAS. The clubs were a lot of fun, as were the locals. I hiked Table Mountain, but sadly did not go to Johannesburg. But the big thing I didn’t do was go on a safari. Sure it’d be fun- but 4 days of the same reserve seems like a little overkill. Instead I went to the Cape of Good Hope- and viewed the world from the southernmost point of Africa.
Mauritius- Was basically everyone’s “party port” (which was essentially every port) - There was not anything “big” to do here except rent a villa and hang out on the beach- which I didn’t do. I saw 7 colored earths, and went zip lining.
India- So I didn’t go to the Taj Mahal- which is no doubt spectacular. But again- I will surely visit these countries again. There is just so much more to see, and you don’t get to see and experience a lot when you’re riding in buses and planes. A lot of people said the Taj was incredible- but their trips were rushed- so they recommended planning your own (plus it’s cheaper that way).
Vietnam- I did not go to Hai Long Bay or the Mekong Delta directly- but these I would recommend doing at some point because the photos I have seen are some of the most gorgeous ones. I did visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, and got to know Ho Chi Minh City a lot. I have also mastered walking out in front of traffic and not getting a single scratch on me.
China- I did not get a chance to hike the Great Wall- and this is something that I will accomplish the next time I visit China.
Japan- There was a lot I wanted to do here- but there is so little time in each port. I would have loved to go to Hiroshima, Kamkura, and Kyoto... But I plan to live in Japan at some point in my life- so I will definitely visit these places.
Again- I’m not saying don’t do any of the big trips- definitely do. But if you have a small budget, and really want an authentic experience- I’m telling you that this is extremely possible, and I personally would not have had as much as an amazing time as I did if I had gone on the “Big Trips” with SASers.
I just don’t like traveling in big groups- however if you do “Big Trips” independently in small groups- you will surely have the time of your life.
It has definitely hit me how much I am already missing SAS, and I’m not even off the ship. I love all of the people I have spent time with on this voyage, and it’s going to be a challenge to assimilate back into American culture, and go to classes on a non-moving campus (unless you want to get technical…)
Having 10 days on this ship has certainly made us all crazy- but we barely notice it since we’re all acting this way.
I can’t even begin to describe this trip to anyone. As much as I want to share things with people, it will be hard for them to fully understand any experience I have had.
Everything I have previously learned in life, I completely threw out the window on this voyage. I talked to strangers- and learned so many opinions and views, I took food from strangers, and found it to be some of the most delicious food that has ever graced my taste buds, I spent days in these countries by myself- and had some of the most eye-opening experiences ever, I didn’t follow the head to my elders advice, I walk out in front of on-coming traffic (because this is the only way you will ever cross the street in Viet Nam), I trust strangers, I hop onto the backs of motorbikes, jump from the highest bungees, and swim with great whites.
When you’re on this trip, you don’t think- you just do- you experience and take in everything going on around you. You realize that there are no limits or boundaries you aren’t willing to break. I don’t really know how to describe it, nothing mattered, yet everything mattered- all at the same time. I just let things happen, and went with the flow. I had no worries- which may be both good and bad. I was lost many times- but I felt safe, so I was okay.
Any stereotype I had of other countries has been broken, or understood. Every stereotype I had of America was sadly confirmed. (We are loud- you will especially notice this in Japan- and at some point in your voyage you will surely be embarrassed by how stereotypically “American” some people are).
It’s hard to imagine that this voyage was real life. More real than anything I have ever experienced.
No matter how much anyone writes about SAS, or tells you, there is no way to prepare you for anything you are about to experience, good or bad. Go in with an open mind and don’t set expectations for any countries- you’ll never be disappointed if you do this.
I realize how random this entry is…well surely all of my blogs are random. And if you couldn’t tell- “surely” seems to be my new word.
As I wind down my journey… I am happy to almost be on my way home. I would even be alright if we skipped Hawaii even though I have never been. China and Japan with their weather and Christmas decorations really put me in the mood to be back home. This voyage has been the most amazing thing I have ever gone through- and I really am going to miss just about everything about it, even some of the crazy ship rules. (They aren’t that bad- just ridiculous). I will miss the crew, and the friends I have made. I will miss being able to be in a new country every 7 days, and the fact that only had 23 class days while aboard. I will miss the diversity of the ship, and the countries, and will miss being at sea.
Any school where I can lay out while doing homework and view the most magnificent sunsets is definitely considered amazing in my book. Not to mention it’s the only school where you can get away with “My homework flew overboard” or that you didn’t come to class because “I was seasick…” Hahaha I will miss some of those excuses. Or the fact that I see half-naked men roaming around the ship 24/7... that's just an added bonus. I will also miss knowing some of the few-known secrets on the ship: Like where they hide the extra food after meals and snack bars are closed, or the fact that there is a tailor on board the ship- and that it’s free (which people would know if they read the voyagers hand book).
I guess I will finish up since my laptop battery is yelling at me, and I have a lot of papers to write.
Random fact: A football just got thrown of the edge of our ship by accident- and the entire 7th deck just applauded…. I shit you not we have been on this ship way too long if things like that amuse us. Ha-ha.
We all need some sleep, and to be on land apparently.
Farewell friends!
