Okay, so this is worth the update in my book.

Who would have thunk that it'd be colder in the Southern Hemisphere right now? Certainly not I. It is partly sunny, 57 degrees, and there is a nice breeze (this is because we're traveling on a moving ship...).

So, to me... this is great tanning weather! I just spent the past hour or so outside soaking up some rays- of course I was the only person doing so (which never happens). It was so relaxing. Anyways, the real reason for this blog update is because I had such an amazing lunch (no lie). For those of you who know my incredible pickiness and how I have been living off of PB&J's here, this is a good story. (Only not really).

Today they had pumpkin pie! I don't think I need to say more. That is what my lunch was- and it was amazing.

Everyone for sure thinks I am insane since I tan in 50 degree weather and eat Pumpkin pie for lunch- but it's all good.

I'd also like to take this time to commemorate Sherwood and Dr. Debra Kelley.

RIP

Hey daddio- just checking up on you to see how you're doing. I worry about you :/

We will be in South Africa tomorrow morning :] I'm pretty excited- and really looking forward to that steak, and maybe a good glass of red wine to go with it.

 

I went to a club meeting for one of my 37865 clubs that I am in. But this one is Alcohol-Free Voyagers- me and the 7 students in it do not really drink at all, and will maybe have 1/2 glass to 1 glass of wine or a wine cooler, and oddly enough the 2 people running it do drink- but they're not drinking for this voyage, which is kind of cool.

 

There is also an LLC (life long coordinator- i.e. "supervisors of work studies") named McGarret- and he's probably mid to late 30's and he's never even tasted alcohol. He didn't get too much into detail, but I can only imagine that someone close to him abused alcohol, or maybe he just never really cared to try it, either way it's really awesome to have the support of someone like him on the ship, and he said that he is so proud of us and our group.

 

There are actually a decent amount of kids who don't drink/ don't get drunk on the ship- a lot of them just aren't in our group.

Either way it's just really nice- we try to go out together once in each port- this way we can still enjoy the nightlife without getting trashed or babysitting people from the ship, it's just us kids having fun.

And we're from all over the map- NY, Colorado, California, Hawaii, and Minnesota. I think we covered a broad area Hahaha.

 

I'm just hanging around today- no classes. I'm throwing another party for our interport students Phi and Bubelani ('fee and boo-lay-la-knee) it took me forever to get Bubelani's name correct :p

So it should be fun- I delegated some tasks to my committee so I wasn't stuck doing everything, but you know me, I like things done may way, and to my standards- so I gave them the "not-so-important" tasks so if they messed up, I would easily be able to clean up after them.

 

Oh well, hahaha.

 

I miss you and love you!

 

<3

 

Samantha Zerio

Executive Student Ambassador of Semester at Sea

Goodwill Operator

Heyo! Alright, so I figured I would do one more update before  Cape Town- which we will be in by tomorrow morning! Whoop whoop- I’m stoked.

The following is for all you History buffs, and people who like to be fountains of useless knowledge  :]

As part of my work study as Executive Ambassador- these are the types of things we get tested on/ have to know (Yes- my work study is the only one on the ship that gives tests):

The library on board has around  8,000 volumes in it.

Our Union (where Global Studies takes place) comfortably seats 450 people- but can easily fit more.

Shipboard education dates back to 1877-However in 1926 is when Dr. James Lough of NYU launched the first floating university with students.  

Shipboard Education got its “sea legs” in 1963 upon the creation of the University of Seven Seas (which was on the ship MS Seven Seas) .

Chapman College obtained administration of the program and renamed it World Campus Afloat, which took place on the SS Ryndam.

In 1970- C.Y. Tung purchased Queen Elizabeth 1, but it never sailed. Her replacement was the Universe Campus, which was later named the SS Universe. (Which set sail in 1971)

The Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE) became a non-profit organization in 1976. The program was renamed Semester at Sea, and the University of Colorado-Boulder became the academic sponsor for its first voyage on the SS Universe in 1977.

In 1981 the academic sponsor for Semester at Sea changed to the University of Pittsburgh- who had it for 25 years.

Finally in 2005 Semester at Sea got together with the University of Virginia! :]

Fun facts:

The 1^st voyage of the University of Seven Seas (1963) took 275 students to 22 different ports in 16 countries!

I’ll name some of the well-known people who have come to Semester at Sea as guests:

Arthur C. Clarke (author of A Space Odyssey)

President Mikhail Gorbachev

Sidi Mohammed (Prince of Morocco in 1988)

Desmond Tutu! Who sailed with the voyage the entire year- and lived in room 7010 :]

Nelson Mandela

Mother Teresa

Fidel Castro

Ghandi!

And so many more! I’m excited to see who we get, after all- we are the 100^th voyage. But at the same time, how can anyone top Ghandi?!?!? Rumor has it that we have 2 special guests.

And many people associate SAS with MTV’s Road Rules (which I totally forgot that they did this).

More about the MV Explorer:

She was built in 2001 in Hamburg, Germany; she has four diesel engines, and travels at the top speed of 30 knots (34mph). She is flagged in the Bahamas (because it is cheaper and easier than being flagged in the US).

The crew- aka the nicest people on earth typically come from about 20 different countries (most are from the Philippines though- which sadly got hit with a bad hurricane this week which affected some of the crews family :[ )

So there’s some information about where I am currently living. Everything is fairly up to date (with the exception of Microsoft Word- which runs 97-2003); and being on board is amazing, granted it gets dull at times.

Anywho- I am beyond excited for SA, Bubelani and Phindwa (boo-lay-la-knee, and ‘Phi’) our interport students told me about a great steak house in port- which is apparently a gorgeous port as well. But they did also mention the extremely high rate of AIDS and rape, which is good for people to know since they intend to get belligerently drunk in SA.

As for me, I will stick to some SA wine and a nice big steak :] I can’t wait to be in SA and start my adventures. I will keep you all posted as always, and probably won’t blog until after SA. Which happens to be Mid-Term week; crazy right?!?!

I hope everyone is having fun back home!

<3 Dig it.

Well I figured that I would update while I'm in Global Studies. Honestly- this class (which is mandatory by all SASers) seemed like it'd be pretty neat. Man was I wrong! I really can't even say that I have learned anything from this course, last time I found out that I am exceptionally good at drawing mushrooms and Chinese rice farmers. I have a page full of nothing but doodles, and the date. I guess the only positive thing is there are no tests or quizzes with the exception of a midterm and a final. And if you miss a day of Global Studies you can just go the next day.

Other than that not too much is going on here at sea- it's pretty boring to update when we're on the water in between countries because nothing really goes on. I mean, I go to class, I work, I study, I attend 327893 meetings, and I sleep- not so fascinating. Hahaha.

On a side note- the girl sitting next to me just threw up- that was attractive. Everyone has been getting sick between food in Ghana and the rocking of the ship heading towards South Africa (which is apparently some of the roughest waters). I however; just get sleepy, and due to my crazy stomach issues and extreme pickiness, I have yet to get sick. (With the exception of the day where my diet consisted of chocolate and Plantain chips- which I'm almost positive would screw with anyone's stomach).

I am beyond stoked to be in South Africa, and we will be there Sunday! It can not come soon enough, I have so much planned, and I feel like I have so little time. Out of the 7 days there I have one day "free".

I'm excited for the music in SA too. I mean, I've always liked other countries music (even though I have no clue what they're saying). Boolayanni (That is definitely not how you spell his name- but it's how it's pronounced) is giving me all the music on his itunes, so I'm pretty excited for that. I have a bunch of Ghanaian music from Nii, and some Spanish disco-techa from Marta.

I suppose I should rest my fingers because they will be on fire after SA because I will have so much to write about I'm sure. Plus- I should really listen to professor Winchester, especially since I'm in the front row.

On a side note- I cannot believe we're almost into October- I definitely miss my New England weather, with the leaves changing color, and I'm really upset I'll be missing LU's Oktoberfest :[

But I think I made out like a bandit by being able to travel the world. It doesn't look much like Autumn here- but then again, how can ocean water really resemble Autumn? There have been some life forms out here lately- a few moths on ship, and some birds in sight, but other than that- nothing.

Alright- I will put my procrastination to an end.

Talk to you all after SA.

Much <3

Hello everyone! And greetings from the Southern Hemisphere! :]

Today was the highly anticipated day called Neptune Day!

We crossed the equator this morning!

Some of the crew went around in toga/gladiator gear around 7:30 and woke everyone up with whistles and by banging on pots and pans down the floors on all the decks. (I had already been up of course, so I taped them).

"Activities" started at 9:00...for those of you who are left in the dark- Traditionally in the Navy- those who have never crossed the equator (pollywogs) have their heads shaved by King Neptune himself. I had "fish guts" dumped on me, dove into the pool, and then I kissed a fish (I'm almost positive it kissed me back- and my lips still linger of fish). Hahaha but it was definitely fun. And for those of you wondering, I did NOT  shave my head.

As tempting as it was at some points I over viewed the following things:

I love my hair, and it's getting really long.
Everyone compliments my hair, and people specifically told me NOT to get rid of my "gorgeous hair".
I have a GAZILLION dollars worth of hair products on the ship with me.
After your 5 minutes of fame- you are just an ugly bald chick on the ship.
After the head shaving you have to get a trim anyways because they miss a bunch of random spots.
It's really hard to pull the look off- And only one girl I've seen looks decent and that's because she kept a mohawk.
Everyone has been tanning- but clearly their scalps have not- so they look like glow sticks.
Hair grows back differently.
My hair would look like a fro growing back.
It'd be itchy and have awkward growth stages.
China is going to be cold.
People are going to look ugly in their photos.

I mean, I definitely cheered for the girls with long hair that did it- but let's be honest- they're not Demi Moore's, and they don't look attractive at all.

All in all today has been fun so far, and I am glad I have my hair with me still.

I'm all showered, headed to lunch, then working on homework.

I bowed in front of the prince, and he dubbed me a shellback (meaning I have gone through the process of crossing the equator and doing the appropriate events).
I then kissed King Neptune's ring, and received a certificate.

I'll keep you kid's updated. 7 days until we're in South Africa! And 8/9 days until I do outrageous things! :]
I can't wait!

Stoked!

<3

Oh my lanta! I cannot even express to everyone just how much I want to move to Ghana. This country is by far the best country ever- you just have to see it! Yesterday I went to a cocoa farm- I’ll give you some background information…My friend/hall mate Chloe is from Iowa- where her father owns a candy store. (Palmer’s candy) And one of their huge distributors is located in Ghana. So Chloe, Olivia and I headed out to the Total gas station (outside of our port) and we waited for Rahul. We weren’t too sure what to expect- then after about 15 minutes a nice SUV pulls up, and a well-dressed Indian man (Rahul) came out. He’s was insanely friendly and we headed out on our 3 hour venture to the Cocoa farms. I just can’t describe to you how amazing everything was! We met Cocoa farmers, and they cracked open the cocoa pods, and there was this white placenta over the cocoa beans, and they told us to suck on the placenta. They tasted so good- surprisingly like fruit. The villages were amazing, and the people were all so friendly! Tomorrow is our last day in Ghana (SO depressing :[ ) and my goal is to find someone with a mean bone in their body. They’re just too nice here! I can’t even explain it. This country is beautiful inside and out. Everyone is so content with what they have, and they’re all happy. Their life is full of hard work- but yet it’s so simple.  I am beyond ready to live in Ghana. I seriously think I might spend a summer here after graduation. I could make drums, farm cocoa pods, and just listen to Reggae- It’s definitely the life!

            So I’m doing “pretty” well about trying new foods- and by that I mean I try one thing that looks decent in every country, and is a part of their culture. (These “tastings” probably aren’t very adventurous- but to me they were)

To date:

Spain- Sangria (It was quite potent, but good)

Morocco- Mint Tea, and some pigeon with honey thing? (Delicious!)

Ghana- PLANTAIN CHIPS- So effing good! Take the BEST potato chip you have ever had, and multiply it by 48976475- that is how amazing these things are! Yum!

I met male interport student last night and took him to dinner (on the ship). I would type his name, but I would completely butcher it- but I will have him write it down. He’s crazy awesome and gave us some lingo to use in SA. Such as… SA which is how everyone in South Africa calls their country). He also told us that sometimes Africans will just make noises and sounds and clicking noises so stupid American tourists will think they’re talking in another language. (When really they’re just making stuff up to see how we react).

Anyways- Back to Ghana- the best country to ever exist! They are CRAZED over Obama, like… he legit has more billboards, pins, shirts, and stickers of him than Ghana’s own president. Hahaha.

A few tidbit facts (which may be repeats):

Ghana is one of the largest Cocoa distributors in the world.

The national language in Ghana is English.

The US Embassy is BIGGER than the Ghanaian presidents’ home.

Cape Coast arguably the BEST tasting pineapple in the world.

Our SAS voyage is the first to ever come to Ghana.

The previous being said: We are also one of the LARGEST groups of Americans to come to Ghana at one point in time.

And… everyone should live here.

Okay- so today we went to the castles and slave dungeons and learned a little more about the history of slave trade. We went to Cape Coast which is in Central Ghana (about 3 hours from our port Tema). The coast is breath-taking! I would take Cape Coast over any Hawaiian/Tahitian/Exotic place any day!

Here they have an enormous fishing industry- and fields and fields of people! (Who are super friendly of course). They had separate dungeons for males and females, and without going into great detail- it was a very quite day at the dungeons because it was so intense to be in the presence of something so historical. Our first castle was St.George’s Castle which is more commonly referred to as Elmina castle nowadays. From there we headed to Cape Coast Castle. Both of the castles had “The door of no return”- and as implies, if you went through it, you never came back.

We had “lunch” on the bus. Now…thank HEAVENS I had brought snacks because I am picky. But it is actually quite funny to see how other people perceive Americans, and their food habits. The castles packed us meals to eat on our ride back- and as sweet as it was that they tried to cater to Americans… they probably should have just stuck to basics.

Nobody could call me picky today because not a single person ate/fully ate what we had.

Picture this: You have a slice of sour bread on the bottom, tuna on top of that, another slice of bread, chopped up hot dogs on top of that, ANOTHER slice of bread, mayonnaise, eggs, and ketchup on top of that, and then the top piece of bread.

Call me insane- but I am not aware of that being a prevalent sandwich back in the States. Hahaha. Anyways. Ghana has been such an amazing experience, and I have been proposed to (like many other girls) about 3278438947 times- but it’s so cute! And the kids are adorable! They constantly ask you to take their photo so they can see themselves, and then love goofing off for us. Everyone smiles and waves here, and it’s just a no-pressure laid back kind of place.

I swear there is no laws here- because everyone does whatever they want…but not in a destructive sense.

And I also love seeing business men, in suits and ties, walking on the side of the main highway- and stopping to take a dump- just right there. I feel like it is completely acceptable to pee and poo wherever here…but they’re clean about it. (Like you won’t step in urine or poo on the street). I love it!

I’m going to get a little personal here: Long story- really short- I peed on a lizard yesterday. That’s all I will say. I will tell you about my experiences when I return :]

I have also seen more Ghanaian penis than needed in my lifetime (In a non-sexual manner)- Many people just whip it out to go. But it’s acceptable here- so I’m definitely cool with that, it’s whatever. The traffic is surprisingly bad here. The driving is fine (in my eyes)- I feel that after one rides in any vehicle in Morocco- all other driving is acceptable. They speed a lot here- and I very-much like that! :]

As for the balancing stuff on your head and walking thing goes- I swear man… they will carry anything on their heads- and do it well! Anything from grapes, to old style popcorn poppers, clothing, paint cans- yes paint cans…that are stacked like pyramids. And they try to sell everything! Whenever you come to a stop in a vehicle people will be walking by selling the most random things. Need superglue? They got it! Watches, pineapples, chocolate, electrical outlet converters, mops…literally everything. Take the contents of Wal-Mart, and imagine wearing it on your head… they sell it all! And the thing is- it’s not just for tourist- this is how regular Ghanaian citizens buy things.

They have crazy colored taxis. Everything in Ghana is so colorful- I love it! They have tro-tro’s which are essentially van/taxis, and there is a driver, and a “persuader” (I guess you could call him that) and his job is to hang out of the moving van- and do hand signals which tell people the direction/ where the tro tro is going. Then you pile in with random people, pay a minuscule amount of money- and ride.

There is a restaurant (That I did not get to go to :[) That is in Cape Coast- and it is literally on stilts, and has crocodiles in it, and all around it, like underneath you and everything- it’s great.

I’m in love with all the rice pilafs and tomato rice they have here.

My goal is to buy a gigantic roller-skate house, and just live I Ghana in the roller-skate. I’ll be a Cocoa pod harvester, and make drums for a living. What is not to like?

Alright- I am going to shower and rest up- tomorrow I am going to Kakum Park which has canopy walks…and then Elmina castle again (hahaha- oh well). I just wish we had more days in Ghana. I am definitely coming back to this country until the day I die (which hopefully lies in the distant future).

Until next time. :]  <3

Alright, so let me just say this.

I FUCKING LOVE GHANA! Honestly- this is hands down my favorite country, and I would move here in a heartbeat. I plan on getting married to Joey (I will tell you guys all about him later) and we will live in a giant roller skate shaped house on the Cape Coast beaches.

Everyone is so unbelievably nice, and I will be sad to leave this port. I might just want to do my fieldwork in Ghana for Anthro because this country is beyond amazing. I wish everyone could be here. I love the music, I love the people, the clothes, everything!

First let's start with this morning- after passing our port in Tema about 3 times (we must have had to wait for another ship to leave), we got to port. BUT while we were eating breakfast this morning- whales were in the water, close to our ship, doing flips for like 20 minutes! I know I've been on whale watches before. But come on- who can say they saw Whales... in Ghana, basically in port?!?!

Rachel (the roomie- if you haven't gotten this down by now), Chloe, Anna, and I all set out to Accra- about 30 minutes away (which takes longer due to traffic). Everyone carries things on their head, and not like small crap- we're talking like buffets of fruits and vegetables, piles of carpets, suitcases, pants, and half the people doing this also have a kid strapped to their back!

These kids are hands-down the cutest kids EVER! I definitely want a Ghanaian child to bring home. The crafts they make here are gorgeous. After going through the shops and having 389273589 locals take us around- we followed this awesome guy Adam, and Joey back to this drum shop- where we pretty much spent half the day and into the night. It was crazy chill- we seriously just played drums, and talked, and danced. They invited us to their reggae beach party tomorrow, gave us presents, and asked us to marry them.

People from Ghana are probably the most friendliest people on this planet. And insanely enough- I love their food! They have all these crazy rice concoctions- and they're all delicious. It's settled- I am moving here. I cannot imagine how great tomorrow will be, because today blew me out of the water. This has been one of the best days of my life.

If I never come back to the US- it's because I have married Joey and stayed in Ghana.

These people have a ballin' life. The group of guys we met just play drums, make drums, and sell drums- all day. I love it.

We met a girl Colleen (who is not from SAS), she used to live in Pittsburgh- and she came to Ghana a year or so ago for a trip, and just like us she stumbled upon the drummers, and played the drums, got everyone's contact info, and ended up coming back to Ghana, and now she's married to one of the drummers Prosperity! It's so cool.

Alright- I am highly anticipating tomorrow- so I will end this for now, and update later.

Oh! We said Goodbye to our interport student Nii :[ That was sad- he was such an amazing kid. I don't know how I will ever assimilate back into American culture (other than food-wise).

This experience is mind blowing.

And- Not only are we the first SAS voyage to ever go to Ghana...We are one of the largest groups of Americans to come to Ghana at one time- how sweet is that? We should go in the book of World Records!

Ahhhhh I love Ghana!

PS- Reece, if you are reading this, you are so right! I am so excited I got to go here!

And Dear Alex Randall- I got you the best effing gift ever!

:]

Much love kids.