The waterfall
A little boy playing in the water
My friends Kristen and Laura swimming in the waterfall
A spider's nest
Monday, January 28, 2008
San Juan, Puerto Rico
I am having an amazing time in Puerto Rico, and this is only the first port!
Saturday:
We arrived in San Juan, Puerto Rico, very early Saturday morning. A few of us ventured around Old San Juan and got a feel for the city; it’s interesting because the buildings are very old but many things have been Americanized. There are a few McDonalds and Starbucks (which are flooded with Semester at Sea students because they offer free internet). We ventured around and window-shopped for awhile before stopping at a hole-in-the-wall café for $3 mojitos.
After, I had to head back to the ship to take off for a rainforest hike organized by Semester at Sea. After an hour-long winding bus ride through the mountains, we headed into the woods and hiked for an hour or so until we reached a waterfall. Most of the students went swimming but I didn’t have my bathing suit so I just took pictures.
After we went back in to town I went to dinner with four of my new friends at a little restaurant call Lupi’s. Most students went out to the salsa bars but I retired to my room pretty early and went to sleep.
Sunday:
I woke up early and went to the beach with a bunch of SASers. We lounged around and then I went shopping at a few of the boutiques. I bought a bathing suit, which I desperately needed because my bathing suits were in my lost luggage. We hung out at the beach most of the afternoon, and then went into Old San Juan that night to find a salsa bar. I had a great time learning how to salsa and talking to some of the locals. We were out until about 1 a.m. and I was absolutely exhausted when I got home.
Monday:
I woke up a little later today and went to the mall with a bunch of girls. We wanted to buy a few things for the ship – I bought a pillow, some snacks, and a couple of inexpensive dresses to wear around the ship on nice days. We then came in to Old San Juan again and tracked down a café that had free wireless internet, which is where I am now. We depart for Salvador, Brazil, tonight at 11:30 p.m. and we’ll be sailing for six days. It’s crazy to think that we’re just getting started – I already feel like we’ve been going for weeks.
I miss everyone and I’ll upload more pictures as soon as I can.
-E
Saturday:
We arrived in San Juan, Puerto Rico, very early Saturday morning. A few of us ventured around Old San Juan and got a feel for the city; it’s interesting because the buildings are very old but many things have been Americanized. There are a few McDonalds and Starbucks (which are flooded with Semester at Sea students because they offer free internet). We ventured around and window-shopped for awhile before stopping at a hole-in-the-wall café for $3 mojitos.
After, I had to head back to the ship to take off for a rainforest hike organized by Semester at Sea. After an hour-long winding bus ride through the mountains, we headed into the woods and hiked for an hour or so until we reached a waterfall. Most of the students went swimming but I didn’t have my bathing suit so I just took pictures.
After we went back in to town I went to dinner with four of my new friends at a little restaurant call Lupi’s. Most students went out to the salsa bars but I retired to my room pretty early and went to sleep.
Sunday:
I woke up early and went to the beach with a bunch of SASers. We lounged around and then I went shopping at a few of the boutiques. I bought a bathing suit, which I desperately needed because my bathing suits were in my lost luggage. We hung out at the beach most of the afternoon, and then went into Old San Juan that night to find a salsa bar. I had a great time learning how to salsa and talking to some of the locals. We were out until about 1 a.m. and I was absolutely exhausted when I got home.
Monday:
I woke up a little later today and went to the mall with a bunch of girls. We wanted to buy a few things for the ship – I bought a pillow, some snacks, and a couple of inexpensive dresses to wear around the ship on nice days. We then came in to Old San Juan again and tracked down a café that had free wireless internet, which is where I am now. We depart for Salvador, Brazil, tonight at 11:30 p.m. and we’ll be sailing for six days. It’s crazy to think that we’re just getting started – I already feel like we’ve been going for weeks.
I miss everyone and I’ll upload more pictures as soon as I can.
-E
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Almost to Puerto Rico
NOTE: Sorry I haven't been able to blog much! Internet minutes are scarce and expensive and I haven't found an internet cafe in Puerto Rico yet. Here's an entry I wrote right before we arrived, and I'll update again as soon as I can. I also have a ton of pictures but I can only send a max of 100mb on the SAS computers, so I'm going to wait.
It’s 7 p.m. and we’re sailing away to Puerto Rico as I type! Today has been wonderful – getting on the boat was surprisingly easy and very organized, and I feel like I’ve already met a ton of people. Everyone has been so outgoing and we’ve all wandered around together introducing ourselves and chatting.
Right now I’m back in my cabin with my roommate, whose name is Sharla, and we’re unpacking and unwinding from a really long, busy day. Sharla is a University of Colorado Boulder student (so is my friend Caitlin) majoring in International Relations. She seems really nice.
My last piece of luggage didn’t arrive, so it looks like it will have to be shipped to Puerto Rico. A word of advice: don’t fly BahamasAir or American Eagle. Both services were really awful and their customer services representatives were rude.
After waving goodbye to my mom on the dock as we pulled away, a group of us went to dinner and talked about our schools, classes, roommates – then we split up and most people went back to their cabins for a nap (it’s been a long day and a lot of people are taking Dramamine).
The scopolamine patches and making me a little dopey but it’s way better than feeling seasick.
We have a few orientation meetings at 8:30, and then we meet with our hall so that everyone can introduce themselves.
Here’s a look at my schedule tomorrow:
7 – 9 a.m.: Breakfast
9 – 10 a.m.: Introduction to faculty and staff
10 – 10:45 a.m.: Introduction to the Honor Code
10:45 – 12:15: Faculty/Student Conferences
11:30 – 13:30: Lunch
13:45 – 15:00: Introduction to Global Studies
15:00 – 15:20: Safety at Sea
16:00 – 17:00: Student Life Meetings
17:30 – 19:30: Dinner
20:00 – 21:00: Field Office Briefing
I honestly have no idea what most of that means, but it makes me tired just reading it, so I’m going to take a short nap.
We arrive in Puerto Rico on the 26th and we’ll see what happens from there.
I already miss everyone (especially Steve).
Xoxo,
E
It’s 7 p.m. and we’re sailing away to Puerto Rico as I type! Today has been wonderful – getting on the boat was surprisingly easy and very organized, and I feel like I’ve already met a ton of people. Everyone has been so outgoing and we’ve all wandered around together introducing ourselves and chatting.
Right now I’m back in my cabin with my roommate, whose name is Sharla, and we’re unpacking and unwinding from a really long, busy day. Sharla is a University of Colorado Boulder student (so is my friend Caitlin) majoring in International Relations. She seems really nice.
My last piece of luggage didn’t arrive, so it looks like it will have to be shipped to Puerto Rico. A word of advice: don’t fly BahamasAir or American Eagle. Both services were really awful and their customer services representatives were rude.
After waving goodbye to my mom on the dock as we pulled away, a group of us went to dinner and talked about our schools, classes, roommates – then we split up and most people went back to their cabins for a nap (it’s been a long day and a lot of people are taking Dramamine).
The scopolamine patches and making me a little dopey but it’s way better than feeling seasick.
We have a few orientation meetings at 8:30, and then we meet with our hall so that everyone can introduce themselves.
Here’s a look at my schedule tomorrow:
7 – 9 a.m.: Breakfast
9 – 10 a.m.: Introduction to faculty and staff
10 – 10:45 a.m.: Introduction to the Honor Code
10:45 – 12:15: Faculty/Student Conferences
11:30 – 13:30: Lunch
13:45 – 15:00: Introduction to Global Studies
15:00 – 15:20: Safety at Sea
16:00 – 17:00: Student Life Meetings
17:30 – 19:30: Dinner
20:00 – 21:00: Field Office Briefing
I honestly have no idea what most of that means, but it makes me tired just reading it, so I’m going to take a short nap.
We arrive in Puerto Rico on the 26th and we’ll see what happens from there.
I already miss everyone (especially Steve).
Xoxo,
E
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
In Nassau!
Well, we’re off to a good start here in Nassau: it’s been raining a lot and the airline lost two of my bags, possibly for good! We find out today if they were located. If not, I’m pretty screwed.
But I went over to Atlantis (the hotel where most of the SAS students are staying) to say hi to Caitlin and we ended up meeting a ton of people. I realized that we were all feeling the same way – nervous and awkward – so knowing that boosted my confidence a little. A group of us split a cab ride over to Senor Frogs, which is a bar overlooking the water, and we danced and chatted and ended up having a really good time. Everyone was so nice even though they were all dressed to go to a club and I was bumming around in sweats and a t-shirt because all of my nice clothes were in my lost suitcases. (Actually, wearing sweatpants and sneakers to a nightclub is not that bad of an idea – dancing was a lot less painful).
The weather seems to be getting better, and it actually looks warm and sunny outside, so maybe mom and I will go for a walk downtown later, or check out the beach (the color of the water is spectacular but I heard the water is freezing).
I caught a glimpse of our ship yesterday as we drove in. It was right next to a massive Disney cruise liner, which made it look sort of small in comparison, but seeing the Explorer made this entire trip feel a little more concrete. Mom is going to a parent reception on board later this afternoon, so she’ll actually get to see the inside before I will.
Speaking of Mom, she’s been a trooper: between me being in a bad mood all afternoon because of my luggage situation, the rain, and my waking her up at 1:30 a.m. last night because I didn’t have my room key, you’d think she’d be a little annoyed by now, but she’s been so great.
Hope everyone is doing well. I miss you all so much!
-E
**EDIT** 3:30 p.m.
They found one of my bags and it arrives in Nassau at 5:40 p.m.
**EDIT** 3:45 p.m.
They found my other bag and both should arrive at my hotel tonight at 6:30!!! Thank goodness!
**EDIT** 11:25 p.m.
After hours of aggravating phone calls to American Airlines and BahamasAir, I finally got one of my bags and fortunately it's the bigger, more important one of the two. There's a very slim chance my other bag could arrive tonight. Otherwise, they will have to ship it to Puerto Rico. The important thing is, I have my essentials now (no more using my finger as a toothbrush!).
But I went over to Atlantis (the hotel where most of the SAS students are staying) to say hi to Caitlin and we ended up meeting a ton of people. I realized that we were all feeling the same way – nervous and awkward – so knowing that boosted my confidence a little. A group of us split a cab ride over to Senor Frogs, which is a bar overlooking the water, and we danced and chatted and ended up having a really good time. Everyone was so nice even though they were all dressed to go to a club and I was bumming around in sweats and a t-shirt because all of my nice clothes were in my lost suitcases. (Actually, wearing sweatpants and sneakers to a nightclub is not that bad of an idea – dancing was a lot less painful).
The weather seems to be getting better, and it actually looks warm and sunny outside, so maybe mom and I will go for a walk downtown later, or check out the beach (the color of the water is spectacular but I heard the water is freezing).
I caught a glimpse of our ship yesterday as we drove in. It was right next to a massive Disney cruise liner, which made it look sort of small in comparison, but seeing the Explorer made this entire trip feel a little more concrete. Mom is going to a parent reception on board later this afternoon, so she’ll actually get to see the inside before I will.
Speaking of Mom, she’s been a trooper: between me being in a bad mood all afternoon because of my luggage situation, the rain, and my waking her up at 1:30 a.m. last night because I didn’t have my room key, you’d think she’d be a little annoyed by now, but she’s been so great.
Hope everyone is doing well. I miss you all so much!
-E
**EDIT** 3:30 p.m.
They found one of my bags and it arrives in Nassau at 5:40 p.m.
**EDIT** 3:45 p.m.
They found my other bag and both should arrive at my hotel tonight at 6:30!!! Thank goodness!
**EDIT** 11:25 p.m.
After hours of aggravating phone calls to American Airlines and BahamasAir, I finally got one of my bags and fortunately it's the bigger, more important one of the two. There's a very slim chance my other bag could arrive tonight. Otherwise, they will have to ship it to Puerto Rico. The important thing is, I have my essentials now (no more using my finger as a toothbrush!).
Monday, January 14, 2008
Almost forgot...
Here are some pictures of the ship's cabins and bathrooms that were posted on the Semester at Sea Facebook group. Looks pretty small!
The back wall is a mirror.
This picture was apparently taken from within the shower.
The closet and safety deposit box.
Almost time!
Hey everyone,
It's the 14th, and I leave on the 21st for Nassau with my mom. She's coming down to see me off, which is really nice because I'll probably be completely overwhelmed on the first day while I'm trying to move in and get organized, and now I have a little moral support.
I've finished all my paperwork: my passport, visas, medications, vaccines and credit hours are all in check, so hopefully the hard part of preparation is over. Now I have to focus on packing 3 1/2 months worth of my life into two suitcases, which means I have to decide on one pair of flip-flops. And no, Dylan, I am not wearing dirty socks on my trip, so I'll have to make space for lots of socks, too.
Unfortunately, I didn't get the trip to Cambodia that I wanted because too many people beat me to the punch. But I did manage to sign up for a rainforest hike in Puerto Rico and a four-day safari in South Africa so far, and I'm sure more big opportunities for indy travel will arise while I'm on the ship. If anyone has any recommendations for sites I should check out, please let me know.
Keep checking back. By the time I'm on board, I'm sure I'll have enough exciting news to regularly update.
Seven days!
Xoxo,
Elisabeth
It's the 14th, and I leave on the 21st for Nassau with my mom. She's coming down to see me off, which is really nice because I'll probably be completely overwhelmed on the first day while I'm trying to move in and get organized, and now I have a little moral support.
I've finished all my paperwork: my passport, visas, medications, vaccines and credit hours are all in check, so hopefully the hard part of preparation is over. Now I have to focus on packing 3 1/2 months worth of my life into two suitcases, which means I have to decide on one pair of flip-flops. And no, Dylan, I am not wearing dirty socks on my trip, so I'll have to make space for lots of socks, too.
Unfortunately, I didn't get the trip to Cambodia that I wanted because too many people beat me to the punch. But I did manage to sign up for a rainforest hike in Puerto Rico and a four-day safari in South Africa so far, and I'm sure more big opportunities for indy travel will arise while I'm on the ship. If anyone has any recommendations for sites I should check out, please let me know.
Keep checking back. By the time I'm on board, I'm sure I'll have enough exciting news to regularly update.
Seven days!
Xoxo,
Elisabeth
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