The Bahamas!!

I'm in the Bahamas!! And I'm happy not only to be here but because ALL my bags are finally here!!

Mom and me went to the airport together and it was crazy checking in because we were running late and check in was going pretty slow. Also my bags were overweight by 6 pounds so I had to hurry and take things out and put some things in another which I did and then things were fine then I passed through security and everything. Not much time unfortunately, I wish we got there earlier and I had more time to say goodbye but we hugged and then I had to run to my gate. I got there just in time thank God. Very stressed I was. The flight was pretty short, and a bit uncomfortable, it was a small plane. I was still stressed and felt rushed from before. I got into Chicago at about 5:30. I had been to that airport plenty of times and knew my way, or atleast I pretended to. You can't go wondering around looking like your lost in a place like that, people might take advantage of that.

I found out where my gate was for my next flight and walked to the terminal for it. I stopped and got a fish for dinner and found a secluded spot against a wall and sat with my bags and ate there and people watched. After that I went to my gate and waited. I had about a four-hour layover. I called home and talked to Mom and Brink for awhile and chatted with some people who were sitting around. Turns out my flight changed gates right before boarding so I found the new gate and boarded. This flight was longer but the flight attendants were entertaining. I tried to sleep a little on this flight as much as I could cause I knew I would need it. I had to stay up all night in the Philadelphia airport and wasn't looking forward to it. We got to Philly at midnight and I walked to a spot where I would remain for the night. In the food court, in a little French cafe looking place I layed down on the bench under the umbrella.The little café had a sort of fence around it so I was hidden for the most part. The only people that were there were maintenance. They stay up all night cleaning. They waxed the floors five times in three hours I swear! They’re dedicated. Security was around also, and a couple passengers staying up to catch an early flight like me. Nevertheless I strapped my book bags to my body and kept my money folder in my shirt. I rested my phone on my chest so I could hear it when it rang cause I needed to wake up on occasion to make sure everything was okay. I got some sleep I didn’t want to sleep all night just so no one would take advantage of that. Mom, Brent and Brink called and texted me so that occupied me off and on throughout the late night and early morning.

I got up and stayed up when 4:30 came. Some more people were in the airport and I thought I should remain awake, it was loud anyway. I thought about getting breakfast but I decided I didn’t want to spend 7 dollars on a bagel haha so I went to my gate. Turns out I ended up sitting by Matt, a guy I met who is also doing Semester at Sea. He was very nice and also didn’t know anyone going. So we both met our very first friend on SAS, each other J. I was so excited to be in the Bahamas! I started out my week shoveling over a foot of snow in my driveway and leaving -40 degree weather and was instantly in 75 degrees. It felt great, and smelt just like Easter outside! I was happy. Short-lived though unfortunately because I found out the airline damaged one of my bags and lost my other bag, the one with all my clothes in it! I was sad and very worried. Of all the trips I’ve gone on this trip had to be the one where my bag gets lost. The one where I’m packing for four months! I filed for it and gave them all my information. The representative from the airline was very helpful and sounded JUST like Morgan Freeman! He said that it would likely come on a later flight and they would contact me. I got a taxi (a van) to the hotel where my Dad was staying.

The Bahamas isn’t all fancy like its advertised. In some locations its Beautiful but others are not so much and more poverish. I wasn’t expecting that here specifically. I’m going to run into it a lot though. Everyone is very friendly here and helpful. The vegetation is beautiful though and very diverse. There’s geckos here that run around and at night in some areas of town, rats. I was excited to see my favorite birds from Florida though! Sandpipers, I was sad I didn’t have any bread to give them haha.

Once I got to the hotel me and Dad walked downtown to Prince George Warf, about 40 min walk away. I wore flip-flops because it was nice out. I learned very quickly that I won’t do that again. My feet were so sore and black when we got home. We visited the harbor and saw the big ships. The explorer wasn’t docked yet though. We went to visit the Atlantis resort, and that is something else! The most expensive, biggest, most extravagant place I’ve been to. That building is insane! The architecture and gardens are absolutely beautiful! It’s huge too, I swear it took 20 min just to walk to the pool. They have multiple pools and gardens and pools of exotic sea creatures surround them all. They also have a giant aquarium that makes up the walls of the main entrance room. That was really neat to see!! We took a ferry tour around the island and that was really neat! I learned that Oprah, Tiger Woods, Nicholas Cage all have houses on the island. The Bahamas gets 90 percent of their food imported from the U.S. It didn’t seem like I was really out of the country because in many cases it seemed just like the U.S. I definitely am a minority though, being white. It was great J There are many tourists around which is where they make a lot of there money. We went to a local restaurant for dinner, Senor Frogs. It’s located right on the the harbor and is a big hotspot in town. Its where some SAS’ers are meeting on Sunday night to meet and greet people.

Today Dad and I got up and walked to a local market to find some breakfast. We bought some juice and a few oranges and muffins and then walked back to our Inn to eat outside at a picnic table in the courtyard. We checked with the airline about my bag again but they said the flight of the day hadn’t come it yet and to call later. We walked down to Fort Montague. It was built in 1741 to protect Nassau from enemies coming from the sea. I walked along the surf. The water was cold and the sand was really rough and gritty. Not like Destin, Florida at all. It was much more coarse. After we walked back to the Inn we took a nap and called the airport again to see if they found my bag. And they did!!! Thank God!!! I was so happy and thankful!!! About an hour later a taxi dropped it off. I’m so thankful I have it back. I was really worrying, thinking everything I lost, and all I’d have to buy and need. Ohh, I’m so thankful for having it back J

After my bag situation was solved we took a taxi to the harbor again and went to see my ship! The M.V. Explorer docked in the harbor. We could only see it behind gates because of the security that was there. It was so exciting to see! Finally!!! J During the parent reception I stayed outside on the wall cause students weren’t allowed in. I met some students because of it too! Quite a few! They all seem really nice and we all talked for a good while while our parents were touring the ship. I’m glad to have made some friends and find people I’m in classes with or going on field excursions with! We all walked together when the reception was over and we saw our parents leaving the ship. They were all so excited and couldn’t wait to tell us all about it. My dad took a lot of notes of course! We chatted with the family of a girl that I had made friends with, Courtney. She is 1 of 5 Courtneys that I met in those 2 hours who are going on the ship. I have a hunch that that will be the most popular name. I never met a Courtney until now from what I remember and now I know a lot! Dad and I walked a bit to a restaurant but decided that we eventually made our way to a bad part of town and it was at night and dangerous, plus the rats were out so we took a taxi to a restaurant close by to our hotel. He told me all about the orientation and his tour.

Meeting new friends, seeing the ship and hearing about it from my Dad made me more excited! And now that I have my bag back, I feel like I’m ready to go! J Tomorrow I have to report to the ship at 10am. That’s when the N’s are checking in. It’s gonna be a crazy day! I’ll be sad when I say bye to my Dad, I’m soo glad he came down here with me to help me and see me off. We board tomorrow and go through many checkpoints. Then once we pass through everything and security we are allowed on and once our bags are thoroughly searched they are delivered to our cabins and we unpack. I can come and go until about 2:00 when I have to say goodbye because I have to be on the ship at 2:30. Then we depart at 5 o’clock and I wave goodbye to Dad and say hello to the world!!

I’m excited and nervous and scared and happy and just can’t believe I’m really doing this and this is really happening. But it is and I can’t wait, I hope it’s a blast! Well I should probs go and get to bed, from what I hear I won’t be sleeping much for the next four months. I got a big day tomorrow. Just wanted to let you know whoever is reading this, that I will update as much as I can and I hope you enjoy hearing about my travels. Love you and miss you bunches!! I will blog to you later! Night!J