Into the Southern Hemisphere...

February 13, 2009

Happy 213!!

And Happy Valentine’s Day!

Well I just got back from the cultural and logistical pre-port meeting for Namibia and they scared the crap outta us as usual. I’m really excited for Namibia! I’m going on an independent safari through a company called Wild Dog Safaris. It must be a reputable company because the girl who’s setting it up got the info from previous SAS-ers who said it was really good. Our independent trip has about 120 SAS students and faculty and families going on it. It should be a good time. We’re doing safaris and things during the day and game driving and camping in the desert at night and have the opportunity to do a night game drive for some extra money, so maybe I’ll do that too. I can’t wait to see all the stars!! And the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere, it will be my first time!! They say to look for the Southern Cross I think? That’s the big one.
I hope we have time for some shopping cause I’d like to look around and get postcards. An interesting fact I learned though is that the combination of the SAS voyages from fall and this spring to Namibia will make up 10% of their tourist population for the whole year. Namibia is the size of Texas but the population is less than the city of Houston. So its pretty dense. I heard from Meaghan yesterday! It was her birthday and I wished her Happy Birthday on Facebook. It was really nice to hear from her because I haven’t heard from her since she left for college, she’s not very good at keeping in touch with the family or me at all really, which makes me really sad. But I was surprised and happy to get an email and response back to my many tries. ☺

Neptune Day!

We crossed the equator!! My first time!! I forgot to mention it. Neptune day was awesome!! We were woken up early by the crew parading through the hallways banging on pans and blowing whistles! They were all dressed up in costumes that they made and painted neon green to represent the Kingdom of Neptune. The captain of the ship was painted all green and dressed like the King Triton from Little Mermaid, he was in front of the group leading the parade who all woke us up and summoned everyone to the 7th deck for the initiation ceremonies. People got fish guts dumped on them, had to kiss the royal fish and then jump in the pool to cleanse, get out and be dubbed from Pollywogs to Shellbacks. Another tradition is shaving your head. I did not do this! But a ton of people did, most of the guys and quite a large number of girls shaved their heads too! More power to them, I have a hard enough time cutting my hair short ha! Some girls didn’t shave all the way but got a boy cut. Most can pull it off. After the ceremonies, we all just layed out on the deck and drank smoothies. I couldn’t stay out too long because of my sunburn. I got a really bad sunburn from the last post I wrote when I was laying outside. I started blistering that night and peeling ever since. It’s pretty bad, I look like I have a disease ha, but I have been taking good care of it and its getting a little better. Now that I started my Malaria medication, it makes me A LOT more susceptible to sunburn so I’m taking precautions, packing sunscreen, bugspray, long sleeves, pants, pants, glasses, lotion, chapstick etc. as I pack for my trip right now

I can’t wait to visit Namibia. I never heard of this country until now, but after learning about it I’m way excited to go. When we arrive we are going to be greeted at the dock by a children’s school choir who traveled a long way and are going to sing to us when we arrive as a welcome to their country. We are all getting up early for breakfast and then going to go up on deck and listen to them sing. What a great experience!

Well I need to get back to packing and then head to bed ASAP, big day tomorrow! After nine days in a row at sea, I’m ready for my third “spring break” as we call them. Can’t wait!! Welcome to Africa! ☺