Condensed Beginning to Bob’s Voyage – Preface (written January 26, 2009)

The first post is finally here! I will be most likely updating the blog after each port -- filling all of you in on my travels, adventures, thoughts and reflections of each country. I cannot believe that it has already been about a week onboard. The ship is amazing. I am just now getting my bearings for where everything is located, and believe me, there is a lot of stuff on this ship. First and foremost, I’ll fill you in on some SAS terminology about our ship, the MV Explorer: this is indeed a ship (not a boat) and the ship has decks (not floors). The first week though has flown by. It has been a great way to meet and get to know everyone aboard. My roommate, Matt, is from Philly and is a Beta at Penn State. He’s pretty much just like me – frat guy, into sports, likes music.
I cannot wait for Spain, only about 36 hours until port. It is definitely weird not really having actual 7 day weeks though (while on the ship). Every day on the ship we have class, which is different, but I do like all of my classes so far. Shipboard days are denoted as A and B days. I decided to sign up for some classes that aren’t typically offered at DePauw – Zoology (A), Ecoacoustics (A), Cultural Myth & Language / Identities (B), and the standard Global Studies (A&B) course which everyone takes on the ship. It is crazy that within the past week, we’ve seen nothing but water. A few students have seen other boats and whales, but besides for one small fishing boat, I have seen nothing but water. Honestly though, the water itself is pretty amazing. This is one of the first voyages where the ship has had an observatory deck (deck 8), apparently it was added a year or two ago. It is very relaxing and peaceful to go out there during the day, especially when the water is somewhat calm. We’ve been lucky to have had fairly good weather in the Atlantic so far. One or two small storms but nothing crazy. I’ve been able to get my lifting in for football as well. There is a solid weight room on deck 7, but you have to be careful – every once and awhile the boat will catch a swell and force you to perform a balancing act while lifting.