A Profile View

It was a night of celebration as we all dressed up to attend the Ambassadors Ball. It is a dinner and a dance to celebrate the conclusion of this voyage of righteousness and diplomacy. It acknowledges the participants of the voyage as ambassadors of the sea and alumni of the Summer 2009 Voyage, more or less. At its simplest definition it was time to let loose and have some fun.

The evening began with a lovely five-course meal. Chicken and steak laid before us with a glass of champagne by our side. Pictures were of course a main part of our night as there was flash after flash after flash. But the squinty eyes and the endless spots are worth the end result of preserved memories. Everyone cleaned up well, for we dressed in our best attire for the evening as we dined in class. Erika and I rushed for the dessert as we indulged in several pieces of cheesecake before our second half of the evening: dancing.

We gathered round as we boogied down into the midnight hours. It was a glistening night in my eyes as A.B.A. had one last hoorah before the dreaded days of packing and goodbyes were to set in. As much as I attempt to put it all in prospective it becomes overwhelming and quite difficult at times. But one thing I seem to be able to hold grasp of is the friendships that I have accrued in the past months, that will in return last a lifetime. The phrase seems cliché and even forced, but in actuality and in all sincerity it holds so much truth. The amount of bonding and experience we have had as a group is immeasurable and cannot compare to any set of words. 

We have traveled the world together. We have sailed the Atlantic twice together. We have explored foreign countries all on our own, but together. We’ve partied together, drank together, laughed together, argued together, smiled together, slept together, ate together (a lot) and remained together. It is amazing to me how we all stuck it out. We became friends and stayed friends: through this voyage and hopefully beyond.

I know these people and am just beginning to know them a little bit more. It saddens me that just as time is running out, its seems you can go that much longer. But it must come to an end. Not definitively, but just for now. We must return to the normalcy of our lives, go back to our home institutions and continue where we left off. But this time with something to think of: that wonderful time that we sailed the Mediterranean Sea and explored the cultures of eight different countries together. That time we made awesome memories together and promised we’d meet again.

Below is a questionnaire that each A.B.A. member answered. A way to learn a little about them and the moments they remember about this voyage.


BOWEN MCDOUGAL

ROOM #………………4043

NICKNAME…………..Bo

BIRTHDAY……………October 3, 1988

HOMETOWN…………Denver, Colorado

COLLEGE……………..Colorado University

MAJOR………………..Chemistry

FAVORITE COUNTRY………………….Australia

LEAST FAVORITE COUNTRY…………Canada

FUNNY MEMORY………………………Turns out the chocolate dolphin statue is made of styrophome

FAVORITE MEAL……………………….Portabella Mushroom w/ Mozzarella at the Irish Pub in Greece

BIGGEST REGRET………………………Buying orange syrup instead of orange juice

THINGS YOU WILL MISS THE MOST……………………….Friends that became family




KEVIN LENZEN

ROOM #………………4043: Bottom Bunk

NICKNAME…………..Princess

BIRTHDAY……………September 29, 1988

HOMETOWN…………Cologne, Minnesota 

COLLEGE……………..University of St. Thomas

MAJOR…………Sarcasm with a minor in Business Administration: Operations Management

FAVORITE COUNTRY………………….An impossible question to answer. I do not judge and evaluate things according to ranks.

LEAST FAVORITE COUNTRY…………Bulgaria

FUNNY MEMORY………………………DOLPHINS!!!

FAVORITE MEAL……………………….Nino’s in Cadiz: Both times. Delicious pizza and wine. 

BIGGEST REGRET………………………Not winning the map of the voyage signed by the captain at the shipboard drive auction.

THINGS YOU WILL MISS THE MOST……………………….”Good Morning Voyagers”- NOT! I will miss waking up to a new sight outside my window (The ocean, the seas, dolphins, islands, Spain, Italy, etc.) each and every day.

KEVIN QUOTES: “I wonder how long it takes to dust this place” - In regards to the Seville                               Cathedral

                       “Ufta” - a sigh of frustration.




KATE SCHNELKER-PARKS

ROOM #………………3148

NICKNAME………….Cameron (Diaz)

BIRTHDAY……………August 24, 1988

HOMETOWN…………Mcltenny, Illinois

COLLEGE……………..Illinois State University

MAJOR………………..Choral Music Education

FAVORITE COUNTRY………………….What kind of question is this? Um. Santorini, Greece but country = Turkey

LEAST FAVORITE COUNTRY…………None, but I guess Bulgaria

FUNNY MEMORY………………………Banana Bandit fight with Rachel and running across the street in Seville

FAVORITE MEAL……………………….Eel and Shrimp with Becca in Cadiz at Nino’s

BIGGEST REGRET………………………Not buying everything I wanted to- you can’t get this stuff in the states!

THINGS YOU WILL MISS THE MOST………….Obviously my friends. They have been the best “family” for the past two months.




BECCA NEY (N-Y-E like eye: I’m not a horse, I don’t neigh)

ROOM #………………4015

NICKNAME…………..Dance Machine (I should be caged!)

BIRTHDAY……………January 25, 1989

HOMETOWN…………Plymouth, Minnesota

COLLEGE……………..University of St. Thomas

MAJOR………………..English and Secondary Education

FAVORITE COUNTRY………………….Spain and Greece (Santorini)

LEAST FAVORITE COUNTRY…………Bulgaria

FUNNY MEMORY………………………Too many to count. Train ride to Sevilla gigging with Kate an Kevin about solar panel store, my sore hip, Kevin’s beautiful knees, money belt down my pants and this conversation:

Becca: Kate look! Look at the decorations ! Look at the flegs!

Kate: The what?

Becca: The flegs, the flegs, look at the flegs!

Kate: What flakes? What are you talking about?

Becca: The flegs of all the countries, Greece, Italy, Croatia…

Kate: Ohhhh. The flAgs, I couldn’t understand your Minnesota accent.

FAVORITE MEAL……………………….Meal on the terrace at a restaurant in Santorini, the sauce on my pork tenderloin was so good I wanted to bathe in it.

BIGGEST REGRET………………………Getting Traveler’s Diarrhea. It isn’t gone yet!

THINGS YOU WILL MISS THE MOST……………………….I will miss all the members of A.B.A. We have all become such good friends that we fight like brothers and sisters! I love everyone and I will truly miss the time we’ve spent together.





ERIKA MORRISSETTE

ROOM #………………3148

NICKNAME…………..Food Liaison

BIRTHDAY……………June 26, 1988

HOMETOWN…………Albany, NY

COLLEGE……………..SUNY Oswego

MAJOR………………..Psychology

FAVORITE COUNTRY………………….Croatia, Spain, and Egypt

LEAST FAVORITE COUNTRY…………Greece

FUNNY MEMORY………………………Running for the train in Rome 

FAVORITE MEAL……………………….Italia’s Margerhita pizza and wine. 

BIGGEST REGRET………………………Not participating in Extended family and not going to an island in Greece.

THINGS YOU WILL MISS THE MOST……………………….A.B.A. Living with and traveling the world with friends of a lifetime. Italy’s pizza and Gelato too!




Nina Zalone


ROOM #………………4015

BIRTHDAY……………September 20, 1989

HOMETOWN…………Salamanca, New York

COLLEGE……………..Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)

MAJOR………………..Ultrasound technician

FAVORITE COUNTRY………………….Spain

LEAST FAVORITE COUNTRY…………Not sure…

FUNNY MEMORY………………………Trying to learn the cup game in the dining hall and getting yelled at for it. “Drinks are for drinking”

FAVORITE MEAL……………………….of the day? Or…probably in Spain when Shannon and I ordered fried fish by mistake and I ended up eating 2 of the 6. They still had eyes. 

BIGGEST REGRET………………………Would have liked to have gone on an independent trip with A.B.A. Anyone up for more travels?

THINGS YOU WILL MISS THE MOST…………………Seeing all of you everyday! =(




MORGAN BROACHA

ROOM #………………3116

NICKNAME…………..Eww…its you. That girl.

BIRTHDAY……………June 27, 1989

HOMETOWN…………Castle Rock, Colorado 

COLLEGE……………..University of Pittsburgh 

MAJOR………………..Chinese, Politics-Philosophy

FAVORITE COUNTRY………………….Turkey

LEAST FAVORITE COUNTRY…………Bulgaria

FUNNY MEMORY………………………Hanging out at the shipyard in Cadiz with Spanish Medical Students.

FAVORITE MEAL……………………….Portabella Mushroom with mozzarella cheese at the Irish Pup in Athens.

BIGGEST REGRET………………………Skinny dipping in Bulgaria

THINGS YOU WILL MISS THE MOST…………………Waking up in a new country, breakfast by the ocean, getting lost in a foreign city.




SHANNON DEVRIEZE


ROOM #………………3148

BIRTHDAY……………August 14, 1989

HOMETOWN…………Parachute, Colorado 

COLLEGE……………..University of Northern Colorado

MAJOR………………..History and Secondary Education

FAVORITE COUNTRY………………….Turkey

LEAST FAVORITE COUNTRY…………Greece

FUNNY MEMORY………………………CODE BLUE. I passed out on the 7th deck which is supposedly code blue to the medical team on the boat.  It was announced through the entire ship. Everyone was surprised to find it was me.

FAVORITE MEAL……………………….Hotel Dinner in Troy

BIGGEST REGRET………………………Not going to an island in Greece

THINGS YOU WILL MISS THE MOST………………My Friends. Only working 2 hours a day, Being away from real life problems and stress. Seeing new countries every week.




ERIK MALIN     

ROOM #………………4030

NICKNAME…………..Gorgeous

BIRTHDAY……………September 5 ,1989

HOMETOWN…………Portage, Michigan

COLLEGE……………..Michigan State

MAJOR………………..”Money can buy you happiness” A.K.A. Finance

FAVORITE COUNTRY………………….Cuba, Greece, Turkey

LEAST FAVORITE COUNTRY…………Croatia

FUNNY MEMORY………………………Ben coming back to the ship at 8:30 am

FAVORITE MEAL……………………….Savas in Greece 

BIGGEST REGRET………………………No regrets

THINGS YOU WILL MISS THE MOST………The people and memories. Crazy nights in Istanbul at Kafe Pi



BEN GOERING

ROOM #………………4030

NICKNAME…………..Cutie

BIRTHDAY……………August 11, 1990

HOMETOWN…………Topeka, Kansas

COLLEGE……………..Kansas City University

MAJOR………………..Computer Science

FAVORITE COUNTRY………………….Spain

LEAST FAVORITE COUNTRY…………..Mexico, Greece

FUNNY MEMORY………………………Anthony and Erik’s cake debacle 

FAVORITE MEAL……………………….The Ship’s Apple Cobbler 

BIGGEST REGRET………………………Varna and Not meeting more people

THINGS YOU WILL MISS THE MOST……………………….Boat Life




LAUREN ARMSTRONG

ROOM #………………3087

NICKNAME…………..Picture Whore

BIRTHDAY……………January 26, 1990

HOMETOWN…………San Diego, California 

COLLEGE……………..Michigan State 

MAJOR………………..Advertising

FAVORITE COUNTRY………………Spain, Italy, Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Egypt

LEAST FAVORITE COUNTRY…………Morocco

FUNNY MEMORY………………………Ben’s reaction when we told him they ran out of Strawberry Ice Cream when they really didn’t!

FAVORITE MEAL……………………….Rooftop dinner in Turkey, Kabob extra in Croatia

BIGGEST REGRET………………………Not spending more time on a Greek Island like Santorini or Mykonos

THINGS YOU WILL MISS THE MOST……………………….um Traveling the world with amazing people. Being lost, riding in taxis (not) and of course ship food!




LINDSAY MUNOZ

ROOM #………………3134

NICKNAME…………..Pretty Kitty

BIRTHDAY……………August 16, 1986

HOMETOWN…………Topeka, Kansas

COLLEGE……………..University of Missouri

MAJOR………………..Criminology

FAVORITE COUNTRY………………….Greece

LEAST FAVORITE COUNTRY…………Bulgaria

FUNNY MEMORY………………………Kate and Rachel’s “fight” at the bowling alley

FAVORITE MEAL……………………….Gyros

BIGGEST REGRET………………………Not buying enough souvenirs

THINGS YOU WILL MISS THE MOST……………………….My favorite peeps!




NICOLE SALMAN

ROOM #………………3072

BIRTHDAY……………May 6, 1988

HOMETOWN…………Louisville, Kentucky

COLLEGE……………..Xavier University

MAJOR………………..Psychology and Sign Language

FAVORITE COUNTRY………………….I cannot say because they all have very special aspects to them. I loved Croatia however very unexpected and amazing!

LEAST FAVORITE COUNTRY…………Again cannot say because they are all special in a way!

FUNNY MEMORY………………………Night of Ambassador’s ball, staying up all night on deck 7.

FAVORITE MEAL……………………….Tapas in Spain

BIGGEST REGRET………………………Nothing involving this experience could be considered a regret. Everything that has occurred has made this experience what it is!

THINGS YOU WILL MISS THE MOST……………………….Everything!  The people, the amazing countries, but most of all the great opportunity to  step completely outside of ourselves, our comfort zone and our typical repetitive cycles we call life or reality. I will miss the MV Explorer and the people of Summer 2000




NICHOLAS KEER

ROOM #………………2001

NICKNAME…………..NICO

BIRTHDAY……………December 16, 1988

HOMETOWN…………Santa Rose, California 

COLLEGE……………..University of California, Santa Cruz

MAJOR………………..Film and Politics

FAVORITE COUNTRY………………….Egypt

LEAST FAVORITE COUNTRY…………Bulgaria

FUNNY MEMORY………………………”What is Semester at Sea God or something?” In response to dock time. 

FAVORITE MEAL……………………….chilled banana soup, bread and butter.

BIGGEST REGRET………………………not bungee jumping in Bulgaria 

THINGS YOU WILL MISS THE MOST……………………….the new experiences, the people, the places, the friends, the knowledge etc.





RACHEL COHEN

ROOM #………………3072

NICKNAME…………..Rachel

BIRTHDAY……………April 25, 1988

HOMETOWN…………Potomac, Maryland

COLLEGE……………..University of Michigan

MAJOR………………..Education

FAVORITE COUNTRY………………….Greece and Spain

LEAST FAVORITE COUNTRY…………Bulgaria

FUNNY MEMORY………………………Banana Frenzy at Lunch

FAVORITE MEAL……………………Hotel Sky Rise dinner in Turkey overlooking the city

BIGGEST REGRET………………………Not going to a Turkish Bath

THINGS YOU WILL MISS THE MOST……………………….You!




ANTHONY SOUZA

ROOM #………………4043 Top Bunk

NICKNAME…………..Michael-Anthony (M.A.)

BIRTHDAY……………February 15, 1988

HOMETOWN…………Albany, NY

COLLEGE……………..New York University

MAJOR………………..Drama; Producing Minor

FAVORITE COUNTRY………………….Egypt

LEAST FAVORITE COUNTRY…………Greece

FUNNY MEMORY………………………Kevin screaming out the window at dolphins!

FAVORITE MEAL……………………….Duner in Turkey 

BIGGEST REGRET………………………Not going to Capri sooner, Not going to a Greek Island and walking alone in Turkey.

THINGS YOU WILL MISS THE MOST………………The ocean, The people, The laughs, The opportunity.

I will miss them.

Less than seven hours until we reach Norfolk, Virginia, USA.

I’m Almost home. Almost.


Explore. Dream. Discover.


~Michael-Anthony


P.S. A.B.A. All The Way!

Putting it in Perspective

**Note: Post Date is August 20, 2009**

I took to the stage once more as I participated in and produced the Semester at Sea Summer 2009 Voyage Talent Show. It was a tiring night but a successful one. Dancers, singers, pianists, guitarists, and comedians all came out last night to show off their amazing talents. And that they truly were.  Of course some acts naturally fall short but the bulk of the night’s talent was exemplary and I was impressed. I had a front row seat as I watched the night unfold. Dan, my fellow NYU colleague, was the MC as he added that special something to the night. He is absolutely hysterical. I sang "Remember when it Rained" by Josh Groban and sadly my performance wasn't to my full potential. In my opinion a comedic duo stole the night with slogan songs poking fun at some premier personalities on the ship such as Executive Dean, Dia Draper and Global Studies teacher, Alex Nalbach. It was funny and included some of the fun we’ve had with them on this voyage.

Taking charge is a large undertaking as I determined the acceptance of acts, the order of the show and any other logistics that follow such as seating, lights and sound. I of course had a helpful team but me being the controlling person I am couldn’t finally relax until the conclusion of the evening. The community, especially the Deans, seem to be appreciative and have even shown their appreciation by rewarding me with some gift certificates that I can use on the ship. I am extremely thankful and humble to receive any sort of reward, but I’m simply doing something I love to do. It comes with a small sacrifice that doesn’t even compare to the reward of seeing a final and successful product.

There were some battles along the way concerning content of some pieces. In particular, their was a student who wanted to perform slam poetry. The content wasn’t flowers and sunshine but it certainly had a topic that could speak to people and relate to the theme of the voyage which is “Human Rights”. However, the Deans conversed and the ultimate verdict was she could not perform in the show due to its content and young audiences. I, as well as others, worked diligently to persuade the board otherwise and highlight this unique and impactful talent. But I regret to say, I’m not superman. My human powers could only stretch so far to try and change the minds of some conservative thinkers. But besides the minimal hiccups I am proud of this year’s talent show.

With classes and finals behind us, we have nothing to do but kick back and relax as we enjoy the concluding days of this two month cruise. And so that’s what we did. Some earlier than others as Erika heads up to the deck at about 8:00am in the brisk morning. I joined the A.B.A. gang later in the day at about 11:00 seeing as tanning isn’t much of a priority for me. But it was nice to relax. Nothing to do, nothing to read, nothing to prepare for, just to simply wait. However its funny, you can only do nothing for so long. It’s like Ellen Degeneres says in her Stand Up Comedy: “Here and Now” that we procrastinate so that we don’t have to do anything, but once we are given that chunk of time to do nothing, we choose to do something! Relaxing isn’t a long past time, for me at least. It soon becomes unproductive, static and the opposite of living. So as we bask in the sun and eat our afternoon away, I itch for something more. Maybe a nice run will do.

Although I must admit laying poolside with the gang is a nice alternative to the headache of homework and studying. We took pictures, had a bunch of laughs and just began to put things into perspective.  And I begin to slowly do that.

Summer by India Arie

Goodbye Summer
I hate to see you go,
I wasn’t ready for autumn wind to blow

My heart is frozen in this place
Waiting for another Summer’s day
To bring you back my way

In actuality no summer day will ever bring this unforgettable two months back my way. But each summer, in the ones to come,  I’m sure I will look back on this one and know how near and dear it is to me and remember the amazing time I had. For now, I look forward to the rest of the summer I do have. My return home will be full of family and friend gatherings, fun events like concerts, visit to the race tracks, and my first visit ever to the Statue of Liberty. It will be quite ironic to finally visit this historic landmark after traveling the distant waters of the Mediterranean. Being on a voyage where the theme is “Human Rights” and experiencing many cultures in which that term holds no value, it will be quite the visit to a symbol that stands for freedom and equality for all.

Keep Breathing by Ingrid Michaelson

The storm is coming, but I don’t mind.
People are dying, I close my blinds
All that I know is I’m breathing.

I want to change the world, instead I sleep.
I want to believe in more than you and me.
All that I know is I’m breathing.
All I can do is keep breathing.
All we can do is keep breathing, now.

It has been hard visiting nations such as Egypt and Morocco and facing their impoverished state first hand. There were many trips offered to visit orphanages, but I couldn’t imagine the amount of heartache and despair that would loom above me after visiting any orphanage let alone ones of such neglect that are in these underdeveloped nations. I’m an extremely small player in the global world, virtually non-exisitent, but I yearn to make a difference and be a force in this unfortunate world of ours. And it isn’t just the state of these certain nations, our very own has always faced a huge poor demographic and it is currently facing times of economic hurt. It is also the number one contributor to our environmental state as a human race. Yet, I can’t help feeling helpless as these facts and figures weigh heavier and heavier upon my conscious. I don’t want to be a contributor to the destruction of this planet, nor the reason a young boy must go hungry, but right now the best thing I can do is be appreciative of what I do have. I have an abundance of food, I have a loving family and amazing friends, I have a bountiful education and a prospective future, I have life.

Meaning by Gavin DeGraw

Mountain the trail
But you got it in sight
Sometimes the only way is jumping
I hope you’re not afraid of heights!

Reach in my pocket, for a bill that isn’t there
And to face of the undoing, still isn’t more than I can bare.

Love has a reason
There’s a meaning to the world
We’re giving love.

It’s always been good to me.

This it harder than it seems, but in lieu of the unfortunate states of life I have witnessed, it makes sense to wake up a little more kind, a little more positive, a little more happier, a little more grateful and bundle that all up into one thing called love. People think we only need water and food to survive, but we need so much more. We need human touch and acceptance; we need to laugh and cry, we need love. And even though I can’t complain, for I’ve always felt loved, I still need to make a conscious effort to be a little more positive and a little more loving in my daily life, because there is a reason.

It all goes by so fast by Ray Charles

Ain’t it funny how the years go by like pages in a book?
If I had another chance, I’d stop and take another look
And I’ll remember, every moment
And treat it like it might just be the last
Cause it all goes by so fast.

I’m not old, by any means, but I am older. Becoming older scares me. It makes me bitter, anxious and helpless. Time is one thing I can’t seem to control. This afternoon as I stood once more looking over the engulfing ocean I felt myself existentially looking at me. Here I am, age 21, traveling the world. I will be graduating a top university in less than a year, I will be living in the city I set to live in and it all seems to have been written. These plans have been inside me for a long time. As far back as my elementary years. And now its coming to fruition and more plans and ideas present themselves, such as this one. Before we left, Erika said, “Hey we should write down everyday all the things we did and all the funny times we had and then write a book.” I laughed but I said ok. Not to make a book of course but to write it all down. It wasn’t until now that I understand how extremely lucky and smart I am to have done this. In our life, let alone this trip, so much happens, so many moments, so many experiences that our memory isn’t capable of capturing it all. By choosing to keep a journal, or a blog, you have the ability to preserve at least some of it. And as I look back on my short 21 years of life I can only pick out a handful of moments that stick out. But how much I wish that I could look back and truly remember a particular moment in my life. It all goes by so fast. And so it hasn’t been decided, but the prospect of continuing this blog and capturing more moments is a possible one.

Dream Like New York by Tyrone Wells

So many dreams come and go.
We blink are eyes time flies by and we don’t know
Whatever happened to those childhood years
When we thought we could fly?
We got to keep those dreams alive.

And dream like New York
As high as the skyline
Aim for the stars above those city lights
I wanna dream like New York
I’m running down Broadway
Got to catch the next train, I’m making my way.

How many times have you tried and failed?
Have you watched your dream slip away?
Well every hero falls and ever soldier crawls
And every dreamer dreams again.
You gotta dream again!

Go on and dream like New York.

Even though I stand here confidently today and am prepared for the roads that lay ahead tomorrow, each step in my life begins with a dream. Dreams are easily categorized as silly or unattainable, but they wouldn’t be called dreams if they were practical and easily accessible. Dreams come with uncertainty and hope at the same time. And they need ambition and faith in order to come true. One dream of mine was to live in New York. And now I am happy to call it my home and can’t wait to be back there again in two weeks time. In New York stems another dream of being an actor. Even though the career aspect isn’t there, I ever much so consider myself a trained actor. And so it may be luck, but it took a dream to get me there. So keep dreaming, no matter what.

Explore. DREAM. Discover.

~Michael-Anthony

P.S. Luck is when preparation meets opportunity

A Thought or Too

And then Bo moved out. With only six days left, I sat as I watched him pack his stuff so he could move to a single room. It was about 2 weeks ago when the ship offered us to de-triple. Kevin and I were quick to answer with a giant “no” and even laughed at the prospect of such a thing. Us three have had such an amazing time with each other these last 7 weeks. I couldn’t imagine separating from the spunky spirit of Kevin Lenzen and the sensitive yet equally friendly personality of Bowen Macdougal   However, Bo had alternative motives. Morgan and him have been getting quite close over the course of this voyage and so a single room looked quite appetizing to the romantic pair. I sat on his bed pleading for him not to leave. As Kevin laid on his bed groaning from the ice cream cake he should not have eaten. I was alone in this battle as I persuaded with multiple reasons as to why he should stay. “You can even leave your clothes on the chair,” I yelled with a last plea. But the transition had been made. He had the key to his new room, his bag was packed and he was out the door. Luckily he hasn’t moved out completely. He still has many of his items in this room including his computer. He has promised that he will still be making many trips to this room and we won’t even realize he’s gone. I hope so.

I didn’t anticipate becoming this upset from such a trivial change in my daily activity, but I was seriously distraught with Bo’s decision. It was at this point that I started to realize how drastically my life is going to shift after leaving Semester at Sea. I’m going to miss the people that I’ve grown so close to over these last couple of months. You may not think that you would form such lasting friendships in such a short period of time, but living in such close quarters and seeing each other almost every day, that time grows immensely. And as Bo left the room, in which so many laughs were shared and so many talks were had, it ignited a spark of emotion that I would eventually be feeling in less than a week. An emotion of longing not only for these new formed relationships but also for the experiences I’ve had with these amazing people.

It may seem like I’ve given a thorough account of my daily life during these exciting travels but I can’t possibly capture all the history I have learned and all the moments I have encountered in these last two months. With classes coming to a conclusion I realize how appreciative I am of the educational component of the Semester at Sea experience.  It has truly enriched my traveling experience providing a window of preliminary insight before entering such foreign territories. And with that knowledge it enables you to explore more freely and bravely. Simply being tourists is undeniably fun and still an adventure, but only a two dimensional experience compared to the world of opportunities that come with education. And still I haven’t even grazed the tip of the culture and history that these nations have to offer.

After having such a positive experience, I’m going to try to remain as objective as possibly when I say that, I think studying aboard should be no more mandatory than a college degree when entering professional world. Traveling is such a humanistic experience that cannot be supplemented with anything else. Therefore in the near future, higher institutions of learning need to mandate that all students participate in a study abroad program of some sort. It stimulates growth and maturity within an individual that one won’t find else where. The human experience that I talk about is realizing that the world extends past your own background and isn’t limited to your circle of friends and family. I used to think that I was having a more globalized experience by going to such a world institution like NYU, yet there are still endless cultures and views out there that should be discovered in order to substantially develop your own.

Today Erika, Kevin and I ate lunch with these two lovely Life Long Learners on the boat. A Life Long Learner is someone who participates in a voyage but isn’t necessarily a student. They are continuing their education because they so chose to, not because they are working toward a degree. Well for this particular couple, the Summer 2009 Voyage has been their ninth one with Semester at Sea. All three of our jaws dropped when we heard this detail. Here these two hearty souls sat; they have traveled the world together, brought their grand children along and are still going for they have signed up for next summer voyage already. Of course this opportunity comes with an influx of income, but it also comes with strength, perseverance and something that dies quite often in people’s lives: Curiosity. Lillian, an LLL in our Global Music class always expressed an amazing amount of interest for the topic at hand. She offered life stories, anecdotes as well as challenging questions to open up yet another discussion on the topics of music. In watching this ninety year old woman participate in the same extensive and exhausting journey I have, it makes me vow that I too will hold tight to the vigor and strength that she demonstrates. “I want my parents to do this,” Erika admits to the couple. I immediately think of two people in my life that would absolutely love this opportunity. My grandparents. I think my interest in travel stems from them. It was with them that I first visited New York, and with them that I saw Niagara Falls and Maine. They still itch to travel and I always am interested in what they are planning next. They have many plans yet those plans come with finances that don’t always prove to be in their favor. Still I dream of their lives. I dream that one day they will see the Outback in Australia and the Sistine Chapel in Italy. And I urge them to do so. If Semester at Sea becomes an option it would be a dream come true.

Even though this has been a dream come true for me, a dream must end. With everything behind us now; the countries, getting to know each other, getting accustomed to the boat, and the novelty of such a unique idea, we have nothing else to do but be excited for the familiarity of our own home. We sometimes feel guilty for screaming in excitement for our return, but in reality that in itself is something new to us. For two months we haven’t used our cell phones, we haven’t leisurely browsed the internet, we haven’t indulged in our favorite foods, we haven’t driven a car, we haven’t extensively talked with our friends and families and now we yearn for all those things that we can once again equate with being our home. This summer we were always learning about other cultures, experiencing different ways of lives, listening  o foreign languages and eating exotic foods, and now as we approach the land of the free we can just sit back and relax.

However that isn’t entirely true, for two months can bring a lot of change. And as I make my return home I’m slowly trying to accustom myself to the world events that have happened or are currently taking place. To begin, Hurricane Bill slowly makes its way North toward the MV Explorer’s position. This doesn’t worry me, but it does worry others such as Erika. Speaking of weather, it seems that there has been a huge climate shift in the United States. Many reports have been made of this being the worst summer ever full of nothing but rain and clouds. In good news there is rumor that the recession has found stable ground and the U.S. economy is looking toward a quick recovery. I’m not sure as to how trusting I can be to the government, but that’s the word on the block. With controversy, President Obama is amidst the passing of the Universal Health Care Plan. This may seem utopian and a legislation that is long over due, but after much debate and much conversation amongst professors, colleagues and myself it seems that this socialist attitude is quite dangerous. Universal Health Care is not a strange concept in Europe and yet citizens there detest the system. They say the care is horrible and inefficient and lines are longer at both emergency and primary care offices. The credibility in doctors is scarce and some citizens even move to America for its health packages. Ensuring a health plan to everyone isn’t a bad idea by any means, but equalizing it is NOT the answer. It eliminates competition and growth in the medical fields, it causes crowded facilities and basically rids the need of specialty doctors. This new legislation could not only be hazardous to our health but to our financial stability as well. There needs much reform to this proposed bill before its passed. We need to focus on the unfortunate who don’t have health care not the ones who already have it. U.S. citizens need to become more informed to prevent another wrong move made by our government.

Also experiencing so many impoverished environments in nations such as Italy, Turkey, Egypt and Morocco and then realizing that we are the reason to such conditions made me shriek with shock and mope in sadness. I have always been intrigued by the environment and the effects of global warming. But besides those effects, the planet is currently headed toward destruction and because of human behavior.  Unfortunately, some parts of the globe are feeling it worst than others. The United States has 20% of the world’s population, and yet we have 85% of the world’s wealth, 90% of its resources and the worst of it: we create 70% of world pollution. Again these statistics are horrifying and yet paralyzing at the same time. I just think, “What can I possibly do?”. I continue to feel helpless against such a large global issue. And what’s worst is I shrug it off in thinking it won’t really effect me. But its not about the state of the planet, its about the state of humanity. This world is the only world that the human race has. I hope to have children and grand children and my family will inevitably live on this very same world that is supposedly not in great shape. And so, if these conditions continue, the questions is “will there be a world for them to live on?” We can’t just leave this problem for some elite group to take care of, it will take the cooperation of this entire world to find a solution. As I’ve said before I find it absurd that we place such responsibility in the hands of leaders and are afraid to take these steps on our own. But this problem can’t be addressed by our governments, or our top scientists, it has to be addressed from the bottom up, beginning with us. If not you, who? If not here, where? If not now, when? We don’t have time to answer these questions, so just do it. Start conserving, start buying things locally and start thinking environment friendly or else there won’t be a backyard let alone a world to travel through.

Explore. Dream. Discover.

~Michael-Anthony

P.S. The World is Our Campus.

A Lasting Imprint

**Note: Post Date is August 15, 2009**

I saw another one. A shooting star that is.

Tonight was a magical night full of A.B.A. fun times. First we celebrated Shannon’s birthday with the ever popular ice cream cake that they offer on the boat. It was chocolate, not my favorite, but I couldn’t resist. After indulging in that dessert, A.B.A moved on to the next, with our Milk and Cookies party. A select 10 of us gathered around the huge platter of cookies gorging our faces with the wonderful chocolate chip creations. We were stuffed. Funny pictures were a must for we were doing fun things with the cookies that you wouldn’t do otherwise, including spelling out SAS 2009. We even engaged in a fun game with our cups after we had gulped down our milk. I can’t wait to teach it to friends and family back home. It was yet another great time and hard to believe that in a week it will all be over.

As we wobbled out of our private room and onto the outside deck we waited for the sun to set. For at dusk the captain was turning off all outside lights on the boat so that we could all enjoy a night of star gazing on the Atlantic Ocean. At about 9pm it all went dark as we looked to the sky for yet another planetarium look at the vast and unknown area of Space. It was even better than the one in the Sahara. One reason being that we were all together. We began our nightly activities by playing basketball in the dark. Being virtually blind and playing a contact sport is quite interesting and equally dangerous so that didn’t last too long. Before long we all settled down on a secluded side-deck to lay down and admired the beautiful twinkling night sky, that I am not privileged with living in New York City.

“There’s something in my eye,” I say as more drops begin to fall from the sky. As a cloud moved across our location it had begun to rain. And boy did we laugh. It was such a rare occurrence that you would actually watch a rain cloud pass you by and as it passes have it rain on you. I began to cry. I cried out of a both overwhelming amount of happiness and uncontrollable sadness. As we lay on a ship, in the middle of the Atlantic, looking up at the sky, in the rain, while rolling in laughter, I realize its rarity. I realize how these times don’t happen on a normal basis and that what we have here is truly precious and a lasting imprint on my life. This night, no matter how much homework and papers we must endure, no matter the amount stress and anxiety that enters our rooms, it made it all vanish. 

One night, during the five day cross to Morocco, I sat on the port side deck: all alone, no one else in sight, the large Semester at Sea high above me and the African coast on the nightly horizon. I had just finished having a good and intense run and had come outside for some fresh air. It was complete darkness as usual. The cloud filled the sky and the breeze strongly grazed my face. Then a break in the clouds reveals the moon, full and vibrant. I look up at this glowing mass, shining on the black water, and smile. This picture of mystic and beauty was an intriguing and beautiful one. It may seem unattainable to me at this given moment, but regardless someone has visited the craters of the moon, and explored the depths of the deep blue sea. And just as these places such as Africa and Italy seemed to be out of grasp something came along and that something for me was Semester at Sea. After the unexplainable experience of this massive trip, I realize that the world isn’t that unreachable. I speak in relative terms of course, but as I watch the nearby waves crash, the distant water shimmer and the ship’s flags wave rapidly in the wind I knew I would remember this moment forever. It may have seemed like this entire time I’ve been appreciative of this experience but it wasn’t until this point, as well as tonight, that I knew this trip was truly worth it.

I wish I may, I wish I might. Goodnight.

Explore. Dream. Discover.

~Michael-Anthony

P.S. I wonder if there’s life out there.

Unspoken

WARNING: Reader Discretion Advised. Contains Sentimental and graphic content.

I would like to begin in assuring you that everyone, including myself, is safely aboard the MV Explorer and headed home to the United States. But an incident took place that we, as a group, decided would be better to disclose after our loved ones could be assured that everyone was safe and sound. We apologize for our exemption and hope we can be forgiven for trying to protect our friends and families at home.

On July 20, 2009  I was attacked and mugged by three Turkish men in the streets of Istanbul, Turkey. The details are as follows:

 I was stupidly returning to the ship alone at about 12:30am after getting a duner and some tea. Three men approached me and announced themselves as police. They only flashed their wallet and at that point I knew they were lying but before I knew it they had pushed me and dragged me into a dark alley. I was immediately brought to the ground. I tried to get up and run but it was ultimately impossible. It was three against one and they had a strong grip. They started to strangle and choke me. I screamed for help but that just made them do it harder, so I learned my lesson to remain quiet. I told them that I would give them money, but they kept saying, “No Money, No Money,” and at that point I thought I was to never return. My family, my friends and the rest of the trip flashed before me as I continued to struggle, but I had seriously contemplated on giving up considering the overbearing ratio. They then proceeded to strip me of my pants and underwear. (I assure you nothing of a sexual nature was done to me. I think they just wanted to make me feel more vulnerable.) Nonetheless,  I thought my life was going to be over. They were still choking me and now smothering me with my own jeans. Fortunately there was no punching or kicking or any weapon of any sort.  Pain wasn’t their goal but why were they strangling me? Well, at last their grip had loosened a bit as one of the guys was having trouble getting my watch off. Shortly after that they had let me go. I don’t really remember this part but I do remember running naked until they were kind enough to throw me my pants. I couldn’t believe it was over. I was in complete shock and beside myself. Unfortunately they stole 90 dollars, my identification, my shoes and my watch which my grandparents had recently bought for my 21st birthday. (I’m sorry Nana and Barry)

 I ran as fast as I could with no shoes on the cobbled rock to the nearest populated place. I wasn’t far from the boat but I had no ID and I needed the police. I found a police man who brought me to the police station. This was quite unhelpful. The cops were more or less laughing at me as they stood and assessed my situation. I was dirty, bleeding and just wanted to get back to the safety of the boat. I even had to ask for water. The basic things that you think would come in such a situation and they were just non-existent. After about a half an hour I had had enough of the minimal progress and so I demanded that I be brought back to the boat in which I needed to direct them to. The police talked me through ship security and at last I was home.

I am forever indebted to the staff on the boat. Besides being beyond friendly they were outstandingly gracious in everything I needed. Christina was the first to hear at 2:30 and the last to send me off to bed at 4:15. Bo was also by my side for a good chunk of the time. I could see tears in his eyes. But I was fine. I was with the Physician’s Assistant Nancy and cracking jokes the entire time. It was most likely a defense mechanism but I had yet to cry over the incident. When they threw me to the ground, the back of my earring must have made a gash in the back of my ear and it was in need of stitching. Nancy put them in in no time flat! It was painless and I was extremely grateful for that. After an extensive review of my body for any more cuts, bruises or any other problems I was cleared to leave. My blood pressure was lowering and all signs were of a healthy nature. The only problem was this was the one night that the staff was doing testing on the ship’s water. There was no running water on the boat ANYWHERE. I was dirty, bloody, and sweaty, and I couldn’t take a shower until 4:30. It was 4:15 as I stood over the sink just waiting to get the blessed luxury of water.

I was alive though. I was in awe of everything I touched and everything I saw. I still wasn’t sentimental. It was all cerebral. The only time this incident has struck me with tears is now as I confess this to you readers and when I had to tell Erika. Her life is already paralyzed with fear and now I had to be the stupid one to provide yet another reason for her to fear life as we know it. I love life and only want to live it to the maximum. This incident hasn’t deterred me from anything yet. Instead it has made me that more grateful for the things I have and the people I love.

Life is beyond fragile and it cannot be taken for granted. Everyday is a blessing and everyday I try to remember that. I try to love the most, complain the least and live constantly. It is terrifying to think that ten minutes could have changed the course of so many lives, not just mine. For that I apologize. For that I am ashamed. Why did I walk alone? Well, no one was around, and who ever was around was either asleep or had no interest in going out. So I decided to go alone. The decision to go out alone could not have only ruined this trip for all aboard but ruined the lives of my loved ones for the years to come. Living in New York City has made me ignorant to the dangers that can face me daily. I seem to think I’m invincible just because I can walk the streets of Manhattan by myself, but it just isn’t the case, especially considering these foreign countries and I’m not afraid to admit my stupidity. But I, in no way, want to induce fear. I don’t want to scare families and friends from traveling or allowing their loved ones to travel. Instead take this: it is true, bad things can happen. But they can happen in the comfort of your own home. Don’t let this incident or any other for that matter keep you from living your life to the fullest. And I don’t want to be rude in saying that if I can have this outlook so can you.

I would like to take this time to apologize again for not telling you of this incident. I hope you understand the reasoning behind the decision. As a collective we saw it  best for everyone’s mind and safety. The staff strongly suggested that I do call and notify but I knew what I had to do. I’m sorry mom. I’m sorry all.

For the next couple of days I was extremely sore in Turkey. My throat was painful and my movement was very stiff. But I’m glad to say I had much support from my friends and the rest of the community on board. We took things easy: as you can see we saw movies and kept to low key trips. I still had a wonderful time in Turkey and do not and will not let this horrible incident taint my time at Semester at Sea. I still suggest everyone to do it and don’t worry they didn’t make me say that.

Please laugh this off as much as you can muster. I know you must take it with some amount of seriousness but we are already on route to Norfolk and I will be home once more.

Take care, truly.

Explore. Dream. Discover and Live.

~Michael-Anthony

P.S. I love you all and thank God.

The Beginning of the End

**Note: Post date is August 12, 2009**

I woke up, packed and pondered on how I would use all the rest of my Durham. I had a substantial amount and they won’t exchange Durham easily in the United States. My phone rang. “I can’t find my camera anywhere,” says Erika. I rush to her room to help her find the most precious item to anyone on this trip. After tearing all the sheets and all the blankets off the beds, rummaging through every drawer and crevice in the room, the camera was no where to be found. The waterworks didn’t take too long to start. We had taken some unique and wonderful pictures, along with videos, of our travels through the Sahara desert and back. Not to mention the value of the camera alone. But pictures are undeniably worth so much more than any other monetary value. Erika began to cry.

The others: Becca, Kate and Nicole had went back to the square earlier in the morning she finish some shopping. It was about a half an hour before we had to leave and they return. Erika and I explain to them what happened as we rush down to the concierge to try and resolve the missing camera mystery. There weren’t many possibilities for Erika and I were 100% sure that she left it in the hotel for the entire night. She calmly but emotionally explained the situation to the hotel manager who was very quick to help us. He frantically paced the hotel to acquire records of the times in which the door was open. Erika was still in a state of panic and tears. I had to gather my bags together and so I went upstairs. Along the way I stopped to update the girls on the situation. Nicole had been keeping some stuff of mine her bag. When I got to her room she had put my stuff in a pile. In that pile was none other than Erika’s camera. I scream out of both excitement and frustration. I grab the camera, run down the stairs and relieve Erika of her heartbreaking worries. It gave me relief too, because these nine days home would be completely different if Erika had lost her camera.

The day was pretty simple. To drive back to Marrakech. And so we did. We made some stops in which I tried to use up more Durham. I still have much more but Edwin, our cabin steward, will be back here with Semester at Sea in only a couple of weeks, so I can tip him in Moroccan currency. The drive was another long one, but no mountains this time. It was emotional to have to leave, especially knowing that we were heading into finals week and a lot of writing papers. Once we arrived at the boat, however, it was a relief to be home. It was nice to wave bye to those over cramped minibuses and nice to just relax. We stood in line, souvenirs in hand, as we awaited the last time we would ever walk up the gang plank and get on the M.V. Explorer.

We left Morocco an hour earlier than planned. We now head off into the Atlantic ocean once more. But this time, instead of traveling the world, it is to return safely to our homeland that we call the United States of America. I got in a little argument with Kevin tonight. I even got a little upset. He was quick to say that he didn’t want to live in the U.S., because he didn’t like our government. Seems like a valid statement and his opinion is his opinion. But it made me furious that even after all the devastation and poverty that we have witnessed on this voyage he would still take for granted the luxury and security we are blessed with each and every day in the USA. There are people that would trade their most prized possessions just for just a chance in the “free world” and he was throwing it around like it was a pair of die. America should not be glorified or praised but it certainly should be appreciated.

Explore. Dream. Discover.

~Michael-Anthony

P.S. I’m on my way!

It was just yesterday...

**Note: Post Date is August 11, 2009**

Our early wake up call this morning was a mixture of rooster and camel calls. After an exhausting day yesterday I immediately fell asleep. I was in a such deep sleep that I missed all the commotion that happened throughout the night.

I’m not going to deface the Semester at Sea name, nor minimize the time I’ve had with the program but a select group of students have been less than respectful when entering these nations. In fact considering the size of their group they inflict destruction on these poor countries with no regard to their property or feelings. And supposedly they struck again. Erika being a light sleeper heard it all.

With alcohol from outside and inside the camp these students became unbearably intoxicated. Being unable to control their actions and overall behavior they soon became out of control as the roamed the camp site. Fights broke out, tents were collapsed and faculty became involved. The screaming escalated and threats flew as these students have already been under the radar for alcohol abuse and poor judgment throughout the trip. As Erika relayed the happenings, I was in complete shock. One student even fell on our tent waking Kate up from her sleep. It seemed like it was a circus out there and I’m ashamed. I’m appalled that I must be associated with such people and quite honestly I wasn’t expecting this. From my impression the student body of Semester at Sea was intelligent, mature and respectful. Instead we still encounter idiots and it’s no different than high school. I am infinitely appreciative to have found such a kind and solid group of people that I respect and enjoy and am able to call my true friends. Without their imprint this trip would have a completely different vibe and consequently tainted my trip more than it already has been by these unfortunate souls. It is unanimous that Semester at Sea needs to raise their admission requirements to result in higher standards for the community they wish to create.

With the desert being extremely dry Erika had a couple of nosebleeds through the night. She’s never had one before so you could imagine her franticness, but actually she handled it quite well.

After the commotion died down, we gathered around for a delicious and fruity breakfast with some mint tea (which is delicious by the way). As the sun was rising we made our way back through the desert on Camels so that we could then drive yet again another eight hours back to Marrakech. Erika and I were dreading the deadly trip over the mountain side so we decided to preoccupy ourselves with each other’s company. I’ve known Erika for almost 10 years now and yet we still find fascination with one another. We still find things about each other we never knew and find more things to laugh hysterically about. A topic that surfaces frequently however is our futures. Being a senior in college, the word future is ultimately ingrained in your mind. It takes the form of dreams, nightmares and logical thinking. Being immersed in acting for more than half my life I have become fascinated with other career paths. I’m completely satisfied with the challenge that lays before me in acting but for some reason I’m in awe and impressed by some of the interests people have. Nicole has a double major in Psychology and Sign Language and with that degree hopes to form a practice of Psychology for the deaf which surprisingly doesn’t exist. A student named Grace is currently a Hospitality major but eventually hopes to go to culinary school and become a chef of her own bakery. And Erika with a degree in Psychology and a minor in theatre still hopes to pursue her dreams of becoming a dolphin trainer. They all sound so exciting. The work varies but becoming anything, even an actor take an immense amount of dedication and perseverance. A work ethic that Erika and I think is missing from the generations that come after us. A generation in which our siblings are a part of and it worries us.

But at the fore front of our worrying was still the mountain. As I write this we’ve obviously survived but it was a risky drive once more as Omar drove at top speeds around these bends, while passing cars at any opportunity he sought fit. Erika and I had to try yet another tool of soothing as we listened to my I-pod. It was still interrupted by our constant fear of death. I can’t express to you how happy and appreciative I am that that ride is finished. And let me tell you…I’m done with mountains for a while.  It’s hard to think that Kevin is up in those mountain as I write this.

We stopped along the way, once for lunch and once to see the largest palmary in North Africa. For lunch we had the norm along with watermelon again! But I pigged out, totaling in ten pieces of watermelon. I was full. Once we returned to the hotel we were given free time for the rest of the night. And it was our last night of being in a foreign country. We began the evening by returning to the plaza called Djemma el-Fna Square. This Bazaar was as crowded and pushy as the one in Turkey but it had more variety and spunk so I was entertained. All the vendors kept telling me that I looked Moroccan and that I had a Moroccan face. I wonder. I’m not sure of my father’s background, it’s possible. I was using my French skills once again. Erika is a little rusty as I communicated for her plenty of times. I miss French and wish I had room in my hectic schedule to still study it.

 Anyways I did much shopping and accomplished a great deal souvenir wise. Yet it must be forewarned that souvenir shopping is a stressful and difficult thing that should be practiced before doing. I tried my best and the outcome might not be the most abundant but at least there is one. Seeing as it was the last country it was the last opportunity for souvenir shopping.

As leaving the square a young kid tugged on my shirt and looked up at me with his big eyes and sad face. He was holding a package of tissues for sale and pleaded with me to by them from him. He was all of seven or eight begging in the streets of Marrakech. I told him to go please and that I was sorry in French several times. Eventually had to use force and so I raised my voice. Once he realized I wasn’t going to give in, he took down the charade and screamed, “Fuck You,”. For a split second I was furious that he would pull such a stunt but then I simply realized it was a means of survival. Being in that situation you probably lose all sense of social norms and resort to anything to get what you need. Many kids were surrounding us as we stopped to by ice cream, asking us to buy them some. Regardless that we would be bombarded if we bought one child a cone, ice cream isn’t of nutritional value. They need real food and it broke my heart to have to rush away from these potentially starving children. The worst incident was during our drive back when we stopped to look at the palm trees. There was a small house by the road. These two kids approached us with open hands in expectation for some coins. One of the students naively threw one coin to the two children and they literally fought for it. We bended at will as we threw more. They were so adorable, yet so underprivileged as they walked around bare foot with ripped clothing. I wanted to take a picture but knew that it would be exploiting them and they deserve so much more than that. I wish them the world if not just food for the night.

Tonight was the last. The last night that A.B.A would go out for the evening. As Erika and I were heading of the hotel for a quick stop at the grocery store we bumped into some familiar faces. Rachel, Lauren, Erik and Lindsay were in Marrakech. Don’t let this surprise you. We had all intentions of meeting them and It was great to get the gang together as much as possible. Kevin and Bo were some of the main people missing. It wasn’t a big night out. It was sweet and simple as we went to a near by restaurant for banana splits. We talked, we took pictures and we calmly accepted the closure of this amazing and unforgettable expedition.

It all seems like yesterday. Actually the entire trip just seems like one long day. I can still remember saying goodbye to my mom and brother at the train station, and catching the van to go to the airport to fly to Halifax. It is all so fresh in my mind. And now, two months later we are celebrating its conclusion. We are well aware that we have a long ride home, but the explore part of my motto has now come to fruition. And in the next week or so we will have to come to terms with Semester at Sea in the past and the dispersions of A.B.A. through the U.S. It was a relaxing night, but a long one as we stayed up till about 4:00 am just talking and reminiscing  the entirety of the trip. Rachel, Lauren, Erik and Lindsay took a 5:00 am train back to Casablanca, while the rest of us remained at the hotel. It doesn’t feel like the end.

Today’s Expense’s

………………………....Durham………Dollars
Taxi……………………..27.00.………..3.38
Shopping………………250.00.………31.25
Ice Cream……………20.00.………..2.50
Total Water…………8.00.………….1.00

Total……………………305.00.……….38.13

Explore. Dream. Discover.

~Michael-Anthony

P.S. It looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

The Nomad Pad

**Note: Post Date is August 10, 2009**

I have decided to label our minibus as tragic. This van, or box if you will, trekked up the High Atlas Mountain, the highest in North Africa, at top speeds, making turns without caution, passing cars on a two lane street and all while holding steady conversation. Why do I put myself in these horrific situations? I did it in Italy atop the monstrous mountain top of AnaCapri, in Greece to climb to the distant area of Delphi and now once more in Morocco on the treacherous and winding roads of High Atlas. In past tense this fear may seem trivial and at times comical, but at the time with gaps of no protection at all between you and the deadly cliff along with an endless amount of sharp turns, that fear is nothing but real.

My anxiety is slightly higher than the normal individual. However, I am a fan of life and a strong believer that a part of life is feeling the pain as well as the pleasure. Therefore trying to reduce my anxiety is not on my agenda. My mother however thinks I need some kind of depressant to regulate my nervousness. She even suggested that I’d bring Zanex or some sort with me on the trip. I naturally refused. But…sitting in this crammed vehicle while defying the laws of physics and gravity I was wishing I took her up on that offer. Not to mention that the driver barely spoke English creating a barrier of communication as I screamed for him to slow down. Cars have always frightened me. They frighten me on a regular road. You place that road hundreds of feet in the air, forget it! I wanted off this crazy rollercoaster ride. NOW!

But we had 6 hours to go before that demand could be met. Six hours of dodging death. Erika and I sat back, breathed and tried to sleep through the rest of the terrifying trip. Luckily I can sleep anywhere and so I made due as we went along. Sitting in a van for hours on end just makes you utterly exhausted. We all sat around in a haze of heat and drowsiness as we dreaded the rest of the drive. We made several stops along the way actually. Mostly to give the driver a break but also to relieve us of the cramped space, give us a chance to go to the bathroom, buy water and of course shop. Erika was doing some shopping and bartering for an item. She wasn’t getting her proposed price and so decided not to purchase it. We went to sit in the minibus and munch on cookies while we waited to leave when all of sudden a head popped up at the window. It was the guy offering Erika a cheaper price. She got him do lower it even more and so she decided to make the purchase. However, the man saw that she had some cookies and asked if she would throw in one to finalize the deal. Now you don’t ask Erika for her food, you just don’t. But she gave him one. Deal!

Going to the bathroom in countries such as Egypt, Morocco and even Bulgaria is quite an obstacle. First the conditions are hardly ever sanitary, second you have to pay and third the chance that there is toilet paper at your disposal is extremely rare. We currently measure the quality of bathrooms on whether they have TP or not. They are hard to come by but we found a few. Good thing I don’t go to the bathroom much. But being in the desert, water is a vital resource and going to the bathroom becomes quite excessive and basically inevitable.

We made an extended stop for lunch which again was delicious. The traditional Moroccan salad (this time with ranch dressing) along with pork and chicken skewers and again fruit for dessert. The bathroom was in amazing condition and we took this time to rejuvenate ourselves for the second half of the drive.

To add to the tragedy of our bus, one of the students in our van was missing some money from his wallet that he so ignorantly left on the bus while at lunch. Once he discovered that the money was missing he was quick to accuse and verbally attack our driver. I’m personally not a fan of his driving skills but I wouldn’t expect him to be a thief. His name is Omar: a short Berber man who has a young son and has been working with the company for 13 years of his 35 year career. Interestingly enough: he was a featured driver in the movie Babel starring Brad Pitt. Nevertheless this student, who shall remain nameless, was abrasive, rude and created an uncomfortable atmosphere inside the minibus for a good chunk of the trip. Curse words were flying along with threats of attempting to terminate his position. The rest of us on the bus did the best we could in calming down said person, but we had little effect. We offered other scenarios of why his money was missing such as dropping it or unknowingly spending it for he was intoxicated the evening before. However his mind was made up. He was positive that our driver had stolen his 1000 Durham. There is no way to determine either way, but the behavior exhibited by this student was distasteful, embarrassing and just plain rude.

There was definitely benefit to our eight hour drive through the Moroccan terrain. The view of the mountains was both gorgeous and breathtaking along with absolutely horrifying. I was appreciative of being able to see different parts of Morocco, including the Sahara Desert and other surrounding small towns. We saw authentic Moroccan life including shepherds on hill top, woman and their daily chores, workers in the distant fields and of course our final destination: a nomad camp where we would be staying for the night.

First we had to Camel trekked through the Sahara to reach this cultural outing. I’ve encountered camels in both Egypt and in Morocco and I can promise you I’m not their biggest fan. They are tall, skinny, dirty, gangly animals with tight skin who make obnoxious noises, foul drool and attract bugs. I swear their compositional make-up is so bizarre and foreign from any other animal and I’m convinced they are aliens. Me and Erika riding a camel through the Sahara desert was a sight to see. I’m sure she seemed more in control then I did as I was apprehensive about the whole thing. But as much as I am disturbed by their appearance and lifestyle, riding them was a fun experience. I actually grew accustomed to our camel that Erika and I named Fred (short for Fredrick). Unfortunately they brand the camels which breaks my heart. No matter how ugly or disgusting an animal may be they don’t deserve that sort of demeaning torture. I mean I’m not sure what the purpose of a camel would be beside transporting people and supplies through the desert but nonetheless they could treat them with a little more respect. Besides, many animals that I encounter for some reason make me think of my pet cat: Stimpy who I miss a lot. I always miss that fat cat, who is actually more like a dog as he follows me around the house. But why would anyone want to hurt a helpless animal? It is so upsetting.

Anyways after an hour ride through the evening desert full of wind and dust we made it to the outside nomad camp where we were welcomed with a up roaring of music, clapping and dancing from the natives of Morocco. It was surreal as we entered this authentic camp. With tents and carpeting to limit the sand intake, a fire pit in the center and the Arabian night sky approaching I became more and more in awe of this indescribable experience. Here I stood in the Sarah desert, in Africa being served tea as I put my bags down in a nomad tent that I would be sleeping in for the night. The music was continuous and so was the dancing that soon became communal to the entire fleet of SAS students. I too joined in the joyous circle as I experienced, hands on, the African culture. It is so beyond thrilling to be in this unique place and time yet emotional. I’m 21 and I am able to be experience things such as traveling to Africa. My mom has expressed to me numerous times her strong desire of coming to this continent and it literally breaks my heart that I’m doing it before her and without her. I sit below the night sky and think of how privileged I am. I make a promise to return but only with her. I’ve yet to visit sub-Sahara Africa so together we can experience a safari and explore the southern parts of this unique body of land. If we’re lucky maybe my brother and sister will join.

Dinner again was consistently good as we were served another variation of our other meals. The bread was freshly cooked outside at the fire and this time for desert we had watermelon: my favorite!  There was also a lot of singing at dinner as we sang famous Disney tunes including hits from Lion King, Aladdin and Mulan to keep us in the mood of this exotic experience. It was yet another fun A.B.A. time of laughing, taking pictures and really marking this as a remunerable time.

“I never knew so many stars existed,” I say aloud as we lay below the dark sky. The Milky Way, the big and small dippers and Venus. It was just a magical night. I walked through the sand (tentative of beetles of course) and just admired the beauty of the starry night and just thought. I can’t possibly record all the thoughts I had this evening but one is the amount of our history that stems from this continent. The slave trade originated here. I’m not very connected to my African heritage, if at all, but to some it is a very powerful feeling to be standing where I am. It was powerful to me for many other reasons, but interesting to think that slavery created a whole period of time in our country of civil war, civil rights movement and most recently our elected president. It is such a stamp on the progressiveness of the United States and here I stand at its origin. I saw a shooting star. I can’t tell you my wish but it has a lot to do with life and the well being of the human race.

As I walked back to the tent I screamed like a little girl as I was faced with a beetle, (you know the ones from The Mummy?). Morgan had to whisk me away with her flashlight so that I could safely make it back to the camp without having to actually make contact with the crawling creature. What’s worst is they imbed themselves in the sand so you don’t know their location until they decide to surface. I did not go back out there.

As I made it back to the camp there was a lot of commotion and everyone’s focus was in the distance. As I looked there was a nomad lighting something on fire. This something spelled out “Semester at Sea,” in flames! It was such a cool moment of the night as we all cheered. It was so exciting to see knowing that I was one of the lucky ones to be a part of this amazing institution and unforgettable voyage and here it was being noticed by an African community.

Showering wasn’t a success seeing as I didn’t tonight. The nomads were very hospitable enough to offer us a bathroom along with food, electricity and beds but this facility was not worth the hassle. First the electricity wasn’t very stable so you gambled on whether you would be showering in the dark or not and the drainage wasn’t very advanced so the odors were enough of a deterrence for me. So I went to bed sandy and sweaty but why not go for the full experience of camping out in Africa? The drums and singing died down at about 11. Me and the girls climbed into our tent soon after that. I sprayed myself down with bug spray before I headed under the covers and wished everyone goodnight.

Explore. Dream. Discover.

~Michael-Anthony

P.S. Hakuna Matata

Marrakech, Morocco

**Note: Post date is August 9, 2009**


We arrived in Casablanca, Morocco this morning, my second destination in Africa, but didn’t get to see much of Casablanca at all actually, for Erika, Kate, Nicole, Becca, Morgan and myself were already headed to the city of Marrakech. It was the beginning of our four day trip to the Sahara desert and back.

Morocco is extremely different than Egypt. I’m not sure why I expected them to be similar but they are quite separate considering their economies, pollution levels and degree of development. Unlike the urban areas of Egypt, Morocco’s areas are clean, traffic laws are existent as well as followed and the area is habitable and not overpopulated. Even though Casablanca alone has a population of six million it certainly didn‘t feel like it.  It didn’t seem to be of the desperate and polluted nature of Egypt. It was calm, bright and enjoyable. However, as we ventured into the desert sights of poverty and underdevelopment were more apparent. Donkeys are a large source of transportation, irrigation is limited but extremely vital to the people of Morocco and so as you drive along the desert terrain you can see select civilians in the distance enduring hard obstacles of labor with the high and dry temperature of the blazing sun beating down on them. They might not be large contributors of global warming but they are certainly victims of their climate and economic status.

I awoke with Bo and Kevin for some breakfast before we went our separate ways in Morocco. Packed and ready to go, we waited for our passports before we could disembark the ship. “I’m not riding in that,” I thought to myself as I laid eyes on the small minibus that we would be driving in for an accumulative 24 hours or more. Fifteen of us had to crowd inside this vehicle with limited air-conditioning, no leg room and it was smaller than our cabins. I wish I could say I was exaggerating but this description is already too generous. I say limited air-conditioning meaning at times it would actually blow hot air into the already stifling carpeted van. And no leg room means having to turn your legs so that your body could in fact sit in the seat.  Many complained but I simply justified this discomfort with accepting air-conditioning as a luxury not a necessity and understanding that many of the people here don’t have it. I won’t deny that it was hot, but it was all a part of the experience.

After a three hour ride we arrived in Marrakech and immediately sat down for some Moroccan Cuisine. Lunch was interesting, but good, as we were served a mixed salad of carrots, salsa, beats, potatoes and eggplant with bread. Followed by some delicious chicken. For dessert: sliced oranges with cinnamon and nuts on top. I never thought of such a concoction but it was tasty. Erika went back for 5ths and 6ths noting it as a two thumbs up. The place was very atmospheric as we flashed our cameras. I certainly felt like I was in Morocco. After lunch we wandered around the plaza in which the restaurant was located. At this square there wasn’t only a Bazaar but also freshly squeezed orange juice (in the most literal sense), Henna artists, snake charmers, and monkeys. It smelled a little too. We were getting the tourist taste of Africa but nonetheless those snakes were real! I’m not afraid, but when the charmers come to put the select scaled creature on your neck, my instinct is to run!

We didn’t have much time in this happening plaza but we have intentions in returning. We were only 6 hours into our day and already dripping with sweat and exhaustion. Thank goodness our next stop was the hotel. The quality of our accommodations aren’t as luxurious compared to our time in Egypt but they will suffice. We had a few hours to freshen up and relax before we headed back out for the evening.

It is called Chez Ali and as we drove up to the palace-looking structure we could once again feel the Moroccan culture full force. Again it was of a touristy nature, but still more culture than I have knowledge of. As we strolled around this spacious area, surrounding a giant field of dirt, we were greeted with a line of various dancers, singers and musicians, both boastful and vibrant. It was thrilling just taking it all in. And as we made our way around we finally sat inside a large tent and enjoyed another meal. This time a soup of an unfamiliar and unpleasant texture, luckily followed by a rich beef stew with potatoes and vegetables. For dessert: fruit (we are starting to notice a trend), peaches, plums and delicious oranges. “This is the best orange I’ve ever had in my life,” Erika says to validate. Food, thus far, is a 100% upgrade from my experiences in Egypt.

The tables here are low to the ground with small seats and couches to match. It again layers on yet another experience of their culture. And as we sat around the low table talking, laughing and eating we were again greeted by those same cultural performers but this time one by one. We clapped along and shared this exchange of acknowledgment of each other. We were visiting their country and in return they were sharing their culture. Unbeknownst to a lot of people, traveling is an experience, not an activity, and it demands a dialogue with the land and its locals. It isn’t just sight seeing and sleeping in a five-star hotel, it is conversing with the culture and in turn letting it effect you, whether it be negatively or positively. And that’s why I appreciate the word experience. It is such an objective word that captures the sense of its definition.(if that makes sense)

After dinner we all gathered, including an addition of Kevin,  around the large dirt field to await the commencement of the Arabian horse show. Erika tells me that these shows are similar to the dinner theater performances they have in Orlando, Florida. However, we are in Morocco and I’ve never been to one in Florida so it was exciting to watch the rider do flip tricks as they rid the Arabian horses.  A belly dancer on a large platform put on quite a spectacular with her white sparkling attire and flexible moves. A lot more entertaining than the Egyptian belly dancer we had on the Nile. The show was full of entertainment including a magic carpet, a young boy on donkey back, explosive guns, and my favorite: fireworks. The donkey was adorable as he reminded me of Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh. He sat in the middle of the field with his droopy ears and big black eyes. The young boy was in training as he worked with this miniature horse. The magic carpet had Aladdin and Jasmine figures on it as it rode across the night sky. And I became a little emotional as that same sky was lit with some pyro-techniques. Fireworks automatically induce sentiment for they remind me of home and a place of happiness. I was happy.

At the show’s conclusion and by the time we arrived back to hotel it was certainly late. However, with an eight hour drive ahead of us we decided that sleeping would be redundant and a waste of some valuable time experiencing Moroccan life. So with the help of some fellow SASers we took a taxi to a fancy lounge for an evening of drinks and hooka. But I was not expecting the decorum of this place to be so chic and classy. The staircases were lined with candles, there was an outside area to lounge and smoke hooka and it predominantly gave off  the feeling of being in a Los Angeles home. (Like the ones you see in the movies) I didn’t smoke nor drink but I danced and had a ball with Kate, Mercedes, Nicole and Tom. As were sitting in the outside area we came to talking with these people from France who were visiting friends and family in Morocco. Using my select French skills I sparked up a conversation and came to find out that they visit at least once a year. Morocco, being a former French Colony, has many French inhabitants. Many foreigners get giddy when they hear that I’m from New York and they start expressing their admiration for the grand land of the States as I did the same with France. We talked for a while about travel, singing and appearances. They, on their own accord, even said Kate looked like Cameron Diaz. It was a funny moment for sure. The place closed at 2:00 am, so we finished our hooka, exchanged names for Facebook and headed back to the hotel.

I was all ready to go to bed, when I reached in my pocket to take out my passport. We are required to carry our passports at all time while traveling outside of Casablanca. However, when I went to place it on the end table, it wasn’t there. I frantically checked all the other pockets and all outcomes were negative. I almost passed out at that very moment. I had no idea where it could have gone. Until I checked the table that I left it on earlier. I actually didn’t end up bringing it with me to the lounge. It was safe and sound in my hotel room the entire time. I have my passport. I’m going to sleep like a baby.

Today’s Expense’s

…………………........Durham…………Dollars

Ritz Crackers……22.00.…………..2.75
Total Water……..24.00.…………..3.00
Picture…………....20.00.…………..2.50

Total…………….....66.00.…………..8.25



Explore. Dream. Discover.

~Michael-Anthony

P.S. I ate A LOT of bread.

Familiar Water

I never thought the Strait of Gibraltar would be familiar territory as we dock once more to fill up for gas. We did it! We sailed the Mediterranean Sea and are now headed back to the outer edges of the Atlantic Ocean as we make our way to the city of Casablanca.

I watched it for the first time last night. Casablanca, I mean. Hard to imagine for being a drama major and Bogart being one of the most exemplary actors of all time, that I would neglect to see this timeless classic. Nevertheless as Erika and I sat in the Union watching I couldn’t help but think of my Great Grandfather and his endless love for movies. It brought back memories of me as a child, sitting upstairs in his house, watching movies such as Singing in the Rain and The Ten Commandments (which I have yet to finish). I imagine that his large collection of movies has had a lot of influence on my desire to pursue the ever so intimidating career of acting. Even as I watch this movie in black and white I can imagine myself vibrantly participating in the ever so difficult art form.

I never realized how classic a film Casablanca was. The ingénue, the unrequited love,  the comedy relief and all amidst a WW II theme, you can’t get any more classic. Not to mention those famous quotes that I never knew were extracted from this famous film. “Here’s to looking at you kid,” and “We’ll always have Paris,”. I was giddy over the revelation and lured into the mystical setting of Casablanca. We’ll be there in a just a day and our second leg in Africa will kick off!

Kevin and I saw Dolphins again this morning, but this time right outside our window. They seem to love the waves created on the sides of the boat. The sun was glistening and they were having a blast in the rushing waters. Kevin was beside himself as he literally screamed with excitement every time the dolphins graced us with some high jumping flips. I guess they don’t have dolphins in Minnesota. But it was quite the show and we didn’t even have to leave the comfort of our own room. I’m going to miss having the open water as my backyard.

I recently mentioned of how much I detest the ship’s cuisine. And before today even the peanut butter was of an undesirable texture. However, a miracle has once again been performed. Both the peanut butter AND jelly are delicious. Creamy, tasteful and wonderful on toasted bread. It may be because we are so sick of the routinely choices of starch but it is an epidemic amongst us all. We go back for seconds and thirds as we stock up on this ever delicious sandwich that fills an empty hole in our stomachs and hearts. If I weren’t so full right now, I would go for yet another.

It is weird that we measure our time in countries but about 2 countries ago we were lounging poolside in the golden sands area of Bulgaria and now we sit at the connecting gates between the vast Atlantic ocean and the enclosed Mediterranean.  And about 7 countries ago we were sailing through this very same passageway to begin our adventurous travels. Now, as we just finished being prepped for our 8th and final port of call: Morocco, we wave goodbye to the Majestic Sea that we came to know and love for the past 5 weeks.

Explore. Dream. Discover.

~Michael-Anthony

P.S. I have to watch more movies.

A Day Off at Sea

**Note: Post Date is August 6, 2009**

Today was the first, and only, day off of the entire voyage. Yes we don’t have class while in port but we are still up exploring the depths of the country and many times wake up earlier than class days. I was stoked. No lifeboat drills, no Global Studies and nothing to do but to spend money. That’s right! Today was also the day of the Shipboard Drive Auction. Auctioning off items from around the world, including jewelry, chocolate, services and vacations. I myself was lured into the silent auction where I bided on an item and both fortunately and unfortunately won at the highest bid which I decide not to disclose the amount of.

In-between the silent auction and live auction we all indulged in the luxuriousness of American food with yet another barbecue. In these past few days ship food couldn’t be any less desirable. Once upon a time the food was satisfying and at times even appetizing, but now that it has been almost 50 days of the same, sometimes bland and stagnant variety of salad, pasta and potatoes, I slowly drift into a state of depression. I had no idea that food selection would have such an effect on my mood but I couldn’t yearn for McDonalds more. I just need choice. I need variety and most of all I need something more than potatoes and pasta. So the barbecue was nothing short of a miracle and a godsend. Burgers, hot dogs, ribs and ice cream all in one serving. If I had the choice I would have spread such items out throughout the course of several meals just so I would have some enjoyment but beggars can’t be choosers.

The live auction was full of beggars though as paddles flew up in the air bidding on both extravagant and pointless items. A postcard went for $50.00, a 30 minute phone call went for $140.00, and a chance to blow the ship’s horn was $500.00. It all went to a great cause but nonetheless items such as a weekend stay in NYC, or a week trip to Alaska and Pakistan seemed like more of a reasonable item to bid on, plus they got them at better prices than those insignificant and trivial items. The most surprising of the night was a map of the voyage that sold for $700.00. All proceeds go toward the scholarship fund for the next voyage, enabling future students to attend Semester at Sea and have this amazing lifetime experience, but c’mon, a map? They sell those at WalMart. A.B.A. also had their hand in the Auction as we bided on and won a Cookies and Milk party for 10 of us. I of course was amongst those 10 and will be enjoying some delicious chocolate chip creations along side some refreshing milk for an unreasonable price, but I comfort myself by validating it as it goes to a worthy cause and  it will be a fun experience.  Nonetheless I spent too much money today.

But live auctions are fun. The energy in the room was bouncing all over, there were bidding wars over certain items especially the all inclusive trip for 2 to Pakistan with a 24 hour body guard, room and car service all for a week. That item went for $2,500 and it was quite the steal. The auctioneers, who were our very own Deans, Faculty, Medical Staff and students, also put on quite the show with great comedy, high energy and their own personal spunk.  Dia Draper our Assistant Dean, is the voice of the ship as she wakes us up in the morning and greets us throughout the day with her infamous saying, “Good Morning Voyagers”. She provides afternoon and evening announcements as well as facilitates much movement between the student and faculty bodies. She is a warm soul full of patience, kindness and strength as she holds things together at sea. She was of course funny as always but she also auctioned off her job of being the voice of the ship for a day. This service went for $150. She also offered to be the voice of a student’s personal voicemail and on top of that be their personal wake-up call for five days after the conclusion of the trip greeting them with, “Good Morning Voyagers”. This item was hot and went for $115.

As I said the energy was charged and so were people’s credit cards. Money was flying left and right as I turned to Nicole and said, “We’re amongst the Elites” These people had no problem raising their paddles as they bided on $1500 items and at the end of the trip nonetheless. With seven countries under their belt I’m sure they have quite the bill not to mention the initial cost of the trip.

Today’s Expenses: TOO MUCH!

Explore. Dream. Discover.

~Michael-Anthony

P.S. I wish I could toot that horn.