I need Sun Tan Lotion. It's an Emergency!

“Make sure to bring your latex covering for your taliwag,” the doctor says as he gives us his closing advice before we embark into Spain. I swear everyone is a comedian on this boat. There was a detailed meeting about departure procedures including everything from sexual safety, as you can witness, and the fun stuff including what to do around the area. We dock at about 8:00 am tomorrow and simply plan to just explore our port city, Cadiz (KA-dees) for the first day. By we I mean the following: Erika, Kevin, Bo, Becca, Shannon, Kate (who looks like Cameron Diaz), myself and probably some others. We are about 300 nautical miles away. It shall be an adventure.

There was a belling dance class today taught by the lovely and intriguing Nicole. I think she rocks and she was a great teacher. Shannon was immediately signed up for this event, Erika on the other hand was quite hesitant. I can comment on her dancing but I’ll save that for later. She gave it a try but I was too late to take any pictures. Don’t worry I didn’t participate (ew gross) I just wanted to document it and I did with Shannon and Nicole.

It was the weirdest phenomenon today in Global Music. We were watching a clip of Peter, Paul and Mary (I think) and I’ve heard of them but have never really listened to them. I admit their image is quite corny and contrived but the music wasn’t all that bad and their harmonies and skills were quite impressive. (O wait Peter, Paul and Mary? Aren’t they the carpenters? O Nevermind) Well it was an older group singing Folk Music and our teacher, Dan Jones, asked the class what they thought of the clip afterwards. Out of the blue this older white man, a lifelong learner, who was probably in his sixties and alive when this music was popular loudly said “this is crap! This is the kind of crap that kept the African American music from growing in this country. I hate this”. I couldn’t believe it, especially because I happened to like the clip and I’m 21 in 2009. Of course I’m not a huge lover of hip hop, but I am respectful to most art forms. It was a bizarre duality of age and opinion.

“I’m so hungry!”

“When aren’t you Erika?” I ask. She is always hungry.

Essays…are they to induce thought? Well…regardless I had to write one. It’s done now but lord knows I did not want to do it. Everyone else is now scrambling to finish theirs before we dock for Spain. Who wants homework lingering over there head as we explore a foreign country? Not I. Procrastination has yet to conquer my time.

Essays remain an enigma, but I know for sure that the open vast ocean induces thought. I sat there, with my shades of course, listening to music enjoying the warm breeze, the relaxing blue waves and the blazing rays of the sun. By the way…I hate getting darker. Hate it. When I smile I look like the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland. I need to start using sun tan lotion, it is an emergency! Well with my essay finished and while listening to music, I had the time to look back on my week at sea. Yes, it has been a week. At times it seems shorter and others longer but nonetheless it has been some crazy seven days aboard this ship. In light of my love for music, I will recap the week with a play list that I think encompasses the spirit of my main happenings. Type them into you tube, buy them on itunes, do what you may, but they are great: relaxing and uplifting at the same time.

1. Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough By Michael Jackson

My goal on this trip was to “ not stop until I’ve had enough” and in some ways that ideal still holds true, but after a humbling ship life and the refreshment of meeting such great people, I have realized that it is important to cherish and appreciate the moments you have to their fullest extent and to not be distracted and separated by the anticipation of your next sight. I am dedicating my time this summer to be a traveler, not a tourist. But in life, I’m a strong believer: “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough!” It is what has motivated me to take this trip in the first place and it is what will keep me going long after it is over.

2. Sweet Potato Pie By Ray Charles and James Taylor

O Lord I feel fine today.
Walking on Cloud 9 today.
I’m over that line today.
Happiness is finally mine today.

I Guess I’m just a lucky guy.
And here I’m bought to tell you why…

Everyday has been completely blissful. I can’t express how appreciative I am of this relaxing, exciting, humbling, and experiential opportunity. There is seriously no good reason to complain. I have been blessed with a wonder of the world many aren’t graced with: The open ocean. I am meeting some amazing people as well as spending time with my best friend of 10 years. I am being pampered and being allowed to really appreciate life. I say “life” in loose terms, as I understand this is not reality but a dream.

3. Be Ok By Ingrid Michaelson

I just wanna be ok, be ok, be ok
I just wanna be ok today.
I just wanna feel today, feel today, feel today.

In actuality, I didn’t want to feel anything the second day aboard the ship. The sea sickness epidemic had struck and we were all feeling it one way or the other. Some worst than others. Some had to get shots, like Kate, some used patches, like Kevin who may becoming addicted, some pills like Erika and …me: nothing! We all had a haze over our faces. I just wanted to be ok!

4. Ready to Run By Dixie Chicks

I feel wind blowing through my hair.
I’m gonna be ready this time
Oh yea Ready Ready Ready Ready
Ready to Run
All I’m ready to do is have some fun.

Every morning I run two miles. I made it my vendetta about a month ago. I thought Erika was going to join, but that fell through. Don’t worry Bo is a great running partner. I don’t run for long or else I lose weight drastically. I’m simply trying to remain in shape to prepare for my return to New York which consists of quite a hectic schedule. Can’t wait to take my run around the scenic routes of Spain.

5. Lady in Spain By Ingrid Michaelson

I am a lady in Spain
I am a lady from mars
And I can unscrew the stars.

I can be anything that I see
I can be anything that, anything that I see.
I can do anything that I want to
I can do anything, anything my heart tells me to.

I truly believe in these lyrics. I am very proud of who I am and who my friends and family have influenced me to be. I feel so empowered and so free traveling the Atlantic ocean and left to explore these foreign wonders that I have only existed on paper. I am packed and ready to go. I’m “ready to run”. I’m ready to “not stop until I get enough,” I’m ready to “be ok,” and I’m ready to “do anything my heart tells me to”. “I guess I’m just a lucky guy.”

Thanks for reading.

Sunrise is at 7:07am and I’ll be there.

Explore. Dream. Discover

~ Michael-Anthony

P.S. Pictures coming soon!