We are not alone.

I saw land for the first time today in 3 days. These islands were a magnificent sight to see. They were a tint of red with large beautiful mountains and small towns located near sea level. There were two of them and we were sailing right in between. Supposedly we have officially entered European Territory. Goodbye US. But those poor island people. What do they do living in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean? It was comical seeing everyone flock to either side of the boat just to see land. I guess we were desperate and needed to know something else was out there. Well there is and something more than islands. The Atlantic Ocean was hoping with activity today.

Today we saw dolphins. Many of them. I am one of the lucky few to get video of these jolly creatures. Well at least I think they are jolly. They swim so vibrantly around the ship and constantly leap and jump in the air. It was beautiful and I’m so happy to have seen them. I’m still waiting for that whale though. Where is he? Ha ha. Also in the neighborhood were other ships, whether they were cruise lines or cargo boats, I don’t know, but it was reassuring to know that we weren’t the only crazy ones to cross the entire span of the Atlantic.

Eating breakfast outside on the Atlantic Ocean is just a serene pass time and one I never thought I’d be able to enjoy. The day was a simple one, with a routine in motion and classes underway it is basically a time to relax and enjoy each others company. More games, more nights on the top deck and just more of a community all together. A group of girls were dancing to Beyonce and old school music while we enjoyed our several card games. All in all we are having a great time. With late night talks and the constant talk of Spain and our arrival we are just all in an array of excitement. Rachael is cool, I spent some time with her tonight. Danilo I met in Halifax and we started talking some more tonight. People are beginning to open up even more as time settles.

I miss home. But my home here is a comfortable one. My room is always clean and always a peaceful place to come back to. As I sit in this quiet room (my roommates are asleep) I think of the importance of travel. Travel is the thing that has made everything possible more or less. Travel establishes communication, communication creates an exchange of ideas, the sharing of ideas induces growth, and that growth is what amounted to the communities we witness today. Without the travels of Chris Columbus and the greats that traveled before and after him, the United States wouldn’t exist. Without the travels of the miners and the workers of the late 1800s, early 1900s we wouldn’t have states such as California. Traveling is such a vital element to civilizations as we know it. If we simply isolated ourselves from the rest of the world, or even from each other, we would stifle ourselves and ultimately remain static in all areas. So yes this voyage serves as a vacation and an amazing opportunity, but it also serves as an act of humanity. Learning about the world and the many things it has to offer will only enrich our lives and hopefully strengthen and further mold our micro-communities.

This time change is catching up to all of us. We turn our clocks ahead once again. It is now 2:37am here, making it 9:37 pm or earlier there. Stay tuned. Only 3 more days.

Explore. Dream. Discover.

~ Michael-Anthony

P.S. The world is big!