We met under the Eiffel Tower.

Two people lost their passport within the short time that we were required to hold them. Semester at Sea was luckily able to sanction us from the requirement and we were able to leave the precious item on the boat.  However the lucky couple had to fly all the way to Sophia, the capital of Bulgaria. At the U.S. Embassy they were able to rush order a passport and timely board the ship before departure time this evening. I can’t imagine the expenses involved between the round trip flights and the ever speedy delivery of their passports. I count my blessings that my passport sits safely in a safe in which only one person has access to.

Last night was a blast! After a lovely afternoon of shopping, eating and having in-depth conversation it was time to let loose in the luxurious area of Golden Sands once again. There we stopped into a Casino to only leave as failures but it was still entertaining. It was interesting to find that everyone who gambled was required to speak English. A discussion has actually been made of what is the most spoken language and I was quick to say English. Due to population, Chinese it the most spoken language, however English is the most widely spoken language and is the language of business which I guess gambling falls under the category of.

As we left the casino it was evening and their was lights and entertainment all around us and the distance stood the small scaled Eiffel Tower. Swing dancers performed right outside the hotel and it really made me miss New York and my life there. For the past year I have been taking dance classes everyday thus preparing me for the strenuous profession that lies before me, and as I take a break from the hectic schedule it sometimes makes me realize how much I truly love and miss it. Erik and Lauren are taking tango classes when they get back to the States and I’m excited for them. Dance is not only athletic, it’s fun, exciting and you gain pride in being able to do something of such skill and dedication. A skill that I’ll loose rather quickly if I don’t jump back into it soon, but I’m not rushing this amazing summer at all!

The day before we had heard of a karaoke bar around the corner called Muppet. Seeing as we had done karaoke in the last two countries we decided to continue the trend. So after the Casino we headed to sing some tunes. But it wasn’t the conventional, awkward, sparse karaoke bar. Instead it was a crowded, loud, and exciting bar that eventually turned into a night club. It was so much fun! Except it came at a price. Certain song selections were being denied due to the D.J.’s desire to play dance music. Therefore selections had to be of a fast paced dance nature in order to be selected. Erik and Bo wanted to sing “Don’t Stop Belivin” by Journey really badly. The D.J. agreed as long as I would sing songs that they would choose for me. I ended up singing songs like “Closer,” by Neyo and “Sexy Back,” by Justin Timberlake just so the boys could belt out that ever so famous Journey hit. (Journey who I love by the way and can’t wait to go to their concert on September 3rd) Those weren’t songs that I would have chosen to sing but it was fun nonetheless. Actually it was more then fun it was the best!

Lauren’s camera broke the night before, but she is so obsessed with taking pictures and rightfully so. Even though some of the pictures might not serve the essence of the trip justice they are still a powerful creation that evokes memory, sensory and lasts forever. She needed a camera and therefore bought another one. It was pricey but very well worth the potential costs of  having no pictures. And it is again a true testament to expecting the unexpected and being prepared for such unfortunate happenings. She was prepared and thank goodness for she took many pictures of the evening and will take many more of the days to come.

The night lingered on as we walked up and down the “party block”. Everyone was craving pizza so we stopped to get some rather large slices. Amidst our eating we met an Australian, who now lives in Sweden. He was so friendly and conversational until Bo said something of offense. “Don’t pretend Australia is much different than the United States,” is more or less the comment that was made. After that this guy was not happy. Fumes started flying, threats were made and A.B.A. had to salvage the issue. I swept Bo out of that situation rather quickly as I urged the rather large man to calm down. It just proves that you have to be careful in what you say. Americans are extremely political, extreme debaters and will speak their mind. The rest of the world doesn’t necessarily have that mind set. Bo was actually speaking in a joking manner but nonetheless the comment was made. I can’t say I myself wouldn’t make the same comment but this encounter would have me maybe rethink it.

A conversation brought up during lunch was the global scare of war and the United States’ involvement in the world. We came to an agreement that the world becoming global has created a strong dependence that is in return creating a reliance amongst world leaders. Between the economic bindings alone nations have no security in attacking each other. This economic crisis may be an enlightening one to open the eyes of power hungry individuals. They may begin to see that we are all in this together and if we work together in this enigma we entitle life than we might effectively create a world that is functional and relatively peaceful.

This discussion took place in Happy’s. Happy’s was created in Varna, Bulgaria in 1994 and emulates American life and American culture. It was so surreal that we were sitting in a foreign country eating at a restaurant that was of an American essence. Just before that we shopped in a clothing store called the New Yorker. Neither had things that are necessarily found in the U.S. but I find it overly bizarre and at times sad that these countries have a large fascination with the Unites States and its culture, while we have an ultimate disregard for theirs. Foreigners hold more knowledge of our Presidential elections then our own citizens do. Do you even know when France’s elections take place? I don’t.

I don’t get the fascination of sex in these foreign cultures either. Besides the topless girls that lounge and walk around on the beach there are also many Sex Shop establishments throughout these European cities. Bo is taking a Human Sexuality class and so he takes pictures that document the different sex cultures. I had his camera and with it came the duty of continuing this documentation. I had it for all of a few minutes and it was surprising to see the abundance of explicit sexuality that was found in clothes, advertisements, flyers and establishments throughout the small city of Varna alone. I’m by no means a prude. Sex doesn’t make me uncomfortable or disturbed but I don’t find it necessary to display it in excess.

Excess of fun: I’m not opposed. Again we had a blast! As usual today was to relax and connect back to the world that we call home. I went on MSN today and was overwhelmed with all the new information that I have been oblivious to overseas. It will really present itself as culture shock to have to catch up to the happenings around the world. It may even become stressful. I should have gradually kept myself updated. Keeping in touch with friends is also another process and one that I’m trying to keep up with. I make contact with my family via phone and assure them that I’m safe and content.

I am extremely content as we now sail through the Black Sea and head toward the continent of Africa.

Today’s Expenses

…………………...Lira…………Dollars
Lunch……………8.00.……….5.71
Taxi…………….12.00.………8.57
Casino…………20.00.………14.29
Drinks…………17.00.………12.14
Pizza……………2.50.……….1.79

Total…………….59.50.……42.14

Explore. Dream. Discover.

~Michael-Anthony

P.S. I’m not a fan of gambling.