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.