Day 7...Splish Splash I was taking a bath with my sea legs on!

Day 7 / C5, June 21st:

Well I have officially been at sea for a week now!  I can’t believe it!  I have mastered the skills of walking on a rocking boat, studying on a pool deck at sunset, and eating potatoes and pasta for every meal.  Today was just another ordinary day at sea.  Not too much is going on…I mean there is sooooo much to do on a ship for a week in the middle of the Atlantic.  We did see a cargo ship today, so that was exciting.  Can you tell how much we look forward to seeing other signs of life?  This morning was great.  The water was as smooth as a baby’s bottom and it was nice and sunny outside.  It was only about 66 degrees today, but the pool deck was still flooded with people.  After 30 min or so, I had to come in because I was freezing.  There were a few Explorer Seminars tonight, but I didn’t go.  My Italy travel companions met in the computer lounge to reserve our hostels in Rome, Venice, and Naples.  I can’t wait to actually get off this ship and explore the countries that we have been researching and planning for months. 

Recall, how the water looked this morning?  (pause for thinking)  Well, let me tell you…all hell broke loose this evening!  This water is crazy!!!! It is splashing all over Danielle’s port hole (I am surprised they haven’t shut it yet) and we can’t even see out of our window on the fourth deck because of all the water spots.  What I great time to have the world’s rockiest seas…the day I have to take off my seasick patch and can’t put another one on!!!!  I need to go ask the doctor people how long I have to wait to restart the 6 day cycle.  Anyways, we are exercising our ab muscles, as we can’t even stand up straight.  Let’s make this an interactive blog and see if you are a master at sea legs!  First, stand up and place one foot in front of you and one foot behind you.  Now, bend your knees and put your arms out next to your body.  You now have a good stance to hold onto the railings, push people off of you, and/or bounce back and forth off the hallway walls.  Doing good?  Awesome!  (pause) Do you remember what a mechanical bull looks like and how it moves?  Great!  (un-pause) While keeping the last position, stand on top of a mechanical bull that is jerking all over the place trying to get you sick.  You now have mastered the feeling of the MV Explorer crossing the Atlantic Ocean (on most days…).  Ohhh, I forgot!  Stand on the bull in that same position for 7 days.  Don’t forget you also must eat, sit in class, shower, climb the stairs multiple times a day, sleep, study, type blog entries and socialize while on the bull.  I know you want to be here too.  Luckly, (knock on wood…knock on wood) I have not gotten sick yet!  Okay, time to change the subject!

Tonight, I also had a meeting to work on the SAS Auction.  This auction is actually pretty cool.  It raises money to pay for school supplies for the students to take on their service visits in port, as well as fund our shipboard activities.  Almost every year the auction raises about 10 to 15 thousand dollars.  Items up for bid normally include: a dinner with the Captain, a world map signed by the ship’s crew, souvenirs from places on the voyage, Prof. Ian’s headband (which went for $250 last year…it is a staple on these voyages), a chance to drive the ship, etc.  It should be pretty cool.  I think we are going with a clown theme, since Grandma the Clown performed for us and the Academic Dean is a circus historian.  It sounds really cool.  “Grandma” is also trying to get tickets to the Big Apple Circus (where he performs in NYC) and backstage passes for the auction.  How awesome would that be!  BTW, the auction will be held on the way back home after Morocco.  Well, I guess I better go to bed…

Noon Report for June 21st:

2400 NM since Halifax, 473 NM since noon yesterday, 1060 NM to Barcelona, average of 17.95 knots since Halifax, average of 20.56 knots since noon yesterday, closest land is 247 NM North of Porto Santo Island, water is 12,000 ft deep, air temperature is 64 degrees, water temperature is 66 degrees, sunset 21:12, sunrise 06:19, currently +5 hrs from EST.