Halfway through

Francesco told us yesterday that at the stroke of midnight, we were officially past our halfway mark. It was definitely an emotional realization, how has time flown by so far, and what can we do to make the most out of our remaining days? In our days left, we don't even have as much port time as before, as we are spending more time on the ship. As we like to ask, how are we going to go back to real life apart from each other?!?! Gotta deal, suite life can't last forever.

I'm still sorting out my thoughts about Ghana, and this serves as warning that a monster post is coming up… but the days back on the ship have been jam packed too. Nothing like a departure from what we know to serve as catalyst for meaningful and provocative conversation, and this is cliched but Im really learning so much more from people around me and my experiences than from class or work. It hasn't been easy, but it's valuable.

We crossed the equator the first day back after Ghana, and that's a special occasion called 'Neptune Day'. We are woken up early with shellbacks (people who have crossed before) banging pots and pans, and go through rituals such as having 'fish guts' poured over us, kissing a fish and having salt sprinkled over us, to graduate from being 'pollywags'. We were even conferred the title 'Emerald Shellbacks' because we crossed the equator on the Prime Meridian, or passed through 0'0. Another tradition though, is for people to get their heads shaved, because in the old days this helped to remove insects that could transmit diseases. Its strange to see so many bald heads around the ship too, mostly boys although some girls did too, and while some look pretty dapper, I miss F and D's hair!! Hahaha. Many girls did the side shave thing - I almost did too - but decided against it since its NBD at Reed anyway and I NEED AN INTERNSHIP.

I've been in a Conflict Resolution and Peace Building workshop with two of Desmond Tutu's best friends (he was supposed to lead it and be on the ship too but he's getting an award from the UN, sigh) and it's been revealing, if not slightly draining, on top of the Marine Bio midterm t had no idea how to study for today and last night's presidential scholar presentation. Overall though, been enjoying my time just being around chill people.

Two observations: its the small things that matter and illuminate, and I'm really quite clear now about what kind of people i need to be with.