WOW! What a day!!!! I’m currently on the ship at Latitude: 25 degrees 38.48 North, Longitude: 076 degrees 29.57. It is 10:30pm at night.

Arrived at the cruise ship terminal and immediately saw a VERY long line of students with huge suitcases. Kristen had already checked in earlier so I was on my own. The first line I saw was very deceiving! After dropping off my luggage with my room number on it and cleared through the Nassau Customs, I waited in another line to receive my ID card/ room key and turn in my passport. Once table was cleared I waited in line to board the ship. Once on the second deck, my backpack got searched, walked through a scanner and headed up to the sixth deck to turn in more forms, my yellow fever card among other things. Then finally I was able to go to my room! I’m on the fourth floor starboard side towards the bow. My roommate’s name is Lauren Brown from Issaqua, Washington. She is an Environmental Science major from Linfield University in Oregon. I met her parents who traveled with her, they were very kind. Her mom reminded me a lot of Mrs. Sharp! She is a swim instructor and lifeguard and swam last year for Linfield!

My luggage was finally delivered after a few hours of touring the ships seven decks and I was able to unpack and spend time with my roommate. At 1530 hours we had a lifeboat drill! We had to all wear closed toed shoes, hats, long sleeves and a huge life vest in 80 degree humid weather. The drill last about forty-five minutes and we were all dripping wet with sweat. After that we secured a spot on the 6th deck stern to wave goodbye to the parents. We embarked right on time-1700 hours. It was sad watching the many mom wave and cry goodbye, many holding signs and banners. A little bit of homesickness hit but quickly went away as we maneuvered between the last red and green buoys of Nassau Harbor (Dad!). Right after we embarked, dinner was scheduled in both the dinning rooms. We had delicious tacos for lunch and pasta with fish for dinner. It is going to take a lot to get used to someone waiting on you- bringing you water, clearing your place etc…Kristin and I ate with two of Lauren’s friends from Linfield and their roommates. One of the most challenging things right now is remembering everyone’s names and faces because they are all sooo new! After we ate dinner there was an hour orientation briefing where we were introduced to our Croatian captain, important faculty, life-long learners (senior citizens that audit classes while aboard), staff and most importantly our chef! Student Life does kind of like a peer group thing where cabin numbers are divided into seas. Lauren and I are part of the Bering Sea Team where we will compete in the Sea Olympics on our way from Brazil to South Africa.

Oh my goodness! Ship life is an experience that is a complete, total understatement! I’m completely lost in the ship! I can’t tell you which was is forward, or what direction we are traveling. I couldn’t tell you how to get to the cafeteria or my room. Luckily, Kristin and Lauren are pretty well versed on the ship. Me on the other hand, I can’t tell the difference from one stair-well to the next. I’ve heard the ship gets really small really fast. Lots of people have been getting sea sick and you can definitely feel the rocking and rolling.

Now I’m just winding down from the day. I heard that the blogger website is free, in that case I will be able to blog more often than expected.

Some interesting facts:
- 733 students on this voyage (the largest in its history)
- The ship is 590 feet long
- 74 of the students are from University of Colorado, Bolder.
- California is the most represented state on the ship
- over 1000 people total on the ship

I guess we are heading into a mild storm. Its expected to rain in Puerto Rico!!

Thursday: slept pretty well, having to get used to the ships rocking.. You can really feel. I'm going to try and post pictures later.

Love you!