What a crazy six days it has been! It feels like we were just in South Africa and now we’re in INDIA! A recap of the past 6 days…

We set sail (not really, more like started the engines) from Mauritius on March 4^th at 2300 hours. As much as I loved Mauritius, it was nice to get back into the swing of things. I expected the seas to be a lot calmer since we were going to be in the Indian Ocean. WRONG- the first two days were cloudy and overcast and rough. However, the past 4 days it has been like glass! We had three class days that led up to much anticipated SEA OLYMPICS!

March 7^th was TACO DAY! The entire shipboard community was very excited. As one guy stated “those were the best, worst tacos I’ve ever had!” They are not the best, obviously, being very far away from Southern California and Mexico, Mexican food heaven, but were still tasty. One word: Guacamole! I ate so much I felt sick afterwards! Meals are rotated about every 20 days on the ship and Taco day is by far my favorite so far!

The Sea Olympics is a no class day where ten seas compete in various events throughout the day. The Ten seas include the Silver Sea made up of Lifelong Learners and staff members who competed in almost of all of the events and won the most gold stars out of all the other seas. I was part of the Bering Sea, whose team color was orange. We tied for fourth place!!! The day began with the opening ceremonies where each sea presented a cheer and everyone gathered in the Union. I participated in Mashed Potato Sculpting and Other events included tug-o-war, slippery twister, soccer, volleyball, dodgeball (Bering sea took gold in the women’s event), synchronized swimming which was hilarious, wet-tshirt swimming relay, Hawaiian Bowling, Dean Kenn Says (like simon-says), Global Studies Trivia, Scavenger Hunt, Photo-finish and the highly competitive lip-synch that takes place before the closing ceremonies. We WON the lip-synch contest with a love-story made up of Disney, Dirty dancing and Grease songs. We didn’t place in the two events that I participated in, but it was still a very awesome day. The weather we had during the Olympics is probably one of the best days we have had on the trip. Sunny, beautiful clouds, 85 degree and humid. I have pictures!

One of my professors was at a conference in Mauritius so was not with us on this leg of the journey. She is meeting us in India. The work load for the class is something I would imagine that a grad student completes for their doctorate. The intense amount of work that was assigned was all very vaguely explained and very time consuming. Needless to say, the entire class met and spoke with a higher authority to resolve the issue. I hope everything will be clarified after India!

Yesterday was the Mr. SAS contest. Eleven guys of the only 250 onboard, are nominated for the title. The entire contest is run by Students of Service. Contestants raise money for various charities the SAS supports. Last semesters voyage raised over $45,000 dollars for charters and service projects that we complete while traveling. Our goal is to surpass that previous record. Anyway, the competition involves a talent, formal wear and question and answer categories. The winner was a foreign exchange student from China named Chi. Chi is hilarious and definitely deserved the title!

The past two days we have been preparing for our arrival in Chennai! I still ask Lauren to pinch me because I don’t believe that we will be in India. When I look at it on my map, it completely does not register that I’m this far around the world. I feel like I’m still in my backyard. The world really is SMALL! They say India will be the biggest culture shock that we’ve had thus far. I’m really excited but a little anxious. I will be doing a service visit the first day to a YMCA Community Center and leave bright and early at 0330 the second day for my three day Delhi/Agra/ Taj Mahal trip. I cannot wait to see the Taj! We had Logistical Pre-port tonight where we were thoroughly warned, lectured and advised about various things to do and not to do in India. The documents we need just to clear the ship are immense. I feel very nervous carrying my passport around! They also advised us about conservative dress, to only eat and accept things with your right hand and to bring LOTS of hand sanitizer and toilet paper. Tonight we had traditional Indian dishes for dinner. After trying multiple dishes, I resorted to the trusty PB& J table!

Well, I take on India with an open mind, Pepto and toilet paper in hand and a curiosity for this diverse nation.

Quote from Lonely Planet: “Nothing can fully prepare you for India, but perhaps the one thing that best encapsulates this extraordinary country is its ability to inspire, frustrate, thrill and confound all at once.”