Yesterday we woke up to the sound of flutes playing distantly down the hall only to hear them come closer along with the beating of drums. This signals that Neptune Day has begun. All the crew are dressed up with funny hats and their faces painted. Brittney somehow scrambled to the door and got a video of it so I will post it if I ever can. We got dressed and went up to the deck to have breakfast, and then went to the top deck where the pool is for the festivities. I was wearing my bathing suit and tanktop as I knew what was to come. The captain shaved two kid's heads because they won a raffle to have him do it and everyone was cheering. Students of Service raised $600 so a Learning Life Coordinator (LLC, sort of like an RA or Resident Associate back home) shaved his head as well as one of my professors. All of the money will be going to a charity at the end of the trip. So next we went over and waited in line to have fish juice/guts dumped on our head and then we had to jump in the pool. Then we had to kiss a fish! I promptly wiped that off. It was a lot of fun though anyways and everyone was really excited. My roommate Savannah shaved her head! Well actually she has a mohawk but it looks really cute. My other roommate Rebecca was really sick yesterday but we took care of her along with the medical center and she's feeling much better today. I did a few drawings of the ocean later on for my art class which was relaxing although I was on deck with 200 screaming kids, the pool, and loud music. It was fun even though I was just sitting at my table drawing. Last night we had our first cultural pre-port. We were taught a little bit about the language (Portuguese...very similar to Spanish so hopefully I will be able to get around with that), and they showed us different foods and popular dishes, as well as the music and dance of the area. Tonight we have a logistics pre-port so we can figure out where to go and how to get around. I actually have meetings from 8-11 tonight for that, then Students of Service, and then the Amabassador's Intercultural committee. I think we are sleeping on deck tonight because it is really popular to wake up for the sunrise arriving into port. We will be in Brazil very soon! Tomorrow we plan on just wandering around Salvador, getting a good meal, I want to get a few trinkets, and then getting a good night's sleep. I have to be ready to leave for the Amazon trip at 4:30am! ..That would be 3:30 for most of you guys! I just checked out a book from the library titled Voices from the Amazon which should be an interesting read for the 7 hour flight to Manaus.
Alright well I will try to post tomorrow about my first day in Brazil, wish us luck!
8 comments:
I still cant believe you kissed a fish hunny. Your laundry must be smelling fresh now haha. So close to Brazil, yet still so far till the Amazon. I have this feature on my iTouch where it is a world clock. It allows me to add different cities so I added every major city you are going to, so I will always know what time it is there. Talk to you soon babe :)
Oh and the other side of Boston is in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Southwest of Australia!
I'm so obsessed with checking your blog, Lis. I can't wait to hear about your experiences in Brazil, but I know you probably won't be able to update from your river boat in the Amazon... I predict that you'll see lots of NICE animals, and it will be great.
I checked the tunnel digger too, Matt. I was hoping the other side would actually be land. Ah well. Lis, I don't think you'll be sailing in those parts, will you?
i check your blog daily too lis! its so much fun to hear what youre up to! i was so glad to get your phone call today honey. you sound great and kind of dreamlike. i'm sure youre still pinching yourself to see if all of this is really a dream! glad i got a chance to warn you about swimming in the amazon... but i should have known you wouldnt have considered it! i get so worried when i hear all these stories of the water down in those parts of the world. lisa kissing fish, what will we hear next?! I love you lisipoo - be safe! xo
Just read all your blogs!! Finally...WOW! You worked so hard to pack.. what a bummer having to take things out. Sounds like you are having a great time.Brock can't believe you might see pirates! HE wants to be one for HAlloween.. Go figure????
Miss you, Chat soon! Love A Gina& BRock, Uncle Jon says Hi And will write soon!
lis, i'm googling all the towns, lakes, rivers, people - everything listed in the Brazil Amazon tour... Tiwa Lodge will be a very comfortable place after spending a few nights in a river boat hammock eating alligator! You're going to meet the amazonian people, see the giant water lilies, trek through the heart of the tropical rainforest - all very cool!
Big Big!
Ah I'm so excited I can keep track of your adventures! You sound like you're having a blast (although.. kissing fish? eek!) and I'm so jealous of all the wonderful places you're getting to go. I watched the slide show and looked for you too :). Everything is going well here, classes are crazy and your little and I are taking 301 so... boo. Can't wait to keep reading about all the fun you're having, stay safe and come home in one piece! Love youuu, xo
Little Little
Ahoy matey, I see the sea already has you captivated and the singing sirens have you hypnotized. Exciting, n'est pas? Reading your blog makes me feel all Captain Jack Sparrow-like, savvy? Have a fantastic time in Brazil -- too bad you weren't sailing into Rio, I hear it's quite dramatic. You might ant to add Duran Duran "Rio" to your iPod playlist to get you in the mood. Have fun trekking through the Amazon.com -- Love you, Uncle Bobby
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