On the way to Brazil!

Hey guys! Saturday and Sunday were days of classes, which I cant complain about since we don’t have classes when we are in port. We do have a ton of work though. I did not expect it to be easy, but each night, each teacher assigns about 60 pages of reading, which is a lot. Especially when you are in a giant cradle and all you want to do is go to sleep. Nothing too exciting has happened. We eat every meal out on the deck because although it may be windy, its gorgeous and hard to pass up. It’s fun having lettuce come flying at you with every bite. The food is ok sometimes and other times it is horrible. I don’t mind though. No matter how much I eat, I am always hungry, and so is everyone else. So I would rather not like it and eat less and not gain the dreaded study abroad weight that people talk about.

The nights on the ship are basically filled with homework and a few breaks to talk to friends. The entire ship is in a class together so it is fun to complain about those readings together. Some people play cards, others play board games, me and my friends just hang out and talk. It sounds really boring, but its not. Sometimes it is, which is when I just go and try to get some work done. There is a lounge area that we spend a lot of time in. Especially when it is really windy. We were getting into a small storm last night so we went outside last night and had fun with the wind on the deck. I know it sounds weird, but can you think of anything else to do? It actually is a lot of fun. The people are really nice.

I am doing this thing called Vicarious Voyage where schools in different areas are set up to write you letters in different ports, and you are expected to write them letters back and send them stuff from certain countries. I happen to be in a group with my friends’ roommate. She is from Nebraska, but the school that we have is in Mass, so when I get back I plan on visiting them. We have a first grade class in Westwood. We are collecting stuff to sent them and writing them letters. It should be fun.

Today was really hott, and although I did not spend much time outside, I think I got burnt. We are going to pass the Equator at noon tomorrow which should be fun. I know a lot of people are planning on shaving their heads, guys and girls. Although it would be an experience, I am opting not to do it. I would not make a good baldie and the jew-fro growing back is not very cute. We arrive in Brazil on Saturday during Carnaval, and then Sunday morning at 4:30 am, I leave for the Amazon. I am very excited to not only be in Brazil, but to be on land as well. I will let you know if anything else interesting happens, but I hope you are all have fun at home/school and I can’t wait to read your comments!