Cambodia

I just got back into my room from my long trip to Cambodia.  I am exhausted and my body hurts haha I am not in the mood to write but I know if I don’t do it now, I will never get to it.  Everything is so quick, intense, new, and incredible that it is hard to process more or less write about it.  So heres a brief idea of what I did in Vietnam

Depart Vietnam for Phnom Penh-the Capital by plane.  On our way, our bus breaks down in middle of busy street.  We hang out on side of road for a bit, the pick up a new bus to visit national museum-beautiful temple like building.  The moment I stepped foot in Cambodia and especially at the museum I completely relaxed.  It was so serene

Sunset Cruise on Mekong river-saw the meeting of three rivers, where they have dragon racing, and water village

At around 8PM visited Palm Tree Orphanage.  From beginning to end, girl latched onto my arm and did not let go.  It was cool to visit them late at night because we got to really see what it is like.  Some of them were in pajamas

We got dinner at a fancy authentic restaurant then a bunch of us went out afterwards.  So many foreigners! It’s a happening place.  Ran into a group of Americans at a club with live music.  I was loving the vibe and the people.  There were three girls who I really enjoyed meeting and ended up hanging out with them and their friends for the rest of the night.  One was a Cal grad, another a semester at sea grad, and a Peace Corpse volunteer.  They were with a bunch of other young Americans working for the US embassy.  Some in international relations, some military, overall a great group of people who know how to have a good time.  I could totally see myself doing this in the future.  Actually the semester at sea alumni sailed in spring 06 and did the exact same Cambodia trip!  We stayed right across from the US embassy so I was able to get a ride back with them. 

Early rise, buffet breakfast, tour of royal palace-got to see where the king lives.  Went to Toul Sleng museum and killing fields.  This was intense and I will write more about it later. 

Flight to Siem Reap, stay at sweet hotel, take a swim in the pool relax on balcony.  Go to huge outdoor buffet style dinner with cultural dance show.  Get back to hotel and enjoyed a massage before bed.  My roommate and I both got a 1hr massage in our rooms for 10 dollars! 

Sunrise at Angkor Wat temple-largest Hindu temple in the world, full day of tours and wandering around grounds of temple.  Lunch and check out of the hotel with some free time.  I got a quick dip in the pool and a mai thai before some more touring of temples and ruin.  Saw the temple of where tomb raider was shot. 

Hope you can comprehend this! I had the most awesome trip, it was unreal half the time.  I am so happy.  Now to bed.  Early rise for visit to disabled children’s home :) 

Singapore for a Day

Oh my goodness. I just walked back into my cabin and I am exhausted and confused.  I think I just spent a dreamy day in the future.  Singapore is the coolest place ever! We only had one day here and it is quite a bummer that we had so little time, but we managed to do so much!  We started off the day in China town, got some coffee and then had a collectic breakfast of shared Asian dishes in a vast food court.  We did a lot of other stuff too but my brain is not functioning to remember it all.

Incredible thing #1 about Singapore-the FOOOOD.  They have everything type of Asian food and its everywhere.  I don’t think Ive ever tried so much food and all of it was so good and interesting. 

#2-SHOPPING, Singapore is basically a huge shopping mall.  All the subways are malls and everything is so nice. 

#3 Architecture-unreal, every building is so unique and crazy looking

#4 Cleanliness and order.  Maybe it is b/c they have fines for spitting out gum, eating or drinking on the subway, Jaywalking,

#5 Is this real?  A question that I kept asking myself all throughout the day.  We ended our day with a visit to the Marina Bay hotel.  We say this hotel earlier in the day as we were walking through the city.  We were like is that a ship skyscraper??  A long ship-like structure is the top of three huge skyscrapers, connecting them with one major hub.  We thought that there must be a pool up there.  Singapore is known for beautiful infinity pools at the top of building and skyscrapers.  When we got to the top of the hotel, floor 57, my jaw dropped.  We got a complete view of the city and ocean full 360 degrees.  The endless pool reached the length of the hotel; it was a resort of its own at the top.  The infinity pool looked out over the entire city of Singapore.  We had a great view from the outdoor bar that we described as Adult Disneyland.  It was pretty cool, I felt like I was on top of the world, at the coolest place ever, and in the future.  What made the evening even better was that we were chatting it up with the CEO and country representatives for Budwiser.  I had one of the best beers I have ever tasted. 

Today was unreal, I dont know how to write about this except say that it was so cool.  Don’t be intimidated by my vocabulary okay. Haha I need to go to bed

Last Day in India

The last day I had an FDP(faculty Directed Practica) with my World Religions professor.  We went to the University of Madras for a lecture of Ghandi’s Legacy of Nonviolence.  My professor also teaches a Philosophy on Nonviolence course.  It was incredible, there were 7 different lectures all speaking on the behalf of their religion.  If you would like to hear more about what I learned, read on.

Ghandi’s Legacy of Nonviolence FDP was incredibly eye opening and educational.  I was impressed with how my understanding of non violence and religion solidified in such a short period time.  It was an incredible opportunity to learn from various scholars who specialize in religions that I have been trying to grasp.  Throughout the various lectures, I was in awe and excited about this vital information that was being shared.  Not only did this FDP give a well-rounded education on religion and non-violence, but also it sparked a curiosity to learn more and inspired me to integrate my studies. 

            When I first walked on the University of Madras campus, an excitement filled my body. I became a fresh college student again who appreciates lecture halls, coffee shops, and learning from professors. It brought me back to intense long days at Berkeley where my fuel came from the excitement to learn.  As I reflected on this, I could not believe where I was and where I was going.  I would soon step into a classroom and learn from an Indian professor about Ghandi’s legacy of non-violence.  

            Each speaker addressed two questions regarding their religion and the relevance or lack of non-violence.  The seven speakers gave an overview of their religion and addressed the questions in about ten minutes.  Although a short period of time, it was the perfect way to learn about different religions with a good basis for comparisons.  Some keynotes from the religion of Christianity include Jesus’ stance on nonviolence.  He chose neither fighting or fleeting and stood up to the oppressors.  The cross is a symbol for nonviolence.  One keynote from Islamic religion is that peace begins from Allah.  Jainism is nothing but nonviolence with a very intense philosophy that my American upbringing has a hard time conceptualizing.  The forefront of their ideas rest in nonviolence and the equality for all living beings.  All beings want to live; nothing wants to die.  Their stance includes the idea that killing a living being is killing one’s self.  I find this very interesting.   Buddhism follows the ideas of Buddha in which he says don’t react even if attacked, do good things, and keep the mind pure.  Sikhism says that there is only one God who has supreme power and all religions belong to him.  God is one for all the world; there are no different Gods for different faiths.  This makes sense to me and I agree with it and if carried out, this belief could aid peace among religions.  For Hinduism, the speaker began with saying in Hindu-“May there be peace in you mind, heart, and actions”.  She then asked, how can there be peace in your mind when you are witnessing non-peace?  This got my mind stirring and especially when the speaker questioned how can there be nonviolence when we are trying to survive?  For example when we boil water we kill microorganisms.  On a different level, violence stems from the ego and we need to be free from the ego.  The speaker ended with something that stuck in my mind.  He said, something in regards to the peak of peace and how you can test yourself in yoga.  I would like to explore this more.

An important keynote of Ghandi’s philosophy that I found valuable is the idea that we can not distinguish between means and ends.  He made people engaged through movements in which he forced people to have an opinion.  He respectably questioned his own traditions as well.

I am interested in the peace education in India and throughout the world.  It seems to be vitally important; we need more peace leaders and educators in this world.  The emphasis on peace studies rather than peace movements is a new idea to me that makes perfect sense.  It moves away from a reactionary method to a preventative and ideal form.  It is necessary for the future of peace in our world.  In order to even consider world peace, religions need to live in peace with one another. 

I will pass on my newly acquired knowledge of Ghandi’s legacy and variations of religions.  Some things I took note of include Ghandi’s quote, “my life is my message”.  This saying rings in my head for another one of Ghandi’s quotes-“be the change you wish to see in the world” has taken on a new meaning in my life.  I have always been fond of the saying but not until recently has it made a point to change my views on the way I live.  I see it more clearly and my desires to change the world need to begin with changing the way I live as an example for others.   I am rethinking my consumption on all levels and seriously considering the philosophy of nonviolence.  Never did I consider eating meat an act of violence but with a new perspective of nonviolence of animals I am reconsidering this concept.  I am reconsidering the amount of water consumed to raise cattle and the environmental effects as well.   Since eating vegetarian all throughout India, I am continuing this practice.  Although lent holds as my incentive I can see myself taking this on as a change in lifestyle for the long term.

Visit to Disabled Children’s Home

This was the most intense day on my trip thus far.  It was beautifully devastating, challenging, and uplifting.  There is so much going through my head right now.  We started off the day with getting a complete tour of the grounds.  The center is an addition to the hospital.  It has several units including physical rehabilitation

When I first entered the center I was shocked.  I had never seen disabilities in this state.  Although this is a great facility for India, to my eyes it was devastating for the condition.  The children were not kept clean nor were the facilities kept up. 

We did a couple hours of work at the center.  We completely cleaned up the place and painted the blackboards.  I was wiping down the chairs and as I was in the middle of cleaning one I noticed that the bottom was completely covered in a brown dried mud like consistency.  It started to smell and I was like oh shit….this is shit. Not cool.  I was a little grossed out, as you can imagine.  I didn’t want to go on but I realized that no kid wants to sit in someone else’s shit so I scrubbed it down.  I felt like a champ especially because it was really hard to get off. 

And moving on…one of the teachers mentioned to a couple of us that we could watch the older boys do their yoga class.  Of course I jumped to the opportunity and actually joined in on the yoga.  This was a class of teenagers/young adults with mental and physical disabilities.  The yoga class was in the middle of their classroom, on the dirty floor.  Without holding back, I lied on this very dirty floor in my white linen pants.  They were not white anymore!  This was a really cool experience; I got to join in and be on their level instead of observing. 

            For lunch we had the most wonderful home cooked Indian meal served on banana leafs.  It was tradition Southern Indian style and delicious.  We were not served any utensils so with some hand sanitizer we were prepare for a messy meal.  I mixed the sauces and rice together and would then pick up a small handful and feed myself.  I really enjoy eating with my hands it makes it more exciting and interesting.  You can feel the texture with your hands and don’t have a piece of cold metal clanging at your teeth.  The only thing I was uncomfortable with was the fact that a couple hours ago I was cleaning shit off of a seat.  I just hoped that I would not get sick-and I didn’t! I didn’t get sick at all in India and I was pretty brave about trying everything.  I ate a fair amount of meals in unsanitary conditions and with my hands. 

            After lunch we broke off into groups to play with kids.  Three of us went into a classroom of about 7 children all with various physical and mental disabilities.  Okay I am going to be completely honest here with my feelings.  These are my raw reactions and thoughts.  The first boy I encountered yanked on my arm and was really aggressive.  I was immediately overwhelmed.   Some of the kids scared me and it was really hard to communicate with them.  There was one boy who I did not want to play with.  He was drooling everywhere, had eye crust, and dried snot.  He couldn’t talk and didn’t have full motion of his hands-I think he had cerebal paulsy im not too sure.  The challenge with the kids I encountered was the condition of filth they were in.  So my frightened reaction and deterrence from this boy triggered another reaction within myself of “Jenny, how could you think that?” and then I thought if I can’t manage to play with him who else will?  I would say I always give out love and I just thought if I can’t love on this child whom can I expect to?  These questions saddened me and I decided that I was going to love on this child so much and spend the rest of the time with him.  It was challenging, I had to get over my own inhibitions.  We sat together and did some coloring.  Another girl kept coming over and would grab my face because she wanted my attention.  I had to balance between the two children.  The girl was trying to do something but I couldn’t understand.  She would point to paper and scribble lines and then yell.  She seemed crazy but she was just a child. 

            The best part of the day was when we all convened in one room to dance! We all gathered and let loose dancing, these kids loved to dance.  I found one girl on the floor and was immediately shocked by the sight of her.  She had very short hair, crooked and jarring teeth, and a crusted bloody eyebrow.  Similar to my experience with the boy, I challenged my reaction and decided to dance with her.  She was about 9 years old and could only crawl.  As everyone was dancing around her, she was kind of missing out from the group experience.  I sat down in front of her, grabbed her hands, and we swayed our hands together to the music.   Immediately, this scary reflection turned into the most joyful face that made me smile.  We just stared into each other’s eyes and laughed as we bopped to the music.  She had rhythm, I could feel it through her hands.  The amount of joy, smiles, and laughter that exchanged in this moment was unreal.  I almost burst into tears.  This might sound kind of cheesy because I cant describe it in words, but it was so special.  I have never experienced something like this. 

            We said goodbye to the kids but not to all of them, some of them came back to the ship with us!  Seriously, we got to give them a tour of the ship and spoil them with cookies and ice cream.  It was soooo much fun to see these kid’s eyes open wide with amazement.   These kids were all hearing impaired and actually the easiest to communicate out of the group.    I will have to upload a video of two kids trying M&Ms for the first time.  They were so confused and curious, they actually did not seem to be big fans of them.  We just had a blast hanging out with these kids, I didn’t want it to end but it did.

Art of Living, yoga meditation retreat:

Three days of intensive meditation, breathing, and yoga.  Great experience, I learned a fair amount about myself.  Many questions were asked of me: What is it that you want in life? What is it that bothers you? When will you be happy? What do you need to be happy?  What will you take responsibility for?  What will not take responsibility for?  Where are you? What are you?  Who are you?

Some great questions that anyone can benefit from asking; we often are not asked these questions so we don’t answer them.   If you want to know my answers, just ask and I’ll tell you :) 

INDIA

India! India! India!

I was expecting the worst after all the preparation and oh how wrong I was.  Everyone told me how horrible the smell would be, the people will stare at you, guys may harass you, its dangerous, crowded, dirty, hot and so on.  Although some of these are true to a certain degree, the overall feeling portrayed is not what matches to my experience.  This morning, before stepping foot off the ship and physically stepping foot in India, I was terrified.  I rarely get nervous, there are very few things that trigger this response and India was one of them.  I was terrified and worried.  I couldn’t help it, I woke up to a distinct smell in my cabin that has barely any circulation.  My vision of me in India included me being in the middle of a crowd with no breathing space, only disgusting smells that disable any breath from working naturally.  I imagined being lost, hot, tired, and stressed.  At the diplomatic briefing, they spoke of past terror attacks and the worst possible outcomes. 

            With this said, I was over prepared with the worst possible scenario and was pleasantly surprised with the most wonderful day.  Kim, Lisa, and I set off for a day of wandering.  We found a driver who offered a good price and jumped in a riksha for a wild ride.  Mani, our driver said he would give us a tour of town and with little knowledge of how to get around; it ended up being the perfect way to see the city.  Our first pit stop was at a clothing/fabric shop where all three of us bought Saris.  Then we visited a popular temple in town, lots of action going on there!  We witnessed the aftermath of a Hindu wedding.  We visited multiple jewelry and craft shops.  One of the highlights of the day was lunch-authentic Indian meal.  Soooo goood!  We ordered lots of great dishes that were recommended by the waiter.  We followed lunch with more shopping and an epic visit to the national park.  Very similar to a zoo, the park had two different sections-Snake park and Children’s park.  The snake park had a lot of snakes-surprise.  It was cool but not as fun as the Children’s park in which we were the main attraction.  Three white blonde foreign girls walking around caught everyone’s eye.  In the beginning, families would wave and encourage their children to shake our hands.  I met so many young kids; they were so curious.  As we were observing the monkeys in their cage, people were taking pictures, not of the monkeys, but of us.  We were so much more interesting than the not so distant species.  Before we knew it, we had made friends and were taking group photos.  It was hilarious and quite ironic.   As we visited a zoo to view other animals, people were viewing us in a similar way. 

            I am not sure how the rest of the day went exactly because we did so much!  We visited St Thomas Basilica and saw where St Thomas was buried.  The basilica was actually built over St Thomas’ tomb. 

            I was on a mission to try Vadai, I was informed that their fried donut like treat was heavenly.  Mani brought us to a random restaurant in which we ordered the wrong thing.  We ate large thin fried pancakes on a leaf, dipping it in different sauces that they poured onto our leaf plate.  It was extremely interesting, quite the experience.  After pointing to other people’s food we were able to order the right Vadai.  It was definitely disappointing and we spent our time in the restaurant being confused and laughing.  Kim said, “I wish someone else could see us right now”….they would get a good laugh.  We needed some dessert to clear the palet and comfort our foreign state of mind.  Mani took us to the most awesome sweet shop that was hustling with customers.  We got a variety of small home made Indian candies.  We concluded the night with sharing our treats over the India-Ireland cricket game at a near by hotel.  It was a super nice sheek hotel that we could help but order drinks and lengthen our great day.  After we returned home to the ship we quickly changed and headed out to a local bar.  We fit 9 people into a riksha-I know not the best idea but it was pretty cool. 

            I am so excited for tomorrow; I will wake early for my Art of Living trip.  

Disclaimer

So I have neglected this blog a little bit or should I say put it on hold.  There are a couple of reasons for this. First of all, I’ve been on sensory overload and my mind just cant process everything.  Second of all, so much has been happening with so little time to write about it.  The moment I get back on the ship it is automatic school mode with lots to catch up on.  The transition is rough and immediate.  I have three classes the day I get back with assignments, tests, quizzes always due.  Also, a large factor has been internet time.  I ran out of the little time allotted to us and was too cheap to buy more-tts about $12 for 30 minutes.  I ended up buying more to sign up for classes and decided that I should upload all my blog entries from before.  After I get back from a trip/day/port I try to just get everything on paper before it escapes my memory.  So don’t mind my bare thoughts and hasty entries.   These are all my excuses, I’m glad I got them out there. So now all I have to say is just enjoy reading about my adventures and stories from the past semester.  

jenny's in china!

Heyyyy all, its been a while since I last published a post. I am actually writing this from my phone, on a bus, in beijing. I ran out of the few internet minutes that I had on the ship and with time flying by its been hard to post. I will have to include my posts from india, Singapore, Vietnam, and Cambodia when I get some internet time with my computer. Its all been so amazing and I have many good stories to share.
As for now, I will clue you in with what's going on. I've been in china for the past 4 days. We ported in hong kong on Saturday and I left for beijing the following day. Hong kong was awesome, I spent the day wandering the city with a great group of girlfriends. We shopped, got acupressure treatment, visited Victoria's peak, and ended the day with a fantastic dinner at lookout peak. My friend Meredith and I went out to the bars and found ourselves at the biggest celebration of the year in hong kong. People from all over the world come out for rugby sevens. It was wild, a street party with all types of foreigners dressed in crazy costumes. We had the great time, best night of the voyage thus far. I somehow managed to get up for my flight in the morning and off to ;beijing I went!
My china trip through sas is a university exchange program at tsinghua university supposedly the harvard of china. Unfortunately, with some poor planning on their part the university didn't get the memo that we were coming. I haven't met any chinese students yet but I've done a lot of cool things like hike the great wall, visit a jade factory, summer palace, temple of heaven, forbidden city, and tienanmen square. Tonight we are going to an an acrobatic show!

So I will probably post more updates from my phone now that I've figure this out. Look forward to hearing from me more often!

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Mauritius

Mauritius is a place of wonder with beauty filling every aspect of its being. Although we were only docked for a day, I was able to see the Island with a distinct point of view.  As a student learning World Religions and South Asian Music, I am incorporating my newly acquired knowledge to real life experiences.  I stepped foot off the ship ready to explore Hindu temples with my South Asian Music professor, Laxmi Tewari.  This is what I saw and experienced.

All my senses were activated-the smell of incents and sweet flowers, the feeling of warm concrete on my bare feet, the sound of chanting, music, and bells ringing hit me through vibrations.  My eyes could not grasp the vibrant colors of the natural and man-made beauty.  Everything is so beautiful, appeasing and appealing to the eyes.  Intricate designs, carefully sculpted temples, everything is sacred.  The arrangement of food, architecture of temples, colors of clothing, plants and flowers, decorated Gods and Deities created a melody of experience. 

The first temple we visited was one of the most beautiful places of worship I have ever witnessed.  A place that I spotted before we even left the main road; intricate and dramatic architecture was visible its vibrant colors.  As we pulled down the long driveway, I observed a sanctuary of lush grounds, it reminded me of paradise.  The main temple had a large walkway of red tiles with gold lining, a grand entrance.  We took off our shoes at the end of the walkway and entered a canopy of worship with beautifully crafted sculptures.  An open area surrounded the main temple in which people were walking around.  My professor told me to talk to people and pushed me to ask these two women to show me around.  They were in long dresses with fancy scarves and gold jewelry.  I followed them as they walked around the entire temple.  She explained to me that it is appropriate to walk around the entire temple before entering.  The reason for her visit to the temple was for a ceremony in honor of her uncle who past away exactly a year ago.  We got to witness part of the ceremony, which involved some singing and chanting that I could not understand. 

            Some of us wandered outside, and a man motioned us to follow him and we did.  He took us to the other side of the temple where there was a crazy compilation of sculptures and designs, part of the architecture of the building. He spoke of the cosmic energy, and questioned if we have ever seen electricity.  He said that although you may not see it, you can see the effects of it and feel it.  If two people feel an electric shock they can talk about it with an understanding that others can not grasp.  It was a casual lecture from a toothless man with dingy clothes, he had so much knowledge to share with us and we were hungry for it.  One of most intriguing and thrilling lectures I have ever received.  This is the type of learning that sticks and derives a whole new curiosity for the bare wonderment of life.  The toothless man was soon interrupted by my professor who abruptly said, “lectures over, we must go now”.  We scurried out with three more temples to visit, we had much more learning to partake in. 

            The second temple we visited continued the theme of natural beauty and vibrant colors, a dream church in my mind.  We entered a service of live music and chanting, the floor was filled with people in bright dress showing a collage of color.  We took off our shoes and made our way around the temple and found an interesting spout that poured out yellow water.  Flowers rested around this magnificent sight of unfamiliarity, it was very interesting.  The smell of incents filled my nostrils as I inhaled a deep breath and observed the deities.  I followed Hindus as they prayed to each deity at the end of their walk.  On our way out we witnessed a group of men cutting firewood and preparing a rectangular pit.  One man informed us that this would soon be a large fire pit and he along with others would walk across it…barefoot!  He has been fasting for days in preparation for the large festival. 

            At the next temple we found more people preparing for the festival, it was only three days away.  We witnessed a prayer for the 9 planets; it included meticulously arranged plants, beans, food, and candles.  I was able to sit with one woman praying to Shiva, she explained to me that she is in devotion for 11 days to Shiva.  She shared her mat with me and showed her process of prayer.  She was so welcoming and it was very special to be close and intimate in prayer with her. 

            The last temple was further away and we hit some traffic on the way.  The streets were filled with people walking to the lake at the mountain where hundreds of thousands were congregating.  Groups of people were carrying float replicas of Gods that took up half the roadside.  The temple we visited was a major resting spot for individuals partaking in their 150 kilometer journey.  They were able to sleep, eat, and drink at the temple.  We walked through people sleeping on mats in all areas outside the temple.  They invited us to stay for food and tea but we had to leave.  They told us that over 2,000 people eat there throughout the year.  I would have liked to partake in this but our professor warned us that our stomachs would not fare well. 

            One thing that sticks out in my mind from this day is the variation in activities and people at each temple.  Each one was an extremely different scene, a lack of hegemony, which varies from my perception of religious places of worship, especially on Sundays.  Overall, this was a wonderful day that transformed my introduction knowledge of Hinduism into a new light.   I would not say I’ve acquired understanding because I am still quite confused and will probably always be.  I do understand and realize the importance of Hinduism in culture.  It is not just a religion but a way of life that recognizes the sacred in so many different ways. 

We left the temples around noon and had the next 4 hours to live it up in Mauritius.  The group that went to the temple ventured to the beach and had quite the day.  We swam for hours, soaked up the sun, went tubing in the ocean, and enjoyed beers by the beach.  It was pretty incredible.  

Cape Town, South Africa!

So amazing. I will to return to South Africa someday, I have to!  Five days in Cape Town is not enough for a place of infinite beauty and activities.  The word to describe Cape Town is rich.  Rich in its natural beauty-coastline, mountains, wine lands, its array of gourmet fresh food and wine, the variety of animals-baboons, penguins at the beach, sharks, and blend of cultures.  There is not much I can say to give it justice.  My only piece of advice is that you have to go and experience it yourself. 

Kind of brief, but here is what I did in Cape Town:

Day 1: Double Decker Tour bus around the city, hiked Lion’s Head to watch sunset over Atlantic ocean and full moon rise over the city

Day 2: Full Day trip to Cape Point: Breakfast market-every type of food, artisan, best food market I have ever witnessed, Simon’s Town, penguins at Boulder Beach, Cape of Good Hope-splashed/soaked at point where Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet, played soccer with locals at beach on way back

Day 3: Brunch, World Cup Stadium-they wouldn’t let us inside b/c they were cleaning up from U2 concert, church at Hillsong, Camps Bay at night-mountainside, beach, clubs and bars

Day 4: Hiked Table Mountain-ended up hiking with Rastafarian from Ivory Coast named Tiger, shopping, wandering

Day 5: Wine Tasting. Shout out to Sam Pompei who totally hooked it up!  Sam worked at Speir winery and set up a complementary VIP tasting for my friends and me.  It was the perfect day, absolutely amazing-great wine, friends, and food at one of the most beautiful places.  Great conclusion to my visit in Cape Town!

Samuel's Story

I have a beautiful story to tell.  It all began at the last place I’d expect, Ocean Bar.  My first taste of night life in Takoradi was bittersweet.    A group of Semester at Sea kids flooded the local bar and a mix of cultures was bonded over beers and conversations.  Many Ghanaians were selling snacks, artwork, and jewelry.  There were young kids at the bar selling snacks, one young boy with a big smile caught my attention. My motherly instinct questioned how old is this boy and what is he doing here on a school night.  It was obvious, he was working selling peanut snacks.  He had a large plate balanced on the top of his head with stacks of peanut bars aligned in a circle.   I motioned him in my direction, I wanted to try this peanut snack; I had seen it before and was curious.  I bought one from him and striked up a conversation as I munched on tough peanut brittle snack.  His name was Samuel, he’s 12 years old, and his mom makes the peanut snacks.  He pointed to his brother Prince who was also selling peanut snacks, they’re sidekicks.  I couldn’t help but ask, “What are you doing here so late on a Tuesday night, don’t you have school?”  His smile faded as he told me that he does not go to school, that is why he is here making money…so he can someday make enough to pay for books.  My mind was in shock, I could not process or comprehend this.  I tried not to flip out but internally my mind was racing, emotions flaring, and comprehension non-existent.  I had many questions and it seemed as though Samuel wanted me to ask them.  I did not hold back, I immediately cared for this boy and he liked the attention.  Besides lots of smiles and laughs, here is what I gathered.  Samuel does not go to school because he can not afford his textbooks which cost approximately $10 US dollars.  He and his brother Prince have been a team selling peanut candy for the past 9 years.  The time frame does not make sense to me but I have learned that time and age aren’t very important.  Some people don’t know how old they are or the date of their birth.  Crazy huh, it’s difficult for my Western mind to grasp.  Anyways, Samuel and Prince live in a family of five children and only one of them is currently in school.  My next thought was that they just don’t want to go to school and sit in class all day.  This sounds about right for many kids’ in America.  I was completely wrong, blown away.  Samuel wants to go to school so badly, when he talks about school his face lights up.  He really likes art and wishes he could study it in school.  But, what Samuel really wants to do, is become a pilot.  A young child with the dreams to fly ahhhh meaningful in so many ways.  His charisma and excitement in telling me about his dreams and desires made me encourage him and want to support him because I do not know anyone else who does.  Maybe I am mistaken or fooled but I couldn’t help this intuitive urge.  I had to do something.

Throughout this conversation, I could not stop smiling because Samuel wouldn’t stop smiling.  He actually tried to control his excitement and smile by biting his lip and pulling his smile shut.  I knew this trick and if it didn’t work he would hide his smile with his arm.  Of course this made me laugh and smile even more!  Maybe Samuel was hiding his excitement to himself, maybe in an attempt to protect himself from disappointment.   Underneath my smile was despair and concern.  I was heartbroken by his story but filled with joy through our interaction.  The sadness settled in with the knowledge that no matter what I do, the deep rooted problem does not change.  That this is one child among millions in the world who needs help.  But, it would be foolish and lame for me to use this as an excuse not to do something good. 

            I went to get change from the bar for another peanut snack and got distracted by a man’s paintings.  I was talking with him, admiring his work and telling him about my friend Samuel who wants to learn art.  I motioned Samuel over, introduced them, and asked for Samuel’s opinion.  Joe, the artist picked one up that I had not seen before and Samuel pointed and smiled, “that one”.  I would have picked it if he had not said anything; the picture is of people gathering underneath a huge tree.  Throughout this interaction, Joe decided to help Samuel paint and I asked if they could write down their names and what they are going to do.  Joe wrote down his email and “I will teach Samuel how to paint and that is my number….-Teacher”  I told Samuel to write below it and sign his name.  He wrote, “I want to study how to paint and learn how to drive airplane-Samuel”.  Joe sketched a picture of Samuel by his signature.  This is a very special painting that I did not plan on buying.

I didn’t bring much money but decided that I could pass up my drinks for the night for this painting/experience/commitment/new beginning.  This brought me to amazement as I looked around at the flow of cash and consumption of drinks.  How we spend our money may seem like it only has an affect on us, the buyer.  But, truth is every purchase we make whether at a small bar in Ghana or department store in America, has huge implications.  We are all connected and our decisions have an affect on others even if we are blind to see them.  For me, I could put my money towards another drink or towards one of Joe’s paintings.  I could invest it in someone else or myself. The amount of money is so insignificant in comparison to the amount I spend on frivolous things.  Here is an upsetting fact “Americans spend $8 billion a year on cosmetics-2 billion more than the estimated total needed to provide basic education for everyone in the world”.  Everyday, my encounters with the world make me question my way of life.  All the unnecessary things I have in my life and all the needs of people worldwide.  It is not something I have just noticed to be inherently wrong but it makes me re-evaluate my position in this world.  I believe if I have extra, it is my moral obligation to give to those who need.  I was provided with an education and every aid necessary, if there is another human being who got the bad end of the stick and I have access to help them, I must.  It is not even a question.  I do not see the difference between Samuel and I or anyone.  We are all human beings; all were children to begin with. 

Next Day: 2/10

This morning, I woke at 6:40 with the plan to meet Samuel and Prince at the gate of the port.  I would meet them at 7AM sharp and we would quickly go downtown and buy textbooks before I had to leave at 8AM.  I was already stressed about the time crunch and to make matters worse, my friend backed out on coming with me.  Determined to not let these boys down, I walked down to the gangway to find it raining outside.  I was unsure about going alone and decided to go back to wake up my friend Miller.  It was already 7AM and I was stressing, I had to make it back by 8.  It takes about 15 minutes to walk to the gate, which is the end of the port.  Miller suggested running to the end, I laughed and started running in my sandals, in the rain.  True determination.  After a couple minutes, we hitched a ride with a Canadian worker and he took us to the gate of the port.  Filled with adrenaline, we searched for Samuel and Prince in the rain and we bombarded with everyone except them. I found our friend Joe the painter and asked him where they could be.  He knew that we were going to meet up and said they probably would show up later in the afternoon when the rain clears out.  There was only one problem with this, my FDP ended at 4 and on ship time was at 6.  I explained to Joe the situation and he said he would talk to them.  I was disappointed but there was not much else I could do, I gave it a good try.

Somehow it was meant to be, my FDP ended two hours which gave me just enough time to pursue Samuel and Prince.  I didn’t know who was coming or exactly what was going to happen.  I just knew that I had to meet Samuel and Prince at the gate to fulfill my commitment.  I tried to find someone to come with me and could not manage to find a soul.  I could not let down these boys, I was determined to go and the moment I decided to move forward without a companion, an angel came into my life.  It was my friend Laura, she was doing some last minute shopping at the port vendors and I knew she was my only hope.  I briefly and frantically explained where I was going and that I needed a companion.  Confused and unsure about what I was talking about she freely dropped the items she was going to buy and joined.  I was so thankful at this moment; I immediately knew that Laura was a true friend.  Laura and I, both blonde, blue eyes, and pale complexions arrived at the gate with a mission and a time constraint.  We were immediately bombarded with people haggling us to buy something.  I was stressed and hoped for Samuel and Prince to be there.  Samuel’s bright smile showed through the crowd, he and prince ran over.   They both had plates of peanut bars balanced on their heads and grins that made them look like they might loose balance.   I gave Samuel a hug and his impressive balance sustained.  In the middle of people haggling us, we coordinated a plan shouting over the chaos.  We found a great taxi cab driver who gave us a deal, he wanted to help us help them.  Trying to escape the madness we walked over to the cab with the plan to make it back in one hour.  We would head over to Samuel and Prince family’s home to meet their mom and then head to textbook store.  I was confused of why we would go to their home but with such a strong community and safe experience in Ghana; my heart ruled my head.  Still a little weary and unsure I prayed for everything to work out, for the good to prevail.  The taxi cab driver, Emannuel was very helpful and knew of their family. Erik, a friend of Prince and Samuels followed us to the cab, he also wanted textbooks.  I told him we didn’t have enough seats in the cab and I was sorry.  I felt really bad but didn’t want this to turn to a free for all.  As I entered the cab, I heard Laura say “Hey Erik, want to share the front seat with me, we can both fit”.  Surprised about this, but more so surprised with myself in the fact that I had turned Erik away from a chance to get texts books only for an extra ten dollars, an extra squeeze.  I was so thankful an amazed with Laura.  We all fit in the cab and were well on our way for an adventure. 
                                
Within about five minutes, after driving through town we entered their neighborhood, a dirt road lined with shanty tin and wood infrastructure. We arrived at their home, a shack in the middle of many.  A woman was sitting outside and smiled when we arrived.  As we climbed out of the cab, this woman greeted us with joy.  She shook my hand and did not let go, just held it and smiled.  More and more family members came outside to greet us.  Three mothers, two with babies on their backs and many children came out to see the excitement.  We were greeted with warmth, love, and appreciation.  I finally deciphered the mother of Prince and Charles, she stood next to me, a beautiful older woman with grey hair and a baby on her back.  She shook my hand and held it, with her other hand she brushed the hair off my cheek and then with two hands held my right hand and said, “God bless you”.  So clear and sincere, I realized the impact of this moment.  My eyes welled with tears, this was too much for me to conceive.  Every family member gathered around and smiles of appreciation shined through.  After today, these boys would go to school.

At the bookstore, the boys ran wild in the small room, they knew exactly what to get.  They each got plain notebooks with paper, mathematics books, a social studies book to share, pencils, and a math tool kit.  Samuel picked out a small thing of markers; this made me so happy and reminds me of our first conversation.  He told me that he like art.  The smiles on their faces were unlike any I have experienced, filled with joy and appreciation.  The total for all three boys books came out to 55.30 Cedies(approx $35US dollars).  I put in 50, Laura put in 5, and Samuel contributed the 30 pesois.  I was out of money and Laura had just enough, 15 Cedies left to pay for the taxi back.  It worked out perfectly.  The fact that Samuel contributed to his textbooks is so special.  Although it was a small amount, he worked for that money and invested in his own education.  I don’t quite know how describe all of this.  My emotions and feelings were all over the place not easy to identify.  It was hard to say goodbye to my new friends whom I grew so fond of.
                   

Here is a little info on each one:

Samuel.  I just love this kid, he has the biggest smile and sweetest spirit.  Every time I made eye contact with him he would burst into a huge smile but would cover it with his hand or bite his lip.  I would smile back and he couldn’t sustain hiding his smile.  Samuel is 12 years old, has worked with his brother selling peanut cakes for 9 years.  He loves art and mathematics.  He wants to be a pilot when he grows up.

Prince.  Samuel’s brother and side kick in selling peanut cakes for the past 9 years. His favorite subject is mathematics and I believe he has only had two terms of schooling.  Prince wants to be a doctor when he grows up.

Erik. The boy who I turned down initially, but he found a way in and I am so thankful.  He sells peanut cakes with Prince and Samuel; their families are neighbors.  He is 14 years old and his favorite subject is biology.  Erik wants to be an engineer when he grows up.

                               

I hope for the best in their education, for education is their only hope.  I know that Samuel will attract many more helpers in his life with that smile of his.   I have had a difficult time grasping their life situation and lack of opportunity.  I am still surprised that the reason for not going to school is that they could not afford textbooks, which only cost $10 US dollars.  For a little over $30 dollars, an hour of my time, I could help these kids.  I do not know the impact of this or what will happen when they need more textbooks.  I may just be another “rich” American along the way who could provide some help but I know this is not the case because what happened today goes beyond any sum of money.  It was the interaction, the meeting of family, the act of taking time out of my life to help these kids get by.   Throughout my stay in Ghana, so many people went completely out of their way to help me out.  They did not have to but they did.  I think about how many people helped me throughout my life.  I never had to buy my own books or supplies; someone older always took care of me.  Today, I was that person and I could give back.  I feel a little older, wiser, and lighter.  It felt good to give up some money that I had intended to buy on souvenirs and invest it in something so much better than material item.  To see the boys smile and giggle with excitement brings so much joy to my life.  Reflecting on today, I understand that although it was so simple, it took effort.  I took a large risk and pursued it with determination, for the rest, I left my trust in God.  Faith and good intentions prevailed into a beautiful experience and outcome.  Almost like magic everything worked perfectly. 
                     

An Ideal World for Kids with Disabilities in Ghana

I was chatting with the doctor on our ship about plans for Ghana and we found out that we were both going to Accra.  He told me he was going to Accra to visit this place that makes orthopedics for children, which was fascinating to me.  He could see my excitement and invited me to come along.  Three of us girls accompanied Dr Bill and his wife Suzie to the Orthopedic Training Center.  After a long drive we pulled up a long driveway lined with trees to a welcoming center.  The entrance had large trees that offered a canopy of shade.  People in wheelchairs and on crutches were relaxing on this patio.  A statue stood in front, it had three young kids standing together, one on crutchs, one with a prostetic leg, and another in a leg brace, underneath it said, “All children are God’s gift”.  My first impression was very good and would just get better.  Sister Elizabeth greeted us; she is the woman who runs the place.  She took us into her office so we could sit down and talk before the tour.  She gave us a complete rundown of the Center with information on the history, politics, issues, children, philosophy, faith, and successes.  I wish I could remember it all and give it the justice it deserves.  I was extremely impressed with the organization in every aspect.  It is sponsored or affiliated with the Catholic Church and I believe this is the driving force for its success.  On the back of their calendar it says, “These past 50 years have been filled with many blessings, and we are grateful to God for all that has been accomplished to improve the lives of the physically challenged in Ghana.”  So many individuals, especially children are physically disabled with very few options available to them in their society.  It is not an easy place to live if you have any form of disability.  Sister Elizabeth welcomes every individual who needs help.  It is not just a place for rehabilitation but for healing.  The grounds of the Center are beautiful with flowers, open space, great trees, and a small swimming pool for rehabilitation work. 

We got a complete tour of the grounds.  There is a huge factory that makes all of the orthopedics, shoes, wheelchairs, crutches, and just about anything.  We got to see craftsmen at work and each item of work was identified with a person.  Sister Elizabeth would tell us a story of despair and then hold up an orthopedic and talk of hope.  In the same building of the factory, patients are being seen and measure for orthopedics.  Outside of the factory another building is a home for mothers and children.  Many babies are born with clef feet and have early reconstruction.  There is a school on site, rooms for boys and girls, and three meals a day.  It is fully staffed with devoted doctors, educators, nuns, shoe and prosthetics makers, and helpers.  This was an eye opening experience to see an incredibly successful program.  

GHANA

I had no idea what to expect from Ghana and was actually quite nervous for my travels.  As we walked off the ship we entered an unusual port, an industrialized shipping area lined with factories.  There were workers with masks and smells ranging from vinegar to chocolate to urine.  A large flat bed loaded with bags of sodium nitrate passed us as we walked along railroad tracks in the heat, lugging our big backpacks. It’s about a 15-minute walk to reach the gate of the port in which access to downtown is available through taxis.  Four of us jumped in a taxi and headed for the bus to Accra, the capital of Ghana.  I had no idea what this journey would entail; I was relying on Ferrah to lead the way.  She spent the past summer in Ghana and her best friend, who we were visiting, is studying abroad in Accra.  After about five hours of navigating public transportation we would finally meet her Banku Junction.  Using public transportation was quite the experience and memorable.  We met so many wonderful and friendly people who went completely out of their way to help us.   This is what made my trip in Ghana so great, the people and the smiles.  In every car, truck or bus I would look out the window and make eye contact with children, we would exchange eager smiles and waves.  Some kids would run after. There was one boy who was walking home with his father and as I waved to him from the back of the bus he paused and then walked in the opposite direction of his father, following the bus.  This boy must have been 4 years old and the cutest thing ever! I still have this vivid picture of him walking down the dirt road in his blue and white school uniform toward me.  His dad didn’t even notice that he had left him and the boy didn’t even care to look back.

Excuse me if I jump around like crazy.

While we were in Accra, we visited Dana’s homestay, which was a very nice house in an affluent area.  We went out for a Ghanaian meal of chicken, joolof rice, fried platains, and beer.  It was delicious and very filling.  I really enjoyed the food of Ghana, some of my favorites included fried plantains with roasted peanuts, fresh mangos, pineapple, and papaya, fan ice which is iced chocolate milk, chocolate, spicy rice, egg sandwich…yum yum yum.   One night, Dana took us to the University campus for dinner at a night market.  We walked along rows of open tents selling food and various things.  It was very dark for their only lighting was gas lamps.  It was a really cool setting, reminded me of a base camp but bustling with people and food.  There were tables loaded with fresh fruit and vegetables.  I got my dinner from a buffet line of rice, beans, meats, plantains, and so on.  For 2 Cedi ($1.43 US) I got a full plate of food that I could not finish even after stuffing my face!

            We spent hours at the art market and made soooo many friends!  I got lost in booths of artwork, clothes, crafts, jewelry, and woodwork.  It was not necessarily the things I saw but the people I interacted with.  I met one Ghanaian who had been to Berkeley before for drumming!  It was an instant connection; he called me sister and gave us drumming lessons.  The time flew by as we laughed and drummed with all our new friends.  This was one of my favorite memories thus far. 

I surprisingly felt very safe in Ghana.  They are very strict on crime and have a strong community.  They said if anyone tried to rob someone in public they would get caught and beat up by community members.  Everyone I encountered cared about my safety and wanted to make sure I was enjoying my time in Ghana.  Also, the people of Ghana love the United States, there was Obama stuff everywhere.  One woman said, “Ghana and American are one country, we are one people” another said “Nothing separates us, just the color of our skin”

The only time I did not feel safe was when we tried to get a bus back to Accra.  Our taxi cab driver took us to a bus station that was recommended from a man at the hotel.  We were driving through areas that were of deep poverty.  Our driver told us to hold tight onto our bags, it is not a safe area.  Immediately my heart beat a little faster and I clenched my bag. I rolled up my window as the road narrowed and more people roamed the streets.  Shacks, livestock, and trash lined the dirt road.  Next thing I know, the road narrowed and crowds of people surrounded us.  We reached the bus station and it looked nothing like the one we had come in on.  We completely stood out, four white girls with a lot of stuff.  People surrounded our taxi and yelled to try to get us to take their bus.  Every person stared into our taxi and then followed us.  It was complete chaos.  I was so nervous.  We tried to figure out what was going on as our taxi cab driver conversed with men.  Conversed is not the right word, argued, haggled, mediated.  I honestly don’t know how to describe this situation.  Thank God our taxi cab driver decided to turn around and take us to another bus station, he said that one was not safe for us.  He questioned why the man at the hotel told him to go there, it was obviously not a place for foreigners.

            I spent the last two days doing Semester at Sea trips.  I went for a hike in Anasaka National Park and got to swim in the ocean!  After the hike we went to a beach for lunch and with 8 minutes to get onto the bus my friend Austin and I ran down the dirt hill, jumped in the ocean, and sprinted back up the hill to the bus.  Whew! I sat in my wet clothes for the bus ride home but it was so worth it.   It felt so good to run into the ocean! The water was unbelievably warm and the sand was so soft.  The next day, I went to a hospital where I learned about women’s health and child birthing practices.  It was intense.  We spent a couple hours talking with a doctor and then got a complete tour of the childbirth clinic.  I didn’t see any live births but got to see women with their babies right after birth.

Birthday Party in the Amazon

Three of us decided to stay an extra night after hearing about a local Amazon birthday party.  Alan was telling us about it and his eyes lit up with excitement, we had to go! Addi, Miller and I had a real cultural experience but more importantly we experienced something deeper.  We connected with the people, through celebration, butchered conversation, good food, and music.  They welcomed us into their lives and showed us a good time.  The party was very close at a home on the water.  It was a small and open house that rested on the Amazon.  Families boated over, even the music was two speakers positioned on a boat docked outside.  Kids were jumping in and out of the water.  The deck of the home was half underwater with all the weight. It was really cool to see families interact, people of all ages dancing, and enjoying the party.  The brazilian BBQ was unreal and the birthday cake was chocolate-a local supply. We played volleyball with the kids and danced for hours.  The night came to an end as the night sky lit up with flashes of lightning.  Anyways, I could go on forever but it is late and I need to prepare for AFRICA! In the morning, we will dock in Ghana!

Camp-out in the Amazon

We set out for the most epic portion of our trip, camping out in the jungle.  The five of us were guided by Alan-one of the coolest guys ever.  He was a little tough at first, but opened up to us by the end.  We trekked through the jungle with him and he shared his wisdom and experience from the Brazilian Army.  Off the beaten path, Alan formed a new trail with his machete and introduced us to Acai trees and many other plants.  He cut down a small palm tree and we got to taste fresh heart of palm.  We found bundles of Brazil nuts and ran into some wild pigs.  On our way back, we got to swing on a vine just like George of the Jungle.  Back at camp, we tied up our hammocks and bed nets as Alan started a fire for dinner.  As fireflies sparkled through the darkness, dinner preparation was a group effort.  Actually, Alan pretty much cooked the whole meal; we just helped chop garlic and onions.  Let me tell you, this was the most delicious meal; my mouth salivates just thinking about it.  We had grilled chicken with lime, salt, paprika, and other spices, rice with garlic and onions, and fresh pineapple.  Ah it was so good! I ate as much as I could.  We all talked by the fire for hours until we crawled into our hammocks and fell asleep.  It wasn’t the best sleep of my life; I kept waking up throughout the night.  It was almost a relief to wake at 545 for sunrise.  We peacefully paddled down the river and listened to the music of bird calls.  Breakfast was another fabulous meal of bread with guava spread, fresh papaya, and coffee.  Alan said, Everyone in the Amazon starts the day with a cup of coffee and I know why, its good coffee.

After we packed up camp, we headed to a local family’s home.  Their way of life is pretty incredible and simple.  They completely live off their land; their property is covered with fruit and nut trees, animals, and gardens.  Their vast land provides enough to produce food for a family of 11 children.  We saw cashew trees, cocoa trees, mango trees, pineapples, red chili peppers, passion fruit, acai trees, plantain trees, dogs, cats, ducks, chickens, and so much more.   Alan introduced us to Jenny, a tarantula that lives on a palm tree.  The boys let this black and orange fuzzy giant crawl over their bodies and face.  After a tour of the land, we were welcomed into the family’s home.  A very simple hut made from material of the land, was separated into three sections.  The first included the kitchen and eating area, the second was for sleeping and had hammocks tied up across the room.  They tie up their hammocks during the day so kids won’t be lazy and nap, similar to making the bed.  The last section of the house was an open space with a bench and table.  The table had colorful jewelry spread across, all made by individuals in the family.  I talked with one of the daughters named Teis and bought some of the jewelry she made.  This interaction and exchange was very special and meaningful.  I will carry the memory of this family and the Amazon way of life.  One of the necklaces I bought has acai beads and a center piece of the small coconut that carries the larval worms that I spoke of earlier.  So, not only will I remember the people but the taste of the coconut larval worms of the Amazon.

AMAZON

 So it is February 5^th, 9 days have passed since I left the Amazon.  I wish I wrote about everything when it was fresh in my mind, but I will try best to portray the beautiful reality of Brazil from memory.

Day 1: 7:30AM departure, meet up with Jerry who takes us to travel agency.  We then take a taxi, boat, bus, and then another boat to arrive at the Juma Lodge.  Upon arrival we were served an incredible lunch buffet of rice, beans, chicken, salad, and pumpkin.  All the food is fresh and grown in the backyards of Amazonians.  After a post lunch nap on a hammock, we explored the river through boat.  A couple hours on the river and we spotted an array of birds, pink dolphins, and monkeys.  We then used a long stick, string, and hook to catch our dinner-Piranhas! Yes, I caught a Piranha in the Amazon and then ate it for dinner.  We watched the sunset, caught a Cayman (a small crocodile) and brought it back to the lodge.  Alan, our guide for the trip, gave us a thorough education on Caymans and their physiology.

Day 2

The next day we went for a three hour trek in the jungle and learned about the plants and animals of the Amazon.  For a natural bug repellent, we let ants spread over our hands and then smashed them and spread them over our arms.  It worked quite well; no bugs bit me!  I ate a larval worm that grows inside small coconuts.  It tasted like coconut, the texture was not my favorite to say the least.  Towards the end of our hike, rain fell and gave us an appropriate scene of the rainforest.  The boat ride back to the lodge was wild with a downpour.  The second we got back to the lodge we couldn’t help but enjoy the moment by jumping in the river.  I will never forget this.  The water was warm and the pouring rain made me feel so alive!  This feeling overcame any fear of piranhas, caymans, or parasites.  After running and jumping off the dock, we retreated inside to enjoy another fresh Amazonian meal and some fresh mangos. There was a huge mango tree at the lodge that had hundreds of fresh ripe mangos.  We snacked on them throughout the day, sweetest mangos I’ve ever had!

Manaus, BRAZIL

After traveling along the Amazon river for two days, I was ready to reach the beautiful land of Brazil.  Sunday morning I walked off the ship and entered the bustling streets of Manaus.  I headed off with a large group to explore and check out the sights.  The main street was filled with vendors for Carnival.  Although not the time of Carnival, they have a Sunday festival called Carnival that is similar to a food and art street festival.  Exciting but also overwhelming, the heat and humidity got to us quickly.  We were sweating like crazy at 10 in the morning.  The main attraction to Manaus is the beautiful and historic opera house.  We wandered in along with the crowd of Semester at Sea students and watched an orchestra perform.  The opera house was grand and took me back in time.  After this performance, we wandered around town in search for food; Sundays are not good days to arrive in port, everything is closed down.  At the end of the day, I was a little disappointed and realized that I would not be able to stay in the city for the next four days.  I ran into my friend Addi who asked if I would like to do a 2-night trip into the Amazon through a local tour company.  Thrilled and thankful for a plan I would leave the next morning at 7AM but not before a night of dancing.

            The whole Semester at Sea community including professors and lifelong learners were ready for a lesson from the School of Samba.  Taking over the streets of Manaus, Brazil’s school of Samba put on a huge performance and gave us a small taste of Carnival.  Two cultures, two schools merged to one as the performance evolved into a dance party.  The music and drumming lasted for hours as people of all ages danced the night away.  Dancing in the streets of Brazil was pretty amazing a leads me to a theme of my trip around the world.  A personal interest and passion, music and dance also provide great insight into a culture.  No language barrier can detract the flow of music from one individual to another.  I love dancing and learning new styles, especially ones that stem from a history and culture of a place. 

            After a warm welcome from the people of Manaus, I quickly packed up my belongings and headed for the Amazon.  A group of five of us-Lisa and I from Berkeley, Addi from Colorado, Miller from North Carolina, and Michael from Ohio joined with individual travelers on the same tour.  The most interesting of travelers was a man named Dai.  He traveled by himself from Japan and is deaf and mute.  Despite this, we communicated very well and had a great time together.  Two young students also joined our journey, both students in their 20, Franchesca from Italy and Cass from Australia.  I was amazed by the diversity and ability of these individuals to travel alone.   

Dominica

With little expectations of the unknown island of Dominica, we were all surprised and amazed with its beauty.  An island at the most southern end of the Caribbean, it gained independence from the British in 1968. 

We arrived on a Sunday morning and found every store and restaurant closed for the day.  About 80% of people are religious, which explains the island’s day of rest and continual church services.  With little to do in town, I headed with a group of over 20 students for a hike to Middleham falls.  We all hopped on a bus and a young Dominican tour guide named Leon shared his love for his beautiful island home.  Dominica is a natural wonder of this world, a place so unique, something I have never experienced before.  The island is known for its lush rainforest, vast mountains, cascading waterfalls, volcanoes, boiling lake, black sand beaches, gorges, natural hot springs, and champagne reef in which bubbles from the earths floor surface.  This island does not cater to tourists with fancy resorts; it is the ideal place for an adventurer.  The main lure for tourist is hiking and that is exactly what we did.  A large group of us hiked an hour into the rainforest to Middleham falls.  Our guide and friend Leon hiked with us, barefoot might I add.  The end point was a huge, roaring waterfall and we immediately jumped in the fresh pool of water.  We climbed up to a small cave, which was the perfect jumping spot.  It was unreal.  On the hike back I stayed back with Leon to help a friend who had a minor panic attack.  I was able to talk with Leon and further learn about his life and Dominican culture.   A woman on the island apparently lived to age 128 along with many other people who live long.  Reasoning behind this is the simple and natural life of Dominica; they grow bananas, plantains, grapefruit, pineapple, oranges, sorrel, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, cocoa, and many other spices.   Not only do they eat well, but also live healthy and happily.  Leon used the term “Irie” in regards to his work.  The day he took us on the hike he was not getting paid with the company, he was freelancing and I said, “That’s good to know”.  He replied with “No, its all Irie” meaning he does it out of good.  We all enjoyed his company, especially on the bus ride back we he free styled and showed off his musical skills.  The following day, I did a trip through SAS and hiked in the rain to Emerald pool and Trafalgar falls.  These are two incredible destinations in the middle of the rainforest.  Afterwards, I tasted the local beer and food, shopped around town, and enjoyed the sunset that had a double rainbow that reached from the mountains into the ocean.  What a beautiful place!