Well, Dears,
This will be the last of my Blogs, as this round-the-world voyage is rapidly coming to an end with only 4 more days to go. It has been a fantastic privilege to have had 3 1/2 months on the seas, plus the experiences in the ports, but I am ready to head home and see you all.
The last port was Salvador, Brazil, which was certainly an adventure, good and bad. Salvador was once the capital of Brazil, but is now a huge sky-scraper city with a wonderful Old City high on a hill. The Old City went to wrack and ruin many years ago, but recently has undergone major renovation with the help of UNESCO.
We docked at the lower level which is still moldy and in horrible shape except for a gorgeous marina area and a huge handicraft market. To get to the upper level you either take a gigantic elevator or a taxi. We did both. Up top there are fantastic baroque churches, great food and shops.
The unexpected incident occurred when Barbara Harris, Bob Wallace and I were walking outside the terminal on a sidewalk paralleling it, heading for the elevator. Suddenly a teenager came up behind us, slit her bag off her shoulder and ran! Barbara was lucky she wasn't knifed. Apparently this is common in Salvador. The first day there were 20+ events involving SAS kids. One of mine went into a bank and ATM and suddenly there wasn't anything left in either his bank account or those of his parents, which were linked to his!
But so it is. Now we are out at sea, having passed Venezuela and an island whose name I don't know. We will probably stop in Puerto Rico for fuel and then head for Fort Lauderdale. I had a Last Supper for my SAS Family and will have lunch today with 3 of the girls. The kids will have their last exams tomorrow, then a ball, parties, and farewells.
Steve's dad, John Siegfried will meet me in Fort L. after I dispose of 4 huge bags of STUFF, courtesy of UPS or FedEx. Then home on a later flight than planned because of insufficient time to clear the ship, go through customs and immigration, get rid of the bags to be shipped, and get to the airport.
Hope to see you all shortly.
Love,
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Hi, Dears,
opped off the face of the earth, just am having trouble with the Internet.
I haven
le is in getting on to it at all. The sys
See what it just did to me!!!!! I can type something, proof it and the gremlins tamper with it before it gets to you. The other problem is in just getting on to the Internet. With 575 students facing exams and papers, 40 faculty and 22 LLLs, the system just can't handle it and gives up. It is slow and I can't wait to get back to my own private system that just has to deal with me.
Enough complaining! In two weeks from yesterday I'll be home (if all goes well and I make the plane, having sent all the stuff off with FedEx on a tight time schedule). Hope to see you all shortly thereafter. It has been a fabulous experience in so many ways (I am a bit more liberal than I was, but not enough to stir you up). I can't believe that the 3 1/2 months are rapidly drawing to a close.
Since my last update we have been to Ghana. Talk about Third World Countries! This is supposed to be the most advanced country south of the Sahara, except for South Africa. But the port, Tema, was an hour's ride from Accra, the capital, through intense traffic and not interesting countryside. It was 95+ degrees, humid, poor, with road construction and shacks everywhere.
I had 2 field trips, one to the slave dungeons on the coast and the other to Global Mamas, which was supposed to be a micro-finance operation, but was a wonderful version of women helping women. Our history books need to be rewritten regarding slavery and the captains who were no angels. We also went to an open market. Did some fun shopping despite the most aggressive, pushy, touchy sales people I have ever encountered.
Now we are in Salvador, Brazil, which I like a lot. Formerly it was the capital of Brazil, but now a huge sky-scraper city with a most interesting Old City high above us on a cliff. It was in serious neglect, but now they are reconstructing it, making it a wonderful piece of Portuguese/Brazilian history. I had a city tour yesterday and will go out to a chiarra...for dinner tonight.
I am packing, planning a Last Supper with my kids, and thinking about seeing you all in the not-too-distant future.
Love to all,
opped off the face of the earth, just am having trouble with the Internet.
I haven
le is in getting on to it at all. The sys
See what it just did to me!!!!! I can type something, proof it and the gremlins tamper with it before it gets to you. The other problem is in just getting on to the Internet. With 575 students facing exams and papers, 40 faculty and 22 LLLs, the system just can't handle it and gives up. It is slow and I can't wait to get back to my own private system that just has to deal with me.
Enough complaining! In two weeks from yesterday I'll be home (if all goes well and I make the plane, having sent all the stuff off with FedEx on a tight time schedule). Hope to see you all shortly thereafter. It has been a fabulous experience in so many ways (I am a bit more liberal than I was, but not enough to stir you up). I can't believe that the 3 1/2 months are rapidly drawing to a close.
Since my last update we have been to Ghana. Talk about Third World Countries! This is supposed to be the most advanced country south of the Sahara, except for South Africa. But the port, Tema, was an hour's ride from Accra, the capital, through intense traffic and not interesting countryside. It was 95+ degrees, humid, poor, with road construction and shacks everywhere.
I had 2 field trips, one to the slave dungeons on the coast and the other to Global Mamas, which was supposed to be a micro-finance operation, but was a wonderful version of women helping women. Our history books need to be rewritten regarding slavery and the captains who were no angels. We also went to an open market. Did some fun shopping despite the most aggressive, pushy, touchy sales people I have ever encountered.
Now we are in Salvador, Brazil, which I like a lot. Formerly it was the capital of Brazil, but now a huge sky-scraper city with a most interesting Old City high above us on a cliff. It was in serious neglect, but now they are reconstructing it, making it a wonderful piece of Portuguese/Brazilian history. I had a city tour yesterday and will go out to a chiarra...for dinner tonight.
I am packing, planning a Last Supper with my kids, and thinking about seeing you all in the not-too-distant future.
Love to all,
Thursday, April 8, 2010
THURSDAY,APRIL 8, .2010
Hi, Dears,
Ive been getting grumps from many of you about not writing frequent- enough Blogs, so here goes another--and I do like to hear from you, too.
Since I last wrote we have been to Cape Town, South Africa, which was most interesting. The day of arrival I had a trip to the Planetarium and saw where the Southern Cross should be tonight when we have a "star gazing." The Captain will turn of all ship lights if we are far enugh removed from all others. That night I went to a jazz safari, held in two homes of musicians, one a fabulous guitariest and the other a neat woman jazz singer. Both homes were in black town ships. They were humble, but clean and the musicias more than friendly. I bought a CD from the guitarist which you all will hear and they fed us baracuda for dinner (which I actually ate and it was delicious). Got home at 11:30.
But then had to get up at 3:,all airport (no terminal) in a 737 that was almost as old as I and drive another hour to the tented camp. I wish that you all could have been with me. The camp's name was Manyleti or Honey Guides, which you can look up on the internet. I had a tent to myself, which I loved, no creepy crawlers because of a heavy net along the periphery of the tent and anothe surrounding my bed. The bath tub could have been a swimming pool because it was so huge.
Out in the bush we saw lions, one giraffe, many zebras, hippos, rhinos, Cape buffalo (300+ of them in one herd), impalas, elephants, and on and on. Transportation was in an 8-seater Land Rover, which had its work to do.
On a discusting note, the sport at one of the breaks was to take a piece of impala dodo, put it in your mouth and see how far you could spit it. Needless to say, I didn't partake.
Back in Cape Town, on Easter Sunday, I had lunch with Louise nad Ken Ross, who had a driver. We ate at a gorgeous botanical garden, then drove through a residential district, which reminded me of Greenwich, and on to the 17th Century home of the first governor of South Africa.
We were 20 hours late departing Cape Town because the channel is narrow and the winds cyclonic. Since then we have been traveling at 20+ knots to catch up.
We have 6 more class days, then 4 days in Ghana, 5 in Salvador, Brazil,and 10 days of exams (for students) and the rest at sea.
Last night I took my kids to the pool bar for smoothies (do you make them?) and supper. Tonight Ill take 3 of the girl students to the special dining room for dinner. Wish they were you.
That's about it. We are heading north and I'll be home before we know it!!!!!!!!!!
Love to all,
Ive been getting grumps from many of you about not writing frequent- enough Blogs, so here goes another--and I do like to hear from you, too.
Since I last wrote we have been to Cape Town, South Africa, which was most interesting. The day of arrival I had a trip to the Planetarium and saw where the Southern Cross should be tonight when we have a "star gazing." The Captain will turn of all ship lights if we are far enugh removed from all others. That night I went to a jazz safari, held in two homes of musicians, one a fabulous guitariest and the other a neat woman jazz singer. Both homes were in black town ships. They were humble, but clean and the musicias more than friendly. I bought a CD from the guitarist which you all will hear and they fed us baracuda for dinner (which I actually ate and it was delicious). Got home at 11:30.
But then had to get up at 3:,all airport (no terminal) in a 737 that was almost as old as I and drive another hour to the tented camp. I wish that you all could have been with me. The camp's name was Manyleti or Honey Guides, which you can look up on the internet. I had a tent to myself, which I loved, no creepy crawlers because of a heavy net along the periphery of the tent and anothe surrounding my bed. The bath tub could have been a swimming pool because it was so huge.
Out in the bush we saw lions, one giraffe, many zebras, hippos, rhinos, Cape buffalo (300+ of them in one herd), impalas, elephants, and on and on. Transportation was in an 8-seater Land Rover, which had its work to do.
On a discusting note, the sport at one of the breaks was to take a piece of impala dodo, put it in your mouth and see how far you could spit it. Needless to say, I didn't partake.
Back in Cape Town, on Easter Sunday, I had lunch with Louise nad Ken Ross, who had a driver. We ate at a gorgeous botanical garden, then drove through a residential district, which reminded me of Greenwich, and on to the 17th Century home of the first governor of South Africa.
We were 20 hours late departing Cape Town because the channel is narrow and the winds cyclonic. Since then we have been traveling at 20+ knots to catch up.
We have 6 more class days, then 4 days in Ghana, 5 in Salvador, Brazil,and 10 days of exams (for students) and the rest at sea.
Last night I took my kids to the pool bar for smoothies (do you make them?) and supper. Tonight Ill take 3 of the girl students to the special dining room for dinner. Wish they were you.
That's about it. We are heading north and I'll be home before we know it!!!!!!!!!!
Love to all,
Sunday, March 28, 2010
PALM SUNDAY, March 28, 2010
Hi, Dears,
We are at sea again, but with no classes today because it is Africa Day and I should be at a lecture, but would rather blog you.
Time is flying and I shall be home before I know it. We are following the east coast of Africa now and will land at Cape Town on Wednesday.
Mauritius was a wonderful relief after filthy India. We were only there 2 days, but I had a great trip around the island, which is really the remains of a giagantic volcano. It is in the middle of nowhere, east of Madagascar. It is beautiful, prosperous and quiet and clean. Its per capita income is one of the highest in this part of the world, which isn't saying much. I came close to going swimming, but didn't dare as I hadn't a bathng suit on, only shorts and a shirt, but I did get in up above my knees--warm and wonderful, my kind of water. I hope you all will get there one day.
That is about all that has happened, except that one of my "kids" and a life-long learner had to leave the ship in Mauritius. I don't know whether it was alcohol or drugs, but the loss of the kid was a sad event. We have lost 10 or more since we started.
I just tried some of you on Skype, but got nowhere. It should be easier now to communicate, as we are only 7 hours ahead of you and tomorrow it will be 6, an indication that we are heading home.
Love to you all,
We are at sea again, but with no classes today because it is Africa Day and I should be at a lecture, but would rather blog you.
Time is flying and I shall be home before I know it. We are following the east coast of Africa now and will land at Cape Town on Wednesday.
Mauritius was a wonderful relief after filthy India. We were only there 2 days, but I had a great trip around the island, which is really the remains of a giagantic volcano. It is in the middle of nowhere, east of Madagascar. It is beautiful, prosperous and quiet and clean. Its per capita income is one of the highest in this part of the world, which isn't saying much. I came close to going swimming, but didn't dare as I hadn't a bathng suit on, only shorts and a shirt, but I did get in up above my knees--warm and wonderful, my kind of water. I hope you all will get there one day.
That is about all that has happened, except that one of my "kids" and a life-long learner had to leave the ship in Mauritius. I don't know whether it was alcohol or drugs, but the loss of the kid was a sad event. We have lost 10 or more since we started.
I just tried some of you on Skype, but got nowhere. It should be easier now to communicate, as we are only 7 hours ahead of you and tomorrow it will be 6, an indication that we are heading home.
Love to you all,
Saturday, March 20, 2010
March 20, 2010
Dears,
I can't remember when I last updated this blog (it isn't in front of me), but since then we have been in India. This trip was so different from the one I had in the fall of '08 with Saren. That was 5+ star with palaces, and rajas, and silks and all. This time it was also interesting, but full of complexities and filth.
The Chennai docking was difficult because to get to town we either had to take an expensive taxi or walk a mile or so to catch an auto rickshaw. The first event didn't involve either as I took a visit by tour bus to Tata Consultancy Services, a mamouth conglomerate that owns Land Rover and Jaguar, Tetley Tea and a meriad of other products. If you get into a situation asking for help on your computer or MasterCard, you probably will be talking to someone from Tata; they are huge in the call outsourcing. This was shades of my last life in the investment world.
Going and coming back to the ship I sat with Eric Hoffman, one of my SAS kids. We were getting back too late for the dining room so HE suggested that we go to town for dinner. Imagine my having a date with a 21 year old!! It was great fun. Walked to the auto rickshaw, a yellow, 3-wheeled bug, and went through horrendous traffic to the Sheraton, had dinner on the roof. Several of the faculty appeared and on the way out the bar was filled with other SAS kids.
The next day I went to a shopping mall with the ladies. It was big and dirty. but I ended up with some goodies from Kashmir.
We were at sea for the next 2 days. Almost everyone was on shore, but those of us who stayed here were treated to a sit-down dinner. I like the time at sea for reading (finished Kite Runner), check-book balancing, visiting, etc.
Once landed, I had a city tour of old Cochin, where Vasco Da Gama was originally buried and much remains of its Portuguese, French, English and Chinese (fishing village) heritage.
Next day was a contrast to the hectic pace of India. We went to the Alleppey Backwaters, about 45 miles south of Cochin. I'll show you pictures of wonderful house boats canals, houses built between the canals and rice fieds, and peace and quiet.
Yesterday morning at about 2am we crossed the Equator. This morning there was great hillarity, with the crew marching through the halls banging on pans, hair shaving, and initiation involving kissing a fish, then a ring and then being knighted with a sword. I have crosed the Equaor 4 times, so didn't have to do this.
Technically I believe we are in the Indian Ocean, heading for Mauritius which is in the middle of nowhere, but is supposed to be a lovely resort community.
On another issue, I am currently in deep dodo with the administration. They are annoyed because I like to keep my balcony door open to hear the waves and smell the air. They say that it interferes with the AC system, but others are doing the same thing and I m the only one in trouble. My problem is that the Staff Captain's office is just opposite my hall door and I am sure he is the one who tattled. Rumor has it that if I don't behave, they will move me to another cabin. I think that there is something inherent in me, and in some of you, that dislikes being told what to do by someone in authority.. To be continued............ [Once in a while I have to sound off and I am afrain that you just got an ear full!]
Otherwise, classes are great, although I think my Global Problems professor is somewhere to the left of the Chinese Communist professor who was on board earlier. It is all a part of my education, but some of us are difficult to indoctrinate.
When not annoyed at the administration, I can sit back and enjoy and will have company for cocktails shortly.
I hope that you all are enjoying Spring and the robins and snow drops and 60-70 degree weather. I hope that there will still be daffodils when I get home.
Love to you all,
I will have guests for cocktails shortly, but am in the dog house with the administration here now. They are fussing because I like to leave the door to my balcony open to hear the waves and smell the aor. They say that it interferes with AC system. The wretch of a staff captain unfortunately has his office oppsite my hall doodre and I am sure the complants are coming afraom him.. i am not the only one who leaves the door open, so this will be continued. Rumor has it that if I son't behave, I will be moved to naother cabin. I think there is something familial abouta not likeing being to ld what to do by the authorities, eh what!!!
I can't remember when I last updated this blog (it isn't in front of me), but since then we have been in India. This trip was so different from the one I had in the fall of '08 with Saren. That was 5+ star with palaces, and rajas, and silks and all. This time it was also interesting, but full of complexities and filth.
The Chennai docking was difficult because to get to town we either had to take an expensive taxi or walk a mile or so to catch an auto rickshaw. The first event didn't involve either as I took a visit by tour bus to Tata Consultancy Services, a mamouth conglomerate that owns Land Rover and Jaguar, Tetley Tea and a meriad of other products. If you get into a situation asking for help on your computer or MasterCard, you probably will be talking to someone from Tata; they are huge in the call outsourcing. This was shades of my last life in the investment world.
Going and coming back to the ship I sat with Eric Hoffman, one of my SAS kids. We were getting back too late for the dining room so HE suggested that we go to town for dinner. Imagine my having a date with a 21 year old!! It was great fun. Walked to the auto rickshaw, a yellow, 3-wheeled bug, and went through horrendous traffic to the Sheraton, had dinner on the roof. Several of the faculty appeared and on the way out the bar was filled with other SAS kids.
The next day I went to a shopping mall with the ladies. It was big and dirty. but I ended up with some goodies from Kashmir.
We were at sea for the next 2 days. Almost everyone was on shore, but those of us who stayed here were treated to a sit-down dinner. I like the time at sea for reading (finished Kite Runner), check-book balancing, visiting, etc.
Once landed, I had a city tour of old Cochin, where Vasco Da Gama was originally buried and much remains of its Portuguese, French, English and Chinese (fishing village) heritage.
Next day was a contrast to the hectic pace of India. We went to the Alleppey Backwaters, about 45 miles south of Cochin. I'll show you pictures of wonderful house boats canals, houses built between the canals and rice fieds, and peace and quiet.
Yesterday morning at about 2am we crossed the Equator. This morning there was great hillarity, with the crew marching through the halls banging on pans, hair shaving, and initiation involving kissing a fish, then a ring and then being knighted with a sword. I have crosed the Equaor 4 times, so didn't have to do this.
Technically I believe we are in the Indian Ocean, heading for Mauritius which is in the middle of nowhere, but is supposed to be a lovely resort community.
On another issue, I am currently in deep dodo with the administration. They are annoyed because I like to keep my balcony door open to hear the waves and smell the air. They say that it interferes with the AC system, but others are doing the same thing and I m the only one in trouble. My problem is that the Staff Captain's office is just opposite my hall door and I am sure he is the one who tattled. Rumor has it that if I don't behave, they will move me to another cabin. I think that there is something inherent in me, and in some of you, that dislikes being told what to do by someone in authority.. To be continued............ [Once in a while I have to sound off and I am afrain that you just got an ear full!]
Otherwise, classes are great, although I think my Global Problems professor is somewhere to the left of the Chinese Communist professor who was on board earlier. It is all a part of my education, but some of us are difficult to indoctrinate.
When not annoyed at the administration, I can sit back and enjoy and will have company for cocktails shortly.
I hope that you all are enjoying Spring and the robins and snow drops and 60-70 degree weather. I hope that there will still be daffodils when I get home.
Love to you all,
I will have guests for cocktails shortly, but am in the dog house with the administration here now. They are fussing because I like to leave the door to my balcony open to hear the waves and smell the aor. They say that it interferes with AC system. The wretch of a staff captain unfortunately has his office oppsite my hall doodre and I am sure the complants are coming afraom him.. i am not the only one who leaves the door open, so this will be continued. Rumor has it that if I son't behave, I will be moved to naother cabin. I think there is something familial abouta not likeing being to ld what to do by the authorities, eh what!!!
Friday, March 5, 2010
March 6, 2010
Dears,
OK. No pirates, no terrorists, just 2 thunderstorms. We are either out or st about out of the Straits, so can breath a sigh of relief. The captain obiously couldn't wait to get out, as when I looked we were traveling at 19.3 knots, the fastest I have seem.
Love,
OK. No pirates, no terrorists, just 2 thunderstorms. We are either out or st about out of the Straits, so can breath a sigh of relief. The captain obiously couldn't wait to get out, as when I looked we were traveling at 19.3 knots, the fastest I have seem.
Love,
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