An eye opener...

11-9-12

Today was my first day in Africa. We’ve been in Madagascar for a few days but only to remote places, jungles and beaches etc. Today we docked in a city called Toasmsina and I got off during my break to look around. It was so sad, I had to hold tears back. I was walking through town and some markets and there were children everywhere begging for money. The city was filthy and so were these children. One little girl followed me for ten minutes as I walked down the street. Another little girl (about 5 or so) was holding a new born baby and begging for money & food. I know that this place probably isn’t near the worst off on this continent…but I just couldn’t take it. I felt so helpless because I couldn’t do anything to help them-when I looked into their eyes, I saw so many different personalities that could become something great-but they won’t, they’ll never see the success that they have the potential for. and I got so mad because some of the others that were with me were just stopping and taking pictures like they were a spectacle. I so badly want to help, want to do something meaningful-something I’m passionate about because I have the chance, the abilities, the means.  I’m afraid though, afraid that I will end up like the rest of them-seeing the poor underprivileged people and feeling bad about it, but then just moving on with my life as normal. I so badly want to be able to do something, I know I can’t do everything-but something. We are so easily wrapped up in our own life and upward movement that this kind of thing is much easier said than done.

Anyways…just some thoughts I wanted to share. I can’t stop thinking about those little children, it seriously broke my heart, it makes me never want to want anything ever again-because I have so much more than I need already. It makes me never want to cry or feel sad about anything again, because in comparison I have nothing to feel that way about. 

Madagascar Expedition 12-1-11

We are now in full expedition mode in Madagascar until Dec 14^th. If you’re wondering what “expedition mode” is, basically it means that we travel from day to day around the Island of Madagascar to remote areas where we have to anchor. Once we’re anchored, residents, guests and crew go ashore in zodiacs (those little dingy boats) for various overland tours, hikes… ‘expeditions’. We have a special team onboard during this time leading most of the tours and as crew, our only way to go ashore is to sign up to help with life jackets and beach landings of the zodiac boats.

Strangely enough, most people don’t want to sign up! More space for me! I try to get off every break I get, or even sometimes during work if they need help. Yesterday was the first day and I went ashore a few hours before my shift and I decided to just casually follow along one of the hikes with the residents. Weeks before arriving to Madagascar we were warned time and time again about the malaria problem and dengue fever problem with the mosquitoes there and to wear loads of bug spray and clothes to cover up. I mean, there were announcements, notices, emails, you name it…there was no way you couldn’t know….or so I thought. The three member band, who is onboard for 5 weeks came along the hike as well… the sole girl member showed up in booty shorts, a tang top and strappy sandles! Oh-and did I mention her sole mean of taking pictures was a blackberry?

Let me just give you a quick visual of this hike… this was no nicely laid out path with signs or water breaks. I mean we were trekking up a mountain, no trail.. no steps, no nothing. It was pretty cool, we saw leemurs which are native to Madagascar one of the only places that have them. Camellions, snakes, spiders…don’t remember the scienftic names of all these things-(sorry).

Anyways, half way through the hike I realize that it’s almost time for my shift…so yes, I turn around and venture back alone. A little scary, but definitely worth it…of course along the way the leemers decide to fight/play and make extremely loud noises…

After we got back, i started helping with the beach landings and hanging out with the locals in between. It was amazing, in between time we just sat on the beach watching the sunset eating one of the juciest pineapples I’ve ever tasted-even compared to Eleuthera pineapple which is sayin a lot! I got to go for a swim too-how many swimmers can say they trained in the beaches of Madagascar huh?

It reminds me so much of home…it’s weird how you can travel so far and feel so close to your roots. The only sad part was the little snorkeling I got to do, it seems that these areas have been so over fished that all that is left area a few small fish and sea urchins. Soon there won’t be anything left! 

Happy Birthday :)

12-2-11

So I mentioned the my people thing… and it’s weird, a month ago I was crying about you guys…and in about another month I may be shedding a few more tears as I leave-who woulda thought? Just a short story about how much a simple thing can change your whole day and outlook on an experience…

The crew mess-where we eat everyday is run by the extremely chipper, singing and kind Manny from the Philippines. Since the very first day I arrived, he’s known me by name and told me to smile every time I walked by (which by the way-is an automatic mood changer) we quickly became friends and now I look forward to going to the crew mess just to see him smiling, or singing…he sings a lot too and is pretty good, that always brightens my day. Not only does he sing, but he finds me bananas and yogurt from a secret hiding space in the back because he knows how much I love them! The night before my birthday, I walked into the mess around 10 after work and he reminded me that I would be 21 in a few hours (I had actually forgotten that my birthday was the next day-but I did remember that I was 23 and NOT 21-I am so much more mature than 21 haha)…I corrected him with the fact that I am turning 24! But anyways…we talked a little, and out of no where he pulls a bottle of 2003 Shiraz and hands it to me as my present. I forgot my birthday was even coming up and someone had the heart to give me a present… this just made me really happy, so I thought I’d share-happy birthday to me …and to Levar, my birthday buddy J

A little bit of WORK...

11-20-12

Work…

Everyone reading this blog is probably starting to think that I am a resident on the ship rather than crew! So… I figured I’d let you guys in on a little bit of my daily stuff and the people I work with.  Turns out…that eventually, you find people, that slowly become “your people” everywhere-all different kinds, and people that hold a different purpose in your life…but nevertheless, I’ve found a few of them ;) (if you have no idea what I’m talking about, refer back to the “my people” post)

I work mostly in F&B (food and Beverage) Administration….with 3 extremely entertaining bosses- Ludovic the F&B Manager from France, Executive Chef Peter from Germany and Bruno Senior Restaurant Manager from Portugal…along with them I semi report to the Beverage Manager Marinela from Bulgaria and Hotel Stores Manager Mateo from England/South Africa- so as you can see there is a pretty wide cultural range here. It’s been quite interesting getting to understand the different cultural quirks and personalities…morning meetings are sometimes very entertaining. My job-along with Kari who is a former Auburn grad as well (War Eagle!) is basically organizing, communicating and running the F&B show lol. No-but seriously, anything and everything that goes on behind the scenes in our department goes through the F&B Admin-so that’s all restaurant reservations, special restaurant events, private events, last minute orders (which we get a lot of), monthly onboard calendar-this is my “baby”-I am in charge of making sure this it is always correct and updated for all events going on in the ship whether that be in enrichment, conferences, f&b, bars, youth, spa, port of call-you name it. I handle a lot of the planning that goes on before these events can ever happen or be approved to happen…and then I’m in charge or creating all special menu designs. I also work alongside the editors on all the daily, weekly and monthly newsletters that go out to the guests…so I get to do a little creative writing too J It may not sound like a lot-but somehow your days fly by full of things to do-and my bosses, well I also do whatever they ask/tell/want/need for that day at that time-which can also change at the drop of a hat. A really fun part of my job is food tastings J before all new menus or interviews with a chef-I get to taste food that I could never afford…I’m just sayinJ

One morning before work... 

Me & my roomie after morning meeting! (It was a little sunny) 

After a food tasting in Tides on Deck 12 

I’m loving work, it’s extremely detail oriented and I get to make lists! Some of you know my obsession with making and crossing off items on a list. So that’s it…in a nutshell, there’s a lot more, but I don’t want to bore you. but yes-besides all my adventures which I literally squeeze into my day, I am working, jussstt incase you were wondering.