Old San Juan and Me

Hi Everyone,

I know it has been a while since I have posted anything, it's been so busy while I'm on the ship that I haven't had time. So far I have been to Puerto Rico which I highly recommend for a vacation spot or even to up root and live there, believe me I thought about it. It would be difficult for me to relay all the emotions I felt when I first saw the sun rising over this beautiful city. It had been a long time since I have woke up or stayed up to watch the sun rise and it was the most beautiful thing to see. During my stay in P.R. I hung out in Old San Juan where you find most of the hustle and bustle of everyday life. There were all these buildings each in a unique color of mango, yellow, green, blue, and color you could think of. I ate at this small cafe called Cafe Puerto Rico, the food was amazing! I went to El Morro which is one of the forts that were used to protect the city and it was as equally beautiful. It faced the vast ocean which no matter how many times I look at it gets more and more beautiful to me each day. You will find that I will tend to use the same adjectives over and over because I am truly at a loss for the right words to describe all my experiences.

So far, I have made some good friends. You will find that in certain situations, such as this one, you tend to build friendships much more quickly. There is this student on this voyage who I love to pieces, her name is Lydia and she attends Humbolt State in Nor. Cali. She reminds me of the MTV character Daria because she ends everything on a somber note but it's hilarious, she doesn't realize she's doing it. I have had several encounters with the Archbishop, we have bumped into each other a few times. I was invited to a Euchrist he conducted in one of the Dean's cabins. I didn't know what a Euchrist was but I found out that it is similar to what I know as communion. I TOOK COMMUNION WITH ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU! So crazy! Right now I'm in Brazil, Bahia and I have a few things lined up my sleeve. Since I have limited internet minutes I will be doing a country combo. So my next entry will be about my experiences in Bahia and South Africa. I hope all of you are well and I miss you all. I feel like the world is changing so quickly and I'm in this bubble separated from it all. I just may come back to find some of you married (Lynda), pregnant, moved, I don't know what! I guess it's good to be disconnected but the feeling is a little uncomfortable. But I signed up for this and I don't regret it one bit. Again, I miss all of you and please write. Camie, Calvin, and Dad if you are reading this, I miss you and love you very much!

-Shayla

Workin' Day & Night/Social Faux Pas . . . .?

I want to thank all of you who have posted messages to my blog. Reading them offers some much needed relief because these last few days have been HECTIC! The students (all 702) have boarded the ship and let's say it has gotten lively ever since they been on board. I have adapted to my new job responsibilities well I must say, especially since I only got 4 days of training to head a office, on a ships, helping a total of 1,004 people. Right now I am making copies crossing the vast ocean and loving every minute of it but Ms. Two is tired! I had a really interesting moment today. As I was waiting in line at the Purser's (reception) desk of the ship guess who I should run into but Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He smiled and said "hello" in the most quiet and gentle way. He asked how I was doing and then put his hand up, palm facing me. Mind you I didn't bring a cultural etiquette book with me, so, I wasn't sure what I should do. I then raised my hand up, my palm facing him, and slowly brought it to his hand. He smiled and then walked away. I was afraid after he left I had done something inappropriate, was I suppose to touch him? I thought the Deans were going to call me into their office and dump me in the next country we port (Puerto Rico). Later on I found out he was giving me a high 5! I will have pictures I promise. I just have been too busy to think straight. Besides you will have pictures from Puerto Rico too. I miss all of you! Don't forget to write. If you need the address of the ports I will be visiting. Just go to www.semesteratsea.com, click on "Voyages" link, Spring 07, and then "Communication." If I'm wrong then don't be lazy, search for it a little. I think I'm worth that much. Oh Lynda, we have these close circuit TVs on the ship and they play all the 80s music . . . SAS and me were meant, the 80s music proves it!

-Shayla