Willemstad, Curacao

As dutch as dutch gets on this continent. Sailing into Curacao was extraordinary. I couldn't believe my eyes as we ventured past the Unesco World Heritage Site. I definetly left behind some amazing people and brought with me some amazing friendships in this port. On the first night out it was old town that became our territory. From the cobblestone alley ways and neon building as well as wonderful food, an imagine of Curacao will forever be engraved in the back of my mind.

While looking for something to do on the full day of shore leave, I decided to venture to the ostrich farm and there endulged in ostrich burgers. It felt slightly inhumane but over the first few bites the tingling sensation and guilt that I felt while watching my foods brothers and sisters run around, vanished. The food was so delicious. Afterwards a man by the name of Carlos, gave us a ride down the street and dropped us off at a deserted lagoon where one dutch family who was running a hotel buisness back in Willemstad was kite surfing. They must have been some of the friendliest people I have met on my travels. They talked to us for what seemed like no time at all but lasted over an hour. I fell in love with their little daughter who couldn't help but dance for me. By the way, I do not suggest ever trying to cram five people into car made for three. It becaomes very sweaty and uncomfortable quite quickly.

Unfortunately I had to say good bye to those that I had met and venture off to the local aquarium where Vanessa, a Quebec scientist who was studying their masters in coral and coral reproduction, showed me around the laboratory. Its amazing the work that they are doing to help rehabilitate coral. Did you know that Curacao has the second best reef in all of the Caribbean and in all honest I do not protest. It truely is amazing. My heart leaps a mile a minute at the sights of what lives below the surf. Fish, snails, seahorses and hundresd of corals, leave the mind in a place different from this earth. Extreme exageration? Maybe, but it truely was the most exited I have ever been while swimming. If I ever get the chance I will most deffinetly return to the ABC islands. There is so much apart from ostriches, corals, fish, trees, jungles, and friendships, that I have yet to explore.

Next stop, Columbia! My fifth continent on this journey.

What are calm seas?

 Being back out on the open water has made me think about when the last time was that our crew had seen calm seas. That was back in Canada! With one bruised back that make me feel like I'm sleeping on a tennis ball and two toes that can barely manouver, I've realized how adapted the crew, my self included, is to these crazy waves. From Barbados to Curacao was one of the worst voyages we had made to date. Waves that came far above my head would crash againt the hull of our ship causing everything and everyone in the banjer to wake up or stir about. There was no pattern to these waves and on the occasion, I found myself slamming in to my best friend who sleeps in the hammock parallel to mine. Fortunately, it wasn't all hard work and minimal nights. Our bosun brought about the shanties! We sang and hollard like crazy. Voices, I swear, could be heard from miles away. Soon enough, the Sorlandet had docked in Curacao and all those hard times flew away in the forty to fifty knot winds we encountered. What stuck with us was the bonding moments are new crew had and the chants that still ring in my ears. This semester I am exstatic to be sailing once more!

Officially an Island Hopper

Bridgetown, Barbados. Not at all what I expected. First impressions: green and lush, but also poor if one wonders to the wrong side of town. The first night out this is exactly what I had done and quite quickly the landscape changed from high treetops and brightly painted buildings to dirt roads and worn down cold brick structures. I most definitely did not feel welcomed. One man, however, changed my entire perspective of the island when he offered a couple of us a ride to the jungles and caves located in the heart of the island.  Snails as long as my forearm and as wide as a fist blocked the slightly whacked out paths that we attempted to follow. Monkeys constantly mocked our inability to move fast over the jungle floor. Colossal rock cliffs hung over us as we tramped through and provided great shelter from the frequent squalls which came our way. It ended up being an adventure like no other. With only a few cuts and bruises along the way, we finally made it out safe and sound. The friendly locals then drove us back into town and we wondered the streets of Bridgetown, stopping for a quick bite to eat (flying fish and creamy salsa). The days that followed took us to beaches and ship wreck, cliffs and food shacks. I loved Barbados and especially the sweet dialect. However, Curacao sounds like it to will be a blast and I cannot wait to set sail once more - minus the brasso (brass cleaner).

A Short Vacation

Vancouver, Canada. As the first semester with Class Afloat wrapped up us students prepared to head home and spend the holiday breaks with our families, but it wasn't as calm and relaxed as one might think. When my flight landed in Vancouver I could feel my heart beating its way out and the pulse in my hand became unimaginably uncontrollable jumping a mile a minute. A smile stretched across my face from ear-to-ear and it was like ants had managed to find my pants. I couldn't quite believe that, down the hall from where I currently sat, my parents and sister were waiting in anticipation to see me again. "Has she changed at all since we left her five months ago?" Will I recognize my own daughter?" What will she think of us?" "Did she pack warm enough clothes?" These were all questions that raced through the minds of each of my family members. Truth be told, I had changed. It was a culture shock to be back in a country that I had grown up in but at first glance was unrecognizable to me now. The consumerism that reflected like a joker wishing to taunt me brought tears to my eyes. The big name brands were overwhelming and to be frank I couldn't stand being alone in a crowd of hundreds. 

For someone who many had said developed emotionally and physically into a more mature being, I sure felt childish. Quickly, however, life returned to how it was when I left. Some things stuck with me such as my continuous frustration with the consumerist society, and my ability to at times play "the devils advocate" as well as the motivation to take pride in everything I do, but others changed. Within a day my bedroom floor went from bare to "it looks like a bomb hit", said Mom. Soon, Class Afloat became a dream. As if none of it had happened and I had imagined every morsel of my trip.

Although, no person I reconnected with was going to allow me to forget the trip of a life time. It was wonderful to be able to share my journey with what seemed like the world. Each story I told had it's own twist on things that was different from the last story I told and each word that ran through my mind before I spoke aloud brought with it a beam of sunshine. I loved being able to share and at times I even loved being in the lime light. 

It was lovely to see friends and family again, except, I couldn't help but miss my floatie family. Despite being back in the house that I left 150 days ago, it wasn't exactly home. To me, home is the Sorlandet, at least for the next few months. The Sorlandet is where I now live and I know it's not permanent, but being back in Vancouver has made me appreciate it even more than I did when I left. It is sad to say good bye once more, but I know I'll be back soon and I know that while I'm typing this, there is a plane preparing to take off and I will be on that plane returning home again. Thank you to everyone that made my stay in Vancouver a hectic, lovable and enjoyable one. I cannot describe in words alone how much I appreciate everyone and everything that creates a life worth living, tenfold. Thank you! I will return soon! Then, Vancouver will be my home once more!