Italy

June 24^th

This trip began a little over a week ago.  Today is only day eight but I feel as if I have been with these people for months.  Last night Tim, Jordan, Cherisse, Nexus, Grace, Tia and I met up around Midnight and sat and talked about subjects from parental relationship, social relationship, school, beliefs religion and so much more.  It was a very interesting conversation, and it made me feel so proud that a group of intellectual young majority African American young adults can have so many differences but still come to a medium. This conversation lasted until a little before 6am, and Jordan and I went to his room, to get a book and we looked out of his window and saw LAND!!!  It was so amazing to see land after seven days at sea. 

We as a group went outside and my professor Angela Davis was up there as well ahead of us looking at the land.  I feel like it is so crazy how even though she is our professor, she was just as excited as we were being that it was her 1^st time at sea.  We stayed up there until 7am, then sat and ate breakfast on the dock.  It is truly amazing watching a sunset overseas.  I realized once again how blessed I am along with all of these other students to see such a sight.

After breakfast I showered and took a much needed nap, for my long day ahead of me. At 10am I had a Activity called History and the Role of Women in Cadiz, Spain with my Professor Angela Davis. The rest of the day was basically leisure, I walked around the city and basically got a feel for it all.

June 25

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NEXUS!!!

Ever wonder why America does not enforce students to learn a second language??? Well I did this weekend, the language barrier is very interesting and it really doesn’t help when 12 year olds are speaking three or more languages. Today multiple plans were made but for the majority plans went through. Tia, Shanae, Jordan and I went looking for a bank and post office and of course got lost because these streets are worst then the village. They twist and turn and they have random dead ends. Finally we went looking for a electronic store because my camera broke L…  I have been in love with my Nikon S60 and now I had to downgrade to a Nikon S210.

A group of us too many to name took a ferry to another beach on a different island of Cadiz and this was one of the windiest beaches I have ever been to, two people in our group went topless as well, I am not that brave!  Towards the end of the night Tia and I finally found a restaurant of food we really enjoy.  We thought we would NEVER find one! Wine here is usually only about 1.25euros a glass which makes it maybe 3 American dollars so that is a really god thing about Spain.  Later on some of the crew went to a club but I was so drained that I just decided to Spain in and take a nap.  That nap ended up being a full blown sleep and at 4am Tia called me hysterically crying because she heard the nerve of Michael Jackson’s death. I was up until about 7am and then it was off for Sevilla.

June 26^th

Last night well this morning was a blur, I watched Kill Bill about three times in a row because it was on loop on the ship’s channel.  When I finally awoke I got dressed an ready or the trip to Sevilla, we took the bus which was a smooth ride and finally I was in a city I could say I would LOVE to come back to. We went and saw the outside of the Cathedral in which Christopher Coloumbus’ grave is.  We went and saw the Garden and played in the park like big kids with locals.  We basically just saw pretty touristy things until night time when we went to the club I can honestly say I had a blast. Some man basically took us in so we did not have to stand on line and he gave us all two shots to start. We partied until 4am, and when we decided to leave the people thought we were crazy for leaving so early being that usually clubs don’t shut down until 7 or 8am. 

June 27th

Around 6:30am Tia, Sherese and I walked the 35minute walk back to the bus station, and saw all of the party goers in the streets heading home.  When we got back to the port I basically just finished contacting my family, uploading and sending pictures, and just the little random things I love to do with my spare time. As of right now I am sitting in Nexus room about to complete this assignment for Global Studies, this class is definitely getting the best of me.

 

ALMOST OFF

Hey all, hope all is well, well today is the 22^nd technically the 23^rd because its 1am here at Sea time.  Today I heard some disturbing news but I realized that I am on a trip of a lifetime, and for those who try to bring me down it really isn’t worth it. Thanks for all of those who have been keeping in contact with me.  It is the greatest when you check email and you see that not only has someone from the school emailed you but someone from America.  Until I am off the boat I will not believe that I am on a trip like this. 

Well, yesterday, June 21^st it was not much but I class day, During class day not much happens it is just like being on a regular campus except you can not leave you are confined to the ship!  My Maquia always contacts me I am so happy to have made friends with her, and her family, it is amazing! My mom of course and I cannot forget my Candice, all the others have yet to email me but then again it has only been a week so we shall see.

Today June 22^nd  has been a very hectic day.  After classes I took a much needed nap, currently it is only 7pm in New York but here it is 1am and I am so tired because we keep losing hours.  I went to my first meeting at 7pm and that was for good will and we will basically just do good things for crew, the children and lifelong learners on the boat.  At 8pmihad a meeting but I could watch it from my room, and that meeting was on what to eat and what to not eat when we get to Spain. Lastly I went to my blog email.  For example if you go to semesteratsea.org click current voyage then hit voyage blog and look at the post or pictures I am I the diversity Pic and I will be interviewing someone and that interview will be on the blog as well!  I feel like I am really getting involved with the ship (because it’s not a boat).  Anyways I will have soo much more to talk about when I am off the boat because I feel as of right now I am repeating this over and over, once again do not forget  to EMAIL MEEEEE!  

Coming Along....

June 19th

Oh my goodness, these days are blending together…  Friday was a great day.  I am known as the one who loves to eat at all. So to keep a track of everyone’s room numbers I put it in my phone. Finding people on this boat is like being in times square, every corner you turn you kind of see a look alike but everyone points you in the wrong direction.  But none the less you eventually find them.  Being on the boat there isn’t much excitement but we always find things to do.  Yesterday classes went smoothly and I left my key in my room about 3 times (typical me). We have an interport student from Spain who comes on the boat to talk with us and tell us about Spain and she spoke yesterday and was quite interesting.  She basically gave us great advice on what to do in the country. 

I had to read a book and basically it was the entire thing in a matter of two days, I can say besides harry potter I have never read so much in such a little amount of time but at least the book was worth reading..  (Their eye’s were watching god). Nexus, Tia and I studied on the deck but didn’t get too far.  Every time someone would get serious, our attention would lean towards something completely different.   But on to today

June 20^th

Today I went to breakfast ALL ALONE but then again it is ok because I met more people that were from New York.  After breakfast I studied for global studies, this class is actually a little harder than I expected,  today I was finally able to be awake in my international business class without being sick we had a test today I did better than I expected.   Afterwards dinner was served we went outside because there was LAND!!!!!!!  This may not seem to exciting to many people but when you do not see land for four days straight it is like oh my goodness there is civilization out there.  I met a boy who is a Sping 2009 iota, he is oh so proud and wears his nalia everyday, I think this is oooh so funny, anyways today they had a meeting for the people of color being that we represent only 10%. Today I also so dolphins!!!!!!!!! This is the first time I have seen them in their natural element, usually it is at sea world, or something of that sort.  As of right now I am sitting in Nexus room with her, Tia and her roomie Grace, we all listening to music and once again trying to attempt to do homework, I do not think we are actually getting too far.  Today our clocks are pushed forward again, so even though it is pushing 8pm in NYC it is 1am here, but I gotta go to bed you all.

4 days to SPAIN!!!

Ky J

June 16 2009 (Tuesday)

Embarkment day

It is only 10am, but I feel as if I have accomplished so much in the last three hours.  Here in Halifax the time change is ahead by one hour, so I am losing one hour is sleep. So I stayed at the Halliburton Inn, it was at BEAUTIFUL hotel but it had NO steps. But fournately they had someone to carry up my bags.  Shanae and I stayed there and in the morning we had our breakfast an on to the boat it was.

I got online at 7:45am and I still had to stand on an extremely long line. But, I was absolutely too excited to care, I met quite a few people one in particular named Courtney.  The rest I will remember and meet eventually.  Overall the check-in process was actually fairly smooth.

After check-in I got to apply for more presales which was actually really exciting because I am going on the flamingo and bloodless bull fight.(Thanks mom for the suggestion)  Eventually all was settled and we were allowed to get off the boat before departure and  I went to Walmart with Candice and her family and I was able to get water!  We eventually had to get back on the boat and had a lifeboat drill before taking off, I felt our lifeboat drill was silly because it was inside, isn’t it the point to be outside to  know where our lifeboat would be?

Soon enough the boat was off, to see what the world has in store for us.  We watched Canadians played bagpipes for us as we slowly sailed away, parents waved goodbye to their children as well.  I finally stepped back took in a deep breath and knew it was finally all official my Summer 2009 Semester At Sea Voyage had begun.

 

 

June 17^th 2009 (Wednesday)

Today has been a quite confusing day.  Much has gone on, everyone has been sick these sea waters are crazy.  I know people have been confined to their beds.  We had plenty of orientations.  Nothing too exciting.  Food is ok, I have made sure I eat at EVERY meal and I make sure everyone knows thisJ.  My roomies are sweet!  We are really from all parts of the world Alex is from Ohio and Megan is from California.  We are going to plan activities together eventually.

 

 

June 18^th 2009 (Thursday)

Today was C1 aka first day of classes, this morning I did go to breakfast which was actually a task, because those of you know I do not get up before 8am. I went door to door with my friends and I knocked on everyone door who had said they wanted to go to breakfast the night before, but the only one who was a trooper was Tia and eventually Shanae appeared a well. 

My first class was not until 9:20am, this class was global studies, in which everyone is a part of. Sitting in class is hard as ever, I can never complain while sitting in a class on my home campus, at least I am not rocking back and forth in those classes.  It takes a lot to concentrate but all of the professors are in the same boat as us, so I believe they understand a little more.  Directly after that class I had African American Women Writers. I have already read two of the books and right now we are reading Their Eyes Were Watching God.  It does seem interesting. I had a break for lunch and then my last class was International Business.  Now I have not felt sea sick until now. The front of the boat was rocking so severely that I felt as if I would pass out and I actually went to sleep in this class (Sorry Mommy).  Tomorrow I will for sure take a non drowsy Drammine, and I pray it works.   Tonight I am meeting up with a group for Uno and Taboo and I must read up on my global studies chap 1 for business and maybe 8 chapters of the AA book, so I must go.  I do write everyday but sorry of I donot post it everyday.

 

DON’T FORGET TO EMAIL ME

My email from k.b.bryant@nsu.edu gets forwarded but to go the easy way email me on kbbryant@semesteratsea.net

Its almost HERE

Time is a ticking.
It is amazing on how fast time ways flying a month ago and now, it is ticking sooooo slowly! I am more then ready to leave, with less then a week to go excitement is unmeasureable! I am so grateful for my parents who have given me this awesome opportunity.

On June 15th I am flying out of Laguardia airport at 1:05pm and landing in Halifax at 3:55pm. Shanae and I are staying at the Haliburton, only about 10mins walking distance to the port but we will still proably take the cab to the port in the morning. Now on to packing. I do not even know what to pack this process is really nerve racking. They said lay out all you will need an put half back. This is impossible. I plan on enjoying nightlife in at least 5 of the countries so does that mean pack 6 party outfits and put 3 back! I could never imagine having to wear the same outfit to the club twice. I sound awful right now but as I loose focus for the most part I have figured out what I want to do with majority of the ports I will be in.

Spain,
Orginally I wanted to go to portugal, but I am thinking of going to barcelona! One of the main reasons I want to go there is for a club called the icebar. The first day in port I have an activity with semester at sea I am going to learn about the history of women in the city of cadiz (CAD03) and we will be given a tour of many churchs so we will learn in depth how women are portrayed. During this time I hope to travel to madrid as well. I also want to see a bullfight and a flamingo show.

In italy
Of course I want to go to rome, venice is somewhere I really wanted to go but I do not want to spend all my time on the trains when we dock in naples I will be goin on an sas trip to capri and anacapri (NAP06) other then that I'm wingin it as I go along.

In croatia.
I believe I am going kayaking but other then that NO IDEA!
I am going on two SAS trips (DUB04) which is a city orientation of synagogue, museum and aquarium. And I'm sooo excited I get to do a service visit (DUB15) an I am going to an orphanage and childrens hospital.

In greece
Besides the ruins I wanna go to an island or two, other then that no idea again.

In bugaria
I have no trips planned and I am going to wing it.

In turkey
I want to go to the bazarr, and the only overnight that I know as of now is (IST10) gallipoli, canakkale and troy

In egypt
This one Is kind of obvious the pyraminds are a MUST otherwise just gunna figure it out as I go

In morocco
I want to go to marrachech if that's how u spell it but that's all I can think of as of right now.

If you guys have any suggestions please do email me
Kysweet112@aol.com
And once I get on the boat I will update you with the semester at sea email..
P.S. Don't 4get to log on into my blog
Luv ya Ky :-)
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