Beginning of Trip

Semester at Sea

Fall, 2012

August 21

The pall of smoke which had enveloped Salt Lake for the past week extended for about an hour after we took off.

The sprawl of greater Salt Lake which makes me feel surrounded by too many people, gives way to miles and miles of empty desert.

We arrived at the hotel at 1 a.m (Halifax time) and boarded the ship at noon the next day.

Why do I love this trip? The reasons came to mind very quickly:

Many of the ship's crew remember me from two years ago. I was greeted with "Mama Ann! Mama Ann! We are so glad to see you." The dining stewards even remember what I like to eat! Amazing.

Several old friends, both faculty and life long learners, are sailing with me and I constantly meeting new soon-to-be friends. Everyone seems very open and interesting. We even have a former astronaut and a surgeon with Doctors Without Borders.

I love the constant activity. There is always something going on: orientations, classes starting, computers to be adjusted, parties to celebrate something, 5 p.m. social hour in the faculty lounge, meal times, whale-watching, sunbathing (only one day, then it got colder). I would like to spend the rest of my life sailing on the ship.

For a better description of the ship and our life go to www.lesleydanziger.com

Thursday 8

Tomorrow we Reach Galway, Ireland. We have been at sea seven days accompanied by some turbulent weather . After the first two days of sunshine, the sea got rougher, the white caps higher and the captain cancelled bridge tours to concentrate on keeping us safe. We are trying to skirt a big storm system. I am also trying to keep upright as the ship tosses and rocks. My pressure bracelets save me from seasickness.

I am taking two classes, Literature of the Sea,an Digital Story Tellling. We also have Global Studies for everyone, and nightly lectures on different subjects. Last night Dr. Kathy Norton, our ex astronaut, talked about her experiences in space. We had presort sessions on Ireland, England and Belgium given by people who have lived in these countries, coveringfrom what to visit to the architecture weather and politics.

A word about our 479 students who are from 28 different Universities all over the country. They are bright, enthusiastic and extremely helpful. They have hauled my luggage in Halifax, piloted me on the ship and fixed my computer. They are another reason to like being on this trip

.In Gallway I am taking a three day trip through central Ireland arriving in Dublin on Sunday night.

Interim, Between Two Trips

August 14, 2012

 It has been two years since my last voyage on Semester at Sea.  I was about to say "nothing much has happened since then" but I looked at my pictures and there were many memorable occasions:

i celebrated my 90th birthday with 90 candles on my cake and all the family at Alta Lodge.

 I kayaked twice in the San Juan Islands.

We all went to Cozumel, Mexico for a diving trip and Christmas.

I traveled to visit good friends. SAS friends Julie and Dave Weitz drove with me to Victoria and Vancouver Island. I stayed with Jo Dee and Cooper in Spokane and reunited with poet  Finn Wilcox in Port Townsend.

I also became quite sick in the summer of 2011. I decided I shouldn't go on another SAS trip until I could at least climb up the gang plank.  I have to realize that I am now in my 90's.  Anyway, I am packing for Halifax and the Fall  2012 SAS trip. I am keeping my fingers crossed that nothing stops me from going.