I Am the Dog

Staff Captain Korney warned us during our preport briefing for India, “Don’t be the dog.”  Eating the wrong thing or drinking the water here will surely result in a case of “Delhi belly.”

I was cautious on my first day in India to avoid the dreaded GI issue.  The second and third days I was confined to the ship as part of my job responsibilities of being on-call so I assumed I’d be fine.  Thursday, my first day of duty, went pretty well.  The ship was very quiet and I got to spend some relaxing time in the pool and then catch up on some work for back home.  It was a nice easy-going day.

Thursday night disaster struck.  I went to bed feeling queasy, something I chalked up to the Doxycycline medication I am taking for malaria prevention.  Soon I realized it was something much worse.  The panicked decision of which to address first, the concerns of the top half of your body or lower half of your body, is not a pleasant midnight experience.  The rest of the night was filled with trips to the bathroom and cursing of this nasty virus that is floating around the ship.

Since then I’ve been on the slow path to recovery.  Friday I was only able to eat small amounts of bread and crackers.  At dinner Friday night Archbishop Tutu suggested my choice of a PB&J and a creamy pudding desert wasn’t a wise choice for an upset “tum-tum.”  So I followed his advice and went with Saltines.  As poorly crappy as it was to be sick for a few hours, it was an uplifting dinner with Arch and I doubt many others can say that they were consoled about an upset stomach by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.  

Tuesdays with Tutu

There are days when being a Resident Director is a taxing job.  Being awoken at 1:30 in the morning to watch an overserved student fail a sobriety test and then pass out in a chair during his observation time is quite an annoying task.  But then days like today come along and wash all that frustration away.

This morning our RD team had the opportunity to have a private meeting with Archbishop Desmond Tutu to talk about how to address the students when they question the difficult poverty and injustice they are beginning to experience in our port stops.  I would listen to Arch read the dictionary for three hours if given the opportunity.  He has a presence and a manner of speaking that just pulls you in and makes you hang on his every word. 

During our talk he would pause, sometimes for almost thirty seconds, and I’d wonder if he lost his train of thought.   Then he would begin speaking like he never stopped and I started to realize that he was truly speaking with a purpose, selecting the exact words he wanted to say for maximum impact.  And when he would make a joke and laugh, his spirit would fill the room.  I really can’t believe how lucky I am to have opportunities like this. 

Our conversation lasted over an hour and focused on the nature of being human.  He spoke about Ubuntu, the South African philosophy focusing on people’s need for each other and being good to one another.  I’ll admit sometimes the news can get me down and to a point where I wish I could live on an island away from everyone and it was a good reminder of the need for others. 

Arch also spoke of the feeling of being unable to change the world and the need to contribute in small ways to make a big impact.  It sounds simple but something as easy as not taking too much food at dinner can have a positive impact.  There is no point wasting food while others struggle.  

Our conversation left me rethinking my own actions in everyday life and how I can help facilitate change.  As the saying goes, think globally and act locally.   

Stuck in Paradise

For the second time in my life I am stuck aboard the MV Explorer gazing off at the beautiful city of Honolulu. When I sailed the last time in 2006 we bunkered (fuel stop) here for an evening.  This time we have been here for almost 24 hours now and will likely be here until the noon today.

Bunkering in progress

We are stuck here because there is a bad storm off in the Pacific Ocean and we are trying to avoid getting caught in 25 foot waves.  I’m perfectly okay with anything that avoids making the ship violently rock back and forth.  We aren’t able to get off the ship since it would cause a nightmare of paperwork and fees from US Customs and Immigration.  In the meantime, it’s very interesting to see how different the shipboard community would be if the students had access to their phones 24/7.  I think it’s a lot better when we aren’t so connected with the outside word, though I do enjoy being able to easily post pictures to Facebook.

The excitement of today is that I am currently writing this blog while sitting a few feet from Archbishop Tutu.  My heart does begin to beat a little faster anytime I get to have an interaction with him and it always makes my day.  He is so friendly and approchable.  He was kind enough to take a picture with me and with Nicole.  This job is just the best I've ever had!

Now off to Japan!

Off the Grid

Today, Saturday, is the first day that we have had no internet access.  I have no idea why.  It’s a freaky thing in a way that we are just floating out here with no idea what is going on back in the “real world.”  I’m sure it’s something simple like we lost the satellite connection, however it is kind of fun to let my imagination run wild with thoughts of the cause.  I think my go to lately is a zombie apocalypse.  Maybe a break from the Syfy channel will be a good thing.

Last night was our first night of beverage service for the students.  It ended up going very well with no incidents.  The students are only allowed to purchase 2 beverages during dinner and 3 beverages during the night service from 2100-2300.  Keeping them restricted keeps them safe.  The RDs role during beverage service is to just make sure everyone is being safe and to keep all the alcohol up on the 7^th deck.  It’s not too bad, we get the opportunity to socialize with each other and our students, and we get to show them that you can have a few beverages without getting sloppy drunk and acting a fool.  The service is restricted to beer, four choices like MGD and Bud Light, and tiny glasses of wine.  Since we are in international waters anyone over the age of 18 can drink.

Once again the highlight of my day came from a brief interaction with the Archbishop.  About an hour before the beverage service I found a secluded part of deck 7 to watch the stars sway with the rocking of the ship and to write in my journal.  When I returned inside I passed the cabins on deck 7 and there was Archbishop Tutu being led to his room by his assistant Nancy.  He told her in his jovial voice that he would remember to brush his teeth and I couldn’t help but to comment that he should make sure to floss too.  He let out a boisterous laugh and said he would.  Once again he made my day with his infectious joyous personality.  It’s such a treat having him aboard.