First Post!

Wow... this has certainly been quite the start of what promises to be a fantastic voyage, and I'm feeling some definite sensory overload. We embarked just a day and a half ago, but it feels like at least a week. I haven't yet gotten over the sensation of seeing absolutely nothing but water in all directions as far as my eye can see. The trip from Ensenada to Honolulu is only six days, but the captain informed us that after that there will 3500 miles of ocean before I step on land again. It seems both exciting and intimidating to be literally in the absolute middle of nowhere.

This ship is absolutely incredible. I can't believe this is my home for almost four months! Built in 2002 as the fastest cruise ship on the planet (ostensibly), it was soon converted to a floating university. It is stunning. The crew of 200-some keep it spotless and the decor is so impressive. Not that all of that is pertinent to our objective on this adventure, but it sure makes it more comfortable. Everything else is pretty great too... pool, two dining halls, gym I'll probably never use, hospital equipped for minor surgery, library, etc. My room is bigger than I imagined, has a full window and everything else I need. My roommate... well, he isn't someone I would seek out as a companion, but he's perfectly nice and extremely easy-going. I don't think we'll have any problem getting along, but probably won't be best buds. He's an ex-football player who studies business at University of Alabama. So we have lots in common...

All of you who told me we wouldn’t feel the motion of the ship because it’s so big were LYING! Yesterday it felt like a rollercoaster, and we all looked drunk as we zig-zagged back and forth and stumbled on the stairs. Today is much better, but we slowed down to about 14 knots. I haven’t thrown up and don’t think I will, but it definitely is hard to walk!

There are 400 girls and 230 guys on board. I'd love to say we are an eclectic, diverse bunch, but I'll be honest: We're a quite homogenous, almost completely Caucasian group. Might as well be honest... But its sort of irrelevant because our exposure to new people, cultures and places will be in port, not on board. Everyone seems very friendly, although I haven't yet found a cohort of people I immediately "clicked" with. I'd say about half the kids are either from California or Colorado, for some reason.

On land, we can participate in the 200-some excursions, field practica and other programs planned by the program, or take off on our own. I've decided with a few notable exceptions to do the latter. Some people have already planned their itineraries to the minute, but I feel that is bound to lead to stress and disappointment, as nothing goes according to schedule when traveling, especially in foreign countries. In fact, I'm really excited about the spontaneity I can indulge in, as what happens to you when you go with the flow tends to lead to the best stories. For instance, I've purchased a rail pass for Japan, so during the five days we're in Japan, I'm planning to group up with a few friends and just go - take the next train wherever it's going, and explore wherever it takes us. I'm psyched. 

I'll keep this relatively brief for now. The Internet is really slow and expensive while at sea, but when I can get to an Internet cafe, I plan to upload some of the pics and videos I've taken so far! Stay tuned...