From Pollywog to Shellback

Journal #12
February 9, 2009
These past few days at sea have been pretty good. Its giving me a lot of time to spend with people that I met on my trips. Im surprised at how fast these last couple of days have gone. I guess I am so busy right now its just flying by. It is making me nervous though because I don’t want this trip to fly by. I want to cherish every moment and remember every day.

Today was probably the best day on the boat though!!!! It started off at 8am. My roommate and I got woken up by the crew running through the halls screams playing drums and all sorts of very loud instruments. They were telling us “Pollywogs”to go straight to the 7th deck. After getting our bathing suits on we ran to the top deck and we were surprised by all the people out there. It was Neptune day. There are several rituals that are to be done when a boat crosses over the equator. Which we are actually doing tomorrow, but oh well :) we can still celebrate. So they gave us a speech, we made some vows and the activities began. First, we had to get fish guts poured on us, it wasn’t really fish guts, then we had to kiss a fish, literally, bow to the king and queen Neptune and jump into the pool!! My roommate and I did this ritual together. Then the shaving of heads began. I can not believe how many girls shaved their heads. Some looked good, but there was no way I was going to do this.

After all the events were done me and my friends laid out on the deck all day. I got a lot of sun. It was so relaxing not having class and just being able to hang out. Unfortunately I am going to have to do a lot of homework tonight :( So after laying out we came back to our room took showers and got ready for dinner. Before dinner we went to the doctor’s office to get my roommate some band aids. Of course right when we got there they were celebrating the doc’s birthday. Yeahhhha!!!! They gave us some cookies. This was my first real dessert since I have been on this boat. I was sooo happy.

So off to dinner we went. Because of Neptune day the cooks were having a BBQ on the top deck. I was hoping for some good food but I was not getting my hopes up. Now I must tell you that for the past 3 days, I have told my roommate that all I want is a hotdog or burger. I was craving them. And when we got to the top guess what they had. HOTDOGS, HAMBURGERS, AND RIBS!!!!!! I was in heaven. And for dessert ICE CREAM!!! However, now I am regretting the ice cream :( This was the best dinner yet. I went a little overboard on the amount of food I ate :) but it was well worth it.

So all in all Neptune day was fabulous, it filled my cravings and more. Now I am a true shellback not a pollywog anymore.

So I am sure not a lot of yall know, but I am pretty sure my sisters are going to be coming to Viet Nam to visit me. I am sooo excited, I really hope they do come because it would be great for them to see how I live on a boat, meet some of my friends, and be able to experience a wonderful country with me. Also if people will give me their home address I will send them post cards!!!

Love
Michelle