Thank You For Giving Me The WORLD!
Okay here we go, I have 24 hours left on the ship….
My parents are already down in Miami waiting for me, my Grandparents are arriving today, and I am finding it hard to believe that this journey is over. For those of you who have read my blogs along the way, I thank you very much. Hearing how they have been spread around different families is remarkable.
Let me do a little recap of my incredible 3 ½ months-
Between breathtaking moments in Rio on top of the mountain where the “Christ the Redeemer Statue stands, to walking the Namib desert, spotting lions on my safari, to playing with orphans in India, the beauty of Kuala Lumpur, spending time in Vietnam with my parents, to climbing up the great wall, Buddhist temples in Japan, Thanksgiving in Hawaii, to zip-lining in Costa Rica.
Of course this is all in a nutshell of my 108-day voyage around the world, but gives you a sense of what I have seen.
My pictures of everything will definitely be up on a website that I will e-mail to you once I settle back home.
I am really anxious to get home, but at the same time I have to leave this sort of family that I have created on the ship. We have all discussed and shared our past, how we think we have changed on this voyage, and what we want to do with our future. I have become so extremely close with some people, in which I often rely and ask advice on practically anything.
Not just silly questions such as does this shirt go with these pants, but more important ones. Questions such as how measures ought to be changed to help India with their inequalities of rich and poor. Questions like will China take over the United States as a new superpower in the next decade? I have learned a lot by traveling to these countries, but also discussing important matters with friends and professors.
These are the essential questions that I think Americans don’t talk about often enough. We are without doubt in a bubble, and in my opinion shut out the rest of the world. If everyone were able to experience and live in another culture or “someone else’s shoes,” life would be drastically different.
I know that I have changed while on this journey, but it has yet to be determined to what extent. It has obvious changed how I see the world and relate to it.
I wish everyone would have the chance to live outside his or her comfort zone and boundaries. I think that it is a part of a growing process to do this. Also, it is not an easy concept to grasp or understand. I have done my best to write down my thoughts on everything I have seen and heard.
I have enjoyed every moment of writing these blog because not only does it give you an idea of what I am up to, but also I am able to sort out my feelings and thoughts.
I want to say a final thanks to everyone who has supported me on this trip. Special thanks to Pa for enabling me to travel the world, and most importantly my parents who have always been there for me. I love you!
Thank you everyone! See you soon!!!
Love Always,
Kristen
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Thank You For Giving Me The WORLD!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Pura Vida!
Costa Rica style! This phrase means “pure life.” This is how you would respond to anyone asking you how anything was. How was…..? Pura Vida! Apparently it is just the phrase the Costa Ricans or better known as “Ticos” use. Oh man Costa Rica was a blast!! I think that everyone had an extra good time because school and the work load is now over with =)
The first day we were in Costa Rica two of my friends and I went to a beach called “Jaco” beach. The beach was not very nice, but we did a little shopping and eating instead. We went to this hotel/ restaurant and had chips, salsa, fajitas, and margaritas! Muy delicioso! It was really fun that they spoke Spanish. I was able to remember a few phrases and kind of carry on a conversation with a few people. I am pretty sure that my Italian was mixed in a bit though. That is because it was the last language I learned. Hehe.
The next day we were up early for our San Jose Overnight! It was a two and a half hour bus ride there. I went with my three friends Ginny, Amanda, and Teddy. When we arrived we went to tour an Opera House and a Gold Museum. The history was good to learn because I never knew much about Costa Rica. The biodiversity on the drive down to San Jose was magnificent. Sorry if I bore you with talking about biodiversity, but I just finished writing a paper on conservation for my Global Environmental Policy class. It was probably my hardest class, however was the most interesting.
That night my friends and I found a wannabe Starbucks with some great coffee! If you didn’t know Coffee is one of the most important exports in Costa Rica. I Love Coffee =) We also found an internet café where I was able to go on facebook and tell people I will be home in less then a week! Yes!!
We were up early for a drive up one of the mountains for zip lining! We all got in our harnessed and zip-lined down the cables for an amazing view of the greenery and waterfalls! Some of the lines were faster then others and you had to break yourself when you got to the end. It was a great adrenaline rush!
Next was lunch and then to a coffee plantation! I cannot remember what the name of this particular plantation was called, but I do know that they sell their coffee to Starbucks. It made the tour a lot more interesting. At the end we were able to buy some bags, so that I did. We did a few more things around town before heading back to the ship.
Now we are down to our last four days. Tonight I have the Ambassador’s Ball!! Everyone gets dressed up and then we have two sittings for dinner. Followed by desserts, entertainment, and dancing! Tomorrow we go through the Panama Canal!! There is a full day planned with Panama Canal activities. After that I believe everyone will be filling out the customs forms and getting everything packed.
It is hard for me to even fathom I have been on this boat for 104 days. Honestly where did time go? A few of my friends and I were talking last night about visiting each other and then this summer maybe going to Mexico! Who knows if it will happen, but I really really want to stay in touch with everyone. I can’t even tell you how surreal this whole experience has been. I have been thinking a lot about what I will feel like when I get home. I guess I will have to wait and see. But I know that I have been blessed and probably the luckiest girl in the world to have been able to do this.
There will be a final post to wrap up all of my thoughts. This will be good because when I get home I plan on doing some sort of scrapbook. I have kept all of my tickets, papers, and such through the whole trip.
Ah I do not want to pack! I have too much stuff! I wish it could all magically be in my bags. We have to pack all of our stuff two days before Miami because they keep it in a certain room and haul it off with big cranes. Therefore when we get off the ship we won’t have as much to carry. It is a good idea.
Speaking of packing, I should get on that. First there is a song that just came on my computer with some great lyrics!
Wind is blowing through the trees
Rivers flowing to the seas
Yeah they are all heading home just like you and me
Life is for living child can’t you see that
These are the days we will remember
These are the times that won’t come again
The highest of flames becomes an ember
And you gotta live it while you can!
Can’t wait to see everyone!!!
Love,
Kristen
Saturday, December 6, 2008
No more school, No more books!
Oh my gosh! I am done with Semester At Sea academics! My tests were a little tricky but I studied really hard for them! I can’t believe that I don’t have to read any more Buddhism, Environmental Policies, Global Studies, and Philosophy! Academics here were extremely rigorous in my point of view, therefore I am happy I am done! I am not equally as happy that I will be ending this voyage though, it has meant everything and more to me.
Throughout the voyage we have had a “camera guy” by the name of Greg who has been taking footage of the entire semester. When they finish editing and making everything awesome on the DVD, they are sending copies out to whoever bought them. My wonderful and thoughtful Mother bought one for me with an interview at the end!
I get really nervous on camera! (Not sure if you knew that, but now you do) Anyways, I strung three of my friends along with me to be in the video as well! It was a little nerve-racking to talk about this three and a half month experience. We shall see when it comes home in March. I am also pretty sure that my brother would have absolutely loved the job of the “camera guy” for Semester At Sea. You should get on that Matt!!
Today is the last day of finals for the whole ship. Tomorrow we arrive in Costa Rica =) We will be there for three days. I already said what I was doing in my last few blogs, so I don’t bore you with that again.
We have been encouraged to get all of our belongings arranged and together because we leave in 8 days! I have to go through and see what I bought in each country for the United States Customs when I arrive in Miami. I cannot remember what I bought in each country. Hm yes I might have to go and make that list ASAP! The last day is supposed to be the most hectic day out of the whole 108-day journey. I on the other hand do not care because I’ll be going home to see my family! Be looking out for a Costa Rica blog, and finally a coming home one. I will tell you right now that blog post will not be easy to write =(
Peace and Love,
Kristen
