There are nearly 200 crew aboard the MV Explorer. There are electricians, plumbers, carpenters, people who work in the engine room and around the decks, waiters in the dining rooms, cooks, receptionists, bookkeepers, people who do our laundry, room stewards, the officers -- I'm sure I'm forgetting someone, but we really don't have to lift a finger to look after ourselves because these folks do everything for us. I'm not sure how I will make the adjustment when we get back home. We have come to know many of them over the last several weeks, especially Linda who looks after our cabin, and the guys in the dining room (and they are all guys). Tonight we were treated to a talent show that the crew put together and it was a great time!
I took a bunch of photos and video and am going to try to put some of it up, though it is late now so will not try it tonight. Some of our crew are really very talented performers and it was wonderful to see this side of them and to get to know them better outside their uniforms -- singers and songwriters, dancers, comedians, jugglers and on and on. I was impressed most by the themes of learning, seeing the world, and change of self that were part of their performances, and their obvious understanding of the mission of Semester at Sea and their own roles in making this the best possible experience for students and the rest of us. Indeed they come from all over the world themselves (34 countries!), and many of them have left families behind because they are better able to provide for them by leaving their own countries for the work they do on this ship.
Current location at 0055 ship time:
Latitude: 8 degrees 37.4' N
Longitude: 103 degrees 51.4' E
Course: 141 degrees
1 comment:
Hi Theresa,
How wonderful it must have been to watch your crew perform. The talent that people have never ceases to amaze me. The vision of all of them holding their respective flags and singing "We Are The World" made me imagine how touching it must have been. I have also been imagining how nice it must be to have your meals prepared, bed made, bathroom cleaned, laundry done etc; Won't be much fun having to readjust once you are back on terra firma! We have enjoyed a few days of lovely spring weather but are now expecting a "severe winter storm" tonight with up to 10 to 15 cm of the white stuff...darn it anyway.
The ski/golf ladies are having dinner at an Indian restaurant (Diane's birthday)Tues night so we'll make a toast to you..we'll miss you. Take good care,
Love, Jackie
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