My Hair is Ready to Go! (I wrote this entry on 5/30 but forgot to post)

Hello Again,
On Friday, I got my hair braided. This is a momentous step in my preparation because I haven't gotten my hair braided since I graduated from my Master's program in 2005. Check me out. how does it look?!!

Greetings from the Ocean!

Despite missing everyone back home desperately, this place is AMAZING! It is my first full day on the ship and it’s a weirdly wonderful experience thus far. So you can fully understand, I will endeavor to detail what has been going on over by me!!!

I flew out of Philadelphia on Wednesday, June 9 at 7:50pm. While this is an admittedly late flight I ended up needing every minute I left for the airport. I packed that morning (I packed for a 2.5 month trip in 2 hours- I’m sure I forgot something- oh well!) and every second between when I awoke until I left was filled with things to do. I returned the tags to my car to the great state of Delaware and put my car into my sister’s garage and a million other tasks that I swore I would have enough time to do back in May, crept up on me on that last day. Anyway, I managed to get everything done and arrived to the airport with time to spare. I had a brief moment of panic when I thought I lost my wallet when I got to the airport, but alas I found it in my overstuffed bag.

Upon arriving in Ft. Lauderdale I was pleasantly surprised by the sweet room I would be spending the night. My friend Chela has a connect with someone who works for Marriot so were in this beautiful suite for the low, low price of $40 (that’s $20 each folks, you can NOT beat that!). I’ll see if I can post the pictures!

Chela kept laughing at how big my bags were and I tried to express to her that for me, this was a light packing job! Oh well, I think only ONE bag for clothes and shoes for a 2.5 month journey is more than reasonable. The other bag contained my other random stuff such as electronics, medicines/teas, bath and body products, etc! a girl had needs, geez!!!

Anyway so we had a lovely night’s sleep in our super cheap, comfy pad and awoke the next morning ready to start our adventure. After a quick drive to the port, we were all set. I forgot to mention that both our shuttle bus driver AND the port agent who checked us in where Haitian. I am still so tickled whenever I come to Florida or NY by the sheer number of Haitians who are everywhere. Chela was jealous that the driver and I shared a few words in Creole on our short drive. I assured her that we were NOT talking about her!

To continue we board this massive structure, the MV Explorer and my level of excitement and enthusiasm quickly doubled and tripled. Everyone is so incredibly friendly and was wonderful in helping us get settled. There were lots of hugs going around at the check in area! The ship is very nicely and modernly detailed and our rooms are small but nice. Excuse me; our cabins are small but nice. You have to use the proper language when discussing ship related items! I am sharing a room with a lovely woman from Pittsburgh. She also is a PhD student and we have been getting along swimmingly!

So three notable things have happened so far! On the very FIRST day we met Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and have a lovely picture with her. She was very approachable and spent some time talking to us about her thoughts regarding the SPA, which is located on our ship and how she thought this was inappropriate. If you are interested in that, I can tell you more about that conversation! So I have a picture with a judge from the highest court in the land! So cool!!!

The second amazing experience I’ve had today is the opportunity to hear renowned civil rights leader Julian Bond speak. He gave a very thought provoking talk about the unfinished business of repairing America’s racial issues. He did an amazing job tying it to the current immigration debates, which really spoke to me. I also have a picture with this living legend.

The third and final AMAZING thing, which has happened, was sort of random but I think worth noting. I was walking down the hall minding my business and a fellow shipmate stopped and asked me if I was Tutu’s daughter. Who’s Tutu I replied, prepared to say my dad’s name is Jean BaptisteJ Archbishop Tutu he said! He continued to comment that I looked distinguished. How about that? Distinguished!! Made my day it did!

So the ship is great, it’s sort of like a hotel. We have a wonderful steward Edwin who comes and makes our bed and freshens up the room every couple of hours. I have some serious reservations about that level of service for the entirety of the summer. Most of my objections are related to the values we are passing on to the students when we structure a program in such a way. Really raises questions of class and economic consciousness, which many of these students will not consider in a meaningful way. Anyway, I don’t want to get on my soapbox so I will end for now. Please stay tune, I don’t have my camera set up yet but pictures will be come soon. Stay tuned. I miss you and love you and please email or comment. I would love to hear from folks back home!!!

I have full access to email and will be checking regularly so send me some e-loveJ

Sg

p.s. right now the ship is along the coast of Virginia. I will likely pass by PA, NJ and DE tomorrow. I will be sure to wave, if you have a second, wave back. Happy SabbathJ