In the Argentina current on the Atlantic Ocean

Well here we are heading for Ghana crossing from the Amazon to Africa.  We left Manaus Thursday evening after a few rather uneventful days.  However, before we hit the ocean, we sent our laundry out, got my hair cut (don't trust scissors in waves), tried out our walky-talkies with Rick in Manaus and me on the ship (they work), bought some beer and gin in town,  and rearranged bottles and things in the bathroom.  We went from 19 meters on the River to 4480 meters depth on the ocean, in a half a day.

This view of Faculty/Staff lounge in the bow and on the upper (7th) deck.  Quiet time all day, bar opens at 5:30 PM. LLL's meet here each day at 4:30.

                                                                                    

On Friday on the River, we anchored to let American and Brazilian diplomats off and also to bring on some Brazilian National Health officials after we learned that a little girl was bitten by a monkey and some others were scratched.  All received the shots and the officials said the monkey was put down.  All who were bitten were on a home visit in the jungle with a family who kept the monkey as a pet.   All passengers were warned not to touch monkeys but apparently the monkey jumped on the little girl.  The little girl is a dependant of a faculty member.  There are probably 10 children on board and they go to school here.


It's funny, rumors are rampant on the ship.  From how many people have gone off the ship to why we always land on Sundays to when we're going to have tacos for lunch!  The Dean's Memo, which is on the intranet, always dispells these rumors with facts.


Saturday we had dinner with our onboard family.  400 students signed up for surrogate-like parents and were asssigned to each LLL who volunteered.  We have 5 students, Paul from .U. of Maine, Carla from Bentley in Boston, Natalie from U. of Colo., Brittany from Marquette, Hannah from Viterbo in Wisc., and Kyle who adopted us as his family.  Had a lively dinner with them and we'll do several dinners, etc. with them during the course of the voyage.  They can talk to us anytime about anything, although there is a resident psychologist on board.


That same evening, our cultural group met, which started out as a book review group.  The students talked about their experiences in Brazil, especially those who went to Rio.   While we were meeting, the seas began to get rough and I didn't have my bracelets on, nor had I taken myclicine, so no sooner did I get back to our cabin, then I threw up and continued to do so all night.  I spent yesterday  in bed and both Rick and I slept all day.  I couldn't keep anything down until today, even though the seas turned calm.  It is just beautiful out there now, blue skies, blue seas.


We've been invited to dine with the Captain this evening, first group to do so, a combination of students, faculty and LLLs.

                                               Our cabin with balcony and hide-a-bed

                              Students running from ferries through torrential rain to get on ship.