Feb 20 post

Feb 20, 2013

These past few days reminded me of when I was waiting to go to college when everyone else had left already. And, actually, my “cabin” is like a very tiny version of my dorm room. When I began putting my clothes away, I realized I was being very precise. I'm never this precise about my surroundings, but one has to be when in such a tiny space! How do two people live in this space? It's a good thing I have a room to myself!

I met quite a few Lifelong Learners (LLL), although a number of them were not on the ship as “we are in port”...as we say. I saw Desmond Tutu sitting at the next table with some students two tables over. Most all of the LLL said the trip had exceeded their expections—that it had been life changing. I don't want to sound “been there, done that” at all. According to one woman, “I'm overwhelmed by the poverty. It is vast and goes on and on.”

One undergrad was pointed out to me who has made some “bad choices” and wasn't allowed to get off the ship. It's called “dock time” like time out for college kids. Before each port entry, students (including LLL) are told about the rules of the society into which they are entering. Apparently, you can get arrested for chewing gum on the subway in Singapore. In Japan, there are no public trash cans. I remember that they were having trouble with small bombs being thrown in trash cans some time ago. So, the government banned public trash cans to eliminate the problem. You carry your trash in Japan.

I can't send email now, since they are working on the whatever you call that disk.