January 9th, 2009

The last few days have all blurred together in a mixture of class, eating, sleeping, pub nights, and just hanging out! But today was finally different. Today is Neptune Day (the day we cross the equator) although rumor has it we won’t actually cross the equator until tomorrow. 

 

This morning Beau and I woke up around 7:30 when Rolando opened our door to put some laundry in our room. I was a little sore from Erica’s aerobics class which I was happy about. I only got one bag of laundry back but that’s better and faster than I expected. At around 7:45 we started to hear so whistles being blown and some noise makers. We had heard rumors the day before that this is how the crew was going to wake us up. We went to our door opened it and found about 10 crew/staff walking down the hall in all white with face paint banging on pots and pans! I ran to get my camera and put my glasses on so I could see everything but it all happened pretty fast. Beau and I then went up to breakfast and immediately after there was an announcement for all “Polly Wogs”(those who have never crossed the equator) (I am not sure about the spelling) to report to deck 7. I wanted to change in my bathing suit but didn’t have time. I grabbed my cameras and went straight up. When I opened the door to the seventh deck their was music playing and a parade of staff and others who have previously crossed the equator. They have a name but I cant remember it at the moment. The ceremony started and it was all very exciting and funny. Luckily I ran into Jeff so I had someone to stand with and laugh with. Once the ceremony started everyone started getting in line to be covered in fish guts, kiss a fish, kiss the “king Neptune’s”ring, jump in the pool and kiss another fish.  I ran downstairs to get my bathing suit on and enjoy a day in the sun. When I got back up to Deck 7 I was wondering around looking for someone I knew to join in the ceremony with. Again lucky me I ran into the girls and we all got fish guts poured on our head and went through the ceremony together. Anna has a water proof camera so we do have some pictures! And I am not sure it was really fish guts but it looked like green go and smelled fishy still not a pleasant feeling. After the ceremony was done a lot of the guys and good maybe 15 girls all shaved their heads another part of the ceremony and despite the rumors I did not shave my head. 

 

The girls and I then went to find a place to lie out and enjoy the first day of really nice weather. When I looked around the ship it felt the first day of summer music playing, everyone in bathing suits, people getting smoothies, and just enjoying the day. It was a very relaxing day. And after lunch and more lying out I went to watch the MICE perform their squeaky toy routine and then into my room to watch Blood Diamond and take a little nap. I then showered to check out how much sun I got and I was only slightly burnt which I was pleased about. Kelly has sun poisoning and her face is swollen, so she hasn’t been doing so hot! And many other people are fried to a crisp. 

 

I had heard there was a special bbq for dinner today on deck 7 so we were all excited and went up as soon as dinner was open. I had a cheeseburger, hot dog, and even some ice cream!!! It was a very good meal perhaps one of the best on the ship so far. After dinner it was so nice outside I just sat out talking with Courtney and Anna on the deck. Tally and Katie told us a few people were playing sardines down stairs so we went down to join. And guess who was playing too Lindsey K. (from foothill) I haven’t hung out with her that much, so playing a game of sardines with her and a group of 15 people on the ship was pretty fun. After a very long day that felt like the first weekend of summer, I am now ready to go to the cave for a good nights rest and another long coupe of days on the ship. (P.S. I haven’t been getting that many emails lately and its making me a little sad, so everyone get on that!!!)