Looking Forward to the Memories of Right Now

Since it's my last blog from the Maymester 2011 M11 Ship, I felt it appropriate to begin this post with a powerful verse retrieved from the song "Fireworks" by Drake featuring Alicia Keys.

"Opportunity just changed everything
I wonder how life without it would go
From the concrete who knew that a flower would grow
Looking down from the top and it's crowded below
My fifteen minutes started an hour ago
Truth over fame, you know I respect the blatant grit
When I hear talking, I just don't know what to make of it
Hate is so familiar to me, I'm slowly embracing it
Doesn't come natural, bear with me it could take a bit
Yeah and my dreams who I'm racing with
You can see I'm pacing it so that I'm always chasing it”

The aforementioned lyrical content, context, oratorical prose, and juxtaposition of metaphors sprinkled throughout “Fireworks” highlights my Maymester Voyage with Semester at Sea. The past 23 days have been rewarding, breathtaking, memorable, challenging, and life-changing. The last three countries (Belize, Honduras, and Guatemala) wet my appetite for future activism work in Central America. The systemic problems that plague Central America are so pervasive that they require more than a 2-day excursion and perusal of facilities; however, I authentically believe that the 2-day interactions we (students, faculty, and staff) had in each respective country will be forever remembered.

Semester at Sea participants entered each country not as tourist seeking souvenirs, but as innovative change-agents eager to learn, adapt, broaden, and assist in the educational, sustainable, and cultural expansion of knowledge. With two days left, and my room and camera filled with cultural artifacts -I end my first half of the summer with a renewed dedication to global civility. Until next time…Semester at Sea, Maymester Voyage, Institute for Shipboard Education, and all of the wonderful friends and incredible relationships I’ve built on this voyage…Ciao!

No Country for "Young Men": Costa Rica!

Our longest disembarkation took place in Costa Rica. For me, it included an extensive horseback riding session along the mountains, an exciting driving adventure across the eastern shore of Costa Rica, and a relaxing evening on the beach gazing at the stars. Arguably, the most exciting of which had to be the horseback riding adventure (since it was my first time on a horse). For two hours, I wrestled with the apprehension and nervous feelings of riding an animal 3 times my size.

However, after repetitive reassurance by the tour guides, I felt more comfortable as the adventure progressed. Interestingly enough, I learned that the Western horses are trained differently than those in Costa Rica. Apparently, different hand gestures and sounds ignite incongruent reactions among the horses in Costa Rica, when comparing them to horses in the United States. Fortunately, everyone (Staff, Faculty, and Students) on the tour marginalized their learning curve and successfully maneuvered their respective horse.

Our day long horseback riding trip ended with a special cuisine prepared by the locals. In fact, we were able to prepare our own hand-made tortillas! We concluded our dinner with fresh squeezed pineapple juice, a unique salsa blend, and steamed rice and vegetables. Although we were only in Costa Rica for three days, I enjoyed the authentic food, engaging locals, and picturesque countryside! Next stop, Honduras!