We’re back at sea and everyone is in work mode after a very
fun port. The students are extremely
busy right now with all of their projects and papers and are very dedicated to
staying on top of all of their assignments. They are a great group of students
and I’ve been extremely impressed by their commitment to their studies. Especially since there is a lot going on in
the evenings with activities so they really have to do some serious time
management.
For example, tonight we had the Neptune celebration to
acknowledge the crossing of the equator for those who had never crossed it
before. On semester-long voyages it is
typically an all-day event with no classes.
For this voyage, it was a 2-hour event from 8:00-10:00 pm. It was totally crazy!
About 15 crew members dressed in togas and went marching
through the lower decks where the students’ rooms are located banging on drums
and making as much noise as possible to get everyone’s attention. They eventually made their way to the 7th
deck by the pool where they were joined by the captain and faculty members also
dressed in togas and other bizarre finery.
They called on all of the “pollywogs” – people who had never crossed the
equator – to come forward to pay homage to King Neptune (the captain). 
This involved having green goo poured on
one’s head, jumping into the pool, climbing out and kissing a dead fish,
kissing King Neptune’s ring and then kneeling to be “knighted” a shellback. Pure craziness. A lot of students preferred to watch, as I
did, but a fair number participated. The
truly hardcore initiates also had their hair shaved off. About 32 students and staff did this,
including three women. True bravery. Everyone had a great time and then the
students went back to studying – after a shower, of course. It’s been a fun night.
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