Life at sea and beyond

Topy Fiske, my cabin mate and friend of 45 years, and I usually wake up before 7 a.m. well-rested after at least eight hours of sleep. Every other day I go to the “wellness center” and either ride a bike or go on the treadmill for 15 minutes and then lift a few weights on the top deck. The weight machines are old and somewhat rusty but they suffice. The buffet breakfast (preferably taken on the open deck) is highly satisfying. I am mesmerized, grateful and humble as I breathe in deeply, watch the white caps and look out at the horizon.  

By looking at the foam, we can tell the captain is using only the starboard engines and probably going under 20 knots an hour. The two other engines on the port side speed up the Explorer, one of the fastest cruise ships at sea.

Classes start at 8 a.m., and I have sat in on a couple of lessons on oceanography, but the large classes in the Union are of more interesting to me. I can sit in on the Religions of the World, International Law, Human Nature, Health Promotion, Water for the World and others. In my previous blogs, you have read some of the facts I have learned. I can take advantage of two “LENS” classes before lunch and two afterwards. 

Lunch and dinner are very well-balanced with salads, fresh fruit, soups, several varieties of fish and meat, always pasta and often rice and potatoes. I never pass up desserts (ouch!). We have a choice of ice tea or various fruit juices with every meal and there are huge containers of peanut butter and jelly by the toaster.

I have already finished reading three murder mysteries and knitted two scarves.

I give away the Evil Eye pins I brought along to those who need comfort. Among them is a couple who found out three days ago that their 21-year-old son dove into a shallow pond in Austin, Texas, and injured his neck. The father is a professor on board ship, the mother had just flown into Tokyo from Tennessee to join her husband. The surgery was scheduled for the next morning, and the young man's sisters would be with him. It apparently went well, and the young man is now back home walking and talking. 

We Lifelong Learners, and some members of faculty volunteered to “adopt” students with whom we enjoy meals every third day so they know they have a shoulder to lean on. My extended family includes Betsy, a sophomore from Wilmette, Illinois; Sierra, a junior from Boise; Brendan, a senior from Texas; and Juan from Mexico City. All are curious and sharp with dreams of successful careers in business, the arts or communications.

Lifelong Learners get together at 4 p.m. every other day and share experiences or listen to a professor speak on various subjects. English Literature Professor John Miller spoke to us about "Moby Dick" on a very stormy day, a perfect setting.  Psychology Professor Charles Morris taught us techniques to remember names and faces and told us to get physical exercise if we want to avoid Alzheimers. Several of us, as well as students, staff and young children on board, are partaking in a study he is conducting during the next three months. 

The view from Deck 7, outside the faculty lounge, as we approach

Yokohama on a crisp winter's day. 

Environmental Science Professor Ed Sobey showed us photos of various ocean creatures and birds and discussed his research work in Antartica. He and his wife have crossed the Pacific from Japan to Seattle in a 57-foot sailboat. Quite a fit couple. The faculty and staff lounge on the bow of the ship on Deck 7, which is off-limits for students. We usually enjoy a glass of wine and conversation before dinner.

As I mentioned, 68 percent of the students on board are female. Most of them are tall, pretty with long hair and long legs. Both the girls and guys come from all corners of the world, including South America, China, Pakistan and Africa. Apparently 35 percent of them have received partial scholarships, and many are doing work-study on the ship, especially in the computer lab.

I am plan to get a massage tomorrow (reasonably priced) and a manicure next week. I have not yet hooked up with a yoga class (on deck in the evenings) or Pilates. A group of Lifelong Learners walk for 30 minutes around the deck at 3 p.m. For me, going up and down the stairs between the various decks is challenging enough.

Every evening there is a lecture on pertinent information about the environment or culture we will experience next.  There are interesting documentaries or movies shown on TV every night but it is amazing how tired we get by 9 p.m. We are gently rocked to sleep after a few minutes of reading, looking forward to the next day.