Off to a Good Start

We are on our way to St. Petersburg. Yesterday all the students boarded in a matter of hours. The excitement and buzz on the ship was great to watch. Students were coming to the library say things like, “Wow, this is the library” or “I’m going to spend all of my time here.” It was a great feeling to see students excited about the library and excited about being on the ship. The phrase, “Voyage of a lifetime,” is used here a lot, but I really believe it is and I think the students, faculty, and staff believe it too.

After a safety drill we all gathered to watch the ship leave the dock. We were given bubbles and balloons, but it was too windy to make much use of either.

Before I left Southampton, I managed to sneak out for one last evening in town. This meant a chance to have Indian food, which I couldn’t turn down. Some friends and I asked the cab driver to recommend a restaurant and he sent us to the perfect place. I had lamb dhansak that was so amazing I ate until I was ill (for me, that is the sign of a good dish). When my friend mentioned that I wouldn’t be allowed to take the leftovers back on the ship, I was heart broken.

I also procured some magnets (the walls in my cabin are magnetic), which meant I could decorate. I hung up all of the cards people gave me before I left so I could think of everyone while I was on my voyage. It makes my room look very homey.