My 21st

Today I had the best birthday present ever. Since our lives are quite stressful at sea, classes were canceled for a reading day. I was pretty caught up on all my readings so I took the day off to relax and celebrate. I, along with half the ship, hung out on the pool deck, catching some rays in the Amazon sun. When I told my friend it was my birthday, the pool deck sang me happy birthday. I also spent a good portion of the day laying on a beach chair reading The Girl Who Played With Fire. I have a little burn and a wicked watch tan. My RA put a card with some M&Ms on my bed and my friend made me a happy birthday card. Nick, someone I met last week in Dominica, asked me if I had a cake for my birthday, and when I told him no, he bought me a cake for tomorrow night! It was really nice and very exciting.

At our pre-port meeting for Brazil (something we do before every port, just to get some more info on the country, like safety, trips, health, etc..), we got a video greeting from former Archbishop Desmond Tutu! He sailed with SAS last fall, and wished us all good luck on our voyage, saying we would have fun, learn more than we could ever think is possible, and this voyage can really change your life. It was really unexpected and absolutely amazing. Never in my life did I ever imagine that someone as legendary and important in history as the Archbishop would ever speak to me, let alone wish me all the luck in the world. It didn't even matter that he was on video.

Tomorrow, we'll dock in Manaus, and stay there until Thursday.

All in all, a very successful 21st!

Happy birthday magnet on my door from my RA.