I am in India. Crazy sights being seen. Lots to say but too much to do, I am on my way to see the sights of Mumbai (Bombay). Tonight going to check out a movie bollywood style.
amigos y amantes <3
Monday, March 26, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Half Way Round the World - We forward clocks by the half Hour
OK family, friends, everyone in between:
HERE IS THE UPDATE
So I painted a very pale picture of Brazil in my last blog. It was scary at times, true, but that’s true on 2nd and Christian sometimes. Few people got mugged, but who hasn’t? True true true.
Anyway, Carnaval was great, everything you think it would be, parades, people, floats, drinking, good fun. But, a big part of me and of others wishes we could’ve seen the country when it didn’t smell like piss.
Either way, don’t want to discount the beauty of it all. Salvador is an absolutely gorgeous City.
Then there that large trip across the ocean we took.
I’m telling you.
You have no idea what it is like every morning afternoon and night to look out in the ocean. To have 360 degree views of sunsets, to set calm seas and big waves, to just look at the sun and the moon and its incredible, I will miss it most of all things here. Sometimes there is so much going on here, so many people, so much action and activity, you can barely find a minute for yourself. When I am looking at the ocean I have as many minutes as I want (unless someone spots me from behind! haha).
Classes continue to go well. 5 Classes, in 4 I have solid A’s. In the 5th I have a B. My B is in Global Studies, it is the class everyone has to take. I’m sick of it. But I have to hold on to that B.
I took a leap here on this boat that really has made me proud. Before I left, as some of you may or may not know, I met up with Jennifer Weiner, she’s a Philadelphia Writer (In Her Shoes). I shared with her some of my work, my poetry. Needless to say she didn’t really read any of it. BUT, she gave me some good advice. She said “Jaime, today poets need to be more then just writers, they need to be performers.” Shy, I said, I don’t know if I can be that.
Well, I have read here on this ship. The last time I read was in front of the entire boat, at least whoever was present and watching, but I estimate 500 people. Wow, I was so nervous, my hand shaking as I begun, but I did it, I did it.
And the best part was—strangers coming up to that night and the next day. Saying, I loved your poem, or you did great, or the best was “I loved your poem so much I want a copy of it.” My friends were all proud of me, I was all proud of me. I felt like Jennifer was right. Who’s going to know I am a poet if I don’t show it to anyone? Everyone around the ship kinda knows I am a writer; people seem to react to it. I love it. It gives me energy and confidence and I feel so good sharing with people.
So, that was a sidebar. But in reply to that email you sent Dad, (which was beautiful and made me miss you, but that’s ok, you can still send more), I don’t have time to be bored here. Believe me, classes everyday, I’m tutoring one of the children, involved in lots of group work, all of which I try to take the leadership role, then friends, then quiet, they give a lot of work here too. This is NOT a party boat, I’ll tell you that.
Though we do have fun. They have “Pub Nights” here which give you a chance to socialize. They also have movies they show, we watched V for Vendetta the other night, everyone needs to see that!! My poetry class has been organizing events and most of all, I am reading, a lot. Trying to make good use of ALL my free time. I was sitting at the snack bar the other day when this guy I never talked to before turns to me and goes “you are always reading.” I said, “uh, yea..” He said, “I always see you reading, why?” “I said, I don’t know.” And that’s how you meet people. See there are so many students on this boat, I am still meeting new people, good people too, people from all over the country.
I have my group of friends and I think I have learned good things from them and hopefully they have learned from me too.
South Africa was incredible. Seriously, pardon my language but FUCK Disney World, take your kids on a Safari. Ok that’s not entirely true, I love Disney World, Mom, when we goin back there? Haha. But honestly. I can say that those 3 days at Kruger National Park, 5 hours outside of Johannesburg, were some of the best of my life so far. Animals up close, 5 am sunrise drives through the park, Edwin our “tour guide” and friend, the great food, they cooked right in front of us every night, traditional good food. We slept on tents and at night when I’d close my eyes I wouldn’t think of anything, I would just sleep. I would just sleep. Do you know what its like to simply close your eyes? To be so content, so, happy, that you just sleep? That’s how I was then.
I felt like a true adventuress on that trip, cruising through the airports with my backpack on my back, looking at things I never saw and can’t imagine seeing again. I can’t stress it enough or put it into words that will really express it, but those few days in South Africa were incredible. I’ll never forget them.
The rest of the days in Cape Town were awesome. It is a really cool city filled with awesome people. I could’ve grown up there.
But, then there were the townships. If you are familiar with the history of the country you know those townships were the only place black people could really go, torn between native land, struggles for jobs and literally finding a home.
Those townships were beautiful, but beautifully sad to me. Those people live lives filled with hope and that hope is everlasting. I went to this market and bought two pins with the South African flag and it has the AIDS Ribbon all done in beads. That’s one for me and one for my friend Gia.
One of my teachers started a performing arts initiative at a university and a middle school in S.A. We went on a trip there, about 30 of us, and we all interacted and they put on shows for us and we all played games. It was a lot of fun.
Another night, the first night there, we found this bangin bar on Long Street (where a lot of people go out to clubs and stuff). It was a strait up hip-hop bar, with a DJ soon as you walk in and people in the back playin pool. All this old American Soul and R&B records on the wall and graffiti surrounded the walls by the pool table. All the people in there could’ve easily fit into the scenes of Philly and NY. I was hearin beats I knew and some I wish I could find. It was a good time. I talked to some guy from Botswana, the country just North of S.A. I had just finished this book in my African American Lit class by Bessie Head called “When Rain Clouds Gather” which takes place there. He read the book and we talked about it.
We were pulled into a port in probably one of the richest parts of the city. I couldn’t afford half the stores.
One thing I noticed about S.A. is that most of the servers and workers are black while almost all the clients are white. While Apartheid is over, it still goes on in many ways, seems like though they have made quicker progress then we have in the U.S. in terms of race relations, hard to tell though, being in only one place really.
South Africa was awesome, one place I will definitely return to a few times in my life. Hopefully some of you will come with me.
The trip to Mauritius made me sick.
The boat rocked so hard we had to take the drawers shut.
Now on our way to India we are getting “low” on water so if we don’t start cutting back they are going to have to “ration it out.” Could you imagine? Haha. They say try only taking a shower every other day.
The heat is intense here, they say India is going to be scorching. I am booking tickets right now to go to Mumbai and Delhi to see the Taj. I can’t wait to be in India. My friend is getting a tattoo there, don’t worry, I’m waiting until California.
Mauritius was my first real culture shock. Get this- British accented Indians in an African tropical island, and they are Hindu. WOW. We were there 3 days; a lot of people took it as our Spring Break. Hey, me too, why not? We got there late and I was supposed to go on this trip the first day to explore how women live on the island, I think that would’ve helped with my lil shock I had. But instead Darron, Terron, Eric, Brenna, Jordi and I all walked around, visiting the markets, looking for a camera for Terron and Brenna and eventually climbing two flights of stairs to find an empty restaurant filled with smoke and old men. The food was great! A little curry to get me going before India.
When I am not on the ship I eat great. When I am on the ship, I eat the same everyday!
The food gets a littttttle tiring but how can I complain when I am getting off into countries where people are starving.
There’s so much more I want to tell you—about Cachoiera and how to make chocolate, about the Cab Driver who was in Blood Diamond, about Armando and Lea and the other Philippines who work here on the boat. I want to tell you about my day at the beach and the pineapple which make my tongue tingle. About all the little adventures inbetween.
But, the best things I think I’ll keep in my heart.
I miss you Mom most of all. Alex, I hope you’re not taller then me when I get home. Ok, you already are, but don’t grow too quick. Damn, I act like I have been gone for years, but Dad, I miss you too, I just thought of our trips up to Central and me running up the back steps—glad we don’t have to do that anymore!! But sometimes I wish we could.
Everyone else, Rosa, Cleo, and all my other amigos y amantes, until we meet again!
HERE IS THE UPDATE
So I painted a very pale picture of Brazil in my last blog. It was scary at times, true, but that’s true on 2nd and Christian sometimes. Few people got mugged, but who hasn’t? True true true.
Anyway, Carnaval was great, everything you think it would be, parades, people, floats, drinking, good fun. But, a big part of me and of others wishes we could’ve seen the country when it didn’t smell like piss.
Either way, don’t want to discount the beauty of it all. Salvador is an absolutely gorgeous City.
Then there that large trip across the ocean we took.
I’m telling you.
You have no idea what it is like every morning afternoon and night to look out in the ocean. To have 360 degree views of sunsets, to set calm seas and big waves, to just look at the sun and the moon and its incredible, I will miss it most of all things here. Sometimes there is so much going on here, so many people, so much action and activity, you can barely find a minute for yourself. When I am looking at the ocean I have as many minutes as I want (unless someone spots me from behind! haha).
Classes continue to go well. 5 Classes, in 4 I have solid A’s. In the 5th I have a B. My B is in Global Studies, it is the class everyone has to take. I’m sick of it. But I have to hold on to that B.
I took a leap here on this boat that really has made me proud. Before I left, as some of you may or may not know, I met up with Jennifer Weiner, she’s a Philadelphia Writer (In Her Shoes). I shared with her some of my work, my poetry. Needless to say she didn’t really read any of it. BUT, she gave me some good advice. She said “Jaime, today poets need to be more then just writers, they need to be performers.” Shy, I said, I don’t know if I can be that.
Well, I have read here on this ship. The last time I read was in front of the entire boat, at least whoever was present and watching, but I estimate 500 people. Wow, I was so nervous, my hand shaking as I begun, but I did it, I did it.
And the best part was—strangers coming up to that night and the next day. Saying, I loved your poem, or you did great, or the best was “I loved your poem so much I want a copy of it.” My friends were all proud of me, I was all proud of me. I felt like Jennifer was right. Who’s going to know I am a poet if I don’t show it to anyone? Everyone around the ship kinda knows I am a writer; people seem to react to it. I love it. It gives me energy and confidence and I feel so good sharing with people.
So, that was a sidebar. But in reply to that email you sent Dad, (which was beautiful and made me miss you, but that’s ok, you can still send more), I don’t have time to be bored here. Believe me, classes everyday, I’m tutoring one of the children, involved in lots of group work, all of which I try to take the leadership role, then friends, then quiet, they give a lot of work here too. This is NOT a party boat, I’ll tell you that.
Though we do have fun. They have “Pub Nights” here which give you a chance to socialize. They also have movies they show, we watched V for Vendetta the other night, everyone needs to see that!! My poetry class has been organizing events and most of all, I am reading, a lot. Trying to make good use of ALL my free time. I was sitting at the snack bar the other day when this guy I never talked to before turns to me and goes “you are always reading.” I said, “uh, yea..” He said, “I always see you reading, why?” “I said, I don’t know.” And that’s how you meet people. See there are so many students on this boat, I am still meeting new people, good people too, people from all over the country.
I have my group of friends and I think I have learned good things from them and hopefully they have learned from me too.
South Africa was incredible. Seriously, pardon my language but FUCK Disney World, take your kids on a Safari. Ok that’s not entirely true, I love Disney World, Mom, when we goin back there? Haha. But honestly. I can say that those 3 days at Kruger National Park, 5 hours outside of Johannesburg, were some of the best of my life so far. Animals up close, 5 am sunrise drives through the park, Edwin our “tour guide” and friend, the great food, they cooked right in front of us every night, traditional good food. We slept on tents and at night when I’d close my eyes I wouldn’t think of anything, I would just sleep. I would just sleep. Do you know what its like to simply close your eyes? To be so content, so, happy, that you just sleep? That’s how I was then.
I felt like a true adventuress on that trip, cruising through the airports with my backpack on my back, looking at things I never saw and can’t imagine seeing again. I can’t stress it enough or put it into words that will really express it, but those few days in South Africa were incredible. I’ll never forget them.
The rest of the days in Cape Town were awesome. It is a really cool city filled with awesome people. I could’ve grown up there.
But, then there were the townships. If you are familiar with the history of the country you know those townships were the only place black people could really go, torn between native land, struggles for jobs and literally finding a home.
Those townships were beautiful, but beautifully sad to me. Those people live lives filled with hope and that hope is everlasting. I went to this market and bought two pins with the South African flag and it has the AIDS Ribbon all done in beads. That’s one for me and one for my friend Gia.
One of my teachers started a performing arts initiative at a university and a middle school in S.A. We went on a trip there, about 30 of us, and we all interacted and they put on shows for us and we all played games. It was a lot of fun.
Another night, the first night there, we found this bangin bar on Long Street (where a lot of people go out to clubs and stuff). It was a strait up hip-hop bar, with a DJ soon as you walk in and people in the back playin pool. All this old American Soul and R&B records on the wall and graffiti surrounded the walls by the pool table. All the people in there could’ve easily fit into the scenes of Philly and NY. I was hearin beats I knew and some I wish I could find. It was a good time. I talked to some guy from Botswana, the country just North of S.A. I had just finished this book in my African American Lit class by Bessie Head called “When Rain Clouds Gather” which takes place there. He read the book and we talked about it.
We were pulled into a port in probably one of the richest parts of the city. I couldn’t afford half the stores.
One thing I noticed about S.A. is that most of the servers and workers are black while almost all the clients are white. While Apartheid is over, it still goes on in many ways, seems like though they have made quicker progress then we have in the U.S. in terms of race relations, hard to tell though, being in only one place really.
South Africa was awesome, one place I will definitely return to a few times in my life. Hopefully some of you will come with me.
The trip to Mauritius made me sick.
The boat rocked so hard we had to take the drawers shut.
Now on our way to India we are getting “low” on water so if we don’t start cutting back they are going to have to “ration it out.” Could you imagine? Haha. They say try only taking a shower every other day.
The heat is intense here, they say India is going to be scorching. I am booking tickets right now to go to Mumbai and Delhi to see the Taj. I can’t wait to be in India. My friend is getting a tattoo there, don’t worry, I’m waiting until California.
Mauritius was my first real culture shock. Get this- British accented Indians in an African tropical island, and they are Hindu. WOW. We were there 3 days; a lot of people took it as our Spring Break. Hey, me too, why not? We got there late and I was supposed to go on this trip the first day to explore how women live on the island, I think that would’ve helped with my lil shock I had. But instead Darron, Terron, Eric, Brenna, Jordi and I all walked around, visiting the markets, looking for a camera for Terron and Brenna and eventually climbing two flights of stairs to find an empty restaurant filled with smoke and old men. The food was great! A little curry to get me going before India.
When I am not on the ship I eat great. When I am on the ship, I eat the same everyday!
The food gets a littttttle tiring but how can I complain when I am getting off into countries where people are starving.
There’s so much more I want to tell you—about Cachoiera and how to make chocolate, about the Cab Driver who was in Blood Diamond, about Armando and Lea and the other Philippines who work here on the boat. I want to tell you about my day at the beach and the pineapple which make my tongue tingle. About all the little adventures inbetween.
But, the best things I think I’ll keep in my heart.
I miss you Mom most of all. Alex, I hope you’re not taller then me when I get home. Ok, you already are, but don’t grow too quick. Damn, I act like I have been gone for years, but Dad, I miss you too, I just thought of our trips up to Central and me running up the back steps—glad we don’t have to do that anymore!! But sometimes I wish we could.
Everyone else, Rosa, Cleo, and all my other amigos y amantes, until we meet again!
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Long Overdue
a blog update is long overdue.
but i have no time.
i am in cape town, south africa. My favorite port so far. Everything is great with me. I am healthy happy safe and in love with Africa. My Safari was some of the best 3 days of my life. I am on my way out to a swanky little jazz spot for dinner with a big group of friends. I am going to update soon with a lot of pictures, so I hope everyone is still checking up on things here.
Brazil was great, but I need to let everyone know more about that -- later.
Until then, adios amigos y amantes.
I miss you all, but not enough to go home!! hahaha
but i have no time.
i am in cape town, south africa. My favorite port so far. Everything is great with me. I am healthy happy safe and in love with Africa. My Safari was some of the best 3 days of my life. I am on my way out to a swanky little jazz spot for dinner with a big group of friends. I am going to update soon with a lot of pictures, so I hope everyone is still checking up on things here.
Brazil was great, but I need to let everyone know more about that -- later.
Until then, adios amigos y amantes.
I miss you all, but not enough to go home!! hahaha
Saturday, February 17, 2007
First Day in SALVADOR, BRAZIL
Hello everyone. My apologizes for the slow update this week. It has been a long, busy week. Classes got into full swing and I'll tell you, being on a boat for a week strait in just bananas. I'm not sure where to begin. My learning is accelerated here on the boat. I have a lot of reading and not a lot of other students are taking 5 classes like me. I am taking African-American Lit, Poetry from Around the World, Theater: Memory and Vision (Script Writing), Global Studies and Masculinity and Femininity. I'm exhausted right now but I wanted to let everyone know everything is great. Life is beautiful on the boat. It's so great to be around people who desire to better themselves through education. People who are anxious to help others (my roommate brought an entire suitcase of toys for children), and people who are just interested in enjoying life altogether.
Salvador-Bahia is beautiful. Carnaval is in full swing. Today on the street was crazy and incredible. Theres no doubt I am where I am-- Brazil. The colors are wild here, bright oranges and green and blues. My senses are on overload. The streets are packed. Even the children are in costume during the day. It is certainly everything you'd imagine it to be, plus more for the fact that I am actually here. The Portuguese is actually not so hard to deal with because it is similar to Spanish. We didn't go out tonight, it is pretty dangerous (but, tomorrow, when we learn out way around a little more, get a little more energy, we definitely will). Rio is a plane ride away, many students are going there, is even worse. However, you just be smart make good decisions and you are alright, like anything right? No lie, standing right next to me is a girl in tears because she just got mugged. I am sure this isn't what you want to hear but it is what it is. Life is different in different places. They say travel makes a man wiser but it doesn't bring happiness. Though, shit, I'm pretty happy right now. Being a Woman here is also much different then in the United States. I definitely look forward to walking down the street alone again.
It feels like I have been gone a long time, though, hard to believe it has only been a week and half. The Ship had a little shin dig for Valentines Day which was fun. Everyone here on the boat is awesome. People are really cool and from all over the country. East coast people are the coolest though (haha). There is always much to do and plenty of conversations to be had. Time is of no essence on the ship. I am just going. Time is measured in space. Meaning, this much space till we go to Brazil, this much time till we leave. Wish I could keep in touch more, speak to you guys, but I'm far from being homesick. Far.
Eric, Brenna and I are reppin CHS, no lie. From CHS TO SAS, that's that Philly edu-ma-ca-tion taking us around the world. Public Education works.
Today I served as a student Ambassador for the Consular working in Salvador. It was no governor but she was nice, her name is Heather Marques. You can try to goggle her, but I found nothing. I got to sit next to Archbishop Tutu and the Dean introduced me in front of the entire "shipboard community" as an Ambassador this morning during the Diplomatic Briefing. It was a nice experience. I am trying to get involved as much as possible.
Ok well I am off to sleep. Good night amigos y amantes.
Salvador-Bahia is beautiful. Carnaval is in full swing. Today on the street was crazy and incredible. Theres no doubt I am where I am-- Brazil. The colors are wild here, bright oranges and green and blues. My senses are on overload. The streets are packed. Even the children are in costume during the day. It is certainly everything you'd imagine it to be, plus more for the fact that I am actually here. The Portuguese is actually not so hard to deal with because it is similar to Spanish. We didn't go out tonight, it is pretty dangerous (but, tomorrow, when we learn out way around a little more, get a little more energy, we definitely will). Rio is a plane ride away, many students are going there, is even worse. However, you just be smart make good decisions and you are alright, like anything right? No lie, standing right next to me is a girl in tears because she just got mugged. I am sure this isn't what you want to hear but it is what it is. Life is different in different places. They say travel makes a man wiser but it doesn't bring happiness. Though, shit, I'm pretty happy right now. Being a Woman here is also much different then in the United States. I definitely look forward to walking down the street alone again.
It feels like I have been gone a long time, though, hard to believe it has only been a week and half. The Ship had a little shin dig for Valentines Day which was fun. Everyone here on the boat is awesome. People are really cool and from all over the country. East coast people are the coolest though (haha). There is always much to do and plenty of conversations to be had. Time is of no essence on the ship. I am just going. Time is measured in space. Meaning, this much space till we go to Brazil, this much time till we leave. Wish I could keep in touch more, speak to you guys, but I'm far from being homesick. Far.
Eric, Brenna and I are reppin CHS, no lie. From CHS TO SAS, that's that Philly edu-ma-ca-tion taking us around the world. Public Education works.
Today I served as a student Ambassador for the Consular working in Salvador. It was no governor but she was nice, her name is Heather Marques. You can try to goggle her, but I found nothing. I got to sit next to Archbishop Tutu and the Dean introduced me in front of the entire "shipboard community" as an Ambassador this morning during the Diplomatic Briefing. It was a nice experience. I am trying to get involved as much as possible.
Ok well I am off to sleep. Good night amigos y amantes.
Friday, February 9, 2007
Puerto Rico continued..
These Photos are from yesterday and today, some are from the small city Ponce (la parte caribe de la isla Puerto Rico) and the Indian Memorial, others are self-explainatory more or less. I am happy to share some of the great images I have had the pleasure to be a part of so far.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Boricua and the "Ship"
Hello everyone. This morning I had the pleasure of hearing Governor Aníbal Acevedo Vilá of Puerto Rico speak to us. His speech was amazing as he shared his thoughts on America’s relationship with Puerto Rico (a commonwealth of the U.S for those that do not know), and his desire to maintain P.R. traditions despite past U.S. “assimilation” attempts. I recorded the speech and I will probably want to share it with you when I return (at least the first 10 of you, after that I’m done, first come first serve). Archbishop Tutu was there as well as a large amount of press. Afterwards I was talking a walk before we were allowed off of the boat and into our first stop-- PUERTOOOO RICOOO. I bumped into The Governor’s Spanish speech to the press. I was about 1 of 2 students there (I was what you say “fazed,” or in my own little Governor world), listening to him speak about the connection he feels with this program and how happy he is to be a part of it even if it was just for 11 and a half minutes (but who’s counting?). Afterwards I shook his hand and thanked him. He shook hard and looked me in the eyes. I think he expected me to say something and I could’ve said anything, English, Spanish, immigration, ESL, anything. Of course though, I was “fazed.”
I just got back from a nice long walk around Old San Juan. I had a great lunch, filete de pollo con plantains y arroz, y que bueno la comida es en Puerto Rico!! The people were beautiful and nice, but, it’s a “port” city, lots of tourists. Tomorrow, I go to Ponce, about 26 minutes on the other side of the country to a place of what I am told is great beauty. It is a spiritual place which holds the “oldest cemetery in Central and South America,” who knew? Friday- La playa (the beach).
The food is great, and it’s in abundance sooo who woulda thought but I am actually “working out.” Ok that’s a lie. But I am doing the elliptical machine now and then. Life is good and beautiful. I feel blessed and it will be crazy to get off of a boat of buffets and into countries where people are starving, not crazy but very real, it will be extremely sad. So far I have had two classes, African American Lit. and a Theater course. It feels great to be around students who are like me, who are eager to learn and study (most of them..).
Naturally I miss Philly. I miss all you guys, my friends, my family, Cleo and Rosa. But, somehow, it’s not nearly enough to make me feel homesick in the least. Everyone is so nice, friends are easy to find. I wish I had some juicy story about how terrible the uhhh whatever was, but the staff is nice, the ship (its not a boat, its not a boat, the captains have been saying again and again) is just spectacular with a pool and a library and it is kept incredibly clean, along with our rooms where our beds are made everyday. So far Ronaldo has made my bed more times this week then I have made mine at home all year.
As far as reflection goes, I haven’t had much time for it, that is why this blog is good. I just hope that I am able to take things day by day, take what I have learned and infuse it in a way that will really make a difference one day. Every speech we have received, the readings we did on the first day of classes (we’ve only had one day so far of class as I said) have all pushed me a tiny step further towards, well, I’m not sure, towards something greater then I am and that is beautiful. Until we meet again adios amigos y amantes de aqui en Puerto Rico (la cuidad de hombres bonitos haha).
PS- For my Uncle Brad I changed the layout of the blog as you can see. Hows baby Sarah??
Sunday, February 4, 2007
I am on my way
quick post to let everyone know I made it -- to the Bahahmas at least. Great time, I leave tomorrow for the boat, suitcases in hand (yes, the "airport" "lost" my bags). Hope to update soon with pictures, until then.. adios amores.
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