Fall 2002 SEAmester East Journal
Sent weekly from sea by students on-board SEAmester ...
SEAmester Log, Part 4
Dominican Republic
November 19, 2002
by Maria Russo
Dear Friends and Family,
Please withdraw any missing persons complaints as we are all still alive
and well. Sorry for the delay in writing, but we have been extremely
detained and well, there were no internet cafes in Haiti. I'd like to update
you as much as I can on all the exciting things we've done since we left the
US. Unfortunately for us, we could not make it to San Salvador in the
Bahamas because of inclimate weather which would not allow us to anchor.
We've been getting alot of "squalls", which are like passing rainstorms that
look scarier than they really are.
Throughout our voyages in the Caribbean we have been "beating to weather",
or sailing very close to the wind because it happens to be coming from the
direction we need to go. Although it isn't the most comforatable point of
sail, meaning many of us are running out of dry clothes to wear on watches
because the waves are about 3-4 feet high and crash into the boat soaking
anyone on deck, it is our only option. It took us 4 days to get to East
Plana Kay, Bahamas. One of which we were "hove to", or stopped because there
was no wind. The sun was so hot that Prof. Chris and Sarah delayed classes
so that we could have an hour for a swim call in 4000 ft of water! It
definitly boosted the moral on the boat by 200%!
Most of the students have been working on getting Aloft clearance so we can
climb up to the top of the main mast. We need to know all our knots, lines
and learn how to eye splice (make a permanent loop in a rope) and whip (bind
the end of a line so it doesn't unwind). It is a work in progress, but all
of us are eager to learn. We're also learning how to plot coordinates and
figure out ETA's on charts for Navigation and Seamanship.
Ok, back to East Plana Kay. We anchored there the 7th and went snorkeling in
the coral reefs for a few hours. I saw a nurse shark, sting ray, conch
shells, beautiful coral, colorfull parrot fish and a lot of other fish. We
then were allowed to explore the beaches of the uninhabitated island until
dinner time. Much to all our surpise, as soon as we reached the boat Captain
told us to prepare to raise anchor that we had to leave in order to catch a
good breeze. We were all so tired but we managed to leave around 7pm.
Our next stop was Haiti on the 11th. I was galley slave that day and was
woken up at 5:30 am so I could make fresh granola for PARFAITS!! As soon as
we docked there were all these people waiting for us. We had to wait for
imigration to check all our passports before we could leave the boat. As I
was preparing dinner, I got called up to go talk to the immigration guy.
Turns out he wanted to talk to me because I was Italian! After about 10 min,
he thanked me for my cooperation and hoped I had a good stay. As I emerged
from CQ, I noticed everyone staring at me and asking if I was ok. Prof.
Chris told them I had to get innoculated! That night the profs bought us
icecream, which was really creamy, and we watched a Hornblower video on
deck. Charlie and I did a dramatic reading about Hatian lovers that were
separated because of the government.
The next day I went to the market with the cook Patrick. It was very
interesting to see all the different types of produce there. Around luchtime
I went walking around with another student and we got some food and some
icecream, orange-pinaple. I drank "TEEM" which is like sprite. The 3rd day
we got a bus and went to the Citadel. Most people hiked up the 4 mile
vertical stone road to the fort; I opted for the miniature horse! the view
from the top was breathtaking. On the way down Chris arranged for us to
visit a vodou temple and view a vodou priestess at work. She ended up
dancing with most of us. It was refreshing after the long hike. At the
bottom, there were many artists selling paintings or carvings. We were all
tired on the bus ride back. Chris bought us sugar cane to suck on till
dinner.
We left on the 14th and were all grateful! Everyone got annoyed with the
hissing and vendors. We took on water there but to be safe it was bleached.
I cant say for sure what was the cause but many on the boat have been ill
for the 3 days it took to get to the Dominican Republic! Poor Charlie had it
the worst. Thank God we're here! Everyone was getting tired of being sick,
wet and tossed around! We're looking forward to more adventures.
Log 1: Danielle Thibault, Log 2: Aaron Cahall, Log 3: Cristina Olson
Prof. Hamilton's Journal Archive
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