Fall 2001 SEAmester East Journal
Sent weekly from sea by students on-board SEAmester ...
SEAmester Log, Part 7
Three Entries from the Dominican Republic -- Late November 2001
Right now we're in the Dominican Republic. It is such a change
from Haiti. It's such a mess over there. I gave so much, but they
still weren't satisfied. The DR is great. We climbed a beautiful
waterfall this morning. Last night a couple of the girls and I went to
a bar aspacio azzul- the blue space, where we merengued. We
had Thanksgiving dinner our first night here. It was really hard for
me because I'm close with my family and missed them. Tonight
we're having a pigroast. i'll see you soon. I can't believe there's
two weeks left. To think of all I did is amazing.
-Adam Nardelli
SEAmester Student
As we came ashore by our yawl boat, Sherman, on our first full day in the
Bahamas, I took notice of the white school bus that was waiting to take us across the
island to the "Cave of Indescribable Horrors." Driving on the opposite side of the road, I
stared out the window at a postcard view of the coast. When we got there we piled off
the bus and headed towards an opening in a wall where we had to take a half overgrown
trail down a hillside to the cave. Chris, machete in hand, led us to a large hole in the
ground with a rusty, rickety ladder leading below. One at a time, we ventured down into
the cave and went a few yards to the water's edge.
The story behind the cave is that it is an ancient ritual site and the locals refuse to
go into it. After learning the story we began our expedition through the water, deeper
into the cave. The first few steps weren't too bad, the water was only to my knees.
Suddenly, with my next step I was tip toe in water, trying to keep my head above. I am
4'11" and I was not informed that there was a height requirement to the cave. Right
behind me was Carla, another vertically challenged student, who carefully swam with me
through the cave, clinging to any tall person we could. I swam through a tiny space in the
wall to find every one stopped in a large opening where we turned off our flashlights and
attempted to be silent (sometimes its easier said than done with this group). I can't
explain how incredible it is to have your eyes open but see absolutely nothing but
blackness. Once again we resumed our trek deeper into the cave. When we next stopped
I realized we were climbing out of the water and up a wall to a very small tunnel. As I
got closer I was thinking "It's good to be small." Then, there I was wriggling army style
through the 12' x 2' tunnel. After the tunnel a few of us split off from the group and
went back in to the water taking a short cut. I heard voices up ahead and then there was a
light pouring in from the ceiling. It was the hole we originally came in from. Somehow
in the maze of the cave, we had looped around and ended where we had started. As I
climbed up that rusted, rickety ladder I was a little upset that our adventure into the Cave
of Indescribable Horrors was over so soon.
-Jen Norton
SEAmester Student
Day 4 at sea bound for the Bahamas… we're at 30°16'N lat / 78°02'W long,
basically in the middle of nowhere, and we're cruising along at one knot. With this lack
of wind we're definitely not getting anywhere fast, and it's beginning to feel like we may
never get to San Salvador. We started the day off by baking in the sun and down below
having a field day (which means we got to clean every last inch of the Harvey Gamage).
But after an exhausting morning we got a refreshing surprise, our very first SWIM
CALL!!! Whoever thought salt water could make you feel so clean?! Jumping off the
bow into thousands of feet of crystal blue water totally lifted our sprits and made it much
easier to deal with the fact that we haven't seen land in four days and most likely won't
for another two days!
Let's see what else is new since we left the states. We started becoming Junior
Watch Officers (or JWOs) and Navigators (or Naviguessors). This is where we get to test
how much we know, or in most cases don't know, HAHA! It can get a little stressful and
hectic trying to organize a watch. No worries though, our faithful crew and captain are
never far away!
So now here's my own personal Gamage blooper for everyone to enjoy. I'm at
the helm, steering 'full and by' which was tricky since the wind kept veering (maybe I
should try steering from the bow next time). The sun was setting and everyone was
waiting for a green flash that didn't come. Now here comes the funny part… my right
contact lens flew out of my eye! The sails started luffing because I could no longer see,
while people were scrambling all around the quarter deck trying to find the missing
contact lens. Needless to say, it was an interesting scene! Thanks to everyone who
helped including Sam, Jayme, Betty and especially Monica who found it for me and
saved me from gybing the mains'l. Oh, I can't forget to thank Jay who was acting JWO
for handling the situation calmly! Love you guys!!!
-Mary Wozny
SEAmester Student
Previous Fall 2001 SEAmester East entries:
Log 1: Prof. Chris Hamilton
Log 2: Marissa Benigno
Log 3: Andrew Hudak
Log 4: Skye Schmidt
Log 5: Jayme DiStefano and Monica Ellis
Log 6: Samantha Hulkower
Prof. Hamilton's Journal Archive
Spring 2001
Fall 2000
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