Last night was the opening ceremony of the "Sea Olympics", and each of the seas marched into the union and did their cheer, and then their banner was brought in, and they did their cheer again.
It's cool to have own bagpiper on the ship to lead parades like this one. A lot of energy was expended last night. This was a nice respite from several intense days of studying and academic work. The Olympics start this morning with a trivia contest and proceed until the late afternoon. The winning sea gets off the ship first in Ft. Lauderdale, so there is some real incentive to win this thing. Each sea has its own colors.
Much of the afternoon was spent by the groups practicing their coed synchronized swimming routines. The faculty staff group got a big round of applause that we could hear on the lower deck. There have been some allegations of sharing extra desserts with the judges, and I saw one blatant instance of complimenting a judge on his pretty ordinary shirt. We only hope that impartiality will prevail.
Even after the opening ceremonies, students were honing (starting) their dance routines. I got to watch a few minutes of this one happening in Timitz Square. Af first, the practice seemed like there were too many people trying to lead, but then the group dynamics evolved so that a leader emerged and incorporated the ideas of the other people in the group. It was cool to see something as simple as a dance practice being a learning experience for the kids. (They didn't know it was a learning experience.) I see this everyday as they all learn to work together on the ship. I have no doubt that this will be a great routine.
One concern back home was the alert of a terrorist plot to attack a tanker ship in the Strait of Malacca. We saw a bunch of these military boats all day, so we felt like we were in good hands. The students were all on the lookout.
So, I'll end up with a few more photos of the preparations for the Olympics.
Warner, I am enjoying your blogs and the pictures. Hard not to feel a twinge of envy. What an adventure! Back here, we have only a few stubborn patches of snow left after temps in the 50s and 60s. I've been longeing and riding Tino and Molly is likewise putting some time on Schatzie. We now have rain, rather a lot of it, through Sun. I think, but at least the horses have been reminded of having jobs to do other than munching hay and standing about in the fields. (Schatzie hangs at the fence begging to come into her stall and is totally spoiled.) Tino is now pastured with Princeton; seems to be going well. When the pony needs shade, he can just walk under Tino's belly. Hoping all ya'll's journey goes well. Lyn
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