orientation week

Orientation week for the English teachers on Peaceboat 53rd started up yesterday. There are 16 teachers this time, not including the Solo spanish teacher. This is incredible, seeing as 3 years ago when I rode the 39th there were only 8 teachers. The GET (Global English training) program has grown enormously, and will involve around 180 students this next cruise.
There are teachers from England, Ireland, Australia, the United States and Canada - and they all seem pretty cool. Last night after dinner some of us went to the bar I used to work at for drinks. It has been hard bonding with every single teacher due to lack of time, but today I got to spend some time with Danette who is from Tacoma, Washington. She is truly an interesting person, and I can tell we are going to get along just fine on the cruise. She has been in Japan almost as long as I have and just recently recieved a full scholarship to get her Masters/PhD in energy studies (living in Hiroshima has turned her into a peace activist for nuclear casulties and such) at Berkley, total smartie! Needless to say I am jealous! Her love of clothes, which also resembles me, will take us both to Hoi An in Vietnam to get some custom tailored clothing made for dirt cheap.
An extreme amount of information has been passed at orienation so far, so I will only clue you into a few things that I deem as important and/or interesting.
#1 -- No flip-flops on the boat. whaaaa? Yeah, I was pretty shocked to hear that one, especially since on the last cruise I wore my flip-flops like EVERY day. I guess they are trying to make the new boat a bit more upscale?!
#2 -- Tilbury, England is near London. So guess who's going to London? sweet...
#3 -- Internet on board the ship costs 5 dollars for every 15 minutes, and no more fun public notice board. Sorry Jen, but no more harrassing mails about coffee coolattas from Dunkin Donuts
There were actually a lot of importante points, but I am too tired to write them now. I got to bed at 2am last night and couldn't sleep with the constant snoring coming from across the room. I will just have to let you tomorrow.
peace out.....................................................................................................................