MAY II

SANSHIN May 14th, 2006
I bought a sanshin (Okinawan banjo) last year in Okinawa, and have since played it maybe three times. I brought it with me on Peaceboat thinking someone might be able to teach me some sanshin techniques. It just so happens that there are a few Okinawans on the ship, and they started a sanshin workshop today. We are going to learn how to play a particular song and then perform it in front of the other passengers. I am hoping to keep up with it this time around!

END OF VACAY May 12th, 2006
After 11 days of vacation, the teachers are back at work today. Boo hoo! Actually, I’m not that sad. It will be good to get back on a schedule. I would never guess these kind of thoughts could from me, but visiting so many countries in the past 11 days has been quite tiring.

WINE AND CHEESE, PLEASE May 11th, 2006
The teachers had a special secret wine and cheese party today. Everyone had to bring a bottle of wine and some cheese to share. Both wine and cheese were exceedingly delicious, especially the parmesian. The only sucky thing about the party is that it started at 3pm – it is dangerous to drink red wine so early. I was in bed by 7pm!

FREEDOM DAY, F- YEAH! May 10th, 2006
Today was freedom day, a.k.a. "Americans aren't allowed to step foot on Libyan soil" day. Even with the appeals to Libyan officials by Peaceboat staff, Americans were still denied the visa. One of the guest speakers who works at an NGO in Palestine fighting for the rights of Palestinians was also denied the visa because of the Israeli stamps in her passport (pretty ironic, don’t you think?) So instead of getting off the boat we celebrated "Freedom Day" with sunbathing, playing Spades and watching movies. We also toasted to the U.S. and our freedom to drink red wine. Although, I'd have to say the best part of freedom day was in the evening, when our lovely colleagues came back bearing gifts of falafel and Libyan souvenirs. After stating in the past that I was most looking forward to visiting Libya and then not being able to get off the ship, and then having the non-American teachers rave about the country and how it was their favorite destination it was a pretty disappointing day. It reminded me of my previous Peaceboat voyage in 2002, when the Pakistani journalist wasn't allowed off the ship when it docked in India (due to bad relations between the two countries – you know, Kashmir, Punjab, etc...) I remember waving to her as I made my way off the boat. Even though she was smiling on the outside I only now realize how she really must have felt on the inside. To be part of an organization that tries to spread peace through intercultural exchange and awareness, only to be denied the access to do so totally sucks. I’m not sure when I’ll ever have the chance to get to Libya again, but I hope it will happen again someday with more than just a lousy view from the deck of a ship.
* It may be fair to point out the reason why Americans were denied visas (so I’ve heard.) A Libyan official was recently denied a visa to enter the country upon arrival to the United States, so Libya has decided to do the same to Americans. Supposedly, in recent years the U.S. and Libya have improved their relationship through various agreements, including more lenient immigration procedures, and on previous Peaceboat voyages Americans have had no problems receiving Libyan visas.

CHANCE TO MEET KADDAFI May 9th, 2006
Today at the teachers meeting we were told there is a slight possibility the Americans MAY be able to get off the boat in Libya, although people with Israeli stamps in their passports are out of luck. We were also told to hide our alcohol, porn and Israeli flags since Libyan officials will come on the boat to do random room checks. I immediately went to my room after the meeting to put my soft porn (Cosmo magazine) in my luggage for safe keeping.

CAKE IN DA FACE May 7th, 2006
Today was the English language program coordinator's birthday. Audrey turned the big 3-0. After we sang happy birthday to her at dinner she proceeded to slam her head into the cake (NO ONE pushed her – it was of her own doing.) It was the most fabulous thing I have seen all week.

LE GRANDE BLEU (Sicily) May 8th, 2006
Peaceboat arrived in the land of the mafia (tee hee - Just joking ya'll) this morning. The boat docked in Catania, the second largest city in Sicily. I have been happily anticipating this port for a number of reasons including but not limited to food, men, wine, and more food. Some of us teachers decided to skip Catania all together and take the train 45 minutes to Taormina, a small seaside town where both Le Grande Bleu and parts of the Godfather were filmed. The scenery was breathtaking! The town itself is located on top of a big hill, and the small café-lined streets and old architecture was exactly how I imagined Sicily to be. I walked the town by myself for a bit, stopping at a trattoria for pizza and locale wine for lunch. The town is so tiny I could walk by myself, yet not feel alone. I kept running into both teachers and Peaceboat passengers, hopping from one group to another. After returning to Catania in the evening I met some peeps for dinner and had Catania’s specialty, pasta alla Norma (pasta with red sauce, eggplant and salted ricotta cheese.) On the way back to the ship we decided to buy some cheap wine to stow away on the ship since most of us are becoming poor from high bar bills. I won’t mention who (not me, thank goodness) but there is one teacher who’s up to 70,000 yen (about 650 dollars) and we still have 2/3 of the cruise to go!


CAKE IN DA FACE May 7th, 2006
Today was the English language program coordinator's birthday. Audrey turned the big 3-0. After we sang happy birthday to her at dinner she proceeded to slam her head into the cake (NO ONE pushed her – it was of her own doing.) It was the most fabulous thing I have seen all week.