Finishing up the voyage (7 years later)

Well, we all know time flies, and so much life happened in the time since we sailed around the world in 2011. This post is dedicated to finishing out the Semester at Sea voyage experience, and getting to move on to present day adventures. (And yes, I know, this is the longest post ever.)

The final three places we visited after Vietnam were:

China, Taiwan, and Hawaii, before our final destination of San Diego, California.

CHINA
(Luckily, I had a saved post on China that I never published, so all I had to do was cut and paste! Here it is...)

In an effort to catch up on some of the travels that I didn't get to capture here from Semester at Sea, and also to re-live some of these memories since the prospect of international travel probably won't be a reality for a few more years now that we have little one in our lives... I am attempting to dig back into the depths of my memory and share some of the most significant moments we experienced for the remainder of our voyage.  The next stop along the way was... China!

We sailed up to Hong Kong, and I was immediately taken by the skyline --- it was very Manhattan-esque with a distinctly Asian feel.  Later in the evening we would enjoy an incredible light show of all the sky scrapers.  For some reason, arriving at the Hong Kong port felt very 'home'... I think because the actual port itself was somewhat reminiscent of the malls in Singapore, with shops and Asian bakeries.  One neat thing about our time in Hong Kong and China was that although the ship docked in Hong Kong, we had the option of traveling over land and meeting back up with the ship in Shanghai... so we decided to do just that!  This would include multiple modes of transportation to get us to Beijing, because we wanted to go to the Great Wall, as well as see the sights in Beijing. 

Our first task was to connect with one of my colleagues from back home who happened to also be traveling in Hong Kong with her fiance... so we met up with them, and got the subway station, and headed to lunch--- our first stop - Crystal Jade -- it was sooo good.  It's actually a chain restaurant, and had some really amazing food - including xiao lim bao (pronounced shaow - lim - baow), which is a soup dumpling.

We later did some sight seeing, and went to Ngong Ping 360 - a large buddah statue that required the most picturesque sky trolley ride I've ever been on - through the mountains with not a sight of city life around.  Later in the evening met up with them again for an incredible szechuan dinner, that featured red hot szechuan peppers in many of the dishes, with a deceivingly hot soup.  It was hot, but it was good.  Another cool thing we did in Hong Kong, we buckled and despite our best effort to avoid chains and replicable things from the US - we did go to Hong Kong Disney - and oh, it was SO much fun.  The park was a lot smaller, but very similar in feel and vibe.  Space Mountain was the only major ride... and again -pretty spot on.  The HK Mickey and Minnie characters were awesome.  Mark was a little disappointed because the turkey legs in Hong Kong did not live up to the super-sized one's they have in Anaheim.  The HK version was almost like a chicken leg (no growth hormones there). In the end - we had a fabulous Disney day, even though it was raining.

From Hong Kong, we took a flight to Beijing and visited amazing landmarks, Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, The Temple of Heaven, Wangfujing, and the Summer Palace. There were lots of night-time street vendors with bugs and various delicacies on a stick. We also had a blast with the blaring techno music out of many of the stores. One playlist was so awesome, we went inside to see if they could tell us where to buy the music. Due to a little getting lost in translation - we ended up paying $20US for the shop owner's flash drive full of music. It was a great deal - because there were over 50 songs, none of which we would ever be able to find.

We also went to the Great Wall of China - which was amazing. There are many different places along the wall that you can visit, and the one we went to, Mutianyu, had a 'lift' to get up to the wall, and a tobogganed down. Another awesome memory from our time in Beijing, we stayed at the Novotel Peace Hotel, which was really nice. We asked the concierge for a recommendation of very good, and very authentic food, not Americanized. So he took us through the back of the hotel, through the kitchen into an alley. Across the alley was a dumpling restaurant, that definitely looked like a hole in the wall. We couldn't read the name of the restaurant, nor anything on the menu, but that was literally one of the most memorable meals on our trip. The dumplings were amazing, and we came back another time before leaving.

Our last stop in China was Shanghai. We flew there from Beijing, and reunited with the ship. Shanghai was great - the skyline was amazing, backdoor shopping was fun, and food was good. I wish we had more time there, but because we went to Beijing, we couldn't squeeze it all in.

I know there were many more awesome times, but I've gotta wrap this up :)

TAIWAN

Our unexpected port, in lieu of Japan because of the tsunami, was Keelung, Taiwan. I remember we got off the ship on a rainy day and wanted to make the most of this port. The first stop, buying tickets for the train to get to Taipei. We stopped in a convenience store, and I remember it vividly, this was the moment we discovered Hi-Chew! One of our friends bought it, and said we all had to try it. Before we knew it, we all pretty much bought out their inventory of Lychee and other incredible flavors.

We got to see Chiang Kai-shek, a famous memorial park with gardens, and went to the top of Taipei 101 an extraordinarily tall skyscraper. I remember we got a room in Taipei and then went out karaoke-ing in a private room until all hours of the night. It was so. much. fun. We also discovered Lychee Beer at a streetside bar/restaurant, and it was as delicious as it sounds.

The night markets were amazing - so many delicious foods, and delicacies. It's a distant, but distinct memory. One favorite moment was walking by some of the store fronts at the night market in Keelung. We saw one store - that was literally the narrowest store we've ever seen - almost like a long walk in closet. It was brightly lit - with umbrellas on one side, and, wait for it.... chicken feet on the other side. Cooked chicken feet to be exact.

Our last day in Taiwan, we took a SAS sponsored trip to Taroko National Park and Gorge. A cool perk, we got to return to the ship from our trip past the boarding time. It was a stunning place with waterfalls, scenic views, and a beautiful shrine (see below). Although this port was not on the original itinerary, we were all grateful for the opportunity to visit another country. Being our final international destination before heading back, it's safe to say we all soaked in the time being in Taiwan.

Takoro National Park

  Chiang Kai-shek

HILO, HAWAII

By this point in the voyage, we had literally been around the world, and being back in the US still felt like we were away. We stopped at the Big Island, and did some sightseeing, visiting with a local colleague who took us to University of Hawaii at Hilo and other key highlights. The landscape, food, people, all were stunning, and it was super fun to get to explore the island with friends. We had a fun last night off the ship, hanging out and playing games.

Another note - it was quite sobering to be on a land with so much rich indigenous Native Hawaiian history, that was technically part of the United States. I think at the time, there was so much more we could have been prepared for with this port, including the royal family on Oahu, and the seizure of the state.  Since our voyage I have continued to learn about the history of the islands and their native culture.

Back in SAN DIEGO

It was surreal to be home. Our bags had expanded with relics to remember and give to others as proof we actually did travel. It felt like in an instant, all of our travels had disappeared, nowhere to be found. But at the same time, we were very different and impacted personally. There were many tears as we sailed into our final destination - the community that was built on the ship was awesome. Students, faculty, staff, lifelong learners, we were all one when we were on the ship. We went through a lot on the voyage both physically and personally. Our first stop for food back on the mainland US was Lolita's Mexican restaurant - there wasn't a lot of Mexican food around the world. Even though this post is 7 years late - I can still feel, see, and remember how it felt to return to a familiar place feeling so different. I guess that's what travel does - it reminds us of who we are and how we are connected. It gives us perspectives that would be impossible to teach otherwise. And, its a nourishment to the soul to discover and engage in new ways.

A day en la escuela y en La Cancha

Yesterday we were very fortunate to have the chance to visit a school in the southern area of Cochabamba. This is supposed to be the more impoverished area, with dirt roads and brown colored square buildings covering the mountaintop. The landscape here is very monochromatic. It feels like and is a different world. The people we have met son muy agradable. The principle and other leader gave us an over view of their school, El Molino. It was a private school, though not to be compared to what we think of when we say private in the US. The children ranged from pre kinder to high school. They were all wearing navy blue and red uniforms. There is no government subsidy for education, and in order to cut costs, the children only have school until about 1¨30pm.

After our talk in the main room where they served us coca cola (which tastes much better here because it´s made from real cane sugar), the head maestra got a blowhorn and gathered all the children in the little playground and and told them to pose for una photografia. She then took us each to the different classrooms, and introduced us to the students, almost as if parading us around. It was a bizarre feeling, but it was probably equally bizarre for them. We saw some of the older kids taking pictures of us on their cell phones, which was ironically a comforting feeling. They also had these cool and inspiring quotes painted all over el colegio, como, ¨No te sientas, solo estoy yo para compartir tus penas.¨ y mi favorito, ¨la escuela no es el edificio, es el espiritu¨ (the school is not the building, it is the spirit). After our ´tour´ we were able to play with the kindergarten children, and had a great time exchanging names and telling stories about ourselves, and asking questions of them. It was a highlight for many.

After a great lunch at a place called La Campa... we went to La Cancha, the largest market in South America. It was overwhelming. I´ve been to a number of different markets internationally, and I can say this was like no other. We did a brief walk through one portion, which had many interesting smells, and many intersting things ' from amazingly beatiful fruitas y, meats, clothes, blankets, pastas, sweets, local superstitions (llama fetuses), and muchos otras cosas. Again, my best word to describe the market was overwhelming. We also had to be careful in terms of safety. At one point, 5 men tried surrounding our group, scoping us out since we were obviously tourists. They then tried to grab one of the students in the back of the line, but luckily on of the FSD leaders was able to save him from being robbed. It was a good reminder of where we are. There are very few tourists here, so we, especially as a large grupo, stand out mucho. (as you can see, my spanish is starting to creep into my thoughts, and writing. I´m so glad to have this practice).

This is all for now. We are looking forward to our time in Tiraque, where our service will take place. (there will be no internet there, so my next update won´t be for at least a week). I´m excited about the fact that we will be working with the children and teachers to develop our goals together. overall, it´s been a great experience. hasta luego...

As you can see, my spanish skills are starting to peek in here and there, even in my thinking, que bueno.

Inti Raymi Adventures

Where to begin? Well, this past weekend, I was extremely fortunate to be invited (by a friend - Pablo, of a friend - Kat), to a local festival north of Quito, in the mountains. It was part of the Inti Raymi celebration, where local indigenous groups celebrate their heritage and honor the sun. It was amazing. Pablo invited me to come along with him, and two friends (from England and Slovakia) because some of the villages do have volunteers, usually from the peace corps, who help with different projects. We got up early on Saturday, and drove about two hours north. It was a beautiful drive, very mountainous, and a bit dry, and there were lots of colorful little pueblos along the way. The sky was expansive, and a beautiful blue with clouds touching the mountaintops. When we arrived near the town, which was surrounded by green beautiful mountains, we stopped to ask an older woman for directions. She happened to be the sister of the woman who invited Pablo, so she hopped in the car and guided us to the celebration site in the communidad de Eugenio de Caja. We stayed with a host family, who were very gracious and took good care of us.

Since we arrived a bit early for the festival, we went up to Otavalo, a town about 20 miles north of this community, which is famous for its artisan markets and indigenous crafts. It was so colorful, from roasted corn, fresh fruits and vegetables, to colorful blankets, bags, and alpaca sweaters. We also stopped at a quesoria (a local cheese making house) that made queso fresca. They also have volunteers who come to help them maintain the building and the business, and I got the chance to speak to some of the community members who said they were in need of more volunteers to help them with marketing and distribution. I had some good conversations with the people there. The cheese was amazing, and they were saying that unfortunately some of it goes to waste if they are not able to distribute or sell the cheese fast enough (since it´s fresh, it doesn´t last very long). This stuff would sell in a heartbeat in the US, totally organic, fresh, handmade from an indigenous community needing funds.

When we got back to the house, the host family prepared a meal, which consisted of hominy, small pieces of fried pork, half of a fresh avocado, and a roasted potato. It was actually good and filling. Then we headed out down to the celebration area, and our hosts walked us out to the main road, which was a bit confusing. They instructed us to get into the back of this pick-up truck, so we did, not really knowing where we were going, but we knew it had something to do with the fiesta. They took us to another family´s home for the pre-celebration, and they offered the family a live chicken (as did about 20 other families). This community was San Augustine de Caja, and they offered us food, and many beverages. There was lots of dancing with chickens, singing, guitar playing, colorful dresses and masks. The masks symbolized the indigenous community´s interest in preserving their heritage, and putting on a fake mask to keep that within them. It also had a mirror on the forehead, which was to reflect and honor the sun. The beverages were an experience in themselves. Chicha (a mild homemade liquor of yucca or oats and spices) was in a bucket, and they scooped out a cup full of drink for you to have, then you give them back the cup for the next person to drink. They also insisted we drink a mandarin infused pure whiskey to warm us up in the cold weather. Again we were to take a quick shot, and give the cup back for the next person. (They also used this process for soda and fruit wines). Because it was part of the celebration, I couldn´t say no - it wasn´t the cleanliest experience, but it was awesome.

After the pre-celebration, we were herded onto the main road. They had a truck in the front with people playing guitars, and a 18 wheel truck with a huge flatbed, where they had a band and speakers blaring the music. So, we (100+ guests) walk and dance right onto the Panamerican Highway, yes a two-road highway, and start heading back to where the main celebration was taking place. Cars were honking, some were taking pictures, buses and trucks were passing us by, but it was incredible - dancing, singing and drinking on the highway that Che Guevarra rode through on his motorcycle. After about 2 hours of walking/dancing we finally got to the large festival, and it appears that these pre-celebrations took place in other communities, and they all converged in one open field, surrounded by mountains, to dance, drink, sing, and eat. It was fun. It was also really cold. Overall, I can´t really do justice to the experience, but I felt really blessed to have been able to participate in such an amazing event.

I´ll have to save other stories and descriptions about the hostel and Stanford students who I got to visit in action for another time.