the past years, from the 50s until now. It was very interesting. I
was thinking that after three months I would get "bored" and be ready
to come back to Madison BUT after hearing all of the stories I realize
that a person could do 12 straight voyages and it wouldn't get old.
Every voyage is completely different. It's great. (Mom this is my
announcement that I'm never coming home. Jk. But seriously.)
Anyways, a few of the alum were talking about their visit with Fidel
Castro. In 2000 they were invited to have a Q&A session with him that
lasted 5 hours. After the Cuba government provided them with a meal
(which included a beer) for the entire shipboard community. He said
he could tell Castro had always been surrounded by Yes-men. He would
go on and on (sometimes not even about the question).
Another guy was talking about how his session lasted for four hours
with Castro (in 2003). He said Castro was very charismatic. He cited
the following stories.
One of the students had to be sent home because he broke his leg when
one of the taxi things in Cuba (they are like covered motorcycles with
three wheels…also very popular in India) crashed. Fidel said at the
session, "I am very sorry to hear about the student who broke his
leg. I always thought those things were a little strange. I will
outlaw them immediately."
At one point during the Q&A, one of the dependent children (a one-year
old) wouldn't stop crying. Castro said, "Bring him to me." Cradled
him in his arms and rocked him back and forth until he stopped crying…
at which point he said, "See I am good with children. This is the
next President of the United States."
PS. I'm procrastinating. I have a four-page essay exam due tomorrow
(as in I have six hours to finish it). We may have had two weeks to
do it but I mean I'm not going to write an essay while I'm in Ghana.
Please. But I have to say it sorta sucks now though. I think I may
pull an all-nighter. I just realize we lose an hour tonight too so
now I have four hours. I think I'll be taking sheets all night long
(thanks Dad).
PPS. I'M GETTING SICK. And I'm so scared. If they find out I'm sick
Dr. Bill will quarantine me. I'll go insane if I'm stuck in my room
for more than 30 minutes while awake. I'm not joking. I'll die. I
sneezed in front of one the crew and told him he didn't see anything.
If he rats me out, he's dead.
PPPS. We had our third extended family dinner tonight. I really like
my family. Our mom is leaving in Cape Town to go back to being a
doctor though. We're trying to get the ex-Senator, who's boarding in
Cape Town, to adopt us. I keep calling this one kid my baby bro.
It's great because most of the students here are juniors so I'm older
than 90% of them even though I don't look/act like it.
*This was written at 2:02am Feb 22. (It is now 5:02am Feb 22) I'm
not sure when it'll send though....I can receive but not send emails
in this current second. Stupid internet!
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