I did it <3

Hey Everyone,

 

I am sure your wondering what I did, and I know there were many mixed thoughts about it . But what a lot of people don't understand is that I am not the same person I was when I left.  This whole trip has changed me into a new person.  Yesterday I shaved all my hair off and guess what I AM BEAUTIFUL WITH OUT HAIR.  Hair is just something that people use to hide themselves. I am beautiful from the core inside me all the way to the tips of my fingures and hair has nothing to do with that.  I love my new look, I think I look amazing.  The feeling I had as they were snipping off my pony tail was  this is it. and then when they were shaving my head it was I DID IT!  I was so proud of myself. We all know that Amy listens to everyone else all the time becuase she cares about what everyone else thinks about her and never wants to upset anyone. BUT, I now for the first time in my life . DONT CARE what anyone thinks of me. Or if anyone wants to make fun of me, or if people don't agree or if people think I look bad or ugly and why I don't care is I finally found my own self confidence that noone ever thought I would find and I am so proud of myself.  i understand everyone's thoughts on when I get home that life will be different when your not around 25 other girls that did it. But I have been a stranger and uncomfortable in every country so far becuase we are different then all of these cultures. So when I get back into America I will still be differnt. But this time. It doesn't matter.  Yesterday was the happiest I have been IN MY WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE! If you ask my mother or father I called them and both of them heard it in my voice. I have never been this happy and proud to be who I am. I know  Boys will look at me and say that girls ugly she has no hair .But any boy that can't see the real me with out hair and see that I am a beautiful person with or without hair is not even worth my time.  If someone is embaressed to walk next to me becuase I shaved my head. Then shame on them, I am who I am and I know my friends and family soley understand that. I understand taht I am going to be an outsidier in my home that people are going to assume I have cancer or I will go through the stage of hair where I look like a dike. Thats okay becasue I know what I am and I know who I am. I have a story to tell anyone who wants to know.

 

I want everyone to know how proud of myself I truely am. I am a beautiful person and I had reasons to do this. It was like everyone said one of the most empowering things ever!  Yesterday was a new beginning and I LOVE THE NEW ME . I Woke up this morning and eveyrone said if your going to regret it then next morning you will wake up and be like what did I do. I woke up this morning and I said " DAMMMMMN I LOOK HOTT! " becuase I do. My eyes stick out so much and the blue in my eyes sticks out even more.

 

I hope you all understand and support me and I can't wait to hear from all of you. If you don't agree I am sorry but ultimately my happiness matters over everything and LIke i said ask my dad and my mother I have never sounded so happy!

 

I love you all  and I will post a picutre as soon as I can. OR I will let you all wait and see! haha

 

Love you

 

Amy

WHAT TO DO ??

 

 

So Neptune day is in 2 days. I am seriously considering Shaving my head for neptune day! It is a once and a life time thing that is supposed to be an amazing experiance.

 

Let me know your opinion before Tuesday.

 

email me AESINCLAIR@semesteratsea.net

 

 

 

:)

Ghana: A Journey Of A Lifetime

Hellooo Everyone my name is Afua :) !

Friday's child is a leader, not a follower. He/she is very temperamental but has a big heart. Generally the instigator of everything

Well that’s my name in Ghana!  Your Ghanian name depends on the Day you were born. I was born on Friday so my name is Afua and that’s my characteristic description of me! Sounds a lot like me huh.

Where should I start with Ghana! We arrived in Ghana on Wednesday and that was my one free day! So we got off the boat and me and Kayla spent the day together. We started walking around and people were amazing. I feel in love in the first 15 minutes of being here. When we were walking to the edge of the port we made 2 friends on the way out.  Hasf and Abigail who gave us money for a Taxi because we didn’t have any Ceitis. So we took a cab into the market and also changed our money then walked around.  The market was crazy!! We saw a lot of different things  and people were so nice to us. Everyone was saying Welcome in Ghanaian and Hello! Oh man the feeling was great! We went into a super market to see what it was like. It was like home except a tad different! They sold TV’s and it was much smaller.  We found a little shop that had beautiful clothing. We went and looked around and ended up buying things in the store!  Then we decided after walking around for 3 hours that we would head back to the boat and relax by the pool for a few hours and eat some lunch.  We walked back to the boat meeting people and just enjoying the view of the Takoradi that we had!  We made a friend that worked at the port and he secretly fell in love with me lol. He asked me to marry him but I told him I am sorry I couldn’t do that. It was really funny he didn’t put up a fight but he was defiantly pretty sad. Once we made it back to the port we went into the pool for a little bit and just relaxed and ate some lunch.  Then got ready to go out for my friend Mandi’s birthday! We went out and had tons of fun!

The next morning I had to be up at 645 A.M to get on the bus for my Kakum National Park and Bamboo Orchestra Trip! My friend Carly and I went together! It was so beautiful. We drove to the Park in the bus and then when we got to the rainforest  and started our trek through the rainforest.  We had to climb up a bunch of steps but it was absolutely beautiful in the rainforest.  After climbing a lot of steps and hills we got up to the Canopy walks! OH MY THEY WERE AWESOME! We were so high and when you walked across  it was a blast. There were six walks some went up some went down some went up and down!  After we finished our Canopy walks ( which Carly and I didn’t want to end)  We headed back through the rainforest and it started raining! Which I thought was awesome for it to rain while we were in the rainforest!  We got back on the bus and headed to lunch.  For lunch I had rice bread and I think that was it. I don’t eat meat much anymore so I stuck with what I knew I liked. After lunch we went and saw a bamboo orchestra! It was amazing to watch them sing and dance and play the bamboo’s and drums! I took a lot of video’s for everyone to see.  Then after we watched them play they made all of us get up and dance with them! It was awesome. We got in a circle and learned there moves. Oh of the dancers was next to me in the Circle and told me to move with the rhythm and I said I don’t have rhythm he thought that was really funny.  After we danced for a while we took pictures said goodbye and headed back to the ship!  We watched a movie that night and went to bed early knowing we had a long day ahead of us on Friday.

Friday morning we woke up at 6 A.M. Carly Ed Mandi and I all headed to the bus for Habitat for Humanity! (Kayla had done it the day before)  We got on the bus for a long ride towards the site.  When we got to the site and the fun began. We began working on the houses. My job was mortaring which was a dirty fun job.  We got a lot done the people we were working with were amazing. They were so nice to us. We stayed busy all day. One of the guys that were helping us took my camera and took pictures for a good half hour and it made his day. Then some of the people were teaching us how to sing songs and we taught them songs too.  We got a lot done and it was so great!  They had to drag us to be done working because we didn’t want to stop. We had great home cooked for lunch.  We had rice and chicken and the rice was soo good it had a red sauce on it which was amazing!!  Then after we ate lunch we bought shirts and headed back to the bus. On the way back we got trampled by kids wanting hugs and pictures we took a group picture with the kids and everyone that did the habitat! Then after we talked with the kids for a while. I fell in love with a little kid named Benjamin he wore my sunglasses and took pictures with me!  Then we sadly had to get back on the bus and head home. It was an life changing experience.  Made me realize a lot.

Saturday was my last day in Ghana and I had a Fathers Ministry Orphanage planned. So I got up and went to the bus for 745.  We had a half hour ride to the Orphanage. When we got there the kids faces lit up!  They sat us down and talked to us and then showed us around the orphanage. Then we introduced ourselves to the kids and they each stood up and introduced themselves to us.  Then we all started drawing and playing . It was absolute amazing.  The kids were taking our camera’s and learning how to take pictures and taking a ton of pictures. One little boy I feel in love with. His name was hard to pronounce so I called him buddy most of the day.lol. I had brought stickers with me and he was so amazed  by them  all of the kids came running over jumping on me for stickers.  I also gave out pencils which they loved too.  We played for hours  we would draw and then  go sing with the kids. We did th hokie pokie and then sang if your happy and you know it ..hmm what else  we sang  some of the songs they know and taught us. It was indescribable . Then they played the drums and we danced. My little buddy would play the drums and he was good for 2 years old!  He was adorable. Then I hung out with Jacob for a little bit and ran around like a nut with him. Then it was lunch time  we went to a hotel for lunch.  I had rice of course because I don’t eat anything else! But it was really good it was a spicy rice.  Then after lunch we went back to for another hour to play with the kids.  When the bus came out oh my goodness they came running so fast and jumped into our arms.  It was breath taking.   We played outside with them. We counted together and played uno and jenga. Some of the people played soccer ! It was a blast. Then around 245 we got in a circle for a reflection. It was amazing. They thanked us for coming and we thanked them for having us. We got really sad when it was time to leave and the kids did as well. We all were saying by and the kids were crushed.  My little buddy was pretty sad he jumped on me and gave me the biggest hug ever! Then Jacob did too!  We gave them all our email addresses and went on our way.   I had tears in my eyes walking away it was pretty crazy.  That was another life changing experience.

All together Ghana was absolutely life changing and amazing . You don’t realize what you have and how much we take for granted. We have so much right in front of us and we ask for more.  It’s far from right . But what I did realize is how amazing this place is and how welcoming they are to us.  I will never forget Ghana and it was by far the most amazing place ever!

Hope everyone at home is doing well  Email me everyoneee!
NEXT STOP CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA!

LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL !

XOXO
AMY

GHANA

I have been here for about 4 hours and I AM IN LOVE WITH GHANA!!! it is absolutly amazing!

 

I will write more later!

 

love you all!

 

Amy

Ghana!

This morning we arrived in Takoradi Ghana!!! I am beyond excited and Will deffinatly blog either night by night or at the end of the trip! I will have so much to tell you!!


love always!
Amy

At Sea Again!

hey everyone!

 

Were back at sea for a few days. Back doing homework and reality except reality was great today when I spent 4 hours out in the sun making spanish flashcards ( oh what a life) .. This is amaaazzinggg. Classes are fun! I hope all is well at home!  The food still stinks. jUst figured I would update you!

 

 

Love you all

 

Amy

sorry

Sorry it took so long for me to update my blog!! miss you all!

Morocco: an amazing place thats hard to explain

After a 12 day break from classes and 12 days of exploring new countries! I am back on the boat safe and sound.  As you read before Spain was amazing, but things just keep getting better.  Morocco is kind of not describable.  It was absolutely amazing. I said to everyone I don’t think words can describe this country, but I will do my best for you guys.

We arrived in Morocco a day early because the captain changed where we were going to get fuel.  So we arrived on the 9^th to Casablanca Morocco.  The morning we arrived we had our Cultrual and Logistical Pre-port which is what can I say  FUN! Haha not really but you learn about the do’s and don’ts and what to expect in the country.  After that it was time to get off the boat. When I walked off the boat we were like a ship yard so I said oh this won’t be that different. WELL I was wrong.  When we got to the port entrance where the bus dropped us off , we walked through the gates and it was like no other.  The way people dressed, the smell, the way people drive, everything was different. I knew everyone was going to dress a certain way because we attempted to dress like them in a way to be respectful. ( meaning no cleavage ,knees covered , no shoulders showing). The crew of the ship slightly scared us because of the fact we were in an Arab country for 9/11.  There was a national warning out because of the man in Florida that was going to burn Quar’ans.  I hated that guy because he obviously wasn’t thinking about others.  But everything ended up being fine and honestly everyone was really nice to us.  Even though we tried to blend in everyone obviousy knew we weren’t from around here. We went and exchanged our money and then headed off to eat some lunch. This was difficult because it was the end of Ramadan.  We went in and the people who owned the restaurant were amazing to us.  I tried Lemon Chicken Taijine which was very very good.  After we finished lunched we desided to go to the Souks (market)  to look around. We didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into.

Walking into the Souk there was everything you could imagine for sale. I would compare it to a flea market at home except way better.  There was jewelry, shoes, clothes, purses, and so much more.  We all looked around people bought things but a lot of us were scared to barter we didn’t really know how.  We were walking through the food part of the Souk and that’s when it got really scary. Kayla and I had put our water bottles inside a backpack as well as some napkins ( since they don’t believe in Toliet paper)  and a couple other things. Nothing valuable. As we were walking through the busiest part of the Souk  ( mind you there were 11 of us I believe)  All of the sudden I feel my bad being  pulled.  I turn around and rip it out of a ladies hand and instantly got extremely scared. Kayla and Mackenzie were pushing her away. All of the sudden her husband who spoke English unlike her walked up to the boys and said my wife was just trying to tell her to put her bag on the front of her ( that’s a lie because why would she grab my bag)  then he said I lived in New York  blah blah a bunch of lies.  As I was scared out of my mind I said thanks and moved along.  We thought about it and realized that was a cover up because the way she handled telling me that was not the right way.

After that I was pretty scared and part of me wanted to say screw this I’m going back to the boat. But I didn’t I just stayed with the boys near and went along with my day. People trying to sell us stuff left and right.  I saw a ring I fell in love with and guess what .. it had a green stone in it  ( big surprise) so I decided to get it  but didn’t barder much or at all. He said 40 dirhum and I said okay.  After that I was about ready to just head back to the ship for dinner and stay in for the night.  They said night life here was different but I opted out of experiencing it because I just had an uneasy feeling.  The next morning we woke up and tried to go back out to the market but it was the end of Ramadan so everything was closed. We headed back to the boat and then we went on a City Orientation that was run by SAS. It was very interesting the places they took us. We saw the kings palace ( the outside) and went and saw the Mosque which was also very interesting. After the city orientation was over we just went back to the boat ate dinner and hung out for the night. We had a long day ahead of us the next day . 

The next morning we woke up and headed off to  the train station to go to Marrakech. We packed up all our stuff and head out. Got a taxi ( got ripped off) then  when we got to the train station we had realized we were going on an overnight  and SAS requires you to take your passport if you leave overnight.  So we had an hour until our train. So we found a taxi to take us back to the ship wait for us and then bring us back. ( got ripped of again ) We ran all the way back to the ship from where the taxi left us got our passports and ran back.  We made it back to the train station on time for our train.  The trains here are very interesting and very uncomfortable and smell pretty bad.  After a 3.5 hour train ride we got to Marrakesh and found our hostel but got ripped of on the way there from a young boy who decided to help us out we thought he was being nice. . no no he just wanted money. We made it to our hostel and it was okay nothing like our Spain hostel. We went and walked around in the Souks for a bit before it got dark ( we did way better today bartering) .  Bought some Moroccan pants to wear on our camel trek the following day.  Ate lunch at a pizzeria because we just wanted pizza for some odd reason! Then headed in for the night, because it was only Mackenzie, Carly , Kayla, and I and we didn’t feel safe out at night just us four girls. Kayla and Mackenzie both had there first dose of homesickness so I helped them through it ( sorry everyone I didn’t I am so far from home sick but doesn’t mean I don’t miss everyone ) For me its different than them I have been wanting to go away for so long that I probably won’t get homesick  but I love you all I do J . We met some other people that were staying at our hostel and the people who owned the hostel and workers were absolutely amazing. I tried mint tea which is a must have in Morocco. It was very good I enjoyed it. After hanging out for a while we headed to bed because we had to be up early.  

The morning of our Camel trek we had to wake up around 630 A.M  we got picked up at 7:45 went and picked up everyone else that was signed up for the trek and headed for the Sahara.  A little while later we stopped in the Atlas Mountains that we were driving through for some breakfast which was pretty unhealthy haha first I got peanut m&m’s and Pringles then decided I would get an omelets (but omelets here are just a flat egg with nothing in it . and there is no salt and pepper.. yummmmmy ..no). After about a 30 minute break we were back on our way through the Atlas mountains. This was pretty scary adventure with the skinny skinny 2-way windy roads and cliffs. Our driver loved to drive fast so Carly and I were having a mild heart attack.  After driving and stopping for about 11 hours through the Atlas Mountains  in ridiculous heat. we finally around 640 p.m got to the Sahara desert. Mind you we had one road block of a accident with one of our vans and a bus ( not my van)  so we had to fix a flat tire before we could head move on.  So when we pulled up to where we were getting on our camels there was about 40 camels just sitting waiting for us.  We all got put on camels and was this an experience like no other. I named my camel  Toby and as we were going along on our camels through the Sahara the sunset which was absolutely beautiful.   This was our camels 4^th trek today so they were a little warn out. Some even had a mental break down.  Toby tripped once and I thought I was going down but I didn’t ( one girl got thrown off her camel it was kind of fun but only because she was okay)  after 2 hours of trekking through Sahara we go to our Nomad tents.  They made us dinner and then we listened to them play music for us which made me speechless. It was amazing laying in the sand of the Sahara watching these berbers dance to their music. We decieded not to sleep in the tent but to sleep right outside it under the stars which was BREATHTAKING. It was simply amazing, I don’t think words could explain this situation.  We got woken up in the morning to watch the sun rise which again was a breathtaking experience. We sat on a dune wrapped in a blanket and watched the sunrise. Something I will never forget. 

After we watched the sunrise we headed back on the camels for the trek back to the vans.  I got a different camel and I named it Jamal! He was amazing!  When we got It back to the vans we started our trek back through the Atlas mountains all the way back to Casablanca except we were much more annoyed this time it took forever!  We started driving at  7am and got back at 11 pm.. 15 hours in the car I Was ready to explode. We stopped and saw were Gladiator and some other movies were filmed in morocco which was pretty awesome! After our long long drive back through the mountains ( I have a video of how scary it was) we finally got back to the boat which was probably the best feeling ever!

All and all I had an amazing experience in Morocco so much that can’ t be explained because  I just don’t know how. There were some beautiful parts and some not so beautiful parts. But I will never ever forget this.

I hope everyone at home is doing great! I defiantly am. I love the emails keep them coming. Love you all.

I’ll write again soon.

Amy

 

Hey everyone,

Sorry I haven’t updated you guys about SPAIN . It was absolutely amazing and We still have one more night.  We went to Seville on Saturday and took the train!  It was nice to see around spain from the train but some places are scary. We got to Seville and went to go find our hostal and it took us 3 hours! Haha nice little tour we did. Theres a lot of little streets to get lost on. But we found our way. Then we went to get some lunch that was amazingggg!!  We had some pasta dish it was so good! Then we headed to go see a cathedral  and stopped at an Irish bar haha funny because we were in spain. We had some sangria there and then headed back towards the hostal which took us another two hours haha.  After that it was around 8 or 9 and that’s when people actually get out of their houses in Spain and head to dinner.  We wondered around bit then we went and got a couple drinks at a local bar . I saw I few kids playing soccer and they kicked the ball to me so me and my friend Marcus played soccer for a half hour with these kids  ( the best thing I have ever done in my life)  we ran around and enjoyed our  selves with them.  When we told them we had to leave they were sad and couldn’t really understand us but we said adios and left them. We did get a picture though!  After  that everyone had left to go out so Marcus and I rented bikes ( never again) and road them around Seville and got lost but we figured out its kind of fun getting lost you see so much. The city was beautiful  I  have sooo many pictures.  On the second day we got up and walked around some more and saw some more beautiful places in Seville!  Oh man its awesome . the Culture is aamazing  I felt really bad because not to many people speak English and we were trying so hard to say the right things.

 
When we were walking around we saw this womens finishing derby but they fish really werid around here haha.  Then that night we headed across the city to a bull fight… probably one of the saddest things I have ever seen and I hated that I gave my money to it butt it was part of the learning the culture.  It was very interesting but it was a lot to take in at once.. its hard to explain.  We went to a nice restaurant on the way home and we accidently ordered 9 pizzas instead of 3 hahaha it was really funny!  We headed back to the hostal and then headed out for the night and sat in the little plaza that was right behind our hostal with all the locals. It was amazing to experiance the culture and see the difference between our lives and theres.  Kids were out until like 1am and it was no problems . they were running around by themselves and it was no big deal if we were in MA someone would have stolen them in two minutes. 

The next morning we got up and went to Cordoba which was really pretty. We did some more WALKING ( seemes like tahts all we did ) around Cordoba got lost somemore  had some lunch which consisted of a chicken sandwhich with a pound of mayo :( ew. lol  we took tons of pictures and had a lot of fun. Headed back to Seville on the train and stayed there for the night!  It was so much fun.

Yesterday we woke up and got on the train early and headed back to Cadiz so we could see around Cadiz. We had a lot of fun roaming around cadiz it is actually beautiful! then after that we went to The beach. .(all spain beaches are topless beaches i kept my top on ahhah! ) it was different but i knew that it was part of the culture. The beach was kinda rocky but it was nice water and it was fun to get to swim in a new ocean ! so it was fun! tuns of waves.  Then we headed back to the ship to eat dinner back on teh boat and get ready to go out for Mackenzies birthday!!!!! We went out to a couple local bars becuase she became legal to drink in Spain! The girls got me all dressed up all girly! I was proud of myself! We went  down on the beach and looked at the harbor it was so pretttyyyyyy!!! It was so much to take in!!  Today we got up to go to a couple shops before having to be back on the boat!!

We sail overnight to Morocco! and we will be in Morocco a day earlly!!! Camel trek and GREAT FOOD HERE I COME!  Hope everyone is doing well . Sorry I havne't updated I have been busy!  I will probably update my blog after Morocco!

 

LOVE YOU ALLL!

Amy

 

 

Spain!

 

Hey everyone

 

 

I am having the time of my life in spain and I know i havn't updated my blog but I tommrow night first thing once were back on the boat! love you all  I have some great things taht have happened!

 

 

 

Miss everyone!

 

Amy

Mistake

its not free to cal me from that number :( so i guess i wont be hearing form whoever wanted to call. better luck next time haha . Everyone email me aesinclair@semesteratsea.net

SPAINNNNNNNNNN <3

Heyyyyy Everyoneeee


We arrive in Espana in the morninggggg! I will have a phone with free incoming calls and I can always when off the boat recieve incomeing text messages for free but I can not answer them! I will be in Spain till the September 8 at 2p.m. Feel free to call my phone I would love to hear from everyone. Do not forget that There is a 6 hour time difference and I am 6 hours ahead of you. I will be up late partying probably every night if you decide to call.  I can not call you back but you can leave a voice mail if I dont answer and tell me when you will call back and I will make sure I am by the phone . Or you can Text me when your going to call so I know to listen for my phone.

The number iss ...  1-580-740-4803



Hope everyone is doing well and I willl talk to you all sooon! hope home is treating you well becuase I KNOW THE BOAT IS TREATING MEEE GOOOOOD HAHA <3


love you All


Amy

OHHH WHAT A LIFEEE :)

Hey Guys!

 

Sorry I didn't update my blog yestruday I got caught up in stuff and completely forgot.  Everything is going great except again the food.  Havnt been eating to to much except bread bannanas and water . I have drank enough water!  When i get home i don't think you guys will see me without a water bottle in my hand i carry it everywhere. Yesterday was a good day I had classes all day and We started doing drawings in our art class.  It was a lot of fun!  Everything has been going great and my classes are great!  I have so many amazinggg picturesss! 

 

I love the emails i ahve been getting  they make me smile and honestly not miss home becuase my loves have been keeping in touch!!! Last night we played cards at night and just hung around.  I already finish my book for one more day!! in 3 days  i think you should all be proud haha!  Spanish class has taken over my life and thats now all I do for hours each day.  I even have a quiz tommrow that I am on my way to study for now! its just crazy! 

 

We have threeeee days left till reall for and spain!!! anddddd They are speeding it up and we are getting into Morocco a day early which is awesome!!  I got a 500 early incentive voucher for my shipboard account which is 500 free of everything i buy on the boat! so i went out on a wim and bought a alcohol voucher and had two beers with dinner becuase thats all we are aloud .. a miller light :( sad sad tasted aweful and a MGD i guess tahts what its called.

This morning  I woke up and we were passing santa maria island i guess idk it was reallly pretty and i took pictures then I headed off to global studies where I was completely lost once again. But whatever haha .  Then I went out and did spanish for about an hour and finished up.. Then went and laid in the sun and read some of my book and socialized for about 4 hours in the sun. I got a slight burn but its a brown burn so i will be tan in the morning .. Tommrow is my busy day I have three classes but they are fun  MINUS MY SPANISH QUIZ.  haha but wish me luck on that.

 

Tonight at Dinner I  had pasta branched out a little but nothing fun. then watched the sun set! it was THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE .. breath taking not going to lie..  Just to sit and watch the water and the sun oh man :)  i got like 100 more days of thiss. i could get used to it hehe.

Well guys its about 11 here even though its like dinner time at home and I have to get studying becuase we loose another hour tonight  and I have to be up at 7 tommrow .

 

I will update my blog tommrow night  Hope all is well

 

and for my Jokers that are reading this MISS YOU ALL and hope practice went good yesterday you fools need to email me   aesinclair@semesteratsea.net

 

 

Love you Alllll

 

 

Amy