In port at sea day

As of about ten minutes ago we were still sitting in Alexandria (6:00pm Nov. 5). Then in the middle of dinner they fired up the engines and we took off. There was suppose to be an announcement about the sea conditions, etc. But so far I haven't heard anything. We might be in for a rough night. I'm not even sure when we'll be getting to Istanbul.

Today was a strange day, sitting in port, yet going about business as if we were at sea. Mary and I continued to work on the rebarcoding project. We're more than half way done, but we ran into a large section of books that didn't have any catalog record, and that slows us down. We normally get a range to a range and a half done in a good day, but we didn't even manage to finish a full range.

The big excitement for the day was going to the pool bar and talking them into making us m&m blizzards. They weren't perfect, but they were pretty good.

Breakfast: Cornbeef hash and scrambled eggs
Lunch: Beef Goulash
Dinner: Cream of Tomato Soup

Here in a little while I'm going to the union to the Christian worship service, they're doing a coptic liturgy with communion. I think that'll be interesting. Then later will be the cultural pre-port for Turkey.

Here's introducing Debbie Clifford. She's the registrar and assistant academic dean. This is her third voyage with Semester at Sea, previously she sailed as an RD and the Director of Student Life. She's a licensed massage therapist and a certified yoga instructor. When this voyage is over the two of us will be driving back to Charlottesville together. She's accepted a position at ISE and will be moving to Charlottesville permanently. She'll also need a place to live, so if any of you know of some nice places available for rent, she'd be happy for any leads.