Tuesday, June 26, 2012

From Dan: On Entering the Mediterranean



Mary will spin her narrative magic soon, but I wanted to post at least once before I get too busy.

In about 30 minutes we cross the Prime Meridian. Last night the excitement was palpable as we entered the Straits of Gibraltar and saw the north African coastline through an ebbing sun and building fog. The Atlantic crossing was generally calm, and both of us survived without medicinal aids. I hope no one reading this blog views this as a complaint, but I have never worked harder in my life. I’m teaching back-to-back 75-minute classes that start at 12:30, meaning today’s class will be my eighth day of doing so. I feel bad for the students, who get mixed signals of expectations of academic rigor on the one hand and socializing/sunbathing on the other. A good night’s sleep has been elusive for many of us voyagers.

The Mediterranean is more stunning than I ever imagined. Dolphins spun out of the wash from the ship this morning, and tuna leapt in the distance. The rocky Spanish coastline beckons us, and we will exuberantly step off of the gangway tomorrow in Barcelona.

Dreams tonight of café con leche, tapas, & red wine. And good thoughts about all of our family and friends back home, whose earnest enthusiasm for our trip has been, well, touching.


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