In the Middle of the Ocean!

Hello everyone! It is much harder than I had imagined to get on here to blog everyday. Lets start where I last left off.... I met my roommate, Danielle, Wednesday after I blogged. She is really nice and we hit it off just as well as I imagined. We decided to stay in that night to save on money, and since we had the sting ray adventure the next day. We woke up bright and early for our 8:30 departure time to blackbeards cay. We took the bus in to town to meet the bus only to discover that since we were the only two people signed up for the 8:30 time, they decided to have us go with the 10:30 group. Apparently, in the Bahamas, everything is on Island time, so you can be up to an hour late and still be considered on time.
We went to the straw market while we waited which is basically a flea market mixed with canal street in NYC. There were fake purses all over the place, along with souvenirs of all realms, and each item was “specially priced” for us. Our boat soon arrived for the sting ray adventure and we discovered we were on a boat with a school field trip. The boat ride was fun because we got to see the island from a distance and take some pictures. Once we arrived at Blackbeard Cay, they let us know since we were the only two tourists we could come in and out of the sting ray area as we wished, as well as they let us go in before all the school children, so we got our own private session! There were about 15 sting rays in the water and they would run in to our legs which was slightly unnerving. Danielle was afraid so I got to feed them all the food. When feeding the stingrays I had to hold the food in between my fingers and then hold it under water for them to swim over. Once they were over me they sucked it up, which basically felt like someone put a suction cup on me. We then got to hold them, which was really neat. After our experience, we got to lay out on the beach for the rest of the day.
The next morning was the day I boarded the boat! Since my last name starts with a “P” I was one of the last people to board and therefore waited in line, out in the hot humid sun, pulling two huge duffels and a backpack, for almost two hours. All I could keep thinking was “best experience of my life after this”. I was so excited to get on the ship! I found my room which is a decent sized room for being on a ship, and each room has its own bathroom. The only problem I could find was that I was STILL sick! My newest symptom was having blood shot eyes. I finally decided it was time to go to the Doctor. She put me on an antibiotic and I am just now starting to feel a little bit better. The rest of that day, and the next, was filled by informational orientations and introductions of staff on the ship.
Today I started classes, and so far so good. I think I am going to enjoy my psychology teacher, which is good because I have him for two classes. We have our first exams this Sunday and already have plenty assigned readings. I can’t forget that this is also a school experience :).
I have met many nice people and can’t wait to see which friendships end up developing in to more.

Keep me in your thoughts and prayers, especially in regards to my health (after 7 days of being sick, I am ready to be better)

Email me if you would like at lrpruett@semesteratsea.net and I will be able to respond.
Love to all,
Lauren