Location: Tampa, Florida

So this is it. My last night in the U.S. until December (OKAY FINE I GET TO HAWAII IN NOVEMBER BUT THAT DOESN'T EVEN COUNT). I think I am actually relatively prepared for what awaits me in Halifax on Friday. That being a large boat, with a lot of people I have never met (including an archbishop), ready to take off around the world for three and half months. I have filled 3 large suitcases, downloaded approximately 8 new seasons of television onto my computer, and said goodbye to my beloved friends and family who I am leaving on land. So I guess I am essentially physically prepared to board the MV Explorer. What I am not is mentally prepared. Because I know no matter how much I think about it and hear about it and get advice from SAS alumni (what up kelley cook) I really have no semblance of an idea what my life is going to be like for the next 3+ months. And I think this is the first time in my entire life I have ever experienced quite so much haze when thinking about my future. Going into high school you know you will study and learn to drive and go to dances. And going into college you know you will live in a dorm room and have a roommate and drink beer in frats. And even if high school or college isn't exactly like what you thought, you probably got the general gist. But right now I'm sitting on my bed trying to imagine what it will be like to live on a boat and go around the world and visit 11 incredible places I have never been before. And while a good portion of me is terrified by this lack of foresight, another part of me really really likes not knowing for a change. And so here we go, next stop Halifax, Nova Scotia to start the next 109 days of my life.

1 boat, 109 days, 11 countries, 16 port cities and one big adventure to go.

"Above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't belive in magic will never find it."

Roald Dahl

More information about the Semester at Sea Fall Voyage can be found here!

http://www.semesteratsea.org/current-voyage/overview/