We’re Emerald Shellbackers!!

We’re Emerald Shellbackers!!

Paul and I were initiated into the Shellbackers club today. The only requirement is that we cross the Equator. Well, not only did we cross the Equator, we crossed the Prime Meridian at the same time – the nautical center of the surface of the globe! 00 Latitude x 000 Longitude – at 12:31!!  The exact center of the earth!

Louise and Frank mark the Center of the Earth
and become Shellbackers!

That means we went from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern Hemisphere and traveled back east toward the coast of Africa. The Captain agreed to go 20 nautical miles out of course in order to enjoy a moment few ever experience. There were no flags or lines marking the spot which some of the children expected. But the ship blew the horns loudly and we all yelled with excitement.

We’re now on our way to South Africa. But before we get there, we’ll have dinner with our ship family of 4 girls and 2 boys, go to classes, read, eat and work on the Ghana blogs and photos and take part in Neptune Day. We’re both doing some exercising, but it is challenging on a rolling ship. I had to hold on to a railing today to do balance and warrior positions! We’re always going up and down stairs which is excellent for the legs and rear end! Yesterday many of the decks were off limits due to the high winds! Some have seen huge sharks of the side of the ship – wish I had been one of them! Life aboard is so busy. We don’t bother doing much of the reading for our classes due to time limits. And we’re going to lose an hour of sleep tonight with a time change!

But I’m not complaining! I don't really wish I was there, I have to admit. Today is Neptune Day and a reading day (kind of a free day for us LLL’s while the students study for an exam.)  Most of us had no idea what to expect. “Just wear a bathing suit and t shirt and flip flops,” we were told. Those who knew what to expect, staff and repeat LLL’s, were not talking. Let the fun begin!!!  But before the fun began, several crew members dressed up and walked the halls about 8:00 waking everyone up with drumming and clashing of symbols.

The Court ascends noisily to the Pool Deck 7

Those of us who were pollywogs, newly crossed the Equator but not yet initiated into Shellbackers, gathered on the pool deck. Then the Shellbackers led by the King, Queen, court jester, court tax collector etc. paraded from one end of the ship to the other dressed in court regalia and painted faces to the pool side. We pollywogs begged to be allowed to cross through the King and Queen's territory. They finally agreed after a series of silly questions and the fun began in earnest!

Several of the students lined up to have their heads shaved and donated the hair. What an amazing group of people!!!

The lines formed for the traditional dunking in fishy water. First we had fishy water poured over us and then we jumped into the pool! After getting out, we had to kiss a huge fish, and the "royalty rings" of the King and Queen and bow down to them. All in good fun! Most of the students did this and many of us LLL's.



Louisa and I are initiated as real shellbackers with fishy water!

  Paul couldn’t see much from the back of the crowd so he went to check out sports news and missed out on that part though. Too bad because he would have made a spectacle of himself and had everyone laughing. He is taking his comedy course seriously.

By the way, Desmond Tutu and Leah were also holding court poolside! He even had his head shaved!! The photo was taken before he submitted to the shaving!!




The Tutu's and Karen watch the party

 I am singing in the choral group in order to greater appreciate the work of the St. Louis Chamber Chorus. We are going stand and sing the South African national anthem at the pre-port lecture just before arriving in Cape Town. The Tutu's have been asked to help us with the pronunciation since the anthem is in three other South African languages besides English. Don't mention this in emails to us because it is a surprise to the ship community and Paul does not know about it. You know how well he keeps secrets! NOT! I recommend that you all go out and rent "Invictus" this week and watch it so that you know more about South Africa. They sing the National Anthem in that movie too.
b

Brett , Rocky and Ryder cross the equator and meridian