Hallifax, Nova Scotia

We were due in our first port at 8 Am this morning--and we pulled in at exactly 8 AM. Our captain takes punctuality seriously. He will leave us if we are not on the ship when it is time to depart--so we will always be back well in time. We were piped into port by four bagpipers on shore in full Scottish regalia. I thought about Doris, Derry, and Nancy who would all have appreciated the welcome as much as we did.

Our cabin is beyond my wildest dreams since I was expecting something tiny and crowded, with a bathroom the size of one on an airplane. We have a smart room with a private balcony that has two chairs and a round glass table. Our view through the sliding glass doors is spectacular. Our bathroom is a real one, with a bathtub. The room itself has a queensized bed and a sofa that makes into a double bed. Wish you were here--you would have a place to sleep. We have a 20" TV that gets 4 channels--also local shipboard channels. Night before last we watched the movie, Hotel Rowanda. We also have a comfortable chair that works well with our other round table when, such as now, we are using the computer.

I am not used to being pampered, but I am already seeing the advantages. In the dinning room the food is served buffet style. When I get to the end of the food line, a waiter carries my tray for me to where ever I want to sit (so far always outside on the deck) and then gets whatever I want to drink. The waiters and busboys call us by name (Rob and Ellen). So far I know 3 of their names: two Rogers and Perry. Now they bustle up and say Ellen, you want hot tea with milk and sweetNlow? They know to bring me my morning cranberry juice on ice. They know I want the glass full of ice before they add the iced-tea or water. The first day when I told the waiter that it would be okay, I would just get my own tea--that he didn't need to pamper me. He said,"but that is my job, it is my job to pamper you." So, to be gracious, I let them wait on me hand and foot, and just say thank you and try to learn their names. I can't wait to see if we still get this much personal service after the 550 students get on today.

We were to have had 650 students, so I fear the economy may have played a role in the number of students who are alble to come on the voyage. The summer voyage booked to capacity (750), so some of us think some students cut back from this voyage and took that shorter one. The life-long-learners, the adults who chose to take the voyage with us, are booked at full capacity (30). They can attend any classes they want and audit them and turn in papers and exams if they chose, or not if they choose. The college students have to go to class and take all tests, etc. A student who does not participate fully in academic life will be sent home. Now, of course, they are excused from class if they are sick, etc. As soon as a faculty member notices a student missing several classes, someone is dispatched to check up on the student and see what is the matter.

Rob, as a faculty member, has has meetings all day from the time we left Norfolk. As with classes, I can go, or not. I went to the ones on the first day, not the second, and one yesterday. The students board tomorrow. We have a 5 PM reception for just the parents who are bringing students to board tomorrow. We are all encouraged to attend. Rob and I will.

We leave the ship to explore Hallifax right after lunch. Rob has meetings until then. I could leave without him--but that wouldn't be very gracious, woud it. And, besides, I wanted to write to you.

Fondly, Ellen