here are a few of my favorite things

We are squarely in the Indian ocean now and the seas are a bit improved over yesterday. A bit shaky this evening, but a much better day all and all. We could see land most of the day today as we reached the eastern edge of South Africa and moved north up the coast.

I keep meaning to acknowledge a few of the items that people suggested I bring (or bought for me!) which have proven particularly useful & to give Jean & Kathy a few tips for their upcoming voyages:

• Thorny pointed me towards an iPod travel alarm clock, which was unquestionably my best purchase for this voyage. I love having speakers in my cabin and I love waking up to my iPod. The television station that gives us the longitude/latitude/speed plays bad 80’s music. I’m all for the iPod alarm clock: http://www.ihomeaudio.com/products.asp?product_id=10078&dept_id=1003

• Melinda & Jane reminded me a few days before I left that I needed a 1-quart clear plastic zip-lock bag for any of my carry-on liquids. When I went to Target that night, the smallest box available was 100. I wasn’t sure what in the world I’d do with 100 of them, but I use them for everything. I use them for insulin & supplies, I use them for toiletries on side trips, I use them for knick-knack items that I pick up along the way. I use them for aspirin. I use them for loose change. I use them for everything.

• My mom gave me significant $ towards my camera. After much deliberation, I settled on a Sony Cybershot DSC-H5: (http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Cybershot-Digital-Optical-Stabilization/dp/B000ENTFDG). I love my camera & I hope you all are enjoying the results.

• My father & Deb gave me a plastic-y orange & green light backpack that folds up into a square 1 inch small. It seemed kind of odd, frankly, at first but it’s waterproof & it weighs nothing and I use it at all the ports. I thought I’d use my regular backpack, but I’m loving this little one. And it’s orange & green so no one else is likely to pick it up by mistake! (note: they also gave me binoculars, which definitely proved useful on safari, but I’m really loving the orange & green backpack!)

• Someone on the MSN message board said don’t bring Woolite, just wash your clothes in shampoo. Since I cut my hair, I’m not in need of so much shampoo anymore & so this is working perfectly! One of the life-long-learners also said that she does her hand-washing in the shower. She just puts her clothes on the floor when she takes a shower. This is one of the handiest tips I’ve been given so far. The shower has a small line across it. You can’t dry much laundry at one time but it works ok. Dad & Deb also gave me a clothes line with suction cups, but I can’t get it to stick to the bathroom walls. I’ve been doing the $5/bag ship laundry about once every 10 days.

• Sea-bands & Dramamine. I wasn’t going to bring drugs because I haven’t ever gotten seasick before … so many thanks to the Target pharmacist who recommended that I bring them just in case …

A few things I wish I had brought:

• Bowls or tupperware or containers of some other sort, to throw crap in. I bought a pretty beaded bowl in South Africa to put on the counter in the bathroom (purchasing things is of course always an option!), but I find myself perpetually in need of containers to store things in. And I’m not all that neat a person …

• More pens. Pens disappear. The admin office supplies them to the library, but you need your own very large stash. Especially if you (like me) are particular about your pens. The pens the admin office supplies are the cheap office variety.

• Food. Lots of people have lots of opinions on food. Lots of people brought lots of food. Before the trip, I had only considered Snapple, which everyone joked about whether or not I’d be bringing with me. I’ve picked up snacks here and there at port to stash in my room. But the only thing I seriously wish I had brought with me was cereal. By the time I get to breakfast, the only cereal options left are the sugar-coated children’s variety. I bought some cereal in Cape Town and I’ve been much happier this week. (And since I don’t have tupperware & I don’t want to haul the huge box with me everyday to breakfast, I’ve been pouring it into … guess what? … 1 quart clear plastic zip-lock bags …)

• Closed-toed shoes. They’re serious about this when they say this. I have sneakers but I hate sneakers. I was hoping my crocs would do, but they’ve proven not to suffice (yes, I know they have holes in them …) and I tore them on safari. Leah Tutu, btw, wears purple crocs too! I have work sandals & tivas for port & that’s all good but I wish I had thought more seriously about the closed-toe quality.

We learned today that a cyclone hit Mauritius last week and killed several people. The only other thing I know about Mauritius thus far is that this is where the Dodo once lived (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodo). I'd better go check a guide book out from the library & do some reading. We arrive on Thursday.