Wow. If I had a dollar for every time I've thought "school is awesome!" on this trip, well, I'd probably be able to pay for all the chocolate I've been buying!
I'm running out of blogging stamina though, so please excuse me for my lack of enthusiasm.
We arrived in Zanzibar on the Sunday. I could live here forever. Small winding roads, white-walled buildings, and cats everywhere... It's paradise.
What have we done since we've been here? Honestly, it's been a blur. My biology class has gone on a few awesome field trips, which included visiting mangroves, attempting to visit sea grass farms but not actually finding sea grass farms, playing with one-week-old baby sea turtles, and buying a jar of Nutella (I guess that was kind of just a little detour on one of the field trips).
My last official day of classes was spent taking a dhow (a traditional sailboat) to a sandbar, where we spent the entire day swimming and hanging out in the sun. We balanced it out by having exams and final presentations the next day, but how many McGill students can say they spent the day before finals at the beach? hmm...I'd say approximately 30.
Last night we he had a lovely little African graduation ceremony for the nine graduating students on this trip (myself included!). We were dressed in kangas and cute little grass hats that made us look like pineapples. We passed around a bottle of sparkling wine while we listened to Vitamin C and accepted our hand-drawn diplomas. Definitely better than any graduation ceremony that McGill could ever offer! So I've survived these past four years, and what a fantastic semester to end with!
One of my classmates put it quite nicely, in saying that now I am moving from the stage of life where I can check the box for "student" to the stage of life where I can check the box for "unemployed." Hooray!!!
So what's next in the book of Maria? Heading up to the beach tomorrow for a bit of solid rest and relaxation, and maybe a bit of snorkeling too! Then Kilimanjaro, one week from today!
Goodbye CFSIA, hello adventures!
Doesn't sound like school to me! Sweetheart, have a fantastic week relaxing and getting ready for Kilimajaro. Talk to you soon. MOM
ReplyDeleteHi Sweetheart, Congratulations!! We are sooo proud of you. I guess you will have to wait for your gift. I will be missing your blogs now, since you will have all the fun things to do. Do you have the same phone number? I have been trying to call you but can't get through. Love you Gramma
ReplyDeleteThanks Gramma! Sorry, Haven't had service for a while but I do have the same phone number! It should be working today and tomorrow, but will be out of service while I'm climbing Kilimanjaro.
DeleteA Suz wants to know if you can bring Larry home?
ReplyDeleteHey folks! The internet here is not allowing me to post entries or send emails, but I just wanted to let you know that I'm currently in Moshi, Tanzania, preparing to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. I'll try to keep you updated! :)
ReplyDelete