Arrival Day!
Location: Antigua Slipway, Antigua
First blog of the trip. I assume I got chosen for this because I am so cool (I volunteered). Today was the first official day of the program. Most people arrived sporadically throughout the day, except one group of seven that flew in on the Miami flight. Martin GP was the last person to arrive at around 8 PM. Those of us who have arrived spent the first day getting to know one another. Honestly, I am sorta regretting volunteering to write the first blog because I am far from having learned everyone's names, but here we are. Rachel was the head chef and made pesto pasta for dinner; she also made a gluten-free/allergy-free red sauce pasta, salad, and garlic bread. After dinner, we were introduced to the "squeeze" and talked about what we are most excited about on the upcoming voyage. Then we had our first cleanup -- my job on the job wheel today, Galley Gremlin, was putting away all of the items used for dinner after they were cleaned. My assumption is that it is the most sought-after job, and they selected me for it cause I'm so cool. Nick gave the Ocean Star crew an introduction to the boat, and Meg and Shane continued student check-ins.
About the staff!
Nick: Captain, PSCT Instructor, horse girl, milk lover
Shane: Chief Mate, Medic, currently rereading Dune for the fourth time, obsessed with his garlic salt
Aidan: Dive Instructor, Leadership Professor, Retired Regional Provisioner, Now Asst. to the Regional Provisioner, Dynamic Deckhand 2, "Good Lord"
Meg: Program Manager, Medic, Mate, Dive Instructor, Marine Scientist, F1 fanatic, literally runs this ship, really misses her squishmellow
Nacho: Dive Instructor, Marine Scientist, Underlord, In-House Translator, Resident PHD, "ya man."
Rachel/Raykle/Big Rach: Dive Instructor, Retired Asst. to the Regional Provisioner, New Regional Provisioner, Blog Queen, Retired Professional Theatre Kid, likes cats
Charlie: Mate, The Heads Guy, Dynamic Deckhand 1, Killer on the Dancefloor, "Oh my Days"