Location: Palau
Today was a tidal wave of emotions. Argo’s family woke up bright and early to prepare for the departure of 8 friends. A cloudy last breakfast set the mood for saying goodbye to 40A. We went around the circle and answered one last skipper question. My question was one I brought back from a previous program I did called The Island School, where every night we would end with a NAMY (nature appreciation moment YAHOO). This morning, we shared that tradition around the cockpit, admiring our favorite nature moments, followed by a YAHOO. Every NAMY was connected closely to a memory of our 40A adventure. Shortly after, the time came when we had to say our goodbyes to eight 40A friends. Cloudy skies, wet laundry soaked by the rain, and Landslide by Fleetwood Mac playing was the stage filled with hugs, tears, and “this is not goodbye, this is see you later”.
80-day students hung over the sopping wet laundry lines while watching Plaii (the dinghy) take off with friends we would consider family, they looked back and waved at home, Argo and its crew one last time. In Sea|mester fashion, there is no time for crying. 80-day students jumped into putting away 100’s of canned chickpeas while simultaneously shedding a tear and reminding Jen we are too sad to take the marine bio exam (it got pushed back a day). As the rain and tears cleared away and clothing began to dry, the 16 students left on Argo got to drown their sorrows in getting laundry done and shopping all afternoon. First stop for everyone was the small family-run laundry mat, 16 students piled into the small storefront, all grasping onto duffle bags filled with wet, musty clothes that held millions of stories within. We came begging to get them dried at least, ready to have a fresh start before welcoming 40B. The girls followed the laundry mat with runs around the island to every small boutique to engage in some shopping therapy filled with dresses, bikinis, and sunglasses, while the boys followed along, getting sweet treats behind us. At 5:00 pm, Argos’ 80-day family of crew and students met at a waterfront restaurant to share a signout night. We all sat along a long table where Amy, Addi, and Alyssa were the center of conversation, everyone wanting to soak up one last night with them. Many laughs, drinks, and poke bowls later, we ended the night walking the streets of Palau with our full laundry bags. Clothes folded for the first and last time, and smelling of flowers. Sophie, Sadie, Issac, Noelle, Susie, and I sprinted over to the only gas station open and stashed cinnamon rolls, cookies, sodas, and coffee into our laundry bags to smuggle onto Argo. My mom always says, “Leave while you are having a good time.” I’m sorry, Mom, the party on Argo never stops. All back on home sweet Argo, we got to jump in and take a night ocean shower, grub on our sweet treats, and sing through the night. The remaining Argo crew put away their laundry and went to bed, ready to fill their bags again with new clothes and memories in 40B.
A note to 40A
Argo already feels your absence, so I want to leave y’all with some sweet words Argo will always remember y’all by!
Emily: My roomie, you were a grounding force in keeping me sane on this boat. We miss your infectious smile and never subtle facial reactions.
Addi: The queen of country! Every time we hear Fake ID, we will start line dancing, knowing you would cringe and join us at the sight.
Kennedy: Off-Campus comments at meal times will continue in your honor, and may JLO songs play, and we will think of your favorite scene.
Amy: Watch team 3 forever grieves your morning wakeup head scratches. Fart noises and dad jokes will never hit the same without you.
Kaya: Blog photos will never be as cool as when you and your camera would capture the moment. Argolicious feels incomplete without you.
Holland: Who is going to mog and teach Jack Rizz in Watch Team 3 again? You are irreplaceable.
Ella: We all miss your simple acts of kindness and undeniable, adorable personality. Who is going to replace saying “we never get the AC!”
Alyssa: We are all theatre geeks at heart and miss having you rip it out of us in song!
Everyone, go enjoy a day of clean laundry, and thank my mom and dad for giving me this amazing journey!