Location: Horta
Hi gang!
Today was a raucous and rip-roaring combination of cold water diving (very fun, highly chilly) and the first installation of our emergency first response course (also very fun, not nearly as chilly). Those of us that went diving split in half so as to not overwhelm the dive company onshore in Horta, so I spent the first half of my day learning about CPR and the second half getting so excited about the tiny nudibranch we saw that our dive guide had to put a concerned hand on my arm. Seriously though, it was INCREDIBLY tiny – I would say in the half thumbnail range if I were feeling particularly scientific. Other exploits included an adorable little octopus, several moray eels hiding in various nooks and crannies, a truly exorbitant number of brown and white sea cucumbers, and walking five minutes to the ATM only to discover that the withdrawal fee was genuinely 12%. Toes also made an unexpected appearance, as pictured below. I can’t speak for what the other group saw, but I heard a rumor that a huge stingray and another octopus were involved, so it was an exciting diving day all around. And, for those of us that chose not to dive, I heard that gelato was acquired; the moral of the story is Horta has something for everyone.
Tomorrow, we have a tour booked to go around Faial, the island we’re currently on. I hear it’s an all-day event, including a bus ride around the island and some manner of ~6-mile walk on one of the bigger mountains here. The weather has been utterly gorgeous, and we are all hoping for more of the same for the rest of our time here. Over the past few days, I have heard from a majority of the people on the boat, students and staff alike, a sentiment along the lines of “Honestly, I would LOVE to live here someday…”, so I think it will be a sad goodbye next week when we sail out. For the time being, though, there’s plenty of time left, and everyone is enjoying it to the fullest. At this very moment, most of the boat is on the hunt for some evening gelato in town, and the sun has just sunk down past the horizon. During sunset here, the sun casts the most beautiful golden shine over the island, which we get a great view of from our spot in the harbor. At this point in the evening, though, it’s all pale yellows and blues. After a full day of diving, first response training, and just flat-out enjoying myself, I think I’m ready for a quiet evening and something hot to drink.
Signing off, for the time being,
Sage