October 16, 2000
Mr. Vogtman,
Our 5th period class would like the answers to the following questions,
please.
- What is the fall weather like? Is it similar to
Maryland's?
- Do you ever get bored while sailing?
- Do you ever wish the trip was shorter and you could return to the
U.S.A?
- What's the biggest cultural difference you've found?
Thank you very, very much!
Ms. Lathroum's 5th Period, Stevensville Middle School
Hello again, Stevensville Middle!
The fall weather here is fabulous! It has been 70+ degrees, warm and
lovely.... until the rain arrived! Keep in mind that we're now in the
southern latitudes and heading even farther south!
Zzzzzzz.....oh, huh?! Bored?! Uh...well, sometimes it can get boring,
especially when we have to use the engine(s). If you've followed my
logs you know that the crew often has to get up during their sleep cycle
in bad weather, or to change the sets of the sails, so quite often the
crew is tired. We have those “lazy days” when it's nice outside, we're
sailing along, and there's no maintenance
to be done, the crew will sleep, read, sew, play guitar, or do other
things that distract them. So if there is free time it's usually well
received!
Sometimes when I feel lonely, I wish the trip was shorter and that I was
home, but then I remember why I'm here and how many people I contact.
Even though I can't see them, I'm okay again. I will be glad to get
home though...
Probably the biggest cultural difference that I've found between Europe
and the U.S. is that the countries in Europe are more in touch with each
other, while the U.S. more or less stands alone. Young people in Europe
talk about travelling to other countries for vacation on a regular
basis, and it's not only to countries nearby. They tend to think on a
worldly scale, and not just about what's down the road or at the mall!
Your Teacher Aboard,
Lee Vogtman
