Of class distractions, strategic funel-ing, and Portugese pleasantries.

One of the first reactions noticed as I told people I was about to go teach whilst sailing was “Whoa… like Breaker High!”. Sort of… except our school in on a sailing vessel, not a cruise ship…and Ryan Gosling isn’t on board. Second on the list was “But, how do you teach on board? How does it work?”. While the Concordia was equipped with classrooms, the Sorlandet is not, and so we make the best of the space available. This means that our classrooms are also dining rooms, common areas, and at night, sleeping areas. As my friend Kristine pointed out “Ew, you eat on a teenager’s bed!”. Yes, but really, it’s not as unsanitary as it sounds. The kids must take down their bunks, sheets and sleeping bags every morning to make room for the dining area, which is then transformed into a classroom. White boards are secured with ropes to the ceiling, and are taken down during class time. There is no Internet at sea (gasp!), and no photocopier (double gasp!) and so we resort to books, USB transfers, and creativity to teach the curriculum our 55 beautiful students.

In my case, dreaded seasickness presents itself as the most difficult challenge while teaching at sea. I suffer a serious case of barf phobia, to an almost unreasonable extreme (ie: When I was a little girl, my birthday candle blow-out, or shooting star wishes would all be focused on me never having to vomit again in my entire life. See…. unreasonable.) The fact that I was still so excited to start this job, even though I knew it would be on a ship full of vomiters, is nothing short of astonishing. To cope, I try to play my cards right, and avoid getting sick. During our sail from Norway to France, I had spent the first few days teaching on deck – looking at the horizon makes seasickness far more tolerable. However, this second go round, I feel confident in my “sea legs”, and get to teaching below deck right away. Mistake.

Halfway through English class, I run up the stairs, just in time to get to “the funnel” – the trumpet-like vomit receptacles that lead my poison directly to sea. The funnels are on each side of the ship, and you must choose which one you use carefully – a lesson I learn much too late during my Canadian History class. By this point, I am teaching classes on deck again… but my decision to do so comes too late. The nauseating damage is already done. I interrupt my lesson to run to the funnel on the opposite end of the ship, so that my students don’t have to endure the sight of me ridding my body of the mac and cheese we had for lunch. Little did I know that you are supposed to vomit on the keeling side of the ship – choosing to be seasick on the upward side means a gust of wind could potentially come UP through the funnel, and shoot your last meal right back into your face.

Ya. That happened. And yes, it was as nasty as it sounds.

Thankfully, the funnel comes equipped with a fresh water tap, which allows me to rinse off before continuing my lesson on New France, and the fur trade. The first time it happens, I come back to my class, looking only slightly better than a drowned rat. My students are now huddled in a circle, shoulders moving up and down, undoubtedly chuckling at the class disruption I just caused. The next time I return from the funnel (a mere five minutes later… I’m so ashamed), I find them waiting for me with a glass of water, and a piece of fresh bread. Awww. They’re trying to take care of me………or get bonus points. Either way, I appreciate it. Though seasickness is the bane of my existence sometimes, it’s also good in showing me that there is always someone on board who will take care of you in your time of need. I like that.

The following day, I am introduced to another class interruption at Class Afloat… DOLPHINS! Unexpectedly, my class below deck is distracted by a hoard of students rushing up the stairs. They tell us to come up on deck immediately – there are some dolphins swimming at the bow of the ship! In the clear waters of the Bay of Biscay, we see about a dozen of them following the course of our home, jumping out of the water together, and doing a bunch of other cute things that dolphins do. It is absolutely incredible. We see them almost daily now, along with fin whales. Although some students might not think of my riveting lecture of Charlotte Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper in ten years, I am certain all of them will remember that time English class was interrupted for a 5 minute dolphin-watching session.

We get to Matosinhos, Portugal a small port city just on the outside of Porto, on Wednesday the 29th, after what feels like a very short sail from France. On this night, the faculty, and pro-crew ladies start a port tradition of having a girls’ night out. We explore the little town, and check out the beautiful sunset (… and the beautiful surfers. Perfect. Portugal is already turning out to be a place I love). We end the night with an incredible dinner of fresh pasta, pizza, and seafood (I eat swordfish for the first time.. it’s salty).

The next two days are spent going on port programs organized by the school. First, we check out Guieramas, an old medieval city. We explore castles, dungeons, and slay a couple fire-breathing dragons. On Friday, we explore Portugal’s only national park. It borders on Spain, and has a beautiful landscape of mountains, lakes and forest. Here, we have a buffet lunch of Portuguese specialties, and enjoy coffee and pastries. It is a beauty of a day. I feel like the only ‘work’ I have done is to remind a student that taking 100+ Melba toasts from the buffet table, and stuffing them in his pants, may or may not be fair to other students who also like to eat dehydrated bread. Have I mentioned that these kids are amazing? Because they are. The strong community Class Afloat focuses on building makes spending time with them something very special that I feel lucky to be a part of. (By the way, Melba-toast-hoarder ends up sharing his stock with the rest of the crew, and probably would have done so without my reminder. At least, I like to think so ☺)

Shore leave on Saturday means time to take the train to Porto. My love for Portugal grows exponentially- what a city! I marvel at the buildings, architecture, tiled roads, and friendly people. It really is a beautiful place. Though I dislike Port wine immensely, I still feel as though I need to sample it here, as it is its birthplace. Dislike confirmed: after one sip, I declare my port wine experience in Porto lived, and done with. A McBeer in the fancy pants McDonalds nearby probably would have been more satisfying – ya, they sell those here. You can even have one with your Happy Meal. Ha!

We are on our last day in Portugal, before a belated departure tomorrow morning. This time, it is weather that holds us in port for an extra day, not a pension strike. Our next sail will bring us to the Mediterranean Sea, and eventually to Barcelona, Spain. It’s a good life.

I’ve sent out some postcards, and hope some of you have been receiving them! Check your mailboxes! If I don’t yet have your address, please send it to me! While on the Sorlandet, you can also send me postcards/those little anti-seasickness ear patch things/a nice letter. No pressure ;) ! Here are the addresses we have for ports this semester:

Mail sent here needs to arrive by October 15th:
Chantalle Bourque
c/o SS Sorlandet/Class Afloat
Consulate of Canada
Placa de Catalunya 9, ½
08002
Barcelona, Spain
Tel: 34 934 127 236

Mail sent here needs to arrive by November 8th:
Chantalle Bourque
c/o SS Sorlandet/Class Afloat
INTERNAVI SA
NOUVEAU PORT ANZA
BP 336- AGADIR
80020-MOROCCO
Tel +212 528 82 81 66



Mail sent here needs to arrive by November 27th:
Chantalle Bourque
Canadian Embassy
c/o SS Sorlandet/Class Afloat
PO Box 3373
Dakar, Senegal
Tel: 221 33-889-4700

Mail sent here needs to arrive by December 27th (I like Christmas cards ☺)
Chantalle Bourque
c/o SS Sorlandet/Class Afloat
Faustin Shipping
attn: Philip Faustin
Coral Cove Marina
Chaguaramas, Trinidad

Please try to fit yourselves in the maximum envelope size allowed (9x12). Or do it the old fashion way, and hop a plane to one of our destinations. I would love to see some familiar faces along the way… let me know if you’re traveling somewhere nearby!

xo