Next Stop Dublin

This is going to be a quick post since I just got back to the ship and
it’s a bit on the late side, but I have gotten so used to putting up one
post a day that I feel compelled to give you something.

First off, allow me to apologize to those of you who have been sending me
emails, particularly regarding the web cam. I had no idea they had one,
who set it up, or where it was. I don’t think the cam in question is
affiliated with the school, but I’ll check it out.

Next, I came to the realization that I am pretty much illiterate in
Greece. Not only do I not understand any Greek, but I don’t even know the
alphabet. If only I had joined a fraternity in college…

So today, after returning, I immediately went back into Athens to visit
their National Archeology Museum as well as the Acropolis Museum (I
recommend both if you love rooms and rooms and rooms of either vases or
statues). After that, I went to a bookstore that had some English
language books, but could only locate two English language news
periodicals (Time and the Economist). I also bought two up-to-date
guidebooks to Dublin. My colleagues at the library had forwarded our
guides to Ireland, but I wanted something specifically on that city. We
should be set now.

I must admit, it feels like ages since I was on the ship. My Greek
Holiday was some sort of alternate universe! With that said, being back
has now placed a bit of punctuation on this voyage since I can feel my
part winding down despite the fact that there are yet a couple of weeks
until the handoff to Richard, the next librarian.

I think the cadets are feeling it a bit too. As I came back to the ship
tonight, every phone about the port was swarmed with cadets getting in
their last minute phone calls.

Another change is that I have my own cabin now. Tim has now gone to join
the “State of Maine” and will be returning back on their ship to deploy
more buoys. Although I’ll miss Tim, it is rather nice to have a room to
myself. All he left behind as a box for Richard to mail, and his bottle
of shampoo. I wonder if he though that was mine… we both used head and
shoulders 2 in 1… Maybe I’ll never know.

So, hopefully with the repairs done above my bed, this final portion of
the cruise for me will go pleasantly… but with a little luck there will be
some zany anecdotes about the happenings aboard the ESVI.

Fair Winds and Following Seas,
Joe