Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Monday, May 21st

We arrive at marina in city of Bodrum and board the Gulet. 30 meter sailboat with all the trimmings. Everyone is amazed at how luxurius the accomodations are. A master bedroom and 6 smaller bedrooms with a bunkbed and a single and a bathroom with shower in each room. we have a dining room below deck with a small bar and a large fridge for bottles of booze. On deck is a large dining table for all 18 of us and clean & comfy cushions & chairs at the back and front of the boat. this is the very definition of good living.

we take pictures and roam around the boat making discoveries of fantastic lounging opportunities and eventually settle into rooms to unpack and unwind. We motor out of the marina and find a cove to drop anchor after about an hour of travel. None of the students are quite sure what to do at that point. We don't really know the etiquette of the sea. Not sure if we can jump off the boat and swim, or if we need some signal that we are anchored and safe from the captain. We sort of mill about and look down into the clear blue water and amazing hillside and rock formations.

Then, like a sultan appearing in the doorway of his palace doorway, our professor walks up on deck from below wearing nothing but a speedo and a basket hat. He steps over the railing on the back deck where we are all standing and watching. He is about 10-15 above the water from that point. He flings his hat back behind him onto one of the deck chairs, and then reverses his motion and jumps out from the boat and executes a half-tucked canonball as he yells "weee!" as he crashes into the water. After that moment, the whole class became giddy and relaxed. People run for their bathing suits and bikinis poste haste and begin jumping into the water from various places on the deck. any place is good and well-received by the crew. there are high and low spots, safe and scary spots, and even a set of stairs to simply walk into the water.

The water is clear and blue and just a bit too cold to stay in for a long time without staying active. we swim all afternoon and eat a big dinner on the back deck dining table. we have a personal chef that cooks up divine dishes and serves one after another. Once again, this is the very definition of good living. This is gonna be a good week.

2 comments:

bb said...

Joe - I love you man. These stories are the best part of my day. Keep them coming. Joe, 18 ladies, on a boat, eating, drinking, swimming, not sure of local customs. That my friend is living.

d F said...

don't ever come back joe. just don't.