Nobody told me that there was going to be "hazing" on the ship - weather hazing that is. We sailed for about 4 hours, and then the ship started pitching and rolling a bit, then a bit more, then a lot more. We spent the next 36 hours in a constant state of non-constant movement.
Waves outside my porthole. They don't look too big, but I'm high above the water. At some points, spray was hitting the glass.
If you've ever been to a fair or amusement park where they have one of the "fun house" rides in which the floor moves up and down at irregular intervals, then you have an idea of what this was like. But, unlike the funhouse ride, the floor moved side to side sometimes as well. I may now know where the expression "drunken sailor" comes from because, despite the ship being "dry" (no alcohol), that's what we all looked like walking down the hall. (My family is probably getting nauseous just reading this. When we go on car trips, there are not enough seats in the front for everyone).
One of the other members of the science party had recommended taking motion sickness medication before we boarded, which was an excellent suggestion. I don't know exactly how it works (Chemistry students - here's a chance for a research project), but I am a big fan of meclizine hydrochloride. So far, no issues, and now we are in calmer waters.
I wanted to share a few pictures of my cabin. I am on the 1st superstructure deck - see the picture. On the elevator, this is Floor 1, but the rooms on the floor are all numbered in the 300s. The deck is Floor 0 and the rooms are in the 200s. Many people in the Science Party are the floor below the deck - the red portholes in the picture - which is Floor -1, but is numbered in the 100s. As if all the signs in Russian weren't confusing enough.
My cabin on the starboard (right) stern (rear) side of the ship. The spray from the waves reached that high.
My cabin is very nice. I have a twin bed with curtains to keep out the light. The bed is comfortable, but like in a college dorm, someone forgot to tell the ship's crew that the sheets need to be XL - they don't quite fit. I have my own full bathroom, which is very nice. There is good water pressure, but showering during a storm was very interesting.
My bed - complete with privacy curtains and scratchy wool blankets. I am going to appreciate my down comforter when I get home.
The bathroom - a little larger than one on an airplane.
The biggest cabin issue was the ventilation. Now, I know I'm in the Arctic, and it is supposed to be cold, but there seemed to be a "polar vortex" coming out of the vents. There was a temperature dial, but it wouldn't turn in either direction. I should not have to wear my parka to sleep. Problem solved.
Duct tape to the rescue! The polar vortex has been tamed.
I have plenty of storage space - a large wardrobe for all my gear, a shorter cabinet, under-bed and couch storage, upper shelves (for snacks and electronics), and even drawers in my desk. Everything has raised edges and guardrails, so that objects don't slide around when the ship is in rough water - these work. All of the drawers have handles that turn and lock so that they stay closed. I think I may need to put these in at home. Even the chairs can be locked to the floor.
All the chairs can be anchored to the floor.
Weird Quirk Confession #2 - I CANNOT close a drawer or cabinet to save my life. I think I close them, and they are all left ajar. Both my family and my students know when I've been emptying the dishwasher or setting up lab supplies. It's a problem.
Home. School. The Ship
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