by 
This is a small peek into one of the best two weeks of my life. Before anything, I have to give the credit where’s it’s due. Sharon Cooper, from the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University whom was one of the originators of this program. She and Angela Martin were the behind-the-scenes “getting things done” kind of women. None of us would have made it on this trip in one piece without their help in preparing us and scheduling our arrivals and departures so well. Sharon picked us up from the airport, took us where we needed to go prior to leaving port, and made us feel fully prepared before our send off. (We miss you, Sharon! *sad face*) Now onto the goods…
Chapter One: The Primary Topic of Interest: “How seasick were you?”
For future sea-goers. Sea sickness is real, but not to be feared, it happens to everyone, and you WILL adjust, I promise. It hits everyone differently. A few solid tips: constantly make sure there is something in your stomach, get fresh air and look at the horizon, don’t close your eyes when showering, sea bands and Dramamine work wonders. Note that you may not get sleep the first night since it’s foreign to be moving this much on land—it’s okay you’ll sleep well the following night. Lastly, the most important thing: mindset is everything. PUSH THROUGH. 90% of seasickness is mental, so try to think your best thoughts and keep yourself busy and rest! Everyone gained their sea legs after a day and a half. One of the best pieces of advice we were given was, “do not try to be the hero on this trip and stick it out if you feel absolutely horrible, we want you to listen to your body.” It may feel like a lifetime to get used to the rocking, and especially if you are like me: the land sickness or what the crew likes to reference it “the doom of the dock rock,” you may feel dizzy and pretty nausea on land after, but just prepare for that! The most incredible part of that experience is that sea sickness is like the adhesive that bonds you with everyone on the ship. You start out seeing the weakest side of everyone and everyone is instantly your family and take care of you. The crew must be trained in A.H.T advanced hospitality therapy, because I’ve never felt so comforted being sick away from home! So don’t let this worry you if you’re a future participant.
Chapter Two: Where It All Begins: “What is it like?”
Once each of us got our sea legs, things became a lot easier. For one thing, everyday feels like a dream. Being in the middle of the ocean, this close to Mother Nature. How much better can it get? Much better, in fact. Think of it as 3 semesters worth of sciences courses in which you have unlimited access to your professor’s wisdom and experience but aren’t being graded (hallelujah). To add, you’re also getting multi-sensory experiences with sediment samples identification and collecting samples of phyto and zoo plankton along biomass from the water column of the Mid-Atlantic and Tropical oceans. Dr. Stephen Pekar, a geology professor at Queen’s college in NY lectured us on the “dead things” while Dr. Joseph Montoya, a biologist and professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology teaches us about the “living things”. Not to mention the ship’s beloved Lynne, a Science Technician and our motherly figure on the ship (oh how we love you, sweet Lynne), who provided us with the understanding of the functions of all research equipment used aboard the ship, and graduated/graduate students whom provide us with the knowledge on the chemistry and physics spectrum of experiments taken place.
Chapter Three: The Nitty Gritty: “Do you have an itinerary?”
It sounds like a lot, because it is. But, it is the best “a lot,” that I have ever experienced. Our typical schedule is breakfast from 7:30-8:30, then a lecture around 8:40. Next we rotate between Erica, a biology graduate who was working our nutrient analyzer lab, or Drake, a biology graduate student whom runs the wet lab, or Dr. Joe where we are able to collect/categorize samples and study some under the microscope to identify them, or you would have the privilege of going through sediment collections from Dr. Steve under the scope and grain categorization. Depending on the day, we would have a different schedule with an allotted time for each activity done on deck with hard hats and life vests(or not, if permitted). Lunch was promptly begun at 11:30-12:30, and then we went back to our different stations. Not too soon after we would have a little free time to nap or connect with family using the ship’s computer, or spend time with one another. There was usually another lecture around 3pm, and dinner would begin at 5pm and end at 6pm. Usually after dinner we would meet in the lab to have another lecture or meeting then we would have the rest of the night up to our own plans which usually consisted of competitive UNO and Egyptian Rapslap games or listening to stories from the sailors. One could say that our entire time aboard the ship was a musical, there was not one time we weren’t singing in out of tune a-cappella, or laughing so stinking hard.
Chapter Three: What’s Really Important: “What did you eat?”
Let’s talk about food just very quickly, okay? This ones important. Everyone needs to eat, wants to eat, and loves to eat. We are consumers, and on top of that, food always tastes better when someone else is making it. “Uhm, Hello?” as Dr. Pekar would jokingly say. In our case, and thanks be to God our ship chef’s were from Brooklyn and prepared meal that were nothing short of delicious. Every meal from hand tossed pizza, calamari, foot long subs, and corned beef and boiled potatoes was just too good to be true. We’re still on a ship, right? Also if you get midnight cravings they have drawers in the kitchen full of snacks, cookies, cereal, and if you’re itching for something sweet, they have shelf full of candy bars(don’t even get me started, I’m lactose intolerant and have eaten too many Twix bars for my own good). Fact is, you will never go hungry, ever and in the words of IceCube, “You better check yo self before you wreck yo self. Cos I’m(food) bad for your health, I come real stealth.”
Chapter Four: Feelings: “Did you feel anxious, scared, or worried being out there?”
The answer to this question: yes and no. So, it didn’t really hit me that we were in waters of about 12 Empire State Buildings deep until about the 5th day of the trip. If anything, the feelings you are holding are truly surreal. You feel so comfortable amongst the waters, so quickly though. We had what we called the sunset and sunrise club–whoever wanted could come meet together before dawn or sun-down and watch the sky melt or come to life. At night, we would gather and watch the stars if the fog is lifted and watch lightning from miles away. It was a perfect 360 degrees of sky when you are on a ship in the middle of the ocean, and it is one that I have taken many mental pictures of. I miss it deeply, honestly. You feel the openness to think and expand your thoughts with others amidst an incredible view. I hope one day, each of you can experience that.
Chapter Five: The Last Days: “Where did you end up?”
After our last full day of being in labs or on deck, we combined efforts amongst groups and presented powerpoints of data collected in front of the science crew and scientists. Three other students and I presented on our Nutrient Amendment Experiment, whilst others presented on Sediments/Foraminiferas or Nutrient Analyzation. We all learned a thorough amount from each other, and had such a wonderful time listening. Dr. Pekar and Dr. Montoya then spoke to us about how Barbados is independent from the volcanic islands of the Lesser Antilles and is of sedimentary origin. A few minutes after we finished, someone yelled to us saying, “land! I see land!” What an amazing feeling this was, 8 days out on sea and the beautiful island of Barbados was a sight for sore eyes. I said “Land Ho!” about 9 times before I annoyed myself. We then went to the bow and found nearly a dozen dolphins riding the wake of the ship. I felt such immense joy. The ocean is the most extraordinary home, how did Earth get so lucky? Once we docked into port, we had a little time to explore Bridgetown, Barbados and many of us had the privilege of tasting the Bajan delicacy of flying fish sandwiches and chicken and potato rotis, which were absolutely fantastic. Not to mention, karaoke there was amazing, especially if you get to sing to Rihanna, the Bajan Queen herself! The beaches were encrusted with pink hues from the crushed coral reefs, and stars that we aren’t able to see in North America, were visible for us. We even had some downtime to purchase a snorkeling excursion or souvenirs if we wished (we did wish and did do 🙂 ). We had the chance to swim with the sea turtles, sting rays, pufferfish, incredible schools of Caribbean fish, and view two shipwreck sites. The locals were one of my favorite parts without a doubt. Our taxi drivers gave us hugs, if you asked where some place was located, they walked you there, if wanted to talk, they would think of you as good company. I miss it so bad, I wish I could buy a ticket and leave tomorrow!
Chapter Six: The People: “Did you get along with everyone?”
We were all so different, came from opposite ends of the continent, and could have every reason to not perfectly align with one another and mind our own business. Coming into this trip, I wasn’t expecting to grow this close to anyone, let alone be so vulnerable, but the fact is I DID and they were one of the most solid group of individuals that I’ve had the privilege of knowing these past two weeks. In fact, I don’t remember the last time I sobbed saying goodbye to that many people, it was a little embarrassing. But, if there was one thing that I could take away from this trip that I valued the most, it would be the collective, collaborative, and unwavering passion that everyone held. Living amongst such extraordinary and unique people has given me enough encouragement and stability to last me a lifetime. This program has given me more than just knowledge, it has given me a second family.
Thank you STEMSEAS, Columbia University, Georgie Institute of Technology, Coastal Carolina University, Rhode Island Endeavor Program, all science educators, and crew of the R/V Endeavor. A very special thanks to the National Science Foundation for funding this program. To everyone on this transit, I love ya, it’s been real, I won’t forget ya.
-Mariah Marhofer
