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Emmanuel Hector
Sophomore
Levermore Global Scholar
In Fall 2007, Emmanuel participated in the program Semester at Sea, organized by the Institute for Shipboard Education, and hosted by the University of Virginia. On his voyage Emmanuel visited nearly 14 countries and a countless number of port cities and towns. Detailed description of his fascinating adventure at sea can be read here:
Emmanuel Hector, Until Next Time
Countries
In my journey circumnavigating the globe that started in San Diego, California, the MV Explorer docked in 14 ports plus two bunkering stations. These ports include: Ensanada, Mexico; Honolulu, Hawaii; Yokohama, Japan; Kobe, Japan; Qingdao, China; Hong Kong, China; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Bangkok, Thailand; (bunkered: Singapore, Singapore); Chennai, India; Alexandria, Egypt; Istanbul, Turkey; Dubrovnik, Croatia; (bunkered: Gibraltar); Cadiz, Spain; and Miami, Florida.
Within those countries, I traveled to more cities and towns than I could actually list. For example, in Turkey, after docking in Dubrovnik, I visited Gallipoli, Canakkale, Troy, Bursa, and Iznik. In Egypt, after my arrival in Alexandria, I went “sight-thinking” in El Alamein, Cairo, and Luxor. Those were just two countries, so it would take a whole page to list towns for nearly 14 countries.
Going to these ports enabled the ship and its community to bunker, traveled to, or just passed-by (many times close enough to see) more than 30 other nearby countries that were not on our itinerary. These countries include: South Korea, North Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Yemen, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Crete, Greece (twice), Albania, Montenegro, Slovenia, Italy (twice), Bosnia, Libya, Tunisia, Malta, Algeria, Morocco, France, Portugal, the Bahamas, and countless of Caribbean islands.
Ultimate Favorite: Egypt was most special to me because of its history and my blessed opportunity to do things and visit places I’ve only read about in the Bible. For example, walking through the Valley of the Kings and being so close to Mount Sinai where God instructed Moses of the Ten Commandments were truly special. Riding a camel at sunrise to the Pyramids of Giza was an experience that will forever dwell within me.
Waters Passed Through
The Pacific Ocean, Yellow Sea, East China Sea, Taiwan Strait, South China Sea, Gulf of Thailand, Malacca Strait, Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Suez Canal, Mediterranean Sea (2x), Aegean Sea, Bosporus, {Sea of Marmara}, Ionian Sea, Adriatic Sea, Gibraltar, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Most Special
The Atlantic Ocean meant more to me than most of my fellow classmates aboard the ship. It was the body of water used to transfer my ancestors to Haiti under extreme conditions as slaves. The most heart-touching aspect of it is that it happened less than 300 years ago; times have truly changed. I thank God for granting me the opportunity to go through the same waters not in bondage but in luxury fit for a king.
Changes
A lot of things changed during my voyage around the world, from setting back our clocks every few days which gave us 25-hour days, to the weather constantly changing. We sometimes go to sleep with 25 degree temperature with rain and wind, but wake up in the morning and have 75 degrees with sunny skies. Nonetheless, not only the time and temperature changed, I too underwent an emotional roller coaster on this trip. From having cabin fever and thinking about life issues in one hour, to having the time of my life the next hour while contemplating my next adventure. I can have the urge to be alone one moment, which was almost impossible on the ship, to feeling the need to be surrounded by friends, the next. Not only my emotions changed during this journey but also my perspectives of the world and its people.
Every one of those countries visited all of a sudden means a lot more to me. These places are no longer distant lands and the inhabitants are no longer strangers but people whom I have so much in common with. For example, seeing the word "Egypt" flash in a news ticker now grasps my attention more than I could have ever imagined. It was truly a journey of discovery, a journey that shrunk the globe for me.
Coming back home felt a bit awkward, it was as though I was traveling the world but was not part of it. I was behind in music, movies, TV shows, technology, currents events, and even news among my family and friends. Being away for the summer at Bear Mountain working with homeless children at Camp Homeward Bound did not help in keeping me updated with the world either.
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