Basic Training All Day Long

Right, so here's the tea. For the first 2/3 weeks onboard, I'm undergoing something called Pre-Ship Training. This is stuff that I NEED to know before I can integrate into ship's life. Thankfully it's not just me doing it, I'm part of a larger group of just under 100 people doing the same thing. Collectively we're called PST Vlore (Vlore is the port city in Albania where we all embarked and its said 'vlora').

It's pretty intense. From 9am - 10pm we take part in this training (with breaks of course), but it means that for the whole day we are busy. It's pretty fun, and very informative, but I'm definitely feeling the wear on my body. It's tiring.

So now we're all doing something called Basic Training. This is geared specifically to life on a ship, and at the end of it (if we pass some exams), it means that I will receive an international qualification to work on a ship. Pretty awesome if you ask me.

But of course this is all in English, and most people on board have English as their second language, so I spend a lot of my time trying to explain words like 'acidification' and 'eutrophication'.

Even still, its not all study. I had the opportunity to explore Vlore somewhat. In the evening, a small group of us wandered around the main part of the city and had a bit of a nosy. It was refreshing to just meander through the lazy streets, and I certainly hope to explore Vlore more before we leave.

Also, I played Jenga and the group nearly 'beat the game' by having a really tall tower, but alas, like the Tower of Babel, it came crashing down.