Maine Diaries: Some trouble in paradise
Each spring students from
Maine Maritime Academy
set sail on their training ship the State of Maine
for a two-month cruise. One student, Paul Kemp*, has
agreed to share his experience.
June 1-San Juan, the land god, and the land of homes and dreams for any weary traveler or a boatload of sailors with money to burn on expensive booze. And with the taxi services over-charging anyone seeking a cheap ride to the beach and with beer costing $4 and up, we managed to squeeze every dollar we had to enjoy the most out of San Juan and even more out of the bars that seemed to beckon all of us for just one more drink before the boat.
When drinking in foreign places, one should always abide by one simple rule: Do not drink any alcoholic beverage that comes out of a container that looks like a Capris Sun and contains tequila and four other types of grain alcohol. If you do, and consume this drink in large quantities, you may find yourself enjoying the ever so expensive lunch you paid for a second time as you fertilize the palm trees of a local beach. You may also find yourself without shore leave. Ten percent of the students aboard are now deemed liberty risks according to the alcohol policy of the regiment and thanks to their own stupidity. With two more ports to go—Baltimore and St. Johns—things could become pretty interesting aboard the training ship.
Previous posts:
May 5
May 7
May 9
May 10
May 12
May 13
May 17
May 18
May 19
May 21
May 23
May 26
May 28
*Paul Kemp is a pseudonym. The student has asked that his name be withheld out of respect for those with whom he is sailing.
June 1-San Juan, the land god, and the land of homes and dreams for any weary traveler or a boatload of sailors with money to burn on expensive booze. And with the taxi services over-charging anyone seeking a cheap ride to the beach and with beer costing $4 and up, we managed to squeeze every dollar we had to enjoy the most out of San Juan and even more out of the bars that seemed to beckon all of us for just one more drink before the boat.
When drinking in foreign places, one should always abide by one simple rule: Do not drink any alcoholic beverage that comes out of a container that looks like a Capris Sun and contains tequila and four other types of grain alcohol. If you do, and consume this drink in large quantities, you may find yourself enjoying the ever so expensive lunch you paid for a second time as you fertilize the palm trees of a local beach. You may also find yourself without shore leave. Ten percent of the students aboard are now deemed liberty risks according to the alcohol policy of the regiment and thanks to their own stupidity. With two more ports to go—Baltimore and St. Johns—things could become pretty interesting aboard the training ship.
Previous posts:
May 5
May 7
May 9
May 10
May 12
May 13
May 17
May 18
May 19
May 21
May 23
May 26
May 28
*Paul Kemp is a pseudonym. The student has asked that his name be withheld out of respect for those with whom he is sailing.
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