New Places, New Faces

Hey Everyone, with very limited internet, I was able to post on Facebook that I made it to the BEAUTIFUL Bahamas yesterday! Christine (my roommate) and I were delayed by 40 minutes at LAX so we had to run to catch our connecting flight from Philadelphia to Nassau, Bahamas. We made it but were worried our baggage would be lost! To make matters worse, my carry on luggage turned into carry on bag #2 (so Mom, our strategic packing methods went to waste! ) But not to fear, Christine and I made it safely to Nassau with all bags in tow!

Can’t say I felt too safe on the way to the Wyndham Hotel. A twenty minute taxi ride turned into a longgggg, heart thumping adventure as our taxi driver played tour guide and turned around multiple times to point out to a map all the noteworthy places to visit while driving. I made the mistake of commenting on his guitar and almost expected him to attempt to strum AND drive all at the same time.
So far it’s been really surreal. Who ever thought I’d be in the Bahamas at 21, of all places! Not that it matters, 18 is the drinking age here. I feel really fortunate that this is just the beginning of my adventure. 7 more countries to follow!  Along with SAS, there are a few high school groups here. All I can say is DRAMA + ALCOHOL = High School Graduation trip. The people from our voyage we’re meeting are pretty cool but there are definitely some characters that I’m not too sure about yet. We’ll see what happens when all 700 of us SAS kids are cooped up on a boat smaller than the Carnival cruise line. We should start making bets on who’s going to be thrown overboard. JUST KIDDING.

Christine and I have been exploring much of downtown Nassau and souvenir shopping. The food isn’t amazing. If you want overpriced American food, you can either stay at the hotels or go to downtown Nassau. I think everyone lives off of alcohol and fries here. I have yet to try it but a popular dish sold on the island is conch fritters. Christine and I have managed to be fed just enough to endure the hot and humid weather here and drink up on cheap daiquiris!

The highlight of my Bahamas trip was getting  out of Cable Beach and taking a water taxi from Downtown Nassau into Paradise Island (where the rich and richer play and gamble).  The ride from the hotel to Downtown was only $1.50 on this cute VW Bus (10 line to be exact) and only $3 for a one way ride via water taxi to Paradise Island. Christine and I talked to some other vacationers and got hooked up by one family with wristbands to the ATLANTIS RESORT! Their sons took us around and showed us some of the aquariums and the casino. Pictures to follow soon :)

I’m writing this as the night is winding down. We’re all showered and ready to sleep after our night at the Hard Rock Café and Senor Frogs followed by some Jacuzzi time! Tomorrow marks the end of our time in the Bahamas but Christine and I will try to get some beach time early tomorrow before we head off to embarkation at Prince George Wharf in Downtown Nassau. We officially start our voyage and I’m feeling a little anxious. I know it’s normal so I’m trying to take everything as it comes.

Good night and much love from the Bahamasssssss!
YA MON!

So if you know me well, you’ll guess that something’s up. Sylvie is never up early. EVER. haha… But today, I find myself awake and ready for my day and I’m excited about it! First production meeting for Bodies in the Park today and a couple thousand things are running through my head. Gotta get dressed and curl my hair (cause it’s a fancy day, y’know)… pickup some fruit from the dining hall and orange juice from Roger’s place and plastic cups and forks… But not too early cause it’s gotta stay cold. Gotta make copies of Sharif’s script cause it’s changed and we’ll need copies to update all of the designers that’ll be there. 

The (notso) nerve-wrecking thing is that I’m running this meeting. Later on today, I’ll have to address a room of graduate level stage designers and production managers from UCSD Theatre and Dance (that know their shit) and delegate time for them to discuss a production that I am running. I added “notso” because ordinarily, I’d be super weird and awkward and nervous and itchy… but I’m confident it’ll go great because I’ve had so much support from the graduate stage managers and my mentors! I just got to remember to go with my agenda and be assertive and loud enough for everyone to understand what I say (Cause I talk super fast and stumble on my words when I get nervous). 

Every once in a while, it’s okay to not be self-deprecating. It’s okay to own it and be happy and proud of the achievements that you’ve made and those soon to be conquered. I have awesome friends that remind me that I am doing big things and stepping into the shoes that I’ll need to break in if I want to make this my career. Being a PSM (production stage manager) is still a heavy task but it’s a lot more manageable than I thought. I’m not the only undergrad in the world to undertake such a feat (so I’m not THAT impressive or anything) but that also gives me encouragement because there is a community of us that are facing similar challenges and succeeding at it. I am truly inspired by many of the people that I have met from working as a PA (production assistant) at The Threepenny Opera. 

Will update soon! Cheers to a great first Production Meeting and Rehearsal numero deux :)

Love that song by Mozella. Listening to it now as I update you about the last 3948390 weeks. Okay.. Let’s be real. It’s been a month. But SO MUCH has happened. In the world.. and in my life. 

SO remember how Egypt went into mass hysteria and there was this whole power struggle issue when their president (tyrant) stepped down from office? Well, that was a moment of epic proportions for the Egyptian peoples… and every other country and their mothers that has experienced the same dissatisfaction and oppression of leadership (or lack thereof). You go, girl!

So how does that apply to me? I CAN’T GO TO EGYPT ANYMORE. So all this political business and hysteria was great for everyone in the world except for us SASers who were really hoping to ride camels… and see the pyramids.. and surf the Nile in a relatively safe manner. We were so screwed over. And you say, well what about Turkey or Morocco? There’s probably camels there, and besides, they stink and are kind of gross and sweaty. Well, because of the domino effect, basically every country on our itinerary except for Italy and Spain are taking advantage of the timing for political change. But yes, they are sweaty and stinky and I STILL want to ride one.

But yes, Varna, Bulgaria is on the itinerary now. The great thing about it is that it’s still a place I’ve never been to and probably would never go any other time in my life (unless I’m on a Broadway tour with Wicked as a stage manager.. HAH). SO HERE’S TO BULGARIA! (Please don’t switch out any other ports, SAS. THANKS.)

So officially as of two days ago, I booked my flight from Boston to LAX. It was hard to decide on what day to leave considering this will be my first opportunity to explore the East coast and all of its glory. First time in Boston and NY EVER. It’s a big deal because I’ve really committed to a career in the Entertainment industry, especially Theatre, and I’m told that’s where you go to make it big. So I’ll be there from August 20th-31st scoping out the burroughs and riding trains and watching real theatre and eating really cheap pizza and hot dogs straight from hot dog carts. Figure I’ll be too broke and too homesick to stay any longer away from my family and friends. I started a discussion group on the SAS Facebook group and might possibly get to do an East Coast trip with maybe ten other SASers. EXCITING. 

Speaking of shipmates, I’ve gotten to Skype with three other girls who will all be rooming with me in the Bahamas! One girl will be taking the same flight in. Talking to them makes this trip more real. Also the fact that the trip is so close makes it so much more REAL. We booked our hotel at the Wyndham Nassau Resort, which conveniently neighbors the Crystal Palace Casino! Yay for being 21 in the NY and the Bahamas soon! The world is my oyster!

On the real, no matter what changes occur, I am so lucky and fortunate to have this opportunity. It’s not to say that I haven’t worked for this to be possible but plenty of people work even harder and still don’t get the chance based on circumstances they have no control over. So fortunate and so appreciative.

Booked my one way ticket to Nassau, Bahamas today! At this point, I have no plans to travel with anyone. No friends or family will be joining me as of yet. I may happen to fly in with some other kids on my voyage but I really have no idea. The only other time I can remember travelling international without family was Spring Break in Paris and London with my French Class. There were 50 of us then, including chaperons. Still doesn’t come close to the decisions I’m making now and all the planning I still need to do. 

It’s scary and it’s exciting all at the same time. I read all the fine print before hitting “Confirm” and I still wasn’t sure. Travel insurance? Why pay extra, right? I can only afford to bring two check in bags with me. Looking forward to it as a challenge to pack the lightest and most efficient way I can.

UPCOMING Goals: 

_Purchase guides for Bahamas, Croatia, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, New York, Boston

_Book hotel accommodations for Bahamas

xCamera shopping!

_Scholarship forms/projects

_Research SAS excursions

5 months and counting till I start the trip of my dreams!