Musings From Aloft

Author: Ren Block, Mount Holyoke College

Hello Everyone !

I am sort of at a loss for words as I sit here to type this blog. This trip,
which is now (unfortunately) near its end, has left me nearly speechless.
Even so, I'll try my best to describe the wonders I've been experiencing as
I sit here, warming up with my cup of hot cocoa down below after my second
time aloft, and reminiscing. (Also, as I write this, Nicholas is playing a
song from my favorite video game on the ukelele and it's filling me with so
much joy and nostalgia. Thank you Nicholas).

Anyways, I hope this doesn't come across too rambly, but I do not know how
to express my love for this wonderful place, ship, and crew in any other
way. Today was our last day in Dunedin, a city filled with some of the most
delicious food and kindest people you will ever meet. In every shop and
restaurant I went to, even with the security guards that watch over our ship
during the day, I fell into conversations with the people I met like they
were long lost friends. I could physically feel joy radiating off of
everyone in this city, and I think it must come from living is such a
wonderful place. In the past three days, I have explored more thrift stores
and used bookstores than I have in my entire life, and spent all of my money
in the process. I lingered in coffee shops, ate the most incredible French
toast, gelato, and samosas, and got to watch the people I have grown to love
throughout this trip fall in love with the places around us as well. I have
the biggest smile on my face as I remember kicking Nicholas' butt in pool at
my first ever real pool hall while eating fries (to be fair he actually won
2/3 games, but I put up a good fight).

I also went aloft today, for my second time ever! Aloft is one of my new
favorite places in the whole world. Aloft and Lookout are the two places
where I feel like I can be alone with my thoughts in the most peaceful way
possible. It's also partly why this writing is so whimsical, I feel like I'm
still stuck in the clouds with the birds. It also made me so nostalgic for a
trip that hasn't even ended yet. While I was sitting up there, I thought
about how much I have learned while being here. From my watch winning the
pin-rail chase, to sailing through the Cook Strait in a gale, I feel like I
have grown so much. I can finally steer at the helm without feeling so
scared to run the ship aground, which is also a nice change. Not to mention
my day as Stustew! It was so much fun, and combined my loves of cooking with
my love of the sea. And if accidentally made a non-kosher Shabbot dinner,
that's neither here nor there.

I also am so grateful to every single member of this crew. I have made some
of the best friends of my life here! I know that I will be texting Katie
(the beastest of beasts) about every single life update, and will be sending
Neel the stupidest videos in the world. I couldn't have done this without
them. In fact, by this point, everyone is in the Main Salon with me, making
too much noise in the best way possible (sorry Drew, I promise that we'll
try to be more quiet).

Okay, well, I hope that this made sense to anyone but me! Thank you all for
reading this mess of emotions and joy that I'm sending out to the world.

Love,

-Ren Block

P.S. Hi Mom, Dad, Grant, Poppy, and Belle! I love you guys so much, and I
have fun gifts upon my return 🙂

P.P.S. I wish that doordash via albatross was real, and I would spend all of
my money.



(Pictures to include: Ren aloft 1, Ren aloft 2, and Ren aloft 3)