Sunday 27 January 2002

At 1200, EST the Training Ship Empire State was moored starboard side to the dock in Vera Cruz, Mexico. The sky was clear and the winds were barely whispers from the west northwest, air temperature was 80 degrees Fahrenheit, barometric pressure was 1023 millibars, and steady, the humidity was 65 percent, and the sea water temperature was a refreshing 74 degrees F.

CAPTAIN'S LOG

"Don't wait for your next lifetime. Live life now." Ragan Communications

We have been to Vera Cruz many times through out the years. My recollection says 1983, 1993, and 1997, but I could be wrong. As matter of fact, the Patriot State was here twice in 1997, once with Massachusetts, the other with Maine Maritime Academy when they borrowed our ship.

It's is a nice little town with something for everybody, unless one must have ice hockey. I do not recall passing the rink. But, if one exists, the far ranging and opportunistic cadets will find it and get a game started.

We can sum up yesterday's activities very quickly. EVERYONE got off the ship! It was unbelievable, but predictable, since we had been at sea for two weeks. As the Saturday night festivities began, at least one-quarter of all the people ashore were in the city's central plaza enjoining meals at outdoor restaurants, coffee at kiosk stands and of course, cervesa at nearly every establishment. Vera Cruz fishermen catch most of Mexico's lobster, crabs, and sea bass; the fleet is deployed all along the coast and they supply the local restaurants, which are well known for their excellent seafood. The Plaza de Armas is the oldest in Mexico and colorful cafes and excellent restaurants surround the arcade. The roving Marimba and Mariachi bands moved effortlessly from one outdoor cafe to another playing lively music and keeping the party going. Now that I think of it, those are sounds that I haven't heard from Cadet's CD collections. (That will soon change). The hawkers were relentless, selling a diversity of products, flashy watches, CDs, clothing, knickknacks, and hammocks. Occasionally, someone would express interest in a particular product, and a new wave of hawkers would descend upon the table, make the sale, and be off. It really was fun; none of the salesmen are pushy or defiant, they are like the waves attacking a beach, they just kept rolling in.

Today, many cadets are away on excursions throughout town and farther afield in the foothills for white-water rafting, and to explore the Inca ruins to our south. I will tell you more about those adventures tomorrow.

The city is the largest port on Mexico's east coast and many thousands of tons of cargo pass through every year, so it has all the necessary support services. The surrounding state of Vera Cruz grows large quantities of sugar cane, coffee, and rice. Anyone for a good cigar? Vera Cruz also cultivates tobacco and some of the finest cigars available are sold in local smoke shops. However, I doubt that many of our cadets will find tobacco shops of much appeal. When one thinks of farming, thoughts naturally go to pesky insects and Vera Cruz also grows "bugs". Volkswagen produces "Der New Beetle" nearby. The "bugs" scurry aboard huge roll on - roll off carriers specifically designed for the business, and watching the loading crews work is the picture of efficiency. Cadets should learn something worthwhile there.

Vera Cruz is a place of considerable historical significance in Mexico and the adventuresome cadets will find plenty of interest. The Spaniard, Hernan Cortés landed here for the first time into 1519, and colonized it for Spain. Vera Cruz has been the sight of many battles through the years including attacks by the Spanish, the French, and the United States (twice) in 1847 and again in 1914. These famous battles are celebrated at parks and churches throughout the city. I would be surprised if we don't have several picture of them for the cruise scrapbooks.

The Malecon Waterfront Boulevard runs along only steps from the Vera Cruz Harbor and within sight of Empire State. Our good 'ole TSES is but a youngster when compared to the Santa Maria (replica), Columbus' famous 15th century galleon that is moored close by. The curious will certainly appreciate the bravery of the early seafarers when they realize that the Santa Maria will fit on our foredeck and those men sailed her around the world with no weather forecasts to warn them.

Despite the historic or cultural significance, the cadets are most enjoying the fact that Vera Cruz is a resort community, beaches are located just to the south, shopping is fantastic, it is hot and sunny. Yes...Vera Cruz is fun; The cadets are having a wonderful time; Someone has to supervise them. See you tomorrow.

QUESTIONS FOR MONDAY 28 JANUARY

MATH: Cadet Elliot went shopping in a Vera, Cruz market. He found a nice jacket priced at 228 pesos. A similar jacket was $35.00 at the mall near his home. If he wants to save money, should he buy the jacket in Vera Cruz or wait until he returns home? Hint: 9.125 Mexican Pesos = 1.00 USD.

SCIENCE: Dense columns of smoke, ash, and vapor spewed from the crater of Popocatepetl volcano outside Mexico City. This smoke contains a number of pollutants, which move about the atmosphere. In the atmosphere, sulfur dioxide readily reacts with water to form fine particles called aerosols, which scatter sunlight and produce a milky white haze common in many cities. What is this haze commonly called? What health problems might is cause?

GEOGRAPHY: The Gulf of Mexico is suffering from a serious problem near the mouth of the Mississippi. It seems that the Mississippi is carrying so much fertilizer from the farms along its banks down to the Gulf of Mexico that the marine life is being affected. What changes in Gulf waters are taking place?

HISTORY: As our ship travels in waters near Vera Cruz, Mexico, the events of our history with Mexico come into sharper focus. For example, American relations with Mexico during the 1800's were not always friendly. An invading American army landed at Vera Cruz in early March 1847. What was the name of the conflict in which this invasion was an important part? Who was in command of the American invasion force?