Field Programs (11 DAYS)

so i figured i would post the details of all of the field programs i have already signed up for. Sorry its kind of long...

ACR15  DRUMMING AND DANCE WORKSHOP  –  GROUP A (1000-1800) Minimum 30/Maximum 60 (PRICE: $101) PRE-SALE ONLY

[FDP: UNRUH]

Participants will partake in an African drumming and dance workshop under the

direction of the renowned Afrique Dance Ensemble. Established in 1993, this group

has been actively involved in the promotion of African and Ghanaian cultural heritage

through traditional music and dance. Led by young and vibrant directors, this

ensemble has performed widely in Ghana as well as in other African countries. Its

rich repertoire includes Ghanaian folk/traditional music and dance as well as

Senegalese, Malian and Guinean traditional dance pieces fused with more

contemporary movements. The workshop will culminate in a performance by the

Ensemble.

Through participation in this workshop, students will observe firsthand the acoustic

properties of Ghanaian music and learn about how music is used in this culture to

communicate cultural beliefs. Above all, students will be better equipped to

appreciate, compare, and discuss music from many different parts of the world.

ACR24 CASTLES AND SLAVE DUNGEONS: THE ORIGIN OF PIDGIN LANGUAGES (0700-2000) Minimum 30/Maximum 45 (PRICE: $116) PRE-SALE ONLY

[FDP: THOMAS]

Tour the infamous forts, castles and slave dungeons of Ghana, located on the coast

east of Takoradi. First visit Elmina Castle, also known as St. George’s Castle, built by

the Portuguese in 1482.  This castle was the first European structure built in SubSaharan Africa.  Then visit the infamous Cape Coast Castle and slave dungeons.  The

castle was built by the Swedes in 1653 and was later taken over by the British.  Today

it houses the West African Historical Museum.   Participants will learn about the

relationship between the Western slave traders and African tribes that participated in

the highly organized Atlantic slave trade, and will have a first-hand appreciation of

the tragedy of that complex trade of forced immigration.  Enjoy lunch in a local

Ghanaian restaurant between visits. 

Professor Thomas’ group will also examine a number of questions about the early

encounters between Europeans and Africans from a linguistic point of view.  What

languages did the European traders bring to West Africa?  How did they communicate

with the Africans?  What languages did the African slaves speak?  Did they have a

common language?  How did pidgin languages develop?  How much were they

influenced by African languages?   How did they spread to the Americas and the

Caribbean?  What is their legacy in the USA and the Caribbean today?  Please note:

Box dinners will be provided upon your return to the ship.

CAS15  CASABLANCA CITY ORIENTATION (1330-1730)  Minimum  21/Maximum 86 (PRICE: $39) PRE-SALE ONLY

More than 150 years ago, the village that eventually developed into modern-day

Casablanca contained a mere 600 inhabitants.  Today, it is the economic center of

Morocco, the country’s largest city and Africa’s second-largest city, with a population

of more than 3 million people.  It is a modern and vital city, clearly a product of the

20th century. Casablanca is a modern and well-planned city that is good at hosting

the many foreign visitors who pass through each year. 

Visit the Hassan II Mosque, the world’s third largest mosque (outside viewing only).

Completed in 1993, the mosque was designed by French architect Michel Pinseau

and built by Bouygues.  The minaret of the Hassan II Mosque is the world’s tallest at

689 feet.  Similar to the architecture of the Alhambra, the mosque displays strong

Moorish influence but also includes modern touches, such as electric doors, a sliding

roof and heated floor.  It was also built to withstand earthquakes.

After visiting the Great Mosque, drive through Casablanca’s varied neighborhoods,

including the Ain Diab Corniche, lined with swimming pools, restaurants and

nightclubs; and the luxurious Anfa residential section, where Churchill and Roosevelt

met for the Casablanca Conference during World War II. 

CAS30  MARRAKECH  –  GROUP B  (0700-1900) Minimum 20/No Maximum  (PRICE: $138) PRE-SALE ONLY

Travel from Casablanca to Marrakech by motorcoach (a drive of approximately three

hours).  Upon arrival, visit the Majorelle Gardens.  After lunch, the exploration of the city

will continue with the Bahia and Dar Si Said Palaces (the latter now a museum of

southern crafts).  Wind up the afternoon at the tumultuous Jemaa el Fna Square at the

height of the day’s activity—with snake charmers, acrobats, medicine men and women,

storytellers, and scribes.  Return to Casablanca.

Suggested attire: light comfortable walking shoes, cotton trousers, knee-length shorts,

light shirts/T-shirts.

MAU09  BLUE ESCAPE: CATAMARAN AND SNORKELING (0900-1730) Minimum

15/Maximum 100 (PRICE: $112; CHILD PRICE (ages 3-12): $112) PRE-SALE ONLY

Spend the whole day on a catamaran as you view the forest and mountains of the

southwest region of Mauritius and its magnificent lagoon by sea.  Sail to Tamarin Bay

where, if you are lucky, you might see dolphins! A stop will be scheduled at a chosen

spot for swimming and  snorkeling.  (Snorkeling equipment is provided.)  Please note: 

Wear your swimsuit underneath your clothes; bring a towel and sun protection.

Barbeque lunch with unlimited soft drinks provided onboard.

HKG25 HIKING ON THE GREAT WALL - 4 DAYS/3 NIGHTS (0945 Day 2 – 2000 Day 5) Minimum 16/Maximum 64 (PRICE: $1,299) PRE-SALE ONLY 

This trip offers the opportunity to explore the expansive Great Wall by hiking this

rewarding wonder of the world. Once in Beijing, travel three hours by bus to Simatai

where participants will watch the sunset over the Great Wall followed by an early

evening under the stars. Enjoy exhilarating 4-5 hour hikes on days two and three

where the group will enjoy two different sections of the Wall. Hike  Simatai  and

Jinshanling. The Simatai Great Wall is celebrated for its steepness and intactness.

The main attractions include the Stairway to Heaven, the Fairy Tower, the Heaven

Bridge and the Wangjinglou Tower. Continue to  Jinshanling, the best preserved part

of the Great Wall with many original features. The next day, travel to the Gubeikou,

which in comparison to the previous hike is fairly smooth and amenable. On the last

day, return to Beijing and visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City before the

return flight to Shanghai.

Includes: flights; transfers; 3 nights’ accommodation; air-conditioned bus to Simatai;

sunset over the Great Wall; 3 breakfasts; 2 lunches; 3 dinners, including Peking

Duck; Simatai-Jinshanling hike; Jinshanling- Gubeikou hike; visit to Tiananmen

Square and the Forbidden City

CAP32 TOWNSHIP HOMESTAY – GROUP A (1600 Day 2 – 1000 Day 3) Minimum16/Maximum 32 (PRICE: $124) PRE-SALE ONLY

Townships in South Africa came about as a result of apartheid city-planning policies, which excluded ‗non-white‘ people from living in the suburbs of the city. They were forcibly moved to peripheral areas on the edge of the city, where they had to live in harsh conditions and cope with extreme poverty. Although apartheid may have ended with the birth of democracy on April 26, 1994, when all races were allowed to vote, many people still face harsh conditions from the consequences of poverty.  Despite these conditions, the townships are filled with a strong sense of community, vibrancy and faith. There is a growing sense of hope as many redefine their futures within and beyond the boundaries of the township.

Tambo Village is a community located within the Gugulethu Township. As a small, contained community where everyone knows each other and lives within walking distance, Tambo is an ideal location to experience a homestay.  This homestay project is fully-embraced by the community; it is owned and operated by community members. They have a vested interest in the comfort and safety of their guests.

The accommodations in Tambo are simple. The houses are built out of brick and mortar and have running water,  flush toilets and electricity. Geysers (water heaters) are not standard; bathing in some houses is either with cold water or with water heated up on the stove.

Participants registered in this program will share a room with another SAS participant within the family home and must be prepared to share a double bed. This is a separate room from where the family sleeps. All linen and bedding is provided.  Meals are prepared and provided

by the host family. The food quality is excellent and special dietary needs may be catered for on request. Please note:  At the village‘s request, this trip is not suitable for children under 12 years of age.

Includes: round-trip transportation; dinner; overnight homestay; breakfast

CAP42  SERVICE  PROJECT: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY  –  GROUP A  (0800-1600) Minimum 15/Maximum 20 (PRICE: $59) PRE-SALE ONLY

Millard Fuller believed that, ―We have the know-how in the world to house everyone. We have the resources in the world to house everyone. All that's missing is the will to do it.‖ In 1976, this lawyer and businessman from Alabama started Habitat for Humanity International.  Thirty years later, Habitat for Humanity‘s impact is colossal, reaching 100 countries across the globe. In 1998, Habitat began building houses for people in need in Cape Town. Habitat‘s mission ―is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness over the world.‖ It takes more than desire, sweat and hard work to embrace this mission and build a Habitat house. The cost to build a brick house with electricity and indoor plumbing in South Africa is approximately US$13,000. During this service project, you will be working alongside South Africans in a nearby township. In partnership with Habitat, the future homeowners will also be there. Homeowner families are chosen according to their need and their ability to repay the no-interest mortgage.

A typical day begins with a welcome from the Habitat team and some instruction on the

activities of the day. This is followed by a morning work session, lunch and then an afternoon work session. Supervision on site is provided by an experienced local builder. Lunch and tea are provided by the homeowners. Please note: The price of this practicum is based on roundtrip transportation to and from the site. The actual cost for this Habitat build (US$2,000) is courtesy of the SAS Annual Fund.

CAP53 OPERATION HUNGER - GROUP B (0900-1800) Minimum 35/Maximum 40 (PRICE: $48) PRE-SALE ONLY

Operation Hunger is an NGO whose mission is ―to create partnerships between vulnerable households and caring people to combat malnutrition which, when suffered by children, undermines the nation‘s health, education and economic potential.‖  The objectives are to improve the nutritional well-being of the poor; promote the dissemination of knowledge about poverty and malnutrition in South Africa; improve existing facilities to reduce malnutrition in South Africa and to render financial assistance to develop such programs; cooperate with communities, organizations and authorities to combat malnutrition; and publicize and promote the objectives via lectures, exhibitions, meetings, conferences, pamphlets, newspapers, books, leaflets, radio, television and films.  Operation Hunger‘s integrated development program includes locally managed growth-monitoring programs, targeted food support, water supply, sanitation facilities, health/hygiene education, income generation and livelihood programs, agriculture and food production. 

The staff of Operation Hunger provided the following vivid description for this visit:  You will visit the squatter camps on the outskirts of Cape Town, filled with people mainly from the Transkei and Ciskei, who come to the big city at a rate of 10,000 per month, in search of non-existent work.  On arrival, these people are already malnourished.  They find no land, no shelter, no work and no means by which to return ―home.‖  So they set up shacks made out of plastic, tin, cardboard or anything else they can find.  Through Operation Hunger, women in the community have established feeding programs—setting up their pots of soup in the dusty little lanes and in all the crèches.  About 50 kilometers outside Cape Town, in the beautiful wine lands; you will

also visit the children of farm workers who are part of Operation Hunger‘s feeding program for malnourished children.  Most farmers in the wealthy wine lands area are paid an absolute pittance in exchange for 12 hours of hard labor.  While the parents are out picking, child minding and feeding are nonexistent.   Women in the community have set up street kitchens to feed the children.  The day‘s activities will include visits to several townships such as Spandau, Green Park and Chris Hani, and an opportunity to witness the efforts of Operation Hunger. 

Please note: The price for this practicum includes a small donation to Operation Hunger.  Box lunches from the ship will be provided.