There are often perks to field work, which I learned at a young age. Aside from the simple joy of travel, I learned new skills and the basics of ship safety.

My first time using a rock saw – it was love at first sample site. I’m sure anyone spotting me in the gumby suit would also have fallen in love.

But there were even prettier sights out on the ocean:

And of course, there was the small detail of the ship having to pick us up from Rapa Nui (Easter Island), a potentially once-in-a-lifetime visit. (But I hope to return one day!)

We happened to return to the island during the yearly festival, and we also caught a local wedding procession:

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In conclusion of part 2, 21-year-old me couldn’t complain too much (until I returned to my final semester as an undergraduate, had to catch up on missed class time, write a thesis, worry about fulfilling honors requirements, find a job when I finished, etc.).

Ok, one more sea picture.