Q&A with Concordia
From the week ending February 14, 1997
Are there any animals on board?
...Martin School, East Tauton, MA, USA
by Jeff Mackie
Yes, we do have a few animals on board. No pets are allowed, but we do have cockroaches. This probably sounds really bad, but they are small and there aren't too many. They only inhabit the galley and mess area, not the cabins. This is good because we can sleep comfortably.
We bought a bunch of cockroach traps and the population of these pesky critters is declining. We have identified four different species: brown, black, white and flying. It will be nice to get rid of them because they are kind of annoying.
The other day, another undesirable beast was spotted on board, a rat. This is a bit of a problem and we are trying to get rid of it. Maybe we should get a cat. There are lots in the cities. A cat would be a fun pet, but I don't know if the crew would approve.
...Evergreen Junior High School, Redmond, WAWhat can I suggest to you? First, simply make sure that you are willing to leave. Yes, traveling around the world is an amazing experience, but you have to think about all you'd leave behind: friends, family, and comfort. I've heard the words, 'I miss...' so many times on board. The problem is that you often don't realize it until you are in the middle of the ocean. For some people it is worth it, for others, it is not. If you think you really want to see the world, if you still want to sail, get ready physically. Because this experience is really demanding: you get less than eight hours of sleep every night, you work hard all day, and you're expected to be attentive in class and to get good grades. It is a unique experience, but you need deep and strong motivation to enjoy life onboard.