01/13/2017
We’ve pointed our noses north and are on our way back to
NOLA. It’ll take two days at sea to reach our home port. Some cruisers hate sea
days. They live for the shore excursions.
Not me. I always consider the ship itself a destination. This is a shot of the main atrium on the Carnival Dream. There's so much to see, so many lights, it reminds me of Tokyo at night!
And
the cruise director makes sure there’s so much to do that if you tried to do it
all, you’d run yourself silly.
Here’s how our Friday went:
8:30AM Breakfast in the Scarlet dining room. We could go up
to the Lido deck for a buffet, but why do that when you can be served in style?
It takes a little longer, but you also get the benefit of meeting some of your
fellow passengers and sharing their experiences.
10:00AM The Fun Shop is running a “last chance” sale, so we
drop by to pick up a few things for the fam back home. No, we did not get
anyone a T-shirt that reads: “My parents went to the Caribbean and all I got
was this lousy T-shirt.”
10:20AM As we start back up to Cabin 7219, someone stops me
by saying, “Are you Lexi Eddings?” When I admitted to it, she tells me she
downloaded THE COLDWATER WARM HEARTS CLUB and gushes about how much she’s
enjoying it. I introduce her to my DH and thank her profusely for reading my
book. I always appreciate it so much when someone spends their hard earned
money for my work and gives a few hours of their life to my stories.
Not gonna lie. It feels pretty good to hear that my book has
brightened someone’s day.
10:45AM~ The DH and I sit on our balcony watching the little
flying fish skipping over the swells. The wind and waves lull me into a pleasant
sense of my own smallness. It’s part of why we spring for a veranda cabin. The
ocean is so vast, so mysterious, I can’t help but feel thankful for the
blessing of abundant water on our planet.
And it makes me realize that compared to God, the greatest
genius ever born is a complete imbecile.
12:00 Noon~It’s time to put the feedbag on again. Since the
dining room isn’t open, we go up to the Lido deck for the buffet. The DH snags
a burger and fries. I opt for a salad and roast beef.
On my way back to our table, a lady stops me to ask about
Herkimer (my Portable Oxygen Concentrator). Someone she loves has to have
supplemental O2 and they’re looking for a solution that doesn’t involve klunky canisters
or big, heavy contraptions.
When I was first prescribed supplemental O2, my world shrank
to the confines of a 25 ft green tube running from the home concentrator. To
say it was merely depressing is to sugar coat it.
But my POC has made all the difference. I can travel. I can
be active. Herkimer may be the first thing people notice about me, but I don’t
want him to be the last. I’m not done with adventures and he helps me have
them.
Anyway, I give the folks my card and ask them to email me so
I can point them to Main Clinic Supply, where I bought my POC.
While my DH and I eat our lunch, an artist starts carving a
300 lb block of ice. It’s an amazing process to watch! So much work for
something that will melt in a few hours.
1:00PM~ Time for art of another sort. I often go to art
auctions when I cruise. First, I love learning about the artists, the
difference between a giclee and a lithograph, and the styles of art. I’ve even
bought more pieces than I probably should have in the past.
But this time, I’m here to people watch. My fellow
passengers don’t disappoint. It’s a rowdy crowd for an art auction with much
foot-stomping and cheering. (I think the complimentary mimosas might have
something to do with that.) The bidding flies fast and furious and a number of
what I’d consider big purchases (read: over $5000!) bring the gavel down hard.
Then there is a small bidding war over a simple unframed print
that started at only $80. The price climbs up to $130 before the other two
bidders drop out. Then the auctioneer says, “Guess what? I have 3 of them so
you can all have one for $100.” The two who lost the bid jump at the
opportunity, but Ms. $130 decides she doesn’t want it for $100.
If she can’t be the only one to take the print home, she
doesn’t want it at all.
Human nature.
Sometimes it’s hard to unscrew the inscrutable, isn’t it?
2:30PM~Time for the obligatory nap. My DH says it’s his goal
to have two a day while we’re on board. While he saws a log or two, I noodle on
the computer or play Angry Birds (yes, I have a mild Angry Bird addiction, but
I’m working on it, ok?)
4:30PM~Tonight is a formal night, so it’s time to put a
little paint on the old barn door. I’ll be wearing black palazzo pants, a black
tank and a black and gold jacket. The DH conveniently “forgot” to pack his suit
jackets so he’ll spruce up by wearing a tie with his dress pants and shirt.
6:00PM~We join our table mates for a lovely meal. It’s been
great getting to know Dan & Connie from Louisiana and Theresa & Greg from California. On the last formal night we
had lobster. Not sure Carnival will repeat that, but it’s sure to be a special
menu.
8:00PM~Tonight’s show in the Encore theater is a salute to
country music. All right. I confess it. I’m a musical snob. We plan to play
hooky from the show and hit the thermal suite when there likely won’t be anyone
else there. After all, the DH has a second nap to squeeze into our busy schedule
and those stone loungers are a great place to do it.
9:00PM~We shower, change into our jammies and head for the
Lido Deck pool to try to snag a couple of good lounge chair for a movie under
the stars. They’re playing Deepwater Horizon at 9:30 tonight.
And for those of you who are worried about us running around
the ship in our pjs, let me ease your minds. The DH will be in flannel pants
and a T-shirt. My jammies look a long black knit dress, cuz that’s what it is. We won’t upset anyone.
Promise.