Leaving Home Again - August 5, 2013

A beautiful day in Powder Springs.  I am packed but changed my 

mind  several times on what I should do about a 'personal item' 

on the plane. First I chose my fanny pack and decided that was 

too small.  Switched to my travel purse then decided I would never 

use it once I got to Europe so I went for my old standby - my 

suitcase jacket.  My Scottvest Windbreaker with the 24 pockets and 

one large enough for my tablet was going to be needed in the British 

Isles anyway.  Then I decided that rather than burden myself with the 

heaviness of the jacket when fully loaded I would add more stuff to 

my roll-aboard and use the insulated bag I carry on sightseeing 

excursions as my personal item carry on.  And once I repacked it all,

because at each decision I was fully invested in it and packed, 

I was ready to go.
 
Frank Hanson, the worlds best plumber, came by early this morning to 

fix a leaky bathtub faucet so I would not have think about the 

unstoppable drip, drip, drip while I was gone for two weeks.  Christine, 

Maddie, and Christian picked me and Skeeter up and delivered me to Delta

curbside check in and delivered Skeeter to their house to spend two weeks 

with the Cousin Dogs.  Cousin Dogs just spent one week at our house so 

I am not too sure she is excited about it.
 
My friend Ruth called to say her flight had been changed and that Delta 

had not yet let her know when her second leg would leave Paris and arrive 

to Copenhagen.  Since Christina made the hotel reservations we did not have 

any idea where would be a for sure place to meet.  I let her know that since 

my flight didn't leave the states until late I would look for a message before 

I left the country.  And then again when I got to Copenhagen.  And we would 

meet her at the Starbucks no matter what.  Ruth is pretty easy going and 

left me with the words that I would find her sleeping at the port. 
 
Check in was quick and uneventful.  Security is as security always is...

efficient from the TSA point of view and not at all useful or properly 

managed from my point of view.  I was at my gate in time for a rest room 

stop and to fill my water bottle and my flight was already being called. 

A very nice young lady was in the seat next to my window seat.  She was 

returning to her hospital job in New Haven, Connecticut after a weekend 

in Chicago for Lollapolluza.  My girls went to that at one time or another

but I never realized it drew national interest.  I just thought they did it 

all over the country.
 
Our flight got to JFK 35 minutes early.  Of course another plane was at our 

gate and so we waited.  Then when we were at the gate something happened I 

have never experienced before.  The exit door was unable to be opened.  It

was stuck!  Despite your first thoughts of me I did not become panicked. 

Maybe because of the ordinariness of everyone jumping to their feet and 

waiting for the doors to open my brain didn't recognize a trapped feeling.  
 
I did turn my phone on and was very happy to have texts from Ruth with whom 

I am cruising, that her flight would now be in Copenhagen three hours before 

mine.  She now was not being routed through Paris but had been promoted to a 

non-stop.  She said I would find her sleeping on the floor outside Starbucks 

where we are to meet my friend Christina.
 
Once inside the terminal I had to go down to a lower level and wait for a bus, 

which was ironically stuck in tarmac traffic, to have a ride to the other 

terminal.  My gate was not far from where the bus let us off and I was very 

glad that I had allowed two full hours between flights.  When I arrived at the 

gate after a potty stop they were already starting the boarding process.
 
Not sure why anyone ever wants to pre-board (not sure how that can even be a word. 

How do you board before you board?)  Is it because they want extra time sitting 

and waiting?  Our 7:30 flight pushed away from the gate on time, according to the 

airline industry, but did not begin to taxi until 8:09, not on time in my book. 

But I am sure they make it up along the way or planned it that way all along. 
 
Wonder of wonders - this is the miracle flight!  There is only one empty seat 

on the plane and it is on the aisle next to my window seat!  Ahh!  Luxury. 

And they still had chicken for dinner when they got all the way back to my seat! 

That seldom happens.  It actually tasted pretty good or maybe it was the 

particularly large glass of Chardonnay that I drank with it.
 
Lots of Americans on board this flight.  And everyone I have met and talked with 

so far is meeting a cruise ship on Wednesday.  Mostly Princess for the 

Scandinavian tour. One couple, who seems very nice in talking to them but caught 

my attention with their The Bickerson's entrance to the aircraft, is going to 

be on the Vision of the Seas.  He does smoke his electronic cigarette incessantly.

It is their fourth cruise, twice on the Oasis.
 
One question I would like an answer to from someone who flies a lot...the girl in 

front of me never turned off her laptop, probably not on line but actively using 

it. the flight attendants pointed it out to her twice.  She made no attempt to 

hide it and they did not insist.  On my last flight the girl next to me was on 

her phone playing Words With Friends and other games with other people and also 

texting during the whole flight.  She would turn her phone into her lap if the 

attendant was approaching.  Are they putting me at risk?  Should you point this 

out to the crew?  What do you do?
 
Most of the plane is sleeping now, I guess I should give it a try.

Quick Update

Just to let you all know that our trip is great so far  I am enjoying sea days with lots of games and of course good shows and great food.  Today in Huatulco we toured villages and even met our guide's children by a ccident.  We were visiting the Church of Santa Cruz. When we came out and were gathering at the van to head on to the Mescale factory, Marco's wife was walking the children home from school. His little girl ran to meet him and leaped  into his arms.  So cute  He was excited to see them.

Tomorrow we will be in Guatemala. We are going to travel out to Antigua to see the village and the volcano. More later.

Day Three

Good morning.  I have a nice post ready for you for about my arrival to the Splendor but haven't figured out yet how to upload it so will just let you know that today is Tuesday and all is well.  Heading in to Cabo St. Lucas today to hunt out some whales  They are migrating now so our chances are good to see them.  Then to Lovers Beach for some sun and sand but I think the water will be cold.

Have met up with some old friends and am meeting new ones.  The ship is beautiful and the crew is remarkable, as always.  Of course the food is good.  I think of Katie and Karen every time I skip the Warm Chocolate Melting Cake in favor of the Creme Brulee or Diet Lemon Cake

I  will get this all figured out so you can sail along with me

The Night Before

It has been a busy day.  Since I had pulled out everything I thought I wanted to take with and set it aside, packing wasn't too difficult. My clothes were in their space bags waiting to be sealed and sat on. They went in easily.  If all I needed to take was clothes and shoes packing would be a snap.  But it isn't.  My  carry on is all the things I can't risk losing.  Camera, batteries, chargers for camera, phone, tablet. Anything electronic or battery operated like my travel alarm, reading light, and a second camera.

The carry on also has my swim suits since I do not like to shop for them even at home much less in a hurry in a "gift shop!"  I may have already shared that horrific image with you but it only emphasizes how serious I am about that!

My carry on also has some wrapped snacks, like granola bars and, of course, my JuJuBes!  Not that they can't be replaced but it took a little weight out of the checked bag.  Why, you rightly ask, am I taking food to a cruise ship? When we go on shore excursions they most often do not include lunch even if they are 6 or 8 hours.  I am not a fan of two things that would result if I did not bring along something to stave off hunger.  The first is that I could be called a picky eater.  I do not want to try exotic foods especially when I am far away from the comforts of my own bed and bathrooms.  The second, and maybe most important is that I do not want to spend the money on lunch when I have already paid for a very nice lunch, or dinner, or high tea that is waiting for me back at the ship.

I ran out to the store for a tube of insect repellent.  I only had spray in the house and on the last trip it did not travel well in the checked bag and is very inconvenient to have in the carry on. Filled the Journey with gas so Christine could borrow it while I am gone and her car is in the shop.  I also went up to Kennesaw to meet Katie to get my new prescription sunglasses and some contacts.  So nice to have an excellent optician in the family.

Trash has gone to a neighbor's so it can be put out on trash day.  I am enjoying some Kraft Dinner - the only thing left in the house to eat besides some Special K for breakfast.  And breakfast will come early.  I am picking up Karen at 6:00 am so she can take me to the airport for my very early flight.

I will be in touch.  Please read my blog on line and join me as a follower. More to follow - pun intended!

Mickey Live Seminar Series.

Here is a list of the topics we will be learning about and discussing. Mickey, the guest lecturer, has them nicely mixed up during the cruise and has a few TBA's also.  I am looking forward to an hour or two on a sea day that is going to keep my mind from totally vegging out.  Speaking of veggies, guess I will have to stop by the buffet and pick up a drink and a snack to take to the talk.  Phew!  That could have been a critical mistake - isolating myself from the free food for a whole hour! (Yes, tongue in cheek as I know I have paid plenty for both the food and the speaker!)

Nature Series

Birds & the Bees of LA

Penguins Our Friends

Reverse Direction Flush

Preserving the Ice

Lifers - Nature Checklist

Ambassadors of the Sea

History Series

Fjords of Chile

Rounders of Cape Horn

Ships of the Americas

Uncovering the Hotspots

Culture Shock

Living Together On a Ship Technology Series Snapshot  Rally Digital Photograhy SLR Made Easy iPhone Travel Apps GPSing for Cruisers Our Journey by GoogleEarth Event Series Event Series GPS Trackers Star Gazing on the Deck Art of Photograph Walk Cruise Story Telling Creating Walking Tours

One Week to Go

One week and I will be flying to L.A. to join the Carnival Splendor as it sails Around the Horn to NYC!  I can remember that in my childhood I heard of going Around the Horn but never met anyone who actually did it.  Of course Magellan did it which is why the southern straits are named for him and Darwin spent lots of time sailing around there and so has waters named for him as well. I don't think they will ever name anything for me but I will take full advantage of their explorations and learn from them.

This cruise, even though it is 'only Carnival' has lots of learning opportunities scheduled.  Our Cruise Critic board has already discovered that Mickey Live  has planned a series of learning experiences.  I have downloaded his schedule and every sea day will be a new chance to learn lots of different things that will enhance not only the trip but my life when I get home.  There are four different series: Nature, History, Technology, and Special Events.  Right off the bat we will study the Birds and Bees of LA and progress to Penguins Are Our Friends. History will include in depth study of those intrepid sailors who were the first Rounders of the Horn. A Snapshot Rally will offer prizes for exceptional photos and allow us to each have a copy of these especially good pictures.  One night when we have clear skies the ship will put out all but the necessary lights on the upper decks and we will do some Southern Sky Star Gazing.

I mention Cruise Critic because I find it to be a valuable resource. In the past when taking the unique Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas, the CC chat room tipped me off on the way to take advantage of all that ship has to offer. I never would have had such  good time had I not prepared before sailing.  This time the boards have saved me a ton of money.  Typically a ship arranged tour in any port will cost a lot of money.  The basic bus ride through town for two hours will be about $35 to $60.  They usually call that something like the Culture and History Tour.  Something more adventurous will cost upwards of $100 to $150.  An all day, eight (8) hour tour will cost the same or more depending on how many museums or churches you visit that have entry fees. We have 20 ports! Yes, some people are looking at spending $2,000 or more on tours.  That is good for Carnival as the usual up charge on tours means the ship gets 60% of every tour dollar spent.

Ah, but Cruise Critic members are thrifty and wise and know their way around a good tour plan. We are planning our own tours.  The internet makes this possible and relatively easy.  (Thanks, Al Gore!)  I myself have made arrangements for four tours involving about 100 different total strangers.  Our eight (8) hour tour of Rio de Janeiro will cost us each $42!  Twenty tours for $800 sounds like a lot until you understand the cruise facts. The planning is done, I have printed name tags for my groups, signs for my vans and buses, written welcome / instruction letters for every one and am ready to go sightseeing!

Today I gathered clothes that I will take with and then winnowed the stacks down to the bare (or I won't be bare) minimum. I only take one checked bag because when I give the airline a bunch of my money to take me somewhere I think they should let me take clothes with me. So my one free bag is it! And a carry on, of course, which has lots of stuff in it that will be used up on the journey so I will have a little space for souvenirs.  It does not really seem a lot for seven (7) weeks but will it all fit?