A New Day Dawns

Neither of us slept well, I don’t think, but morning did come and we soldiered on.  Our first sea day was a good thing to have.  No pressure, except in my head of course.  Made to order omelet was good and lots of fresh fruit was perfect.  A pot of tea and I am a happy camper , err, cruiser.

We headed right down to the main theater for the first speaker of the day, Dr. Beth Foggin.  The first of her series was title, Different Kinds of Bermuda Triangles.  This focused on the overlapping of trade routes including the ‘molasses, to rum, to slaves.’  Of course, at the time there was no American involvement because we weren’t even ‘discovered’ yet much less fomenting revolution!  Her upcoming lectures would help us to make sense of why the ports we are visiting this trip are connected and important to some aspect of world history!

She was followed by something that in the daily update – TODAY – was labeled Special Interest with Steven Friedman.  Pleasant music was playing between programs and am I glad we stayed.  Elva wasn’t real excited about a series on the Broadway Musical Theater.  You know that I was if you know me at all!  Before he was very far into his lecture, Elva was excited as well.  I have to tell tales on her here.  She often dozes or at least rests her eyes during things but not with Steven Friedman.  His love of the theater showed through his carefully prepared Power Point and dynamic presentation.  The fact that he also frequently sang an example of the show he was referencing didn’t hurt at all.  His voice is very good even though singers struggle first thing in the morning.  As he said, ’10 a.m. is a singer’s nemesis!’ He gave an overview and began with the Broadway Theater before Jolson sang in the ‘talkies!’  This may prove to be a must do every sea day.

As you know, from ‘traveling with me before’ sea days rapidly become routine – may not be so for you on your first or second or fifth cruise, but on the long cruises I am lucky enough to do and the several Atlantic and Pacific Crossings I have done, they do. I always find plenty to do and I love to read and often do not get much of that done.  This trip, however, I suspect I will often join Elva to bask in the glorious weather and the warm sun that strikes our Aft Balcony.  I frequently seek out a view of the ship’s wake when sailing and this trip I can enjoy as often as I wish.

As the day progressed we did spend a lot of time relaxing in our cabin.  I wonder why!  I did inquire at the desk about seeing the doctor to have the dressing changed and make sure everything was okay.  We had missed morning hours, glad I did or we might have missed the speakers.  Afternoon hours begin at four so in order not to be tied up too long we went down about 3:30 and were indeed first in the waiting room.  

I was glad we did because by four there were several people, probably mostly feeling a little nauseous as the sea is a bit rough when sailing north.  You are crossing the waves, not going with or against them.  Joy checked me in and we briefly saw the Doctor who quite literally said, “I will send you to the nurse if it just to change the dressing.  It won’t cost as much.”

Christine, from the UK, was very nice.  Peeled away the gauze, cleaned and redressed the stitches.  She said it looked like a good job.  I commented that I had not thought to ask for a plastic surgeon since it was my face but she said they looked very well done.  She put on a couple of tiny ‘plasters’ and covered them with a larger one to help hold them in place.  (Don’t you love the English language!) The only care needed was to leave them on until they fall off and then either cover them or leave them.  Be careful not to have them be wet.  This comment led me to not shower or enjoy the pools or hot tubs until they will be taken off and the stitches removed on Saturday.  Happy vacation!  Sure glad I took that long hot bath on Saturday night!

Elva is acting as my personal paparazzi so that I can document my loveliness for your benefit and mine!

We decided to go to dinner about 5:30.  We can make a reservation every day or the night before as we have Select Dining and not an assigned time.  Or you can just go and eat as space becomes available.  This usually works well for us.  Especially on a shore day as you don’t always know when you will return to the ship.  We joined a round table for eight.  I think my girls will agree – not our favorite.  You can really only talk to the people directly beside you.  The noise of the dining room prevents much beyond that.  Elva was on my left and chatted with the couple next to her.  The couple next to me were two men who were on an anniversary cruise.  I try to speak or comment to everyone but the real conversation was between me and the gentleman who had designed hotels all around the world including some in which I had stayed.  We also talked a lot of theater, especially musicals.  Dinner took over two and a half hours!  We missed the Chic Captain’s Soiree and barely made it to the 9:00 show!  Can’t do a big table again on this ship!  No thanks.

We went to the 9:00 show in the main theater. It was called Pearl.  Sue Denning, our very funny, older, very British Cruise Director had said at the end of last night’s performance to come into the theater early tonight, that the show has a reputation and will fill up early.  She also said if you miss the first ten minutes you won’t know what is going on.  It was an interesting opening with a narration about a pearl diver trying to find happiness.  The stage was encircled by a white curtain.  On this was projected water and fish.  Behind it the young diver and others performed on ropes flying in the Peter Pan style.  Extra people were on twisty ropes and doing gymnastics. I am glad we were early for the narration.  I still didn’t really get the story.

This was a Pippin style set once the white ‘sea’ rolled up and cartoonishly clad townspeople who were being directed by a Satan character to try to steal the lad’s pearl.  Since he only bossed the girls around and often held out his hand waving his fingers, I at first thought he was a pimp and wanted the girls to get money for him. The stage has a series of oval and rectangular hydraulic risers that were used to elevate some of the action and quite dramatically, near the end, Satan followed after a young girl and tumbled into a pit!  No scream – he never made a sound.  No one did.  It was a pantomime.

But love conquers all and one of the girls went off with the boy and his pearl.  I said no one spoke.  They didn’t, except for this bearded, long coated, top hatted man in black.  There was though a lot of singing and dancing.  This is their ‘biggest, best production show.’  I am worried.

While Elva got ready for bed I went up and got my typical bedtime cup of tea.  I peaked out our curtain and stepped out on the deck to enjoy some fresh air.  Elva joined me as it was a warm and balmy night.  While we tried to spot stars among the clouds a double ‘handled’ yellow light appeared in the sky.  It hovered off the starboard rail at about mid- horizon.  Then it jumped more to the right then up and about for several minutes. We are convinced it was a UFO.

The clouds thickened and the ship we had seen in the distanced disappeared into the fog and mist.  Lightening slashed across the sky in the far distance.  I believe I once heard that on a flat see you can see the horizon at 20 miles. The sharp outline, as it flickered and froze and vanished, was like any grade-schooler would draw it.  You have seen that zig-zag in every super hero comic.  The thunder heads grew and the rain started.  
Fingers crossed for tomorrow – Bermuda!