Docked and Disembarked

When marimba rhythms start to play
Dance with me, make me sway
Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore
Hold me close, sway me more...
~ "Sway" (as sung by Dean Martin!)

Terra firma is now once again under my feet. We are home from a weird, weird week on the high seas. And I do mean high. The cruise log, so thoughtfully provided by the ship's very efficient staff, showed that during our roller coaster time in the tropics, we at one point, were moving through winds of Gale Force 9. A quick run through Google took me to the Beaufort Wind Scale, which indicates that Gale Force 9 winds range from 47-54 miles an hour, producing waves of 23-32 feet. Here's the little drawing that accompanied the data:


Ai yi yi.

It's no wonder I still am having some serious balance/equilibrium problems even now, after being off the boat for over 24 hours. My lingering cold *coughhackcough* might have something to do with that as well. El yucko. However, it's better to be sick in gale force winds on a lovely cruise ship than at home in Florida, watching the Weather Channel and checking my home owner's insurance policy. I don't have people to bring me Bloody Marys at home during such situations. Unfortunately.

And now I'm about the business of Cruise Aftermath Cleanup. The bonus about driving to the port, rather than flying, was that I didn't have to worry about packing the suitcase(s) and all the souvenirs for plane transport. Packing liquids and gels in my carry on luggage -- how daring and liberating! But I've got loads and loads of laundry and piles of dry cleaning to tend to and where did I pack my book that I was reading... not that I have time to pick it up, now that I'm back to my real life.

But when I drink a cold one out of my Sloppy Joe's bottle coozy and make the sope recipe I learned on my cooking excursion for friends and tote my stuff around in the gorgeous Guatemalan tote I bought, I can remember what it was like to be a lady of leisure, trying to keep her balance through tropical stormy seas. And that, in turn, might help me keep my balance here in reality.

I'll drink to that.

Aboard the High Seas ... the REALLY High Seas

And now I know how the passengers on the Minnow felt.

We're bobbing around in the Caribbean, somewhere between Belize and Guatemala. In the midst of a stormy cold front (who knew those things even existed in the tropics...)

Gale force winds. Rain. And whitecap-crested surf. Up, down, all around. It's crazy. Our stop in Belize got canned because of the inclement weather. Which is disappointing and also OK. I'm nursing a cold. Damnit. It's either the same one that felled my family on Christmas or a new germ-ridden delight. Regardless, I feel yucky. So it's probably not a bad thing for me just to hang out on the ship, read, watch America's Next Top Model on the iPod and chill.

The highlight of the trip so far was my overwhelming victory in the pop culture game show. The second place contestant: 1900 points. Me: 10,300 points. I came, I saw, I kicked ass and took names. Next stop: World Series of Pop Culture (anyone want to form a team with me?)

It's been a fun time so far -- did some drinking and poking around in Key West. Found an independent bookstore that I could have easily spent hours in. Drank at Sloppy Joe's, in honour of Papa H.

Next stop: Guatemala. Here's hoping I don't encounter Thurston and Lovey somewhere along the way.

xoxoxo

Come Aboard, They're Expecting ME!

Am about to head to the port to board a ship which will take me to balmy climes and sunny Caribbean skies for the next seven days. Actually, it's just like home here in tropical Florida temperature-wise, but ooodles more glamourous. And with lots more lovely drinks with umbrellas in them. I'm excited, not just for the cruise, but for the little side adventures I'm taking in port -- a snorkel excursion in Belize; a trek to some Mayan ruins in Guatemala and a Mexican cooking class (complete with open bar) in Cozumel.



However, I do kinda wish I were on THIS cruise -- George Jefferson, Aunt Esther, Jack Tripper AND Kelly Garrett (not my favorite Angel -- that would be Sabrina "The Smart One" Duncan -- but she'll do) plus her real-life husband at the time. Good times, good times.

See you when we dock next week -- tanned, rested and ready.

And no, there is not a damn NutriSystem item tucked anywhere in my luggage.

Oh, Isaac...