ever been to the watermelon festival? better yet, a fourth of july celebration. sure you have. now imagine christmas trees and jingles playing in the background. that's how i feel.
we have a talking santa in crew mess and christmas trees throughout the ship. carols play on the overhead while the sun beams down like arcs of fire. the breeze, barely cool, is the only thing reminscent of what i have known christmas to be.
so... to get called to the office today to pick up mail, which turned out to be two christmas cards, was an absolute shock. so weird.
kinda makes me sentimental and honestly has to be the first time i've missed 'home'. i've missed my friends since the day i left but realized today that this won't be just an overnight in new york like last year but a whole season and five time zones away.
i can do it. they're not replacements by any means but the friends i've made on here will surely keep me happy and make me feel at 'home'.
so... on to other things. we're about to sail away for hilo. tonight is the night that we view the volcano. it's so spectacular. i mentioned in a previous post our visit to the national park, which is on the opposite side of the island. or, kinda in the middle, i guess.
anyway, from the sea the view is just as magnificent. lava is creeping down the side of the gigantic volcano reminding you of a freshly put-out wildfire. then there's this one spot near the water where the lava flows from a tube as opposed to flowing from the top... as it pours into the ocean, steam and smoke rise making for a fabulous show.
because of all that, tonight is the night that i work late... i'll be off by eleven. ha. normally i'm off by eight. i am still at the ocean drive bar by the south beach pool up on the eleventh deck.
am i rubbing this in too much?
it's amazing how many people from georgia and the south are on board. my accent, which i was supposed to lose - and had while at walb - and my hair get me into more conversations and compliments than anything. oh, and my eyes sometimes. as if i needed a bigger head.
there are some passengers on this week for their fifty-fifth high school reunion. surprisingly, they're still mobile. sorry. anyway, they asked last night for popcorn... showed them. then coffee... showed them. then ice cream... remember, i work in the bar. showed them anyway. then they wanted food. so, i showed them to the diner. they asked me to stay and eat. then they asked if i could be requested to dance with them. funny old ladies. made me smile.
little things like thing coupled with the beauty of the island and so many other things are making this even more of an experience than i ever imagined. honestly, i thought it'd be like working in a bar on land with young people dancing and drinking their stomachs away. while that's onboard as well, it's so much more. each family on here is celebrating something whether a birthday, anniversary or just relaxing... and they're happy to be here.
it must be contagious.
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2 comments:
I have wanted to post to your blogs several times but it always sounded as if I were bragging on you and a self esteem boost, you do not need. LOL Also, the trend seemed to be to negative attacks,and exposing what should be kept private. So unnecessary. Shame on Anonymous(s).As I say, "Common, just common". As you always say, "sa la vie"
Onto some upbeat comments: After reading your recent posts and some great phone visits, I have never been more certain of why we are best friends. I get to live Hawaii vicariously through you and your superb writing.(at least for now)It must be beautiful. Very gripping and descriptive writing.
As much as I miss you, I am so happy that you are getting this awesome experience and understand your need to have it with no one you know around you. Learn those islands well, as I will need an educated and yes, (free) tour guide when I visit.
Wishing you all the best with your new endeavors, Pride of America is lucky to have your knowledge, talents and passion for jounalism to spearhead the onboard newspaper. Your leadership skills are bound to impress some and well..., not impress some. Hang tough!
Thank you for sharing your experiences with me and all who read your journal. You are an amazing writer.
On that note, continue writing on your book. Important for many reasons we have shared, it will be a best seller. The chapters written thus far are mere stepping stones for the best chapters, yet unwritten. Again, very gripping.
On your description of a warm and sunny Christmas, Martha is suggesting that you leave Santa some Coconut Fried Shrimp, pineapple chunks, chocolate covered macadamias and a highball of Rum and Guava Juice under the palm tree.(much better than milk and cookies and we won't even go there about "fruitcakes". LOL
P.S. I can swim with the big sharks, by the way. Remember, I am a Pisces. Heck, I have even tamed and trained a few of those rednecks you mentioned.
Enjoy and "WRITE ON"!!
thank you, wendell.
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