THE BOYS IN THEIR BALLET SKIRTS
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS
WE ARE NOW ON THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN NEAR GREECE. THIS IS A FORMER BRITISH MANDATE AND THEY DRIVE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD SO I REALLY HAVE TO WATCH WHERE I AM GOING BECAUSE THEY DON'T APPEAR TO BE TOO KIND TO WANDERING TOURISTS.
ATHENS WAS FUN. WE TOOK THE LOCAL SUBWAY EVERYWHERE AND WE EVEN HAD TO CHANGE TRAINS AT AT STOP WHICH SOUNDED EXACTLY LIKE THE WORD IMMODIUM, OR AMMONIA. BUT IT WAS EASY TO REMEMBER BECAUSE WE WERE LAUGHING SO MUCH ABOUT IT. MOST EVERYTHING IS WRITTEN IN GREEK AND I KNOW THE GREEK ALPHABET FROM MY SORORITY PLEDGE DAYS AND JERRY CAN EVEN RECITE IT. ANYWAY, WE MADE IT ALL OVER WITHOUT GETTING LOST. AT THE CHANGING OF THE GUARDS I WAS SO BUSY TAKING PHOTOS OF THE GUYS IN THEIR BALLET SKIRTS AND POM POM SHOES THAT THEY ALMOST RAN STRAIGHT INTO ME. I DIDN'T REALIZE I WAS ON THE PATH THEY USE AFTER THE GUARDS CHANGE AND THE GUARDS GOING OFF DUTY WENT RIGHT ACROSS THE PATH I WAS STANDING ON. EVERYONE WAS LAUGHING. TYPICAL OF MY OBLIVION WHEN I AM IN THE PICTURE TAKING MODE.
SO NOW WE ARE ON THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS IN THE CITY OF LIMASSOL. CYPRUS IS IN A FEUD OVER TERRITORY WITH TURKEY AND THERE USED TO BE A DISPLACED PERSONS CAMP HERE AFTER THE WAR FOR JEWS WHO WERE TRYING TO GET INTO ISRAEL BEFORE IT BECAME A STATE. CYPRUS IS KNOWN FOR IT'S BEAUTIFUL BEACHES, NONE OF WHICH I HAVE SEEN YET. WE WENT THROUGH THE OLD DOWNTOWN AREA WHICH IS FILLED WITH SOUVENIER SHOPS AND CAFES. AS USUAL, THE MEN ARE SITTING AROUND THE CAFES DRINKING COFFEE AND SMOKING AND THE WOMEN ARE WORKING. WE WENT TO A MEDIEVAL CASTLE WHICH WAS NOTHING COMPARED WITH WHAT WE WILL SEE IN RHODES IN A FEW DAYS. I SUPPOSE WE WILL WANDER ABOUT SOME MORE, MAYBE TAKE THE CITY BUS ALL AROUND TOWN AND PERHAPS TRY TO FIND A BEACH IF IT DOESN'T RAIN. THERE REALLY ISN'T TOO MUCH TO SEE OF MUCH INTEREST OTHER THAN A FEW RUINS.
LAST NIGHT I HAD MY PHOTO TAKEN WITH THE CAPTAIN. HE IS STILL NOT AS GOOD AS ETHAN. WE ARE BOTH STILL O.K. AND HOPEFULLY WILL STAY THAT WAY BECAUSE WE MET THE SHIP'S DOCTOR LAST NIGHT AND HE HAS A VERY STRONG RESEMBLANCE TO LURCH FROM THE ADDAMS FAMILY SHOW. I AM PRAYING TO THE GREEK GODS TO STAY WELL. THE FOOD IS STILL GOOD AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE REST OF THE TRIP.
ATHENS WAS FUN. WE TOOK THE LOCAL SUBWAY EVERYWHERE AND WE EVEN HAD TO CHANGE TRAINS AT AT STOP WHICH SOUNDED EXACTLY LIKE THE WORD IMMODIUM, OR AMMONIA. BUT IT WAS EASY TO REMEMBER BECAUSE WE WERE LAUGHING SO MUCH ABOUT IT. MOST EVERYTHING IS WRITTEN IN GREEK AND I KNOW THE GREEK ALPHABET FROM MY SORORITY PLEDGE DAYS AND JERRY CAN EVEN RECITE IT. ANYWAY, WE MADE IT ALL OVER WITHOUT GETTING LOST. AT THE CHANGING OF THE GUARDS I WAS SO BUSY TAKING PHOTOS OF THE GUYS IN THEIR BALLET SKIRTS AND POM POM SHOES THAT THEY ALMOST RAN STRAIGHT INTO ME. I DIDN'T REALIZE I WAS ON THE PATH THEY USE AFTER THE GUARDS CHANGE AND THE GUARDS GOING OFF DUTY WENT RIGHT ACROSS THE PATH I WAS STANDING ON. EVERYONE WAS LAUGHING. TYPICAL OF MY OBLIVION WHEN I AM IN THE PICTURE TAKING MODE.
SO NOW WE ARE ON THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS IN THE CITY OF LIMASSOL. CYPRUS IS IN A FEUD OVER TERRITORY WITH TURKEY AND THERE USED TO BE A DISPLACED PERSONS CAMP HERE AFTER THE WAR FOR JEWS WHO WERE TRYING TO GET INTO ISRAEL BEFORE IT BECAME A STATE. CYPRUS IS KNOWN FOR IT'S BEAUTIFUL BEACHES, NONE OF WHICH I HAVE SEEN YET. WE WENT THROUGH THE OLD DOWNTOWN AREA WHICH IS FILLED WITH SOUVENIER SHOPS AND CAFES. AS USUAL, THE MEN ARE SITTING AROUND THE CAFES DRINKING COFFEE AND SMOKING AND THE WOMEN ARE WORKING. WE WENT TO A MEDIEVAL CASTLE WHICH WAS NOTHING COMPARED WITH WHAT WE WILL SEE IN RHODES IN A FEW DAYS. I SUPPOSE WE WILL WANDER ABOUT SOME MORE, MAYBE TAKE THE CITY BUS ALL AROUND TOWN AND PERHAPS TRY TO FIND A BEACH IF IT DOESN'T RAIN. THERE REALLY ISN'T TOO MUCH TO SEE OF MUCH INTEREST OTHER THAN A FEW RUINS.
LAST NIGHT I HAD MY PHOTO TAKEN WITH THE CAPTAIN. HE IS STILL NOT AS GOOD AS ETHAN. WE ARE BOTH STILL O.K. AND HOPEFULLY WILL STAY THAT WAY BECAUSE WE MET THE SHIP'S DOCTOR LAST NIGHT AND HE HAS A VERY STRONG RESEMBLANCE TO LURCH FROM THE ADDAMS FAMILY SHOW. I AM PRAYING TO THE GREEK GODS TO STAY WELL. THE FOOD IS STILL GOOD AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE REST OF THE TRIP.
Monday, September 28, 2009
ATHENS GREECE
AFTER A SAD FAREWELL TO OUR DINNER COMPANIONS AND PROMISES TO MEET IN ORLANDO IN THE WINTER, WE SPENT THE REST OF THE EVENING PACKING AND GETTING READY FOR THE BIG MOVE TO ANOTHER CABIN. THEY SAID THE SEAS WERE ROUGH LAST NIGHT BUT WE COULDN'T TELL. WE ARRIVED IN ATHENS EARLY THIS MORNING, HAD BREAKFAST AND LEFT THE SHIP FOR A DAY OF SIGHTSEEING. THE STAFF WILL MOVE OUR STUFF SO WE DON'T HAVE TO HANG AROUND.
WE WALKED FROM PIRAEUS, THE PORT AREA, ABOUT A MILE TO THE TRAIN STATION AND HEADED INTO CROWDED ATHENS. WE WALKED AROUND THE PLAKA, THE OLDER AREA AND CHECKED OUT THE LOCAL FLEA MARKET. WE PRETTY MUCH REMEMBER EVERYTHING SO FAR. WE ALSO TOOK A LOCAL TRAM ALL AROUND THE CITY. IT'S VERY CROWDED AND THE LOCALS AREN'T THAT FRIENDLY. SO WHAT. THE WEATHER IS GREAT AND THERE'S THE ACROPOLIS. RIGHT NOW I AM SITTING IN A DEPARTMENT STORE THAT HAS FREE WI-FI ALONG WITH A BUNCH OF OTHER TOURISTS. I HOPE WE FIND OUR WAY BACK TO THE SHIP LATER. THE TRAIN INTO TOWN WAS SO CROWDED I THOUGHT I WOULD DIE! EVERYONE WAS SCOWLING AND PUSHING AND NOT VERY NICE. WELL, I THINK I WILL GO WATCH THE PALACE GUARDS IN THEIR BALLET COSTUMES.
WE WALKED FROM PIRAEUS, THE PORT AREA, ABOUT A MILE TO THE TRAIN STATION AND HEADED INTO CROWDED ATHENS. WE WALKED AROUND THE PLAKA, THE OLDER AREA AND CHECKED OUT THE LOCAL FLEA MARKET. WE PRETTY MUCH REMEMBER EVERYTHING SO FAR. WE ALSO TOOK A LOCAL TRAM ALL AROUND THE CITY. IT'S VERY CROWDED AND THE LOCALS AREN'T THAT FRIENDLY. SO WHAT. THE WEATHER IS GREAT AND THERE'S THE ACROPOLIS. RIGHT NOW I AM SITTING IN A DEPARTMENT STORE THAT HAS FREE WI-FI ALONG WITH A BUNCH OF OTHER TOURISTS. I HOPE WE FIND OUR WAY BACK TO THE SHIP LATER. THE TRAIN INTO TOWN WAS SO CROWDED I THOUGHT I WOULD DIE! EVERYONE WAS SCOWLING AND PUSHING AND NOT VERY NICE. WELL, I THINK I WILL GO WATCH THE PALACE GUARDS IN THEIR BALLET COSTUMES.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Tunisia
Here's the post from Tunisia, which should go before Malta. So sorry for the confusion. The Malaga port stop was fun even though we spent most of it in Torremolinos. It was nice to see that things have not changed much. Our next day was spent on the sea heading towards Tunisia in north Africa. It was relaxing to just lay around and read. The seas were a little rough and many people did not make it to the dining room. We did. Never let it be said that the Hirsches missed a meal on a cruise ship! Jerry just put on another patch and off we went. We have a great table right next to a hugh window and great dinner companions. Good laughs along with good food.
We docked in Tunis, Tunisia's capital, at 10 am and were greeted by a small herd of camels right at the dock. Many passengers rode the camels but I know better. We decided to take the ship's tour with Karen and Kos, part of our dinner tablemates. I didn't want to be the only blonde in the entire country. The first stop was the Medina, the old souk, a covered, claustrophobic old marketplace with labrynthian alleys. I certainly would not want to get lost in there so I kept the guide within my sights at all times. Tunisia is an arab country but there are many berbers there. The berbers were the original settlers. The have white skin and blue eyes! Some of the women dress Western, but the majority wear the burka and look like walking bedsheets. They grow wine there and drink alcohol, which is very unusual for an arab country, but the guide explained that they are light muslims, who either don't practice or are very lax about their religion. It is still a patriarchial society and the women are not allowed to sit in the cafes. I didn't like that at all. As I said, the souk is an ancient, dark place where they try to sell you the shirt off your own back. Karen sat down for five seconds and before she knew it she bought a bracelet, necklace and earrings which she didn't even know she bought! It was pretty funny and it was pretty. Jerry and I bargained, which is the custom, and I got 3 bracelets and 3 necklaces for $5. The bargaining was fun. Just like Tijuana with mint tea. We also went to a rug factory where they pulled out about a hundred rugs none of which we bought. After the Medina we went to a beautiful white-washed village called Sidi Bou Said. It looked just like Greece with white houses with blue doors and windows. It is the high rent district. The president of the country lives there along with all the rest of the rich folks. It was high above the Mediterranean and you would have thought you were in Santorini. It was lovely.
I promise to try to get some more photos on, but it's really difficult. We hope everyone reading this is well. As I mentioned, we have a few more days on this leg of the cruise before we dock in Athens to begin the next part of the journey. I am taking all kinds of potions to stay well and so far, so good. It's goodbye for now from beautiful Malta.
We docked in Tunis, Tunisia's capital, at 10 am and were greeted by a small herd of camels right at the dock. Many passengers rode the camels but I know better. We decided to take the ship's tour with Karen and Kos, part of our dinner tablemates. I didn't want to be the only blonde in the entire country. The first stop was the Medina, the old souk, a covered, claustrophobic old marketplace with labrynthian alleys. I certainly would not want to get lost in there so I kept the guide within my sights at all times. Tunisia is an arab country but there are many berbers there. The berbers were the original settlers. The have white skin and blue eyes! Some of the women dress Western, but the majority wear the burka and look like walking bedsheets. They grow wine there and drink alcohol, which is very unusual for an arab country, but the guide explained that they are light muslims, who either don't practice or are very lax about their religion. It is still a patriarchial society and the women are not allowed to sit in the cafes. I didn't like that at all. As I said, the souk is an ancient, dark place where they try to sell you the shirt off your own back. Karen sat down for five seconds and before she knew it she bought a bracelet, necklace and earrings which she didn't even know she bought! It was pretty funny and it was pretty. Jerry and I bargained, which is the custom, and I got 3 bracelets and 3 necklaces for $5. The bargaining was fun. Just like Tijuana with mint tea. We also went to a rug factory where they pulled out about a hundred rugs none of which we bought. After the Medina we went to a beautiful white-washed village called Sidi Bou Said. It looked just like Greece with white houses with blue doors and windows. It is the high rent district. The president of the country lives there along with all the rest of the rich folks. It was high above the Mediterranean and you would have thought you were in Santorini. It was lovely.
I promise to try to get some more photos on, but it's really difficult. We hope everyone reading this is well. As I mentioned, we have a few more days on this leg of the cruise before we dock in Athens to begin the next part of the journey. I am taking all kinds of potions to stay well and so far, so good. It's goodbye for now from beautiful Malta.
The Island of Malta
Sorry but this will be out of order too because of computer issues. We are on the island of Malta in the Mediterranean off the coast of Sicily. It is an independent nation made up of many different ethnic groups but extremely Catholic. There is a church on every corner. The old city, or Mdina, is Arab. The new city of Valetta, also the capital, is from the sixteenth century. There are many little villages, a beautiful coastline with lovely beaches, and a variety of architectural styles. There are modern vehicles riding alongside horses and buggies. Lots of contrast. Very interesting. This morning we took a three-hour tour of the north side of the island. It was hot and very sunny but beautiful. The coastline is either unspoiled or filled with luxury hotels and apartments. The cities are crowded with locals and tourists. The shops are very high end. There is a boat show in town and the yachts are ubiquitous. I haven't seen one beggar so I get the feeling there is money here. Everyone is dressed well. Everyone speaks English. Everyone is helpful. The scenery, whether natural or man-made, is magnificient. What else can I ask for? This is one place I could return to. After Tunis it is like a paradise. I will try to update on Tunis soon. It actually comes before Malta. So here I am in another internet cafe trying to remember all the sights and sounds and happenings so far and I am not doing it justice. We are still with the same table mates who we like very much. I will be sad to see them go but anxious to meet the next group when we dock in Athens. The port stops have been so diverse and interesting for the most part, with just enough sea days to catch up on reading and recover from walking miles and miles each day. The hard part is still to come in Egypt and Israel. So far we have both held up pretty well except for Jerry's little incident in Amsterdam. I think he had the 24 hour stomach flu and he threw up in front of the main train station there. I wanted to run and hide but I had to get him back to the ship. It was touch and go but we finally made it before he totally passed out! Not a pretty sight. I guess it was all those naked women in the windows in the Red Light District. Personally, I thought they were all ugly!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
MALAGA, SPAIN
NOW I AM UP TO DATE. WE PASS THROUGH THE STRAIGHTS OF GIBRALTAR THIS MORNING AT 3 AM. I WAS NOT UP TO SEE IT. I AM NOW ON THE BEACH IN TORREMOLINOS WHERE IT'S DELICIOUSLY WARM. WE DOCKED IN MALAGA AND TOOK THE TRAIN FROM THE CENTRAL STATION EARLY THIS MORNING BACK TO THE PLACE WE STAYED TWO YEARS AGO. EVERYTHING IS THE SAME EXCEPT NOW THERE ARE MORE FRENCH PEOPLE THAN ENGLISH. WE HAVE BEEN WALKING THE SEASIDE BOARDWALK AND WILL SOON HIT ONE OF THE LOCAL CAFES FOR A GOOD SPANISH LUNCH. I LOVE THIS PLACE. WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT RENTING ANOTHER APARTMENT HERE.
WE DON'T HAVE TO RETURN TO THE SHIP TILL 6:30 SO WE HAVE LOTS OF TIME TO BLEND IN WITH THE LOCALS. THE ONLY THING WE DON'T DO IS SMOKE, WHICH EVERYONE ELSE DOES. THAT PART IS DISGUSTING.
WE DON'T HAVE TO RETURN TO THE SHIP TILL 6:30 SO WE HAVE LOTS OF TIME TO BLEND IN WITH THE LOCALS. THE ONLY THING WE DON'T DO IS SMOKE, WHICH EVERYONE ELSE DOES. THAT PART IS DISGUSTING.
SAILING THE BAY OF BISCAY
THIS IS THE CONTINUATION OF SAIING THE BAY OF BISCAY. THE BAY OF BISCAY IS A CHANNEL BETWEEN FRANCE AND SPAIN AND IS VERY CROWDED. THE SEAS ARE FILLED WITH VESSELS OF ALL SORTS: MILITARY VESSELS, CRUISE SHIPS, FISHING BOATS, CONTAINER SHIPS, OIL TANKERS, AND JUST ABOUT ANYTHING THAT FLOATS. THE SKY IS STEEL GREY AND THE WAVES ARE HIGH ENOUGH FOR JERRY TO PUT HIS PATCH ON. PERSONALLY, I LOVE IT WHEN THE SHIP MOVES. IT IS VERY RELAXING. THIS MORNING I SLEPT REALLY LATE AND JERRY THE EARLY RISER WENT TO A COOKING DEMONSTRATION. NOW HE KNOWS HOW TO MAKE BLACK FOREST CAKE. THAT WILL BE THE DAY! I WOULDN'T HAVE A KITCHEN LEFT.
SO FAR WE HAVE BEEN PRETTY GOOD ABOUT EATING AND HAVE BEEN WALKING MILES EVERYDAY. IN AMSTERDAM WE SHARED A TINY PIECE OF CHOCOLATE WHICH COST OVER $3.00 US. IN ROUEN WE SHARED A CHICKEN SANDWICH ON A GREAT PIECE OF FRENCH BREAD FOR ABOUT $6.00 US. WE COPIED THE EATING HABITS OF THE LOCALS AND WERE NOT DISAPPOINTED. WE EAT ON THE RUN BECAUSE WE WANT TO SEE EVERYTHING AND NOT WASTE TIME IN A RESTAURANT. THERE IS SO MUCH TO EAT ON THE SHIP THAT WE WILL NOT STARVE.
SO FAR, EVERYWHERE WE HAVE BEEN HAS BEEN A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE, EXCEPT WHEN JERRY THREW UP IN FRONT OF THE TRAIN STATION IN AMSTERDAM. BUT THAT IS ANOTHER STORY. EVEN THE FRENCH HAVE BEEN NICE TO US. MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE WE MAKE THE EFFORT TO SPEAK A FEW WORDS IN THEIR LANGUAGE AND WHEN THEY SEE HOW PATHETIC WE SOUND THEY SWITCH TO ENGLISH BEFORE LAUGHING UNCONTROLLABLY. WHAT IS SO WONDERFUL TO ME IS THE INTERACTION BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS. YOU REALIZE EVERYONE IS TRULY THE SAME WHEREVER YOU ARE. WHAT I ALSO LOVE SO MUCH IS SEEING THE MAGNIFICENT ARCHITECTURE THAT HAS SURVIVED THROUGHOUT THE CENTURIES AND MANY WARS. IT IS TRULY AWE-INSPIRING.
WE ARE HEADING FOR SPAIN WITH TWO STOPS IN LA CORUNA AND MALAGA, BOTH OF WHICH WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH. I CAN'T WAIT TO SPEAK SPANISH AGAIN AND HAVE MY CHURROS AND CHOCOLATE. MY MOUTH IS WATERING AT THE THOUGHT. I HOPE WE HAVE GOOD WEATHER. WE ADORE SPAIN EVEN THOUGH BLONDES ARE IN THE MAJORITY. ACTUALLY, IT WAS GETTING BORING WITH EVERYONE BEING BLONDE.
IT IS ANOTHER FORMAL NIGHT TONIGHT. UGH! I AM BEGINNING TO HATE GETTING ALL DRESSED UP. HOPEFULLY, I WILL SEE MY NEW BOYFRIEND, THE CAPTAIN, AS WE ARE INVITED TO A PARTY HE IS HOSTING. THIS IS JUST A TEMPORARY FLING. NO MAN CAN TAKE THE PLACE OF MY LITTLE ETHAN!
ADIOS FROM THE BAY OF BISCAY WHERE I HOPE JERRY'S PATCH STARTS WORKING SOON OR I AM IN FOR A HELLISH NIGHT!
SO FAR WE HAVE BEEN PRETTY GOOD ABOUT EATING AND HAVE BEEN WALKING MILES EVERYDAY. IN AMSTERDAM WE SHARED A TINY PIECE OF CHOCOLATE WHICH COST OVER $3.00 US. IN ROUEN WE SHARED A CHICKEN SANDWICH ON A GREAT PIECE OF FRENCH BREAD FOR ABOUT $6.00 US. WE COPIED THE EATING HABITS OF THE LOCALS AND WERE NOT DISAPPOINTED. WE EAT ON THE RUN BECAUSE WE WANT TO SEE EVERYTHING AND NOT WASTE TIME IN A RESTAURANT. THERE IS SO MUCH TO EAT ON THE SHIP THAT WE WILL NOT STARVE.
SO FAR, EVERYWHERE WE HAVE BEEN HAS BEEN A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE, EXCEPT WHEN JERRY THREW UP IN FRONT OF THE TRAIN STATION IN AMSTERDAM. BUT THAT IS ANOTHER STORY. EVEN THE FRENCH HAVE BEEN NICE TO US. MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE WE MAKE THE EFFORT TO SPEAK A FEW WORDS IN THEIR LANGUAGE AND WHEN THEY SEE HOW PATHETIC WE SOUND THEY SWITCH TO ENGLISH BEFORE LAUGHING UNCONTROLLABLY. WHAT IS SO WONDERFUL TO ME IS THE INTERACTION BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS. YOU REALIZE EVERYONE IS TRULY THE SAME WHEREVER YOU ARE. WHAT I ALSO LOVE SO MUCH IS SEEING THE MAGNIFICENT ARCHITECTURE THAT HAS SURVIVED THROUGHOUT THE CENTURIES AND MANY WARS. IT IS TRULY AWE-INSPIRING.
WE ARE HEADING FOR SPAIN WITH TWO STOPS IN LA CORUNA AND MALAGA, BOTH OF WHICH WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH. I CAN'T WAIT TO SPEAK SPANISH AGAIN AND HAVE MY CHURROS AND CHOCOLATE. MY MOUTH IS WATERING AT THE THOUGHT. I HOPE WE HAVE GOOD WEATHER. WE ADORE SPAIN EVEN THOUGH BLONDES ARE IN THE MAJORITY. ACTUALLY, IT WAS GETTING BORING WITH EVERYONE BEING BLONDE.
IT IS ANOTHER FORMAL NIGHT TONIGHT. UGH! I AM BEGINNING TO HATE GETTING ALL DRESSED UP. HOPEFULLY, I WILL SEE MY NEW BOYFRIEND, THE CAPTAIN, AS WE ARE INVITED TO A PARTY HE IS HOSTING. THIS IS JUST A TEMPORARY FLING. NO MAN CAN TAKE THE PLACE OF MY LITTLE ETHAN!
ADIOS FROM THE BAY OF BISCAY WHERE I HOPE JERRY'S PATCH STARTS WORKING SOON OR I AM IN FOR A HELLISH NIGHT!
Monday, September 21, 2009
SAILING THE BAY OF BISCAY
THIS IS THE PREVIOUS POST. AFTER A LOVELY DAY IN FRANCE WE SAILED FROM LE HAVRE AT NINE IN THE EVENING, OUR TRAIN RIDE BACK TO THE SHIP WAS QUITE PLEASANT SINCE WE WERE ABOARD A BRAND NEW TRAIN AND THERE WER NONE OF THE FAMOUS FRENCH LAST-MINUTE TRAIN WORKER STRIKES. HOWEVER, THERE WAS SOMETHING AFOOT SINCE THERE WERE POLICE ALL OVER THE STATION AND THEY CHECKED EVERY CAR BEFORE THE TRAIN LEFT. MAY BE A TERRORIST THREAT OR THE LIKE. I CAN'T WORRY ABOUT EVERY LITTLE THING OR WE WOULD NEVER TO ANYWHERE. THE WORLD IS A DANGEROUS PLACE SOMETIME. TO BE CONTINUED...
LA CORUNA, SPAIN
THIS POST IS OUT OF ORDER BECAUSE I AM HAVING TROUBLE UPLOADING THE INFORMATION FROM YESTERDAY SO I WILL JUST PROCEED AND PUT THE PREVIOUS POST ON WHEN I CAN. TODAY WE ARE IN LA CORUNA, SPAIN WHERE THE WEATHER IS GREAT. WE LEFT THE SHIP EARLY AND TOOK A LOCAL TRAIN TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA AND VISITED THE BEAUTIFUL CATHEDRAL. AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT, A SERVICE FOR PILGRIMS WAS JUST BEGINNING. THIS IS A BIG THING HERE. PILGRIMS TRAVEL OVER THE MOUNTAINS BY FOOT IN A VERY DIFFICULT PILGRIMAGE FOR MANY REASONS AND THEIR LAST STOP IS THE CATHEDRAL. IT IS A MAGNIFICENT BUILDING WITH MORE GOLD THAN I HAVE EVER SEEN IN ONE PLACE.
AFTER GETTING A QUICK DOSE OF RELIGION WE WENT TO THE PARK TO SIT WITH THE REST OF THE OLD FOLKS. THEN WE HAD AN EMPANADA, SOMETHING LIKE A SANDWICH AND ICE CREAM. WE ARE HAPPY HERE SINCE WE SPEAK THE LANGUAGE. WE ARE NOW ON THE MAIN PEDESTRIAN WALKING SREET IN AN INTERNET CAFE BEFORE BOARDING THE SHIP.
AFTER GETTING A QUICK DOSE OF RELIGION WE WENT TO THE PARK TO SIT WITH THE REST OF THE OLD FOLKS. THEN WE HAD AN EMPANADA, SOMETHING LIKE A SANDWICH AND ICE CREAM. WE ARE HAPPY HERE SINCE WE SPEAK THE LANGUAGE. WE ARE NOW ON THE MAIN PEDESTRIAN WALKING SREET IN AN INTERNET CAFE BEFORE BOARDING THE SHIP.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
ROUEN, FRANCE
HERE I AM SITTING IN A CYBER CAFE IN ROUEN, FRANCE. WE DECIDED NOT TO GO TO PARIS BECAUSE THIS PLACE SEEMED MORE INTERESTING AND WE HAVE BEEN TO PARIS MANY TIMES. THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL MEDIEVAL CITY CENTER DATING FROM THE TIME OF JOAN OF ARC, WHO WAS BURNED AT THE STAKE RIGHT HERE IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWN. IF FACT, I AM STARING AT THE PLACE RIGHT NOW. THE PLACE IS FILLED WITH ANCIENT MONESTARIES, CHURCHES, CATHEDRALS AND OLD, NARROW WINDING STREETS TOO SMALL FOR CARS AND MAGNIFICENT OLD BUILDINGS DATING FROM THE MIDDLE AGES. IT IS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY, HERITAGE DAY, AND EVERYONE IS STROLLING AROUND, EATING AT SIDEWALK CAFES AND GENERALLY JUST CHILLING OUT. IT'S REALLY NICE. WE WALKED ALL AROUND THE OLD PART AND TOOK A SIGHTSEEING TRAM TO MAKE SURE WE DIDN'T MISS ANYTHING. TO GET HERE WE TOOK A TRAIN RIDE FOR AN HOUR AND WILL HAVE TO DO THE SAME THING ON THE WAY BACK TO GET TO THE SHIP. SO FAR, THE WEATEHR HAS BEEN DELICIOUS AND WE ARE REALLY HAVING A GOOD TIME. WE ARE GETTING ALONG QUITE WELL WITH OUR FRACTURED FRENCH AND PEOPLE SEEM TO APPRECIATE OUR ATTEMPT TO SPEAK.
ZEEBRUGE, BELGIUM
THIS WAS A SHORT PORT STOP FOR US BECAUSE JERRY WASN'T FEELING WELL AFTER ALL THAT SEX. HE HAD A LITTLE STOMACH ISSUE WHICH WE KEPT QUIET FOR FEAR THEY WOULD QUARANTINE US. SO WE WENT INTO THE SEASIDE TOWN OF ZEEBRUGE WHICH WAS PRETTY MUCH LIKE ANY OTHER EUROPEAN SEASIDE TOWN WITH A LARGE BOARDWALK, CABANAS ON THE BEACH, AND A WALKING STREET. THE EUROPEANS HAVE IT RIGHT. THEY TAKE A LONG LUNCH, EAT AND TAKE A LEISURELY STROLL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY INSTEAD OF EATING AT THEIR DESKS. IT IS A MUCH BETTER LIFE AND THEY SEEM MUCH HAPPIER IN GENERAL. WE AMERICANS SHOULD LEARN FROM THEM. BY THE WAY, IN ZEEBRUGE THEY SPEAK FLEMISH, AS THEY DO IN ALL THIS PART OF BELGIUM. IT IS VERY GUTTERAL, SOMEWHAT LIKE GERMAN. JERRY OWES ME A TRIP TO BRUGES, THE MEDIEVAL TOWN WE MISSED BECAUSE WE LEFT THE SHIP TOO LATE.
AMSTERDAM
IT IS VENICE WITH BICYCLES! BICYCLES EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK AND YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO GET RUN OVER BY THEM. THERE ARE NO FAT PEOPLE IN EUROPE BECAUSE EVERYONE EITHER WALKS OR RIDES A BIKE.
THE ARCHITECTURE HERE IS VERY UNIQUE WITH MOST DATING FROM THE 13TH, 14TH OR 15TH CENTURY. ALL THE BUILDINGS HAVE PULLY SYSTEMS TO GET HEAVY THINGS TO THE UPPER FLOORS BECAUSE THERE ARE NO ELEVATORS AND VERY NARROW STAIR CASES. THE FACADES HAVE VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION, EACH WITH IT'S OWN UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS. WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE A CANAL TOUR AND SEE THESE MAGNIFICENT BUILDINGS.
WE WENT TO THE ANNE FRANK HOUSE WHICH WAS A VERY MOVING EXPERIENCE. IT WAS SO AMAZING THAT THIS POOR LITTLE GIRL SURVIVED FOR AS LONG AS SHE DID. I WAS GLAD TO SEE THE PLACE WAS CROWDED SO THAT HER STORY WILL PASS ON.
THE HIGHLIGHT FOR JERRY WAS THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT. THE SCANTILLY-CLAD GIRLS WERE POSING IN THE WINDOWS TRYING TO ENTICE CUSTOMERS TO ENTER. THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT TO THE IMAGINATION. JERRY WAS RUNNING FROM WINDOW TO WINDOW. THEN THERE WERE THE COFFE/MARIJUANA SHOPS, THE SEX SHOPS, THE LIVE PORNO SHOWS, THE PORNO ITEMS STORES, THE PEEP SHOWS AND JERRY'S FAVORITE, THE SEX MUSEUM. IT WAS PORN OVERLOAD!
WE WALKED OUR FEET OFF AND WERE TOTALLY EXHAUSTE BYTHE TIME WE RETURNED TO THE SHIP. BY THE WAY, I AM IN LOVE WITH THE CAPTAIN.
THE ARCHITECTURE HERE IS VERY UNIQUE WITH MOST DATING FROM THE 13TH, 14TH OR 15TH CENTURY. ALL THE BUILDINGS HAVE PULLY SYSTEMS TO GET HEAVY THINGS TO THE UPPER FLOORS BECAUSE THERE ARE NO ELEVATORS AND VERY NARROW STAIR CASES. THE FACADES HAVE VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION, EACH WITH IT'S OWN UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS. WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE A CANAL TOUR AND SEE THESE MAGNIFICENT BUILDINGS.
WE WENT TO THE ANNE FRANK HOUSE WHICH WAS A VERY MOVING EXPERIENCE. IT WAS SO AMAZING THAT THIS POOR LITTLE GIRL SURVIVED FOR AS LONG AS SHE DID. I WAS GLAD TO SEE THE PLACE WAS CROWDED SO THAT HER STORY WILL PASS ON.
THE HIGHLIGHT FOR JERRY WAS THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT. THE SCANTILLY-CLAD GIRLS WERE POSING IN THE WINDOWS TRYING TO ENTICE CUSTOMERS TO ENTER. THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT TO THE IMAGINATION. JERRY WAS RUNNING FROM WINDOW TO WINDOW. THEN THERE WERE THE COFFE/MARIJUANA SHOPS, THE SEX SHOPS, THE LIVE PORNO SHOWS, THE PORNO ITEMS STORES, THE PEEP SHOWS AND JERRY'S FAVORITE, THE SEX MUSEUM. IT WAS PORN OVERLOAD!
WE WALKED OUR FEET OFF AND WERE TOTALLY EXHAUSTE BYTHE TIME WE RETURNED TO THE SHIP. BY THE WAY, I AM IN LOVE WITH THE CAPTAIN.
THE NORTH SEA ON
WE ARE SAILING ON SMOOTH, CALM SEAS. THE ONLY THING WE SAW WHEN WE LEFT COPENHAGEN WAS A WIND TURBINE FARM. WE WENT TO THE MEET AND MINGLE THIS MORNING WHERE WE MET ALL THE PEOPLE WE HAD BEEN COMMUNICATING WITH ON CRUISE CRITIC.
OUR DINING MATES ARE LOVELY PEOPLE AND THE CONVERSATION IS ANIMATED AND INTELLIGENT. WE EXPECT SMOOTH SAILING FOR AT LEAST A FEW DAYS. THE SHIP IS A NICE SIZE WITH A PLEASANT CREW AND GOOD FOOD. WE HAVE LEARNED HOW TO RELAX A LITTLE INSTEAD OF RUNNING AROUND LIKE LUNATICS SO WE ARE REALLY INTO THE CRUISE MODE.
THE SHOW WAS CUTE AND I ONLY HAD TO WAKE JERRY UP TWICE. WE ARE ALMOST CAUGHT UP WITH THE JET LAG SO WE SHOULD BE GOOD TO GO IN AMSTERDAM TOMORROW.
OUR DINING MATES ARE LOVELY PEOPLE AND THE CONVERSATION IS ANIMATED AND INTELLIGENT. WE EXPECT SMOOTH SAILING FOR AT LEAST A FEW DAYS. THE SHIP IS A NICE SIZE WITH A PLEASANT CREW AND GOOD FOOD. WE HAVE LEARNED HOW TO RELAX A LITTLE INSTEAD OF RUNNING AROUND LIKE LUNATICS SO WE ARE REALLY INTO THE CRUISE MODE.
THE SHOW WAS CUTE AND I ONLY HAD TO WAKE JERRY UP TWICE. WE ARE ALMOST CAUGHT UP WITH THE JET LAG SO WE SHOULD BE GOOD TO GO IN AMSTERDAM TOMORROW.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Copenhagen Day Two
After walking around Tivoli Gardens like two zombies last night, we decided to call it quits right after all the lights went on. We were so tired we barely made it back to the hotel after getting slightly lost. The hotel is brand new so it is immaculately clean. The room is about the size of a cruise ship cabin so we are acclimated. We slept with the windows open and it was delightful. We thought we had only one cover so we fought over it for an hour till we realized that there might be another one in the storage unit. As luck would have it, there was another delicious down comforter, so no more fighting and pulling. The only other problem arose when I had to go to the bathroom and had to climb over Jerry in order to get out of bed.
Breakfast in the hotel was interesting. It was a typical Scandanavian breakfast consisting of mystery meat, hard rolls, butter, cheese and something resembling chocolate paste. It was interesting watching Jerry eat a chocolate paste and pate sandwich while bitching about the exoritant price of the breakfast.
We are now getting ready to go touring by foot once again followed by boarding the ship this afternoon. Sadly, we won't see the Little Mermaid who is now on exhibit in Tokyo. It's a good thing we saw her on our previous visit here.
Breakfast in the hotel was interesting. It was a typical Scandanavian breakfast consisting of mystery meat, hard rolls, butter, cheese and something resembling chocolate paste. It was interesting watching Jerry eat a chocolate paste and pate sandwich while bitching about the exoritant price of the breakfast.
We are now getting ready to go touring by foot once again followed by boarding the ship this afternoon. Sadly, we won't see the Little Mermaid who is now on exhibit in Tokyo. It's a good thing we saw her on our previous visit here.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Greetings From Copenhagen
After 24 hours of travel and one change of plane in Paris we have arrived in Copenhagen where the weather is magnificent and everyone is blonde. I feel right at home here. There were two incidents on the flight over: 1- the person in the seat in front of Jerry pushed her seat back as far as it could go and smashed into Jerrys legs. He asked her to raise it a little and the bitch refused so he dumped a glass of water on her head. 2-someone had a heart attack on the flight but we don't know what happened to her because we couldn't get out of our seats because were so crammed in. Does the word sardine conjure up anything? We also broke one suitcase-actually the airline broke it, and my backback fell apat.
We arrived here and found our way to the Metro, which we took downtown, and here we are...off to the Tivoli Gardens.
We arrived here and found our way to the Metro, which we took downtown, and here we are...off to the Tivoli Gardens.
Friday, September 11, 2009
My Boyfriend
This is the little guy I have to leave home but we have webcams so we can
see each other everyday. I miss him already!
see each other everyday. I miss him already!
Ready
We are packed and ready to begin our journey on Sunday, September 13th with a flight from Miami to Copenhagen. After weeks of 90 degrees plus and high humidity I am ready for a little cool Danish weather. As usual, since we will be in two distinct climates we had to pack for all weather conditions...cool northern Europe, floods in Istanbul, hot and dry in the deserts of Israel and Egypt. So that means, you guessed it...way too much luggage. So I will neither be freezing in Denmark, Belgium and Holland or frying in Tunisia, Egypt, Cyprus and Israel, just to mention some of the ports. The two back-to-back cruises are highly port-intensive so we will be off the ship nearly every day. I have stopped researching the ports we haven't been to because I am driving myself crazy. We will just do as ususal, make no plans and see where we end up. The only places we have tours are in Israel and Egypt. Israel because we can't get to some of the places without a car and we can't rent a car and return it in enough time before the Sabbath starts and everything closes. Egypt because we can't get anywhere without a guide and an escort with weapons locked and loaded. No kidding. It's the law there. So if I don't fall off the camel maybe the guard's weapon will accidentally discharge in my direction. Am I really sure I want to do this?
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