I’m pretty sure I’ve said it before, but I really love sitting out at the Lido back deck, especially at breakfast time.
This goes back to 2001 my very first cruise, first breakfast onboard sailing. (I may have said this before, too.) Friend, fellow lead singer and partner in crime, Greg called me and told me to get my breakfast and meet him out on the back Lido deck. I’m pretty sure we had had a late night rehearsing, as when a new cast comes onboard, they can only rehearse when the show lounge is not busy. So 12-4am was not uncommon for rehearsals. Anyway, with minimal grumbling, I got dressed, got my breakfast and met him out on deck. On most days, it is lovely to have breakfast alfresco. Throw in Santorini as the backdrop and WOW! I was hooked on cruising and hooked on eating out on the Lido deck.
I still really enjoy this. This past week we were lucky to have warming weather, minimal winds, and the beautiful scenery of southern Chile. Peaceful, quiet, coffee and beautiful scenery. Heaven.
And the bonus this week was that I heard new music on the BGM (background music). Many (most of the?) times cruises are not quiet - music is likely playing to set a mood. On Disney Cruise Line we were actually supposed to report if we did not hear music. But I digress.
This contract I have had the front-of-the-ship channel on the tv quite a bit as I have wanted to hear any announcements about things I might need to get outside to see. The downside of this is that when the announcements are not on, the BGM is playing. I am pretty sure I have heard the whole BGM loop at least a dozen times. How delightful, while enjoying the beautiful morning views and peace, to hear a few songs.
One morning as I was walking out to the back deck, I had to remind myself I am not the same person as the one who started back in 2001. If I don’t look in the mirror, I can forget that I am not a young woman - a skinny lead singer in the cast or even not as skinny, but still younger-than-I-am-now Travel Guide. I was fortunate to have several women who were aunties to me - whether mentors, friends, colleagues, captain’s wives, chief engineer’s wives or some combination thereof. These amazing women were (and still are) smart, talented, sassy, and living life to the fullest. Sadly, I don't have photos with them all, but here are some of them.
I look in the mirror now and realize roles have changed. I started working in ships at age 31 so I wasn’t the youngest chicken at the start. Nowadays, some crew still remember me as Cruise Director or even as Travel Guide, but I am usually known as the Chief Engineer’s wife. It’s still a pretty darn good identity; hopefully I can be a good auntie in this role.
In my short stint in Guest Services, I was privileged to work with a delightful young woman, Chantal. She was always kind, professional, had a gift for teaching all that needs to be learned, and just all around awesome to hang out with off work hours. How lucky I and team Oosterdam are to have her onboard now. She is a smart cookie, and I see good things for her future. This is her auntie speaking.
Yesterday the ship made its first call to Castro, Isla Chiloe, Chile. I couldn’t remember if I had been there or not and knew there were three possibilities: on the Cunard Caronia for South America circumnavigation cruise 2002, on the Saga Rose for its world cruise 2006, or on Zaandam 2014-2015. Zaandam 2014 wins, almost 10 years to the day.
This time I went on tour over to the west side of the island for the national park and had a beautiful day.
Wellness Round Up
Hydration still wins with water consumption goals met and exceeded.
Movement has been better with significantly more steps and a stretch class thrown in as well.
Sleep hour-wise has been good, but quality mixed. It comes with knowing we are leaving in a few days.
Stress has been pretty high. Treated myself to a once-a-contract seaweed wrap and massage, which helped.
Nutrition has improved with smaller portions and more proteins. And although valentines dinner may have been calorific, it was with my sweetie, so that is good.
That's it for now - time to start packing. See you next week from Maryland.
Bon Voyage & Bon Appétit!
Post updated August 17, 2024
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