Last time around the Cape!

Well, I decided that I should probably get back to blogging since it’s been 2 months since my last entry. I apologize for being so horrible about it. I’ve spoken to many of you via phone, email, or internet of some sort… but I really should have continued to blog in the process. So, hopefully this next month I’ll get back on my blogging game.

So… today we’re in Montevideo, Uruguay. It’s our last South American cruise as well as the last time we visit each of the ports that we’ve become so well acquainted. Today is my IPM (In-Port Manning) day, so I’m stuck onboard doing all of the activities and library duty for the day. It’s become great though because on our IPM days we’ve really begun to take the brunt of the work so that everyone else can get the majority of the day off and really maximize their time ashore. For instance, we were in Buenos Aires for 2 days (we overnighted there one night) and it was the very first time I’ve had an entire day off while on ships. It was the greatest feeling knowing that there wasn’t a certain time that I had to be back onboard to work. The only reason I had the day off was because the Party Planner was on IPM and said she would take my 3-hour library shift so I would have the whole day off. It’s been great with this team because we all get along and understand that we’re all here to travel and the more time we have ashore, the better the opportunities to really experience these countries. Soooo, we’ve all started taking shifts from one another to make everyone’s lives easier. It’s really great!

This cruise my great Aunt and Uncle are onboard for the 16-day cruise from Rio de Janeiro to Santiago, Chile. Danny and I have been spending a lot of time with them introducing them to all of the great people onboard and taking them to places in the ports that we’ve found to be the best representations of South American culture. In Buenos Aires the first night, we went to a tango show that was absolutely amazing. I have absolutely no idea how the people move their legs as quickly as they do without kicking one another… even Danny was impressed! The following day, we all went to the La Boca district of Buenos Aires. This district is full of colorful buildings, sidewalk restaurants with tango dancers right outside, and artisans with their work on tables surrounding the streets. We walked around for a bit then stopped at a restaurant with outdoor tables where we watched tango dancers performing on the outdoor small stage.

During my first contract, I bought shot glasses for myself and my sister at every port since we both collect shot glasses. During this contract, I decided to cut my losses with the shot glasses since many of them broke during their transport last time and I’ve ended up unintentionally collecting art from different ports. I’ve bought 2 small paintings and two small statues, as well as three really small framed photographs of tango dancers. I figure someday when I have my own place, it’ll be cool to use art as a way to reflect back on the adventures that I had at Sea.

Colleen comes onboard in Valparaiso for 22 days! I’m so excited!!! She’s actually going to be staying in my room and getting all of the same treatments as a crew member, only she doesn’t have to work. It should be a great time for her, and it’ll be amazing to show someone exactly what it’s like to work on a ship. I think it’ll give her a great opportunity to see why I’ve continued to do this job for longer than I originally intended, and why I may want to stick with it for a while longer. She’ll get to get off the ship in every port and really be able to see parts of the world that she has never been to, while seeing the behind-the-scenes world of cruise ships. Right now, Leen is in Nicaragua on a medical relief trip. She left on March 20th and will be flying from Nicaragua to Chile to meet up with the ship. She may just be all traveled out by the time she’s finished!

As for me, I’m still waiting to figure out what I’ll be doing after this contract. I have to wait and see if I get asked to come back for the Grand Voyage because as I’ve said many times, I would most like to come back to this ship because it has an amazing itinerary and Danny will already be here… and since I guess I like him a little bit, it would be nice to be on the same ship again.

In other news… only a month and 5 days til I’m home!!!! I think this time I’ll be home for at least 2 months, so I plan to make time for beach getaways, nascar races, and plenty of fun with friends and family! I would love to catch up with everyone because the biggest challenge in being away from home is realizing how much has changed since I’ve been gone. So, of course, I would absolutely LOVE to meet up with everyone to see how life has panned out in the past 5 months.

Alright, back to library duty… I love and miss you all lots and can’t wait to see you very soon!!!!

xoxo