THE POWER OF WORDS: READ HISTORY
On November 2nd we will be embarking on a two-week cruise along the Pacific coast, first north to San Francisco then returning to San Diego and heading south to the Mexican Riviera.
I recently found a journal I kept in February of 2010 when Hal and I spent a few days in Anaheim before we cruised to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, and Cabo San Lucas.
Looking back on our experiences was interesting. To ensure history does not repeat itself, I am reminded of the following.
1st: Select a cruise line that matches your lifestyle. The Royal Caribbean cruise we took was akin to spending 7 days on a raucous party bus. There was a loud Seventies themed “street party,” surprise guests “The Village People,” and a Mardi Gras parade. The cruise line’s “Quest” game was in many ways hilarious, although I was shocked by how readily contestants shed their inhibitions. While visiting with family recently, I recalled that when teams were asked to provide a thong, several women stood up and took theirs off, handing them to the Quest captains. My brother’s wife couldn’t understand why taking footwear off in public would be problematic. (Names are being withheld, to protect the innocent.)
Some of our fellow travelers advised against taking a Carnival Cruise. We were told, “They cater to young people, and the noise and disgusting behaviour is endless.” It was also recommended we avoid cruises during Spring Break.
2nd: Proper footwear is essential. Walking shoes are often unattractive, but so is hobbling around on painful, blistering feet.
3rd: Walk everywhere. Use the stairs rather than the ship’s elevators, to compensate for the overabundance of tempting food that will be constantly available.
4th: No matter how fat and unattractive you may be or think you are, there will be a large (!) number of people on board who look far worse than you. Focus on displaying inner beauty. That’s what people will remember.
