More Random Thoughts

March 21-25
We are having a day at sea and what a day it is. Since last night we have been tossing and turning in high seas and gale force winds. The barf bags are out, the women are in flats and we hang onto the rails whenever we are moving about. The stabilizers are out.
The sea is rough with 7-12’ swells though the wind is 22 knots. I am on the lowest passenger deck. The crew quarters are one deck down. I am certain that the waves are crashing on the crew portholes as the foam is drenching my window two stores above sea level. I love it.
I am forward and the bow rises and falls with the swells. It hits the water hard and the ship trembles. My stomach feels like I’m on a roller coaster on a turbulent flight. Have I mentioned that I love it? I have the very best night’s sleep of the cruise.
Organizing the passengers is like herding cats. Rules do not apply to most passengers and when thwarted they get downright nasty. These are folks are of all ages and all nationalities. Today as I was clearing Japanese customs and immigration a couple pushed so close behind me in line that I could smell their breath. Yuck! By the way my fingerprints are now on file, at least in Japan.
Ancient inhabitants of Saipan valued the spirit of their ancestors. They also valued arm and leg bones which were strong and made good weapons. This is what archeologists and anthropologists theorize by the many armless and legless skeletons found buried and arm and leg bones found with other tools. Seem like the ultimate in recycling to me.
The music is varied and quite good aboard the vessel. I discovered the Piano Bar about week two. The “piano man” on the Noordam was pitch challenged so I wasn’t expecting much but Fritzie is sensational. Not a looker but a stylist who can croon, who plays a mean boogie and obviously enjoys her job. I had heard about her on CruiseCritic and the comments were spot on. It’s often impossible to get a seat. We’ve enjoyed Jimmy Buffett night, St. Patrick’s, the USO night and “Name that tune”. The crowd is friendly and loves to sing along. Fritzie provides the songbook.
Before dinner each night I stop at the Explorers Lounge and relax with the string quartet. They play a range of music from Gershwin to Bolero to familiar classics.
This afternoon in the Crow’s Nest, a jazz group entertained and the group that plays there regularly is really terrific. Their voices are fine and they play a wide range of music from Latin to waltzes to Rock.
This is the longest I have been away from my home at one time and in one place. My stateroom has that homey feeling. My only complaint is that there really is too much to do. The lectures, the cooking shows, meals, the poker games, the hot tub and pool and I must get some time in for crosswords and reading and Sudoko not to mention my Teaching Company Courses and movies. Sometimes the decisions are easy but often I just toss a coin.

---

---