http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Alaingela/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Alaingela en-us Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:27:53 +0000 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:27:53 +0000 Itrsquos the middle of my much needed nap when the ship tilts so drastically to the side that all of my drawers slam open and my things spill everywhere. Seconds later the emergency PA system turns on with an important announcement from the Captain. A few minutes earlier someone saw what might have been a person fall overboard. Following procedure we are turning back to do a circle around the a http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Italy/blog-330742.html The Island of CapriThey say the Sirens used the power of song to lure unsuspecting sailors into the bluffs of Capri an island off the coast of Napoli. Their irresistible voices called to the hearts of all men and ships would turn towards the rocks in pursuit of something they could neither understand nor resist. The island of Capri is a massive structure rising out of the sea with dramatic cliff http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/blog-319686.html It occurs to me as I am actually enjoying my airline food on the flight from Miami to Venice that perhaps I have gotten a bit too used to shiplife. What is probably the worst food produced on this planet actually seems to be a bit better than what I am used to eating in the staff mess onboard. As I quickly consume soggy rice and what they claim to be ldquochickenrdquo licking my fork clean I http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Aruba/blog-312094.html Between Contracts Part 3 4 Michigan Vegas HomePart 3 Michigan and The WeddingI headed out to Michigan for a few days to visit my sister Emily and my friend Emily who lived one floor below me in college for two years we used to spend nights in she cooked I did the dishes and I fostered her obsession with bad prime time tv programming an addiction that lasted her well past college. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/blog-300636.html 6 weeks might seem like overkill for a work break especially when my salary is suspended while I am between contracts but somehow I managed to pack my most recent vacation full of fun and adventures and lived every minute to the absolute fullestPart One Home New York BostonI was really excited to have an entire week at home simply lounging and recharging. I cannot begin to explain the ult http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/blog-294486.html You know you need a vacation when you cant even get away from work in your dreams. Last night my roommate told me I was regulating the teenagers in my sleep I was saying out loud ldquoHey I need to see your card whatrsquos your name Yeah Irsquoll be right there.rdquoAm I jaded if I am tired of the places people crave to visit I guess thatrsquos what happens after over a year of twic http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Mexico/blog-271278.html A broken engine propulsion thingy means we get to stay in Cozumel until midnight last cruise and we all know this means an adventure. At first the day is frustrating with nothing coming through the way we liked we went to three different resorts trying to find friends and hang out without an exorbitant entry fee but no such luck. Finally at 5pm I huff back into my room in a wrecked mood. My r http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Mexico/blog-263353.html Well itrsquos been quite a while since my last entry so I thought Irsquod post a quick update with where I am these days. Currently I am working on the Carnival Inspiration out of Tampa en route to Cozumel and Grand Cayman. Itrsquos a small ship which means a much closer staff a more friendly environment and easygoing guests. I am still enjoying what I do on a daily basis but I have rece http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Mexico/blog-246980.html Sometimes I cannot believe this is my life. I am cantering through the ocean with waves splashing up around my ankles. This crazy Mexican horse seems to be afraid of the water but I cannot help but drive it back into the crashing surf. For a few moments I am alone on the beach somewhere off the coast of Mazatlan Mexico. I am pushing this horse as fast as it can possibly run down the endless sandy http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Mexico/blog-203190.html When I look out over the railing I find it impossible to believe that I am floating so far from shore. The horizon is a blank slate melting seamlessly from sky to sea into a darkness that is intangible. I feel the opposite of powerful while somehow filled with the false overconfidence of someone too drunk for judgment. I am days from everything I know and understand. I am lost and finding myself http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/blog-171401.html My Carnival experience improved on a random afternoon in Nassau without any warning at all. My boss happened to be in port because he was cruising with another ship and we all planned a lunch get together. Sitting down at a Chinese restaurant only staff know how to find he got right to the point I was to be pulled off the Carnival Liberty the following morning due to room space issues and bud http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Mexico/Sinaloa/Mazatlan/blog-169649.html In Costa Rica the locals call living life to the fullest Pura Vida. I look around at my latest adventure and know I am living proof of Pura Vida. I am finally settling into shiplife and I can see now why it isnrsquot for everyone. At the same time there are moments when I am so overwhelmed with how amazing this job is that I cannot imagine it any other way. The incredible adventures far o http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Mexico/Quintana-Roo/Riviera-Maya/blog-147999.html I am throwing Mardis Gras beads over the top deck level to hundreds of jumping and cheering guests below. The Reggaeton band is rocking out and for a little while the seas are actually calm enough to walk straight. We lead the ship in a few goofy dances have some friendly competition games then when the Deck Party is over the staff goes downstairs to the Crew Bar for a little partying afterhou http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/blog-142938.html