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Published: September 6th 2008
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Only a few days onboard and already I’m off touring!
First though, I’ll recap a bit on the first few days . . .
I had some incredible flights on the way here. Take off from Toronto was beautiful. We flew over Lake Ontario and I had a perfect view of the Niagara Peninsula. Could spot towns and landmarks I know so well from the ground: The Skyway Bridge, Hamilton Harbour, the escarpment, the Welland Canal, Port Colbourne, St. Catharines, the Niagara River and the falls. I love that chunk of land. It’s so big but it all feels like home. Flying over it, it all seemed so tiny, like I could pick it up.
My flight had a stop-over in New York and that was pretty awesome too. It was so clear out and I had a perfect view of Manhattan. Could pick out the Empire State Building, the bridges connecting Brooklyn and, though she was just a small thing in the distance, I could see Lady Liberty. Pretty awesome.
Once I got on the ship, it was near instant chaos. This is the first time I have had no handover, meaning I didn’t have overlapping
time with the director I was replacing. So I had basically 4 hours to learn the ship and organize my program before I had to start entertaining teens. Of course, it all can’t be done in that amount of time. As much as possible was done, and then the rest has been done gradually over the last few days. Let me just say, it is not easy trying to keep 200 teens occupied and having fun while also trying to figure out the ins and outs of your ship! But I’ve made it this far, it “should” only get easier.
My first port was two days ago, Cozumel. Though it was only my third day on the ship, I was itching to get on land, if only so I could relax a bit. As I walked down the ship’s pier and looked out at the familiar sparkling blue water and shops and hotels, I thought how fast this last week has been. Only a week earlier, I’d been sitting in the “cozy corner” with the campers in my theatre program, giving notes and praise for our performance. Only seven days later, and I’m walking in Mexico. Crazy.
I
spent most of that day in a café sipping on fresh fruit smoothies and doing things online. But I took some time and went back to No Name Bar (the bar run by former crew members for crew members where I’ve been many a time) and laid out in the sunshine and read my book. Exactly the moment I’d been craving when I’d agreed to come do this month down here.
Then it was back to the ship and work for a couple more days. Until today.
As always, part of my program is offering a chance for the teens to go in port with their friends and without parents, therefore with me. This week’s tour was Zip Lining in Belize. My first contract, on the Legend, we came to Belize lots and I loved it. Definitely one of my favourite ports. Mainly because of all of the great tours I did, including zip lining. I thought today’s tour would be the same one I did then - but it wasn’t. It was better!
By now, I’ve done lots of zip lining in lots of different ports. None has yet topped Costa Rica for me. But this
course was pretty great because the location was awesome. It was not simply in the rainforest, but in and around caves.
First, let me say how happy it made me to be back in the rainforest. It’s strange, because I’d never want to actually move somewhere with a rainforest, or live in one. But I feel almost a feeling of homecoming when I’m in one. I love them so much and feel so energized and at peace in them. So just being back in one brought me instant joy.
We did the obligatory safety briefing. Then had a bit of hike through the forest. Only about 5-10 minutes, but all uphill. Which I didn’t mind, but exhausted most of the other people on the tour. All those hours spent teaching dance all summer are sticking with me! Then the zips began. One of them was absolutely incredible. We soared over this almost valley-like area, way above the trees. Below you could see down into the forest and see some of the caves and down into them. Very cool.
A couple more lines through, and we had to repel down a line. Even with my fear of falling
still holding on to me strong, zip lining doesn’t bother me anymore. But repelling makes me nervous every time. Made it through.
Then the final zip line started out in the forest, but took you into one of the caves where you finished. Very very cool. And then one final repel inside the cave. Repelling = scary. Doing it the cave though, that was at least different.
And so I’m back down here. Back to work (and doing lots of it). But having more adventures. Which makes it all worth it every time.
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Sarah Willett
So exciting! Glad you are having more adventures. I can't wait!