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Alike any other week, my last week on the ship was full of all kinds of hilarity, scandal and drama. And I sit here in the airport reflecting on it and can say that I will miss it somewhat.
When ever I go on vacation or even a road trip I tend to make a CD with all of my favourite songs at the moment so I can always listen back on the CD and relive the experiences. When I was preparing to leave to come to Carnival, I thought about making a CD to bring along, and then realized that I wanted all of my CD’s from home, so I didn’t make the CD. I know have my entire library of music to reflect back on which is amazing. I know that there are certain songs, lyrics and dance moves that will be associated with everyone I worked with.
-From, Jeanette’s Nelly Furtado, to Catherine’s Finally, and Brian’s Man Eater, Richards Mariah, Kristina’s personal lyrics any time there was a tune. I know have a personalized soundtrack for this whole experience. Saying that I am writing this (as my flight has been delayed twice already and likely
Supper Club Group Shot
This is the group of us that went to supper club for my supper club. Marlize, Brian, Jeanette, Catherine and me. will not take off due to an tornado) I listening to Christopher Allen Graves, one of the production singers that came onto our ship to do the “Singin’ with the Big Band”, sketch.
This last week was very busy for me, not only was I trying very hard to not mentally check out of my position as I knew I was leaving, there were Crew Comment Cards which needed to be completed. These are comment cards highlighting specific areas for the crew where their voices can be heard - somewhat. I was trying to clean the training centre for Vanessa so the new girl who would be coming to replace me wouldn’t think that I was a total slob. Going out in ports, supper club for my final time, two disco nights and a production show, it was a lot for one week. But I managed.
When it was time for Grand Cayman, Catherine, Brian and I decided to go back to 7-mile beach. When we go there, there was Emma - Dancer, Michael - Trumpet player for the Show Band, they were sunning themselves and having a few beverages, so we joined them. It was a nice
Grand Cayman Group Shot
My last Grand Cayman,,,, group shot. Catherine, Emma, Brian and me. day, we played in the ocean, had a great lunch beachfront and then talked about life and experience and all of the wild things we had done for the afternoon.
I had Cozumel as my day off this cruise. I knew I had another big day ahead of me. I needed to get A LOT of my souvenirs here. I wanted to get them from here. So Jeanette, Brian and I trolled around San Miguel, in Cozumel to find some interesting things for family and friends. After which we went to La Ceiba, a resort that invites crew to come and enjoy their facilities for 10$. The resort is very nice, with a great view. There was almost everyone that we hang out with on the ship there - Dancers, Singers, Shop Staff, Spa Staff, Photographers and the odd Technical Staff member. The day was full of a lot of them drinking, swimming, jumping off a pier and throwing each other into the pool. You all may remember me posting an entry a long time ago about being rerouted to Roatan, and I described the situation like a large group of spring-breakers, this was very similar.
When we
got back onto the ship, we didn’t have a lot of time to do anything because we were all going to go to Supper Club for my last night. So Jeanette, Marlize, Catherine, Brian and I went. It was so nice to have such great company for my last Supper Club. I was excited to go and eat some ‘real-non-mess” food. We definitely had our share. At the end of the meal, alike so many before it, we all were like “ OOOOO my Piggy hurts so much”. We try and tell everyone that going for the bread when asked is never a good thing, but I can’t help it. After dinner all went down for some formal photos as a group and then I managed to get a few for my parents and grandmother. I am sure they will like them a lot.
When it came time to go to Belize, Jeanette, Catherine, Brian and I all took the tender from the ship to the port. The last week that I was in Belize with Ursula, I purchased some silver, and when I got back to the ship and tested it to make sure that it was real,
Disco Group Shot
Last group night in the Disco. I found out that it was FAKE. So this Belize’s mission was to go back to the vendor who sold me the fake silver and get some real stuff. And that I did. As soon as I walked toward him, he held up two bracelets and said, “I know I know”, to my “If you know I am crew and will be back why would be try and sell me fake silver?” He didn’t have an answer just told me I could have what I wanted. So I exchanged a few things and off we were. It was sooooo hot again in Belize, I was a soaking wet mess when I left. Brian Catherine and I decided that we would go for lunch on Lido deck and then take advantage of the slide that goes from Deck 11 to 10. It was a lot of fun, and brought me right back to my childhood, going to Sports World in Kitchener with Aunt Linda and other relatives.
I decided that I would go out on Crew Deck during my time in Costa Maya this cruise and look at the coastline, take in the calm breeze and burn baby burn. It
Snack Time
Jeanette, Catherine and Brian and I in the crew mess for snack time. would be the last day I saw the sun, and if I didn’t go home with a tan I would be very disappointed. When I was out on the deck tanning, two of the dancers, Maree - a lovely girl from Australia, and Audry - same, said to me, “Is your goal to look like a cooked chicken?”, when they said that I knew I was one shade from perfect. HAHAHA, But I took that as an indication from someone else that I was dark enough.
Packing seemed like an easy thing to do, I am good at it, I don’t take a lot of time and I generally don’t mind it. However packing 6 months of accumulated junk, clothes and souvenirs, seemed to trump all of my thoughts about packing. When I left Toronto I had one LARGE suit case, yup I managed to fit all of my shoes and t-shirts and products into one LARGE suit case. Well when I finished packing I had that same LARGE suit case, a LARGE duffle bag, and MEDIUM duffle bag and a laptop bag. SO MUCH JUNK…. I will purge when I get home.
Saying the good byes is
never an easy thing. Although I am not afraid of it, I would generally just like to avoid it. So I managed to write everyone a very nice card, some people got a few surprises and others a great chat before I left. Jeanette surprised me with some GREAT presents, I was soooo happy to have gotten them. One of which is a DVD that I have watched like 3 times. It is a slideshow of my adventure. This morning as I signed off, I met with Jeanette, Catherine, Sam, Brian and his boyfriend Dean, for lunch before heading to the airport. I left all of them in tears, happy to have known them, and know I will continue a great friendship.
I definitely leave this environment hesitant to what’s next. Wheat will I do, what should I do, and what is expected of me. But if anything this experience has reinforced the quote that I live by, and that is to,
“Stand up for what’s right, even if you are standing alone”.
And that is exactly what I am going to do. I am glad that you all have enjoyed my entries, and stories and hope
to have many more to share with you soon.
Hugs,
Brooks
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