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Published: September 18th 2007
Carnival Pride
My home for the past 4 monthsSometimes 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 beach, with nothing in the distance but a hazy horizon. Don't ask me how I got a horse onto the beach in the middle of nowhere. it's part of the adventure. I haven’t felt this free in a long time.
Fast forward a few weeks filled with pleasant evenings spent hanging in the crew lounge and wandering the streets of familiar ports. A hurricane rerouted us back to the coast of California for a week. I had the opportunity to explore San Diego during the middle of a lazy weekday with friends who have never been there. We went to the San Diego Zoo and watched polar bears paddle in water that must have been much too warm, and watched sea lions perform
Catalina Island
re-routed for the day to beautiful catalina island! tricks for sardines. Then we grabbed a lunch of freshly caught fish on the harbor and then went to explore a Pirate Ship and old submarine down the dock. Let me say I will never complain about my accommodations at Carnival after seeing that submarine!! The eating area doubles as the medical center and the sailors slept on metal springs with wool blankets, stacked 3 high in the engine room. Yeah I think my double closet and private toilet are looking pretty sweet right about now.
Last week was my final visit to Puerto Vallarta. About 20 of us got passes to a gorgeous resort down in Nuevo Vallarta, where food, drinks and entertainment were all inclusive. We lay around for hours alternating swimming and sleeping, and then danced wrecklessly in the ocean for over an hour.
For a little while I wasn’t sure if I would sign another contract. I don’t believe that I handled some things well these past few months and I am afraid of repeating my mistakes because I don’t quite know what I can learn from them except to be careful with my priorities. But when I find myself at a beautiful resort
Nikki Beach
At one of our favorate resorts in Cabo San Lucas, where instead of pool lounges there are giant canopy beds sharing Pina Coladas with some of my favorite people, watching the sun set behind palm trees and shimmering ocean, how could I possibly want to be anywhere else?
I am grateful to say I have no regrets. Looking back, the things I wanted most out of this contract came true - I traveled to amazing places and made amazing friends, and in the end I can leave all of that extra drama behind. I will take with me memories of exotic courtyards, statues silhouetted behind sunsets, frolcking in the ocean, and many many nights spent talking about everything and nothing at all.
Coming up I’ll be house hopping throughout Austin, Michigan, Boston and New York, then I am filling in for a month on the Carnival Ecstacy out of Galveston. Then I have November off, so If you want some Alaine-time drop me a line and maybe I’ll find my way to your neck of the woods if I can. In December, I board the Carnival Inspiration out of Tampa, routed for Cozumel and Grand Cayman. Future's looking bright...
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Stacy Armijo
non-member comment
Like a fantasy!
Thanks for adding all the blog postings, Alaine - It sounds amazing! You're welcome at my place if you need somewhere to crash while in Austin. At the very least, we definitely need to get together for drinks!