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Published: December 31st 2006
At long last I can post about going places! (insert a "woot woot", "yippee", or a happy dance here, whichever you prefer)
Yesterday we were in Sint Maarten, and I spent most of the time trying to figure out where I was in relation to Saba (the island where Alexis spent a few months a couple years ago) and thinking about how she'd likely been wherever I currently was. I went with my roommate (who is a fitness instructor on the ship) and her friend (who also works in the spa) and we walked out to Pointe Blanche Bay where we stood up on the cliff and looked across the ocean to Saint Barth's. A local boy, Shaheem, served as our personal tour guide pointing out lobsters in the water, what the various buildings were and where he and his friends had a campfire the night before. After that, the girls wanted to go shopping and I'm trying not to spend too much money yet, so I wandered around Philipsburg (the main town at the port) on my own. Lots and lots of duty free and jewellrey shops. I explored some of the side streets where people actually live, seeing schools and churches and tiny corner beauty shops and bars. Then I strolled the beach and laid on the sand enjoying the gorgeous sunshine. Until it rained. Poured actually. So then I went back to the duty free and jewellrey shops.
Today we're in Barbados. I went with another friend of my roommate's (Helena who's a hairdresser in the spa) to a beach bar/club called the Boatyard. I thought a lot about Daniel and the random beach bar we ended up at in Uganda - except this one was far less random and sketchy and nobody was openly staring at me. This is the main place where the ship crew go to hang out in Barbados. Good drinks, food, and a stunning beach. The sand was so fine it was like walking on powdered sugar. And the water is the lightest blue water I've ever seen. Stunning. So more time spent lying on the beach, occasionally going in the water.
I haven't been doing a whole lot in the ports so far. The ship is packed (or so everyone says - it doesn't seem like a crazy amount of people to me, so I can only imagine how quiet it will be during off weeks). Because it's so busy the excursions department is going crazy so there is no possible way for staff to take trips right now. Which is okay. I've got tons of time ahead to go on the trips. I'm very content with the beach right now.
I'm beginning to develop a semblance of a living routine on the ship. I'm getting time for yoga and I'm going to the gym. Everyone says how awful the food is, but I'm finding it okay. There are always steamed vegetables and fresh fruit (fruits that I'm not allergic to!) and those are the biggest things I miss when working at camps. I can also always get grilled chicken and there's a big salad bar. So I'm quite content for now. I'm sure it will eventually get monotonous, but my body is feeling healthy and happy.
Tara and I have covered most of everything I need to know for my job. I've put together my program outline for next week - Tara's going to have me run the show next cruise. I'm excited about it.
I'm feeling a bit lonely. There are so many people here, but I suck at meeting people. I have such a hard time making friends when I'm the new girl. I know that sounds ridiculous; I have a ton of friends and I'm obviously very comfortable with people and can talk someone's ear off. But initially I'm just shy and it's easier to be withdrawn and quiet. Safer maybe.
Tonight we've got another dance party for the teens and then there's a big deck party where I have to join the social host team and lead line dances or something like that. It hasn't totally been explained to me. Then tomorrow's Martinique and the big New Year's celebrations. Should be fun. But I miss you all.
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Hilary K.
non-member comment
Happy new year!