Get Me to the Ship on Time

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Geo: 55.6763, 12.5681

You know. From the musical "The Music Man". Whatever. If you remember, we went to bed early last night, trying to shake the last of our jet lag. People were out wandering the streets, the normal shopping and dinner crowd. The Italian singer from the restaurant next door was doing his "O Sola Mia" which, I must say, is very good. The band is playing at Charlie Scott's across on the corner but it's all good. Then comes 10pm when all those people leave and the bar crowd starts gathering strength. They're not drunk yet, just loud and boisterous. Next comes 1am and the hooting and hollering commences. At 2 and 3am it just gets louder. Some just walk or stagger quietly while others shout, sing and scream. Three guys were carrying a large planter taken from some establishment, yelling and laughing while they made their way down the street where they finally threw it against a door. Later, a couple finds it and they guy apparently takes it back to where it belongs. The commotion all finally dies off at 4am only to be replaced by garbage trucks, sweepers and delivery vehicles, here to restock the clubs and restaurants while the streets are void of traffic. Oh, and don't forget the seagulls, screeching as they aid in the street cleaning effort. Then, from 6-8am, it's all quiet until the commuters hit the streets with a few cars and mostly bicycles and pedestrians. Now that's actually quiet. Needless to say, in my effort to gather this information, I was unable to enjoy a peaceful night's sleep once again.

So, at 4:30am, our day begins again. Why not? It's light outside. I type. Mom cooks. Same routine. We got a text from Anne saying someone would be by at 11:45am to pick up the key from us. We board the Zuiderdam today anytime after 1pm. Once the key is picked up we'll call a taxi for the 20 minute ride to the port. Maybe the port has free WiFi. Many do. It's 8:30 and Karen is packed and ready to go. Actually, we never really unpacked so I'd say that's cheating. We still have time to kill so I download pictures from my Sony, Panasonic and IPhone cameras so I can be ready to put them on Travelpod whenever I get an Internet connection.

Mom tidies up the place a little. Louise shows up on time, she calls us a cab, we grab our luggage and down the stairs to the street we go. Our taxi is already there and we load up, heading for the cruise port.

Our driver is real chatty. We told him about the kids in the street making noise at night. He says, "It's rich students and they are protected by their capitalist families. Only the poor people pay for stuff and the rich are given everything. Obama's great efforts have been stifled by the rich Republicans who steal it from the programs for the poor. Now Bernie Sanders is the guy with the right ideas. Here in Denmark, we keep everyone employed by creating jobs and paying everyone a lot of money." Wow! When I asked if that would create a society of low achievers with no ambition, he argued, "That's why we keep the wages high and free benefits for all". No comment. This short ride seems to be getting longer by the minute.

We arrive at the port in about 20 minutes. Lots of traffic. 253DKK or about $40. I told you things are expensive here. Checking in was non-eventful and we were on board and in our stateroom in about 45 minutes. Our ship is the Holland America Zuiderdam - capacity 1964 passengers. We were on it once before through the Panama Canal. Being preferred travelers with them, an invitation was on our bed inviting us to the Mariner's Club Champagne Welcome Party in the Crow's Nest at 2pm. We hang awhile up there enjoying the view but we left early to make reservations for our free dinners, then to the lifeboat drill at 3:15, back to the room for cleanup or organizing and finally to the Lido for dinner. We skipped the "Bon Voyage" party poolside, opting to view our departure from our own balcony. Mom couldn't resist a quick tour through the shops on board and we were to our room and in bed by 8pm. Exhausted but the bed is nice and it's dark and quiet. The alarm is set for 6am as we dock in Warnemunde, Germany tomorrow and plan to take the train Bad Doberan.

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Comments

[Scarlett Thomas]

I'm glad you guys are finally getting some sleep. It's hard with the time change. I like seeing all the pictures..... Keep posting them...