I have this classification system. There a REI people and there are non-REI people. There are Burning Man people and there are non-Burners. There are Cruise-for-over-4 days people and there is Amy. I fall into the latter category for all of those. Now my parents… they are REI people and Cruisers (in fact they already booked a 10 day cruise from Vancouver to Hawaii!). While I enjoy free food and going to different ports, seeing the same people and the same things day after day is not my cup of tea.
Days 4 through 5 were at sea and after all our excursions up to that point, I just wanted to avoid people and lounge in bed, relaxing. And after spending the mornings doing just that, I took a book and myself to the ‘quiet bar’ on the ship, Boleros. I made friends with the best bartender, Kristine, and talked about being dog owners and what cruise-life is for someone working on the ship. Mom and Dad joined me for some libations.
Still resolute in avoiding people, I skipped out on dinner on Day 5. It’s not that I’m anti-social (as any one who has met me in person can attest to) the energy of other people really drains an empath like me. And then I heard that our favorite waiters, the 2 Oscars, were asking for me. Mom told them I had a headache and they sent my parents up to the room with my dinner portion. The 2 Oscars rock!
Day 6 we pulled into our last new port – Victoria, B.C. aka CANADA! Told you I was going international! And as we pulled into port, Mom decided to flash Canada from our balcony. This is problematic for two reasons: 1) for a lady who has believed since she was a kid that she would die in Canada, I don’t know why she would tempt Death and for 2) I don’t know about you but seeing your mom flash her boobs in front of you and your dad requires immediate therapy for me. She’ll be getting a bill or a taste of her own medicine one day – except Boyfriend might have a problem with that. At least they let the flasher into Canada.
Our shore excursion was to the Butchart Gardens which was a nice garden and at it allowed some time off the ship. I fell asleep during the drive there and on the way back towards downtown. The pictures that follow are from the gardens.
After boarding the ship, we napped a bit and then I went to Boleros to say goodbye to my bartender friend, Kristine. Mom and Dad met me for a drink before we headed to dinner with the Oscars. They were happy to see me and let me order more than 1 appetizer. The collection of fan club members around the world continues! The Boyfriend hasn’t seen this phenomenon in person so I hope he’s OK with my global fan-base (he still needs to go international with me once his global entry is cleared). I’m not waiting in the peasant line for anyone (aka non-TSA pre-check general screening). Just ask my folks!
Currently sitting at the airport in Seattle awaiting our direct flight home. I’m ready to sleep in my own bed and be home for a few days before I’m off to visit a friend in the suburbs outside of Chicago. This is my last trip as I need to renew my passport to get back into Mexico as soon as I can!
There She Goes... 