Meeting the President of the United States
20 May 2012 Leave a Comment
It’s been awhile since my last blog post and I have a lot of catching up to do. Over the last four months, I’ve traveled to Germany, Scotland, England, Canada and Brazil. Those trips were all in the name of business, of course, but since it was my first visit to all (except England) they deserve their own blog posts. And I plan to do so. But first…
I had a very fascinating experience right here in Washington, DC in April, almost exactly 7 months to the day that I arrived in DC. I’ve been asked by several people to blog about it. It was certainly a once-in-a-lifetime event, so for the sake of posterity, here goes:
It was Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012. As I do every Easter, I had planned to go to church. I’ve been going to St. John’s Episcopal Church since I moved here. It’s nicknamed The President’s Church because every US President since James Madison in 1816 has attended church here at some point. And for good reason: it’s located directly across from The White House, separated only by Lafayette Square. My friend Jocelyn has been blessed to see the Obamas there at least twice, as well as both George Bush Sr. and George Bush Jr. at different times.
I had been told that the 11 a.m. service tends to fill up quickly and the church usually has to turn people away. So, I planned to arrive an hour early to guarantee I could get in. As I arrived at 10 a.m. on the Metro, and turned the corner onto H Street, I knew something important was happening. About 20 Secret Service officers were surrounding the entrance to the church. They all wore dark suits with earpieces and a small circular lapel pin indicating secret service. Disappointed, I figured the President was inside the church already for the 9 a.m. service. I missed him again! At the entrance, the usher handed me a program. “The 9 a.m. service is still going on, so you might want to sit in the Parish Hall and have some coffee while you wait,” he said. “Oh, and if I were you, I’d get in there pretty quickly. The President is coming to the 11 a.m. service.”
I smiled, thanked the usher and remained calm. But inside, I was so excited. Giddy, actually. I didn’t miss him after all. I quickly entered through the side door and into the Parish Hall. It was virtually empty and I kept expecting the Secret Service to approach me and ask me to wait outside. But they never did. As the 9 a.m. service ended and the people filed out, they brought in the bomb-sniffing dogs to sweep the church. The handful of us who were waiting in the Parish Hall were scanned by metal detecting wands by the Secret Service. And then, we were the first ones allowed into the sanctuary.
The President has a special pew reserved just for him. It’s about 10 rows from the alter and has a bronze plate indicating it as such. The row in front of it and behind it had reserved signs. And the rows across the aisle had reserved signs. But the row exactly across the aisle from the presidential pew was empty and had no signs. I figured this had to be a mistake. If I sat there, I’m sure Secret Service would ask me to move – if I extended my arm out across the aisle, the President and I could touch. I took the risk and sat there anyway. I saved two seats next to me for Jocelyn and her friend who were on their way. I didn’t know, however, that poor Jocelyn had been turned away at the entrance due to capacity.
The Presidents’ Pew at St. John Episcopal Church
Surprisingly, nobody asked me to move. The church filled up to capacity. And just before the service started, the Obamas – Barack, Michelle, Sacha and Malia – entered through a side door to a standing ovation. Then they walked towards me and filed into the Presidential Pew. I couldn’t believe it. President Obama was right next to me, separated only by an aisle. And all eyes were on him. Except mine because I didn’t want to be obvious and gawk at this proximity. Secret Service occupied the pew directly behind him. And the rest of the reserved pews were family and friends of the Obamas including the ones behind me.
And there we were having church together. I was so close I could hear his voice in the collective responses to the Reverend. Just after the Sermon and the Prayers of the People, there came The Peace. This is essentially where you greet your neighbor with a “peace be with you” and a handshake. I greeted those in the pew directly ahead of me and those behind me. And then in happened…
President Obama turned towards me and stepped out into the aisle at the exact same time that I turned towards him. He extended his arm and said “Happy Easter! And peace be with you.” I shook his hand and repeated his words back to him. I was surprised how warm his hand was and how his whole demeanor exuded warmth. He struck me as thinner than I imagined and tall, but not as tall as I imagined either. He graciously shook hands with those around me.
We continued on with Holy Communion. Since we were separated by an aisle, I took communion off to the side while the Obamas went to the alter. However, on the way back to our pews we ended up walking side by side. I smiled at Sacha and she smiled right back at me. Michelle saw this and nodded towards me. She said “Happy Easter” as I took my seat. I watched as the congregation filed past their pew and smiled and nodded at the President and his family. The choir led the singing of Handel’s “Hallelujah” towards the end of the service and I had to admit it was the perfect song to describe what I was feeling.
As the final song “Welcome Happy Morning” was sung, I tried to figure out a plan to take a photo of the President and his family. My big plan was to have my iPhone ready as soon as the service ended and sneak a photo as the President shook hands with people. But, of course, Secret Service escorted the President out of the church during the song and I missed my big chance. I still hold onto hope that the church photographer managed to click a picture of the President …. and maybe somewhere there’s a glimpse of me across the aisle.
A view of the alter of the church
A Tourist in my New Town
12 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
I moved to Washington, DC at the end of summer when temperatures were still in the 80s and the air was thick with humidity. Air conditioning was a must during the day, but at night the temperature dropped to a comfortable, almost-need-a-sweater degree. The worst part about dusk was that the mosquitos came out. I haven’t been around mosquitos in years and they sensed it. I was attacked nightly. I’m not sure if it’s worse because I live on the waterfront or if it’s like this all across DC, but they loved me. Between my giant frizzy hair and the red welts all over my body, I was certainly a sight to see.
The Waterfront Metro Station
My first big adventure was navigating the DC Metro system. I tested it the day before I had to go into work. The Waterfront Metro Station next door to my apartment is on the Green Line, which is a straight shot to Chinatown where my office is located. On most days, I can get to the office in less than 15 minutes which is the best commute to work I’ve ever had. My first impression of the Metro was that it reminded me of the Space Mountain ride at Disneyland. It even smelled like that ride, which made me quite nostalgic.
The domed building is where my office is housed
Chinatown Arch
At the office
The best part about moving to a new city is that every day is new. I see something or experience something new, which makes it more like being on a permanent vacation. On day one of my job, I was already overwhelmed by the sheer number of things to see and do in this city. Luckily, I had several opportunities to immerse myself in it – a company retreat with my communications colleagues and hosting a group of German and UK media during two weeks in October. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I’ll let these images speak for themselves:
Me in front of the U.S. Capitol Building
On a City Segway Tour of the Monuments (super fun!)
Me and the Marketing & Communications team on a segway tour
A View of the White House from the POV Lounge at W Hotel. A closer look will reveal two secret service agents on the White House roof
Me on a Bike and Roll Tour of the Monuments
The FDR Memorial
The new Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial at night (best time to see it)
Me at Ford's Theatre where President Lincoln was assassinated
President Lincoln's balcony at Ford's Theatre
Korean War Memorial
Location where Martin Luther King gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
WWII Memorial
The White House
President Lincoln's Cottage
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - Arlington Cemetery
Changing of the Guards - Arlington Cemetery
Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street - A favorite of Bill Cosby and President Obama
My favorite picture of the Washington Monument
Road Trip!
21 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
2011 was certainly a memorable year of travel. I thought my mom’s 60th birthday Mediterranean cruise in May would be the highlight. It was the time of our lives. With that trip, I had finally fulfilled my long-awaited dream to visit Spain and could cross that one off my bucket list. I was prepared to sit patiently through the rest of the year and maybe start planning a few trips for 2012. But, no sooner had we returned home from the cruise, than the winds of change picked up. And Lord knows with my restless spirit, I had been praying for a major change in my life.
Me in front of the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign
I had spent 13 years of my life in Las Vegas, Nevada. When I tell people that, most look at me and say “how on earth did you stay that long?” It’s such a transient city and when you think of the lifestyle which comes from a city like that, nobody can imagine having 13 years of stamina when a 3-day weekend in Vegas is plenty for anyone. Four of those years were devoted to college and nine were all about starting my career and climbing that corporate ladder. It was a great city to spend my wild 20s. But life, when I wasn’t traveling, had become stagnant. It was the same ole routine day in and day out. My job was at a dead end; I wasn’t going anywhere. My love life was at a dead end; it wasn’t going anywhere. I was really unhappy with just about every aspect of my existence. And that’s when Washington, DC came calling. And breathed life back into me again.
Leaving Las Vegas!
Truth be told, I was ready to go anywhere if it meant I could finally leave Las Vegas. In my job search, Washington, DC kept popping up again and again. I applied for an open position at Destination DC. The job: International Media Relations Manager for the destination marketing organization for Washington, DC. Essentially, my dream job! After a summer of phone interviews, an in-person interview and writing tests, I was offered the position in August. I was thrilled! But, they needed me to start in 3 weeks. Eeek! Imagine having only 3 weeks to completely end one life in one city, travel across the entire country and start a new life in another city. It was a challenge I was willing to accept.
With the help of my mom and sister, I packed up my entire house
First things first, I gave notice at work. I spent two solid weeks packing up all of my belongings every spare moment I could find. My sister and I embarked upon an extensive online apartment search; a search for a reputable moving company; and mapping out my driving route for the road trip of a lifetime. Somewhere in there, I had to make time to say goodbye to 13 years worth of friendships, which was by far the hardest part. I also had to say goodbye to my trusty Mitsubishi Lancer that had safely gotten me from Point A to Point B for more than 8 years. I sold her the day before I left and picked up my new Chevy Impala rental car for the 2,500-mile journey ahead.
Saying goodbye to my Mitsubishi Lancer
Pulling out of my driveway for the last time - Sept. 5, 2011
On Labor Day – Monday, Sept. 5, 2011 – I watched the movers load the contents of my three-bedroom house onto a moving truck. I loaded up my rental car and said a tearful goodbye to my sister. With my dogs comfortably in the backseat, we pulled out of the driveway for the last time and set course for the open road. As a single woman traveling alone, my goal was to only drive eight hours a day during daylight. First destination: Albuquerque, New Mexico.
A rainbow during the drive through Arizona
The drive took me through Boulder City, Nevada down to Kingman, Arizona and essentially the historic Route 66. It rained most of the way past Phoenix and into New Mexico. Since I had gotten a late start, I ended up driving well into the night and through a torrential downpour which blinded me for the last 90 miles to Alburquerque. I white knuckled it most of the way there. I checked into the pet-friendly Hampton Inn around 11:30 p.m. My dogs – whose biggest road trip until now had been down the street to the vet and back – were completely freaked out by the hotel. They barked at every little noise and would howl as loud as they could if I left the room for even a minute to get something out of the car. I was so nervous about someone complaining that the next day, as I was gulping down the free hotel breakfast, I made them sit in the locked car and parked it where I could watch them.
Large White Cross on Interstate 40
From Albuquerque, my next destination was Oklahoma, City, Oklahoma. Ironically, I passed by Las Vegas, New Mexico which was fun to see. Then, I set the cruise control through the flat Texas plains. Along Interstate 40, I kept my eyes peeled for something unique like the largest ball of twine or something straight out of “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure.” I settled for this giant white cross looming on the horizon for miles. Along the way, I also saw a giant watertower proudly declaring the home of Garth Brooks in Yukon, Oklahoma. Something about Oklahoma makes you want to listen to country music.
I arrived at the pet friendly Best Western Saddleback Inn, which may have been my favorite hotel along the way for several reasons: the awesome southern accents that greeted me at the front desk, and the fact that there was a large grassy front yard in front of my first-floor hotel room for the dogs. There was also room service which meant I could finally have a decent dinner in my room without the dogs howling the whole time. Oh and a spectacular free hot breakfast buffet!
Wednesday morning we were back on the road heading from Oklahoma City to Memphis, Tennessee. I put more country music on to pass through Carrie Underwood’s hometown of Checotah, Oklahoma. Today we were making a very special stop in Morrilton, Arkansas. My step-mom Linda and her husband live there. She was my dad’s second wife for 10 years (from the time I was almost 2 until I was almost 12). I hadn’t seen Linda in years. She works as a janitor for a local elementary school, so when I arrived around 12:30 p.m. she asked me to meet her there. It was a great reunion and I got to see the charming town she lives in. We went to her home where I met her Aunt Donna. They took the dogs and me on a walk along the Arkansas River and then Linda made her famous “Linda Tacos” for lunch, just like old times. I couldn’t stay long since I still had quite a drive ahead to Memphis, but our few hours together was worth it.
Linda and me
Back on the road, my second favorite moment (next to seeing Linda) was when I arrived in Memphis just after dark. There was something so magical about crossing the mighty Mississippi River and seeing downtown Memphis all lit up at night. It was breathtaking. I so wish I had a photo of that moment, but you know – I was driving. On a bridge. At night. With dogs panting in my ears. I drove all the way through the winding freeways of Memphis, which was another white knuckle moment for me, until we arrived at Drury Hotel. Our room was on the second floor which meant we had to take an elevator – Maya and Chloe’s first elevator ride. Sounds easy, right? Until they refuse to get in and other guests are sighing and rolling their eyes. And of course they had to howl and bark when I left them in the room to get the luggage. They were driving me crazy.
I got an early start out of Memphis but still managed to run into rush hour traffic. I drove the Musical Highway to Nashville and then past Knoxville and Dollywood. I SO wanted to stop in Memphis and see Graceland. And Opryland in Nashville. And Dollywood. But, I had a schedule to keep and couldn’t take the time. I would go back in a heartbeat. This second-to-last leg of the trip took us from Memphis to Bristol, Virginia. I passed the Bristol Motor Speedway where they have NASCAR races. Then found my way to Microtel Inns & Suites. I went to bed without dinner here because Maya was so freaked out by every noise and smell. She was out of control and I’m sure the hotel was happy to see us go the next day.
Maya in Chloe in Bristol, VA
It was Friday, Sept. 9 and Day 5 of our road trip when we finally arrived in Washington, DC around 2 p.m. We had driven through picturesque Virginia where even the rest stops look like beautiful, colonial brick buildings. The drive was so green with rolling hills and farmland; charming red barns and white picket fences. It reminded me of an east coast version of Oregon. And some place where I wouldn’t mind living one day. The drive was easy and effortless and I grew more and more excited as I saw signage for DC. But, just as I crossed the bridge into the District, I became very confused as the road began to split into different directions. My Mapquest directions told me to stay to the right and exit on Maine Ave. but the exit looked like it was blocked by orange cones. So I kept on going along I-395 until I was headed the opposite direction. And from there it became impossible to get back. I exited the freeway and attempted to take the city streets. They would go one way and then split into two directions and you weren’t quite sure which one was still the road you were on. And then suddenly, the streets were one way. And then if you were in the left lane, you were getting back on the freeway. Huh? I panicked for a solid 20 minutes as I think I broke a few traffic laws. Then I breathed and consulted my iPhone map. I managed to find my way to my apartment building and vowed to never drive here again.
Home Sweet Home - my new apartment building, The View at Waterfront
Me and the dogs at home
My teeny tiny apartment
View from my apartment
The kitchen
The bathroom
After seeing my apartment, I set off with the dogs to explore my neighborhood. I live in the Southwest part of The District. Immediately next door is Arena Stage, a performing arts center. On the other side of my building is the Waterfront Metro stop (subway) and a Safeway and CVS Pharmacy. I’m across the street from the Washington Channel which flows into the Tidal Basin (where the Jefferson Memorial is located). The channel is home to the Titanic Memorial, the Harbor Patrol police department, dinner cruise ships, houseboats, recreational boats, and DC’s very own outdoor fish market. I was so pleasantly surprised that this was my neighborhood.
Arena Stage
Boats along the Washington Channel
The park directly behind my apartment building
Feeding ducks along the channel
The Titanic Memorial
Outdoor fish market
My furniture wasn’t scheduled to arrive for another week, so I prepared to camp out in my living room. Luckily, I had stocked my rental car with all the necessities to get me through. Before dropping my rental car off at the airport, I did a huge grocery store run and stocked up on all the heavy items I couldn’t easily carry home. The grocery store itself was different than what I was used to on the west coast. You park in a parking garage where you either have to pay or can get your ticket validated if you buy groceries. You take your cart into an elevator and take it up to the second floor to shop. Not that I was looking for hard liquor, but I also learned that DC grocery stores only sell beer and wine. Anything else has to be sold at a liquor store. I guess I won’t be making margaritas. Toto, I don’t think I’m in Vegas anymore.
After unloading my groceries at home, I returned the rental car to the airport and thought I was going to die on the way. It happened to be rush hour on a Friday afternoon and the traffic was horrendous. I cabbed it back to my apartment after being thoroughly stressed out for the day. So, there I was. The new girl in town. Car-less for the first time in 13 years. Furniture-less for at least the next week. And starting a new job in two days. Chloe was so stressed about the move that she became incontinent for a few days. And I had to order a bark control device so that Maya would quit barking every time I left them alone. It was an adjustment for all of us. But we made it! We drove 2,500 miles and were starting the adventure of a lifetime.
More to come…..stay tuned for sightseeing pics of Washington, DC, my new home.
2011 in review
15 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
in Blog Stats
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 3,100 times in 2011. If it were a cable car, it would take about 52 trips to carry that many people.
One Final Day of Bliss in Barcelona
11 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
Friday, June 3, 2011
Casa Battlo, a popular work of Gaudi
Our cruise ship returned to Barcelona very early this morning. We had one final breakfast onboard in the dining room and, reluctantly, were off the ship by 8 a.m. We’re so sad that our cruise has come to an end, but glad that we have one final day in Barcelona before our flight back to the U.S. tomorrow.
We took a cab back to Olivia Plaza Hotel where we had spent the first days of our vacation. They remembered us, welcomed us back, and put us back in the exact same hotel room we had before. Then, we were off to purchase a ticket for the Hop-On, Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus once again. We had a mission today to see the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell in the L’Eixample neighborhood. We drove past Casa Battlo by Gaudi one final time.
Sagrada Familia
As the bus turns the corner and approaches Sagrada Familia, Barcelona’s most famous building, you can’t help but be in total awe. Antoni Gaudi started construction on this temple devoted to the “Sacred Family” or Holy Family in 1883, and as you can see by the cranes, it continues today. It’s absolutely massive and it doesn’t matter what time of day or day of the week you go; the line to get in wraps around the entire block. We waited in line for 30 minutes (which was actually quite short from the stories we heard) before we paid our admission and added the self-guided audio tour and elevator ride to the top.
Inside Sagrada Familia; looking up at the ceiling which represents trees
The audio tour was super helpful in understanding the design and the complex symbolism of the building and I highly recommend it if you go. For example, when completed, the cathedral will have 18 spires representing the Twelve Apostles, the Four Evangelists, the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. There are three grand facades: the Nativity facade facing East (like the rising of the sun representing birth); the Passion facade facing West (like the setting sun representing death); and the Glory facade facing South (to be completed, but representing hell, purgatory, the seven deadly sins and the seven heavenly virtues). The detail is unbelievable.
The Nativity Facade of Sagrada Familia
You can easily spend the better part of the day here. We explored the exterior and interior extensively and then took an elevator ride to the top (timed entry) for spectacular – and quite scary (if you’re afraid of heights) - views of Barcelona. It’s a lot taller than it looks. Then, you walk back down by way of a claustrophobia-inducing spiral staircase. Good times!
View of Barcelona from atop the Sagrada Familia
Once safely on the ground, we were ready for lunch. We chose a cute little restaurant called “Picasso” which specialized in paella, a Spanish staple we had not yet tried. Tracey and I each ordered our own and Mom sampled the tapas dishes. Delicious!
Me and my paella
After lunch, we got back on the Sightseeing Tour Bus and made our way to Park Guell. I recall seeing this famous park in various movies including, most recently, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.” Once again, this garden complex was designed by Gaudi between 1900 and 1914. It features a house that Gaudi once lived in (tours available for a fee) as well as some very famous mosaic tile work such as a serpent-like bench and a dragon sculpture.
At the entrance to Park Guell
We walked around for much of the afternoon. It’s a beautiful place but was very crowded. In the movies they make it seem like such a peaceful place where you can wander in solitude. But the truth is, be ready to deal with crowds.
The mosaic tile serpent-like bench
We spent a little time browsing through gift shops before stopping for gelato and getting back on the bus. We completed the loop and returned to our hotel. We decided to have dinner at a restaurant in nearby Placa Reial (where we had seen the flamenco dancer on one of our first nights here). We enjoyed some pizza, pasta and wine. I wanted to buy a couple of paintings I had seen on La Ramblas so we returned to make one final souvenir purchase. We called it an early night so that we could pack and prepare to get to the airport early the next morning. It’s been an amazing trip and I can’t wait to return here one day soon! Adios Barcelona. Hasta Luego.
Guitarist in Park Guell
Deep Into the Caves We Go…
05 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
in Mallorca, Spain, Mediterranean Cruise
View Larger Map
Thursday, June 2, 2011
This morning we arrived on the island of Mallorca, one of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea belonging to Spain. It’s our final port of call before we return to Barcelona. We are grateful to see land again after a very nauseating evening of turbulent seas. We’re promised, however, that it’s smooth sailing the rest of the way.
Arriving in Mallorca
The bus took us on a two-hour journey to the other side of the island, from the capital city Palma to Porto Cristo. Along the way, we passed La Seu, the Cathedral of Palma finished in 1601.
La Seu, the Cathedral of Palma
Upon arriving in Porto Cristo, Mallorca, the city nearest the Caves, we were given some free time to explore the beach or pick up some souvenirs. We enjoyed the beautiful views and then found a quaint little coffee shop. Tracey ordered a latte and I enjoyed a cappuchino and mom got a Coke. We tried to order everything in Spanish.
Some free time in Porto Cristo on the beach
Coffee Break
Back on the bus, we drove to the nearby caves. This is obviously a huge international attraction drawing several thousands of people daily. I had never heard of these caves before, but by the lines forming outside, and the timed entry, it was clear these caves were a major tourist destination. We joined the mass of humanity and filed into the entrance. The winding path takes you about 25 meters (82 feet) into the depths.
The Cuevas del Drach
The caves are well-lit with high ceilings and easy-to-navigate, man-made pathways, so you never felt claustrophobic. In fact, the stalagmites and stalactites were so mesmerizing, you forgot just how many people were in the cave with you (please no earthquakes, please no earthquakes…). We enjoyed the beauty of this natural wonder which may have formed just a mere 23 million years ago.
The truly surprising part of this adventure was what awaited at the depths of the cave: one of the largest underground lakes in the world, Martel Lake. And across from the lake was amphitheatre-style bench seating for the mass of humanity. As the show begins, the lights in the cave dim until you are sitting in virtual darkness. And then, you hear it before you actually see it: an orchestra sailing across the lake.
Stalactites
Then, little glowing boats appear and sail slowly along while their passengers play a beautiful concert of classical music. I can imagine how extremely romantic this would be if a man rented this cave for his date and treated her to a private, solo performance. Oh, and then naturally he’d have to propose to her and serve her champagne.
The glowing boats on Martel Lake
But, unfortunately, the reality of this public performance was filled with people sneezing, coughing, babies crying, foreigners loudly whispering in their native languages, people shushing each other. It kind of detracted from the moment. But, I extracted the beauty nevertheless and it was certainly worth seeing.
A small lake underground
Then, of course, you have to take a photo of the rock shaped like a dragon.
Cuevas del Drach - the rock shaped like a dragon
We boarded the bus for the return trip to Palma. But first, our guide took us to the most famous place in Mallorca: the Orquidea pearl factory. Mallorca Pearls are world renowned. It might be the only place where artificial pearls are as coveted as authentic ones. And it’s all because this factory laboriously creates such quality pearls that they cannot be distinquished from real pearls. We walked through the factory and naturally, into the gift shop.
Mallorca Pearl Factory
We returned to the ship. Tracey and I had a final and enjoyable dinner in the dining room while mom went on a second date with Kenny. In fact, he took her to the exclusive Captain’s dinner which is by invitation only. It’s like getting to eat at the chef’s table in the kitchen with 20 people and enjoy a several course tasting menu along with champagne and wine. I believe there was also a private tour. Tracey and I were very envious.
Somewhere in the Mediterranean…
31 Jul 2011 Leave a Comment
Waves crashing against the ship
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
We had big plans today to take advantage of our last full day at sea. After breakfast, we planned to meet up with Kenny to brave the Sky Course obstacle course once again. However, nature had other plans. The course was closed due to high winds. In fact, it is so windy and cold, that it is difficult to be out on deck at all. So, instead, Mom and Kenny and I went to the Ocean Plaza Lounge to play some television trivia. We followed that up with a return to the art auction where Mom scored an awesome deal on five paintings. By the time the art auction ended, we could feel the ship rocking significantly. In fact, it became difficult to walk around anywhere on ship. By mid-afternoon, we decided to return to our stateroom. We watched from our balcony as huge waves crashed against the ship. And, that’s right around the time that Tracey and I turned green with seasickness. The only thing that made us feel better was to lay flat on our backs in our beds. We flipped through television channels and prayed that the rocking would end.
Mom, being the experienced sailor she is, was completely unaffected by the motion. She went out to meet Kenny for a drink and when she returned, she brought us pizza and ginger ale. Having a full stomach definitely helps. Mom informed us that the whole ship was sick and the crew had placed vomit bag stations by all the elevators. We spent the rest of the night watching Discovery Channel (one of 4 available channel options) and wishing we could get off this roller coaster.
Enjoy the one picture I managed to take today, when I wasn’t about to vomit.
Romance at Sea
30 Jul 2011 Leave a Comment
The Obstacle Course on the Sports Deck
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
It’s another full day at sea as we continue along the Italian coastline and back towards Spain. Tracey had another late night partying at the nightclub, so she slept in while Mom and I had breakfast. Today, we’re feeling adventurous and we want to check out the Sports Deck. Our first stop: the obstacle course, suspended several feet above the deck. Two strapping young Latvian men secured our harnesses and tried to ease our fears as we examined the series of tightropes, balance beams and other contraptions ahead of us. I went first with Mom following close behind. There’s an “easier” side and a “harder” side, but I failed to see the difference. Very carefully, we made our way around the course without falling. We were so excited that we went around again just to be sure we had really completed it. With both of us being afraid of heights, this was a major personal milestone.
Miniature Golf and the Obstacle Course above it
After conquering our fears, we were unstoppable. Mom and I played a round of miniature golf and I was astounded when she got a hole-in-one on the toughest hole! Then, we played foosball and a giant game of Connect Four. After mastering the Sports Deck, we made our way to Lido Deck to play movie trivia. Tracey joined us at lunch time for cheeseburgers on deck. From there, we attended an art auction for the next two hours, which was my first auction experience ever. It turned out to be super fun and addictive. We enjoyed learning about the artists and the various pieces. We participated in afternoon tea at 3 p.m. and spent some time looking at jewelry in the ship’s store.
Tonight is another formal evening, but none of us have any motivation to get dressed up. We’re very relaxed and feeling quite lazy. So, while everyone else returned to their cabins to primp for dinner, Mom and Tracey and I found some bar stools at the ship’s lobby bar and settled in for a few rounds of wine and cocktails. We were slightly self-conscious of our “resort wear” looks while everyone surrounding us wore sparkly gowns and tuxes, but that feeling soon wore off as we enjoyed our drinks.
Turns out, we were at the right place at the right time. A few drinks in, a gentleman named Kenny from Florida approached Mom and they started talking. Turns out he’s single, no kids and cruising alone. He bought Mom a drink. Two hours later, he asked her out on a date for the following evening! Go Mom!! 
A great birthday present, indeed…
Since we weren’t dressed up for the dining room, we went to the Lido Deck for a casual buffet-style dinner. During dinner, we sailed past the island of Stromboli. It was pitch black as we looked out to sea. You could barely see any difference between sea, land and sky. But, then it happened. Every eight minutes or so, the active volcano on Stromboli spewed red lava against the night sky. Everyone “ooh-ed and aww-ed” as we sailed past. Unfortunately, my photo is completely black with one tiny sliver of red light at the bottom. Not worth posting here.
Tracey and returned to our stateroom to put dresses on, while mom turned in for the night. We met our friend Gail and her husband at the Piano Bar. We enjoyed a few more drinks and then ventured over to the Vibe nightclub. We talked with a few guys and then, out of nowhere, the ship’s Hotel Director Donato Becce, one of the top four highest ranking officers onboard, approached me and asked me to dance. Naturally, I said yes and we spent the next half a dozen songs spinning on the dance floor, much to the delight of his watchful staff. For the first time on this vacation, I stayed out late… until 2 a.m.
Happy 60th Birthday, Mom!
30 Jul 2011 Leave a Comment
Mom and her pina colada
Monday, May 30, 2011
Happy 60th birthday, Mom! The big day is finally here. We’re still in Venice. Our ship spent the night in port and we are scheduled for departure at noon today. Since we don’t have enough time to go back to St. Mark’s Square, we’ve decided to treat this as if it were another day at sea. We slept in a bit and had a leisurely breakfast in the dining room.
Tracey and her "Lovers" cocktail
We changed into our swimsuits and went on deck. But, lounge chairs are difficult to find today. I suppose the other 4,000 passengers had the same idea we did. We finally found a whole available deck, but it had no view and was mostly shaded. No matter. As long as we had our cocktails, nothing could bother us. We spent the entire morning relaxing on deck. However, it is very windy and cold!
St. Mark's Square as we depart Venice
At noon, all the cruise ship passengers came on deck to watch the ship sail. The views of Venice were incredible. We watched as the Italian Coast Guard assisted the ship as it maneuvered out of port. Once back out at sea, we grabbed deli sandwiches for lunch and went in search of a less windy sunbathing location. Unfortunately, there wasn’t one and we ended up curled up in towels on our stateroom balcony deck chairs. After an afternoon nap, we showered and got ready for a special birthday dinner at the ship’s steakhouse.
Mom and her birthday cake
The steakhouse requires advanced reservations and a special $30 per person charge (all other food on the ship is all-inclusive). It wasn’t difficult to figure out why. We were treated to the very best including champagne, surf and turf, escargot, lobster bisque, mashed potatoes and a chocolate dessert sampler. It was highly indulgent and wonderful. After we rolled out of the steakhouse dining room, we wandered next door to a lounge. The lounge was hosting Karaoke. We sat and watched for awhile, trying hard not to laugh when a woman with a thick German accent sang “Achy, Breaky Heart.” It was hilarious! From there, we wandered around listening to bands at various bars and lounges and browsing the shops. When we returned to our stateroom later, we had a chocolate birthday cake waiting for Mom. Unfortunately, after the kind of dinner we had, the chocolate cake remained untouched for the next day or two until it started gathering dust and we had to toss it. Ah well. It’s the thought that counts…
The Most Romantic City in the World: Venice
02 Jul 2011 Leave a Comment
in Mediterranean Cruise, Venice, Italy
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Arriving in Venice, Italy
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Mom and I were out on our balcony at 6 a.m. to watch as our ship arrived in Venice and sailed through the Venezia harbor. It was such a calm, peaceful experience to watch the glow of the sunrise over the quiet city. It was well worth getting out of bed so early. It just so happened that our room was on the right side of the ship to see St. Mark’s Square.
Passing by Venice's famous St. Mark's Square
Mom and I got ready for the day and headed to breakfast in the dining room around 7 a.m. Since Tracey had been out until the wee hours of the morning, she decided to stay in the room and sleep. She promised to join us later in St. Mark’s Square.
We’re exploring Venice on our own today; no guided excursion since we’ve been here before in 2008. As we left the ship, we found a water taxi, which would take us directly into St. Mark’s Square, the main (tourist) square of the city. Venice may very well be the most unique city in the world. There are absolutely no motor vehicles anywhere in the city. You get around by water taxi, gondolas or by walking. And, it can be a lot of walking with a lot of bridges to cross. No fear of getting hit by a car or motorcycle here!
The free-standing Campanile Tower of St. Mark's Church
The water taxi made two stops before arriving at St. Mark’s Square. We stopped for a moment to take in our surroundings. We saw the Campanile Tower, originally built in 1156 – 1173. However, the entire tower collapsed in 1902 and was rebuilt as it was in 1912. We also admired the two, free-standing granite columns symbolizing St. Theodore holding a spear and with a crocodile to represent the dragon he is said to have slain. The second column has a winged lion, a symbol of St. Mark. The columns have been there since approximately 1268. Between the columns, public executions (beheadings) took place so it is said to be bad luck to walk between the columns. On our last visit here, we had toured the inside of Doges Palace, the residence of the supreme ruler of Venice in the 1300s/1400s. The palace is connected to the prison next door by the Bridge of Sighs, aptly named because the view from the bridge’s windows was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before imprisonment. Today, the Bridge of Sighs is said to be lucky for lovers if they kiss on a gondola beneath it.
Mom in front of Doges Palace
Since we’ve toured St. Mark’s Square at length before, we decided to explore the alleys and spend the day shopping. Our first stop was an ATM and a bathroom. Believe it or not, but Venice charges 1.50 euros to use the public restrooms. That’s about $3 every time you go to the bathroom! You better make the most of it. 
We set off to explore and immediately came across one of many gelato shops. Yes, please! With our gelato cones in hand, we were unstoppable. We browsed shop after shop after shop, winding our way through the various alleyways.
The Clock Tower in St. Mark's Square
Venice is known for its Murano glass, a product they’ve been perfecting since the 10th century. Authentic Murano glass will have a sticker backing on the piece. Apparently, some shops claim to sell “Murano” and it is really plastic from China. Mom and I were like kids in a candy store. We bought lots of jewelry and trinkets. We returned to St. Mark’s Square around 12:45 p.m. since we had promised to meet Tracey there at 1 p.m. She found us right away (which was a miracle considering how crowded the square gets!).
We were all ready for lunch. We decided to try Trattoria Al Leoncini, a restaurant just behind Doges Palace. Mom and I shared a Caprese Salad. Tracey had the gnocchi, Mom had spaghetti and I had lasagna. And, of course, we enjoyed some wine and Tiramisu.
Gondolas in Venice
After lunch, we continued shopping and exploring. We tried to follow the signs leading to the Rialto Bridge, but never quite got there. The alleyways turn and twist and you can easily find yourself lost. So, we stopped for more gelato and then decided to return to the ship for awhile. It’s really hot today and we’re getting tired of walking. Our return water taxi ride was a bit interesting because two men (easily in their 70s) got into a shoving match to be the first to board the taxi. The water taxi employees actually had to break them up. And, naturally, these two men were both on our cruise ship. We’re finding that the older passengers on this cruise tend to be very pushy and rude. It’s fascinating. It’s kind of like the way people might act when they think there isn’t enough food to go around. I don’t understand it at all.
Me in front of a "parking lot"
Mom in Venice
A Murano glassmaker in action
Back on the ship, we dropped off our purchases and took some time to freshen up. We’re actually scheduled to take a sunset gondola ride through the canals of Venice. We met our group in front of the ship and took a private boat back to St. Mark’s Square. Our guide led us through the alleys to the gondola boarding location. We boarded the gondolas in groups of four and enjoyed a relaxing 40-minute ride through Venice. One of the gondolas near us had an Italian opera singer and accordian player who kept us entertained with romantic songs like ‘O Sole Mio’. Five or so of the gondolas in our tour group came together, side by side, in the Grand Canal near the Rialto Bridge (we finally saw it!).
The boarding location for our gondola ride
Getting ready to take our gondola ride
Awww...how romantic!
Family portrait!
Rialto Bridge in the Grand Canal
Gondoliers side-by-side
Views from our gondola
