I DIDN’T PACK ANY UNDERWEAR!

October 21, 2016

Well, for years I’ve been telling you can wear one pair of underwear for 4 days.

I was unpacking my suitcase (mom’s hadn’t arrived – more on that soon) and everything was out, and I looked up at Bonnie and said, “I didn’t pack any underwear!”

She said, “I only packed 7 pair, so you can’t have any of mine.  You can get through 8 days before you have to do laundry.”

Then I unzipped a pocket I hadn’t checked, and voila!  I won’t have to do laundry for 8 days, but I will have clean undies every day.  Excitement at sea!

We hired a bus from the hotel to bring us to the dock, and it came off without a hitch.  Our bags were taken from the bus directly to the ship, while we went inside to get our “Sail and Sign” cards – room key, shopping card, ticket off and on the ship.  They were backed up about an hour.  We had signed up to go through the line at 11, but it was 12 until we were called up.  I had signed us up for everything online, given them our credit card number for our portfolio, pictures, the works.  It went very smoothly and we came on board. 

Cabin 2296 was ready and we stopped in for a minute before heading to the Lido Deck for lunch.  I had a cheese burger at Guy Fieri’s and Bonnie had two tacos.  I don’t know about her, but that may be my regular lunch.

Came back down and my suitcase was here, so I unpacked.  Closet and other storage space is smaller on the Vista than any ship we’ve been on, and it is Carnival’s largest ship.  Go figure.

Then we went to see the Matre’d to get our dining changed from Any Time to a regular table and a regular time.  The Matre’d is an old friend from another cruise.  Ken greeted us with recognition, and when I reminded him we had been with him on the Journeys cruise in January and February he said, “Yes, and you were sitting at the second booth, just inside the dining room.”  Neat.

Still no suitcase for Bonnie and by now it was time for the lifeboat drill, which was held in the Reflections dining room where we will consume our evening meals. 

Back to the room, and still no suitcase.

Ryan, the Entertainment Director, called me to introduce himself and say we’d get together personally soon.  He hadn’t been told until 2 days ago he was having a lecturer (or a ballroom dance couple) even though we’d signed up months ago and sent our portfolio of my talks.  He apologized and said he hadn’t scheduled me yet so I have tomorrow off.

Next it was supper – pork chop with mac & cheese with bacon for me and baked chicken and baked potato for Bonnie.  Dessert was molten chocolate cake and 2 scoops of ice cream for both of us (sure to be repeated).

Back to the room, and voila!  Bonnie’s suitcase had arrived.  But it had a note in it saying they’d searched it because they couldn’t figure out what something was.  Probably those 7 pair of panties that she said she wouldn’t share.  Either that or the bottle of distilled water for her machine, or maybe the can of mangled Pringles potato chips.  But at least it arrived, and I don’t have to share my drawers.

The welcome aboard show was the loudest we’ve ever attended, and we understood fewer words than ever.  But it was ... loud.  And now it’s blogging and beddie-bye.

And now, here’s Bonnie!

TTFN!

Very Tired Me!!

  Our trip over was uneventful and fun. Loved Barcelona. We had nice accommodations and our tour of the Sagrada Familia was awe inspiring. It is over a hundred years old and still being constructed or remodeled. Just incredible. We took a taxi to and from the cathedral, cost about 25 euros one way. We enjoyed a quick lunch at McDonalds, which was right across the street from the cathedral. You had to arrive at the time that was on your ticket, which was 2:30. We made it. We were supposed to go up a tower inside at 3:30, but when we got to the line, the young lady in charge said I could not go because you rode a very small elevator up to the top and then walked down a spiral staircase with 432 steps. There was no where to stop on the way down. So me, my leg and cane kept us from going. They did refund the cost of that part of the tour, which was very nice.

  We returned to the hotel and as we were both exhausted (I had had 2 hours sleep in over 30 hours) we ordered a room service pizza. It was really good. We ate and went to bed. I slept all night except for one bathroom trip.

  The room on the ship is nice but very stripped down. There is a minuscule closet. There are only 3 drawers total in the room, 3 shelves in the closet, the bathroom only has 6 shelves, and no storage under the sink area. The bed is nice. There is no chair in the room. Only a backless chair at the desk.  There is a counter with a refrigerator concealed underneath and 3 small open shelves. Oh well. We managed to stow all our stuff.

  I would love to know what they thought I was hiding in my suitcase.

  Have met a lot of nice people. Even ran into a couple where the husband was born and raised in the Hagerstown area. We had a fun talk about some of the places there and in Williamsport. 

  Well, he is laying on the bed and I think he is ready to sleep. Me, too. Long couple of days. Since tomorrow is a sea day and he doesn’t have a talk, we will probably sleep in and have a lazy day. Love you. Mom

Hey Mac how is school? Tate got those walking shoes going yet? Hey Rachel, glad the tooth surgery was good. Maggie, Emma, Mayleigh, Luke you all be good. And hey big girls, Rachel Marie and Madison, drive careful. Love Granny