October 30, 2023

A short visit into Valencia today for your favorite cruise bloggers.  The ship’s shuttle into town was 25 Euros each, a price which we eschewed for the port’s free shuttle to an area promised with shops, displays, crafts, souvenirs, and other stuff.  A nice ride out, inside a well-made building, up the escalator to the shop.  Yes, shop.  One.  And there we bought a bag of regular potato chips.  JAMM Kids, your mom tried on a number of hats, most of them looked like the should be turned upside down and used as flower pots.  Fortunately, she didn’t like any.  And then we went back downstairs to a nice café where she had a hot chocolate and I had a Coffee Americano.  Then we rode back to the ship for a light lunch, a nap, and I rehearsed for my talk on Cadiz tomorrow while Bonnie crocheted.

But let’s back up a few hours.  After sleeping until almost 8 o’clock, we went up to the Wind Jammer for breakfast.  It was very crowded, and finally we found two empty places.  There was a table for 4 side-by-side with a table for 2.  A young couple from Germany and their son, maybe 18 months old joined us.  We had a pleasant meal, talking, watching the little guy play with cars, eat some bites and close his lips tightly when his mom tried to shovel some other goodies into him.  He smiled and laughed and was quite pleasant.

Dad asked me where we are from.  I told him, Georgia.  He said he had been listening to my accent and wondered where we were from.  He said my voice reminded him of a man on a TV program who worked in a bar.  He couldn’t remember the actor or the show, so I asked him if the man was a good guy or a bad guy.  I was assured that my voice doppleganger was a good guy.  The ship has an “international ambassador” who gives announcements in Spanish and German.  Our table mate said he understood every word I said, but the ambassador gives the announcements in German, he can barely understand half of what he is saying.

Tonight at our table for 6 in the dining room there were only 2, Bonnie and I.  The other speaking couple had said they didn’t come to dinner every night, and the young couple from Fort Lauderdale had requested a table for two which they got tonight.

Then we went to the outdoor water show HiRO, a high energy show with jumping thumping music and incredible actors, acrobats, swimmers and high divers.  In the first two rows of the outdoor water theater, you would get soaking wet.  As it was, 6 rows back from the water, we still got some spray and splash.  Towards the end of the night, the announcer said there was a technical difficulty, but they would conclude the show soon.  I was turning into a popsicle, outside in 69 degree weather, getting sprayed with cold water, mom hadn’t worn a sweater and we’d had enough.  Beautiful show, but next time, turn on the heat (small humor).

One more thing before bedtime (an early rising in the morning for my first talk, this one about Cadiz, and starting at 9:30).  I’ve heard about the speed on the German Autobahn, and the accidents that can happen.  I don’t think the vehicle in the pictures below were from an accident, but an old-timey VW Bug is sure in a small package (the sculpture is as tall I am).

Until tomorrow.

TTFN

 October 29, 2023

Spain played a trick on us this morning.  They fell back and didn’t tell us.  Fortunately my phone updates automatically, but that didn’t help Bonnie when she had a different time on her watch.  Google let me know all was well.  So we are 5 hours different from Augusta GA for now.  We will change times until we are on the same as you – several times over the voyage.  One hour at a time.

But then we tried to sign on so Bonnie could check her Yahoo email.  Oh my goodness!  Luke, if you would, your best accent.  And that was before we were connected to Yahoo’s pay support service from Bombay.  30 minutes to get my phone number and email added to her account so we could get an alternate sign in for her – Spain doesn’t recognize Augusta, GA.  And for a one time fee of $9.99 all is taken care of.  The customer service agent had to go by a script, which was frustrating since we were paying – who knows how much.

But as I used to tell groups we took to Russia, you are going to a foreign country (“and doubtless their customs will seem strange to us”).  We are not going to Russia World at Disney World.  Or Spain World at Disney World.

No problem getting on board, zooming through security.  Lunch, a quick nap, and I had a meeting with the entertainment director, then supper, now back in the room.  I’m going to look over my Cadiz talk coming up in two days, and then bed time.

Mom promises she will blog tomorrow.

TTFN

October 28, 2023

At about 1 o’clock this morning I dreamed that a mechanical voice said, “Instruments show that this unit has cold feet.”  I woke up, all under the covers and my feet were cold.  I put on my Bonnie-crocheted bedroom slippers and went back to sleep.

It reminded me of a time back at 117 Shenandoah Avenue (Mom and Dad told me about it – I slept through it – and raise your hand if you’ve heard this story), Dad jumped out of bed and Mom said, “Where are you going?”  He said, “To catch David. He is falling out of bed.”  He came into my room (our room, mine and Kyle’s), put his hands down by the edge of my bed and I rolled out into his arms.

I have invented a new term: IMTUP – pronounced I’m Tup – and it means, “I Made That Up.”  It does not apply to either of the stories above.  I will tell you when it does.

Well, yesterday when we went to bed we had hot water.  We awoke early to shower and take care of our morning ablutions, and guess what!  There was no hot water!  I called the man who answers the phone.  He said, “Hola!”  He must have caller I.D. because he switched to English.  I said my name.  He said, “I know.”  I said, “We have no hot water again.”  He said, “I’ll get someone right over.”  When we came back from Montserrat we had hot water.  Bonnie showered while it was still there.  I will give it a try after finishing this blog.  The last time I took a cold shower was 60 years at Camp Potomac as a member of Boy Scout Troop 95, Loch Lynn Heights, Maryland.  And I hope it remains my last time.

At 8:20 Joel pulled up in a 9 passenger van.  There would be 4 couples and the driver for the 60 kilometer ride to Montserrat.  We were the next to last couple and climbed into the back seat.  The last couple had to split up, Bernie (from Australia) beside of me, and his wife, who never mentioned her name (but also from Australia) in front of him.  It was a beautiful Irving Berlin Day – nothing but blue skies.  The scenery, as we approached the Serrated Mountains, grew ever more spectacular.

In the early 11th century Benedictine monks established a refuge and worship center on the mountain.  In 1023, they built the abbey of Santa María de Montserrat. Monks have been at the abbey ever since.  Today there are between 50-70 in residence.  It is an important spiritual place in the region.  Many spiritual retreats are held there.  The basilica – pictures below – was started 500 years later.  It has been bombed in the Spanish Civil War, it was bombed by the Nazis, and restored each time.  A beautiful house of worship.  There was a mass at 11 today, but we did not go.

The mountain complex is 4,000 feet above the valley floor and the road winds back and forth, surpassing even the twisting roads I used to drive in West Virginia.  And, there were people riding bicycles up the mountain.  Oh my goodness!

We visited the basilica, the candle niche where we lit candles and prayed for you.  Popped into the souvenir store where I bought a book filled with the pictures I couldn’t take and Mom got some other goodies.

Clicking on the photos below enlarges them (in a new window, I think).

A scene from Google, that I could not get

Another from Google.

Bonnie holding our candles.

The front of the basilica. The figures above the central door are Jesus (in the center, as He should be) and the disciples.

A view of the basilica

The cog railway that we didn't have time to ride.

Back down off of the mountain, we drove into Barcelona, past many stores and shopping places, none of which bore familiar names.  We did pass one clothing store called “Mango Man.”  A little while ago, Jennifer said we are a family that has a line from a movie or a TV show or a song for just about anything.  And she is right.  And if we don’t have the exact one, we modify one – as I did for Mango Man.  In 1965, in their movie “Yellow Submarine,” the Beatles sang, “Nowhere Man.”  It is easily adapted.  He’s a real mango man, sitting in his mango land, making all his mango plans for (and here it breaks down) nobody.  Just so you’ll know and can sing it if you ever drive back into town from Montserrat.  

The original, written by John Lennon is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8scSwaKbE64&ab_channel=TheBeatles-Topic

I wanted to lead the van in “99 Bottles of Coke On the Wall,” but Bonnie wouldn’t let me.  Bernie, from Australia, and I, did talk about the superior quality of Australian TV over what Xfinity shows back home: Darby and Joan, Australian Lego Masters (so superior to the American one with the alleged comedian Will Arnet), The Doctor Blake Mysteries, and several that neither of us could recall the names thereof.  He said he rarely watches TV because of all of the reality shows, but pointed to his wife, and softly said, “She does.”  I told him my favorite reality show is Great British Bake Off.  It is Mrs. Bernie’s too.

Once home we went to our pizza shop again, where we were greeted warmly, repeated our menu of yesterday.  Then we came home for a nap.

And none of the above is an IMTUP.

I’ll give you a short blog tomorrow from the Symphony of the Seas, and Bonnie will be recovered enough to begin sharing her thoughts as we head home.

TTFN.

 October 27, 2023

We arose from our slumber – ma’ma in her kerchief and I in my cap had just settled ourselves for a long afternoon nap – at 07:00 this morning – that would have been 01:00 in Augusta and close by, and 22:00 yesterday in Victoria, BC (assuming my calculations are correct and/or Google didn’t lead me astray.

After cleaning up and getting dressed for our journey to Sagrada Familia – and getting cleaned up without any hot water – we went for breakfast.

But first a detour to find hot water (and honesty demands I report what our sons frequently say, “That is a First World problem.”).  People in many parts of the world would pay real money for any water.  Anyway, there was a number to call on the paper we received when we checked in, and I called it.  “I’m sorry,” said the automated system somewhere in the world, “but we do not recognize this number.  Please call customer service.”

Well, I don’t know the number for customer service, but I do have a number for Tech Support, located in the Offices of 2042.  Michael called, the number rang and rang and then disconnected.  Well, I next tried turning off “wifi calling” and a man answered who spoke English.  I told him who I am and where I am, and the manager, minutes later, using Whatsapp, texted me, told me where the hot-water heater is located and how to turn it on, and we have hot water!  She is coming in a couple hours and will bring me some K-cups for my morning coffee.  Hot water to shower and coffee for an in-house breakfast tomorrow.  All is well.

We had croissants for breakfast with Coffee Americana for me and orange juice for Bonnie, and then walked 2 blocks to the Metro and rode the underground 6 stops to Sagrada Familia.  We were there early (to be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, to be late is to be left) and had to wait until 15 minutes before our entry time. 

Security is very tight thanks to the 9/11 Islamic terrorists who attacked America and their kin who attack anywhere else.  We had to put cell phones, belts, coats, wallets, fanny packs, and anything else that possibly had metal in it to be scanned.  Well, would you believe, Bonnie didn’t set it off!  Guess who did!  That’s right, me!  When we are in Europe we always have a supply of Euros and I always wear them in a money belt that has zero metal in it, on my backside, and inside all of my clothing.  The security stripes in the Euros did set off the scanner, and the wand.  I explained to the lady what it was and she called a male colleague over who asked me to lower my pants so he could see it.  Well, right there in front of every one in the 4 scanner lines, he peeked in at the top of my derriere, and said, “Yup, that’s a money belt.”  And he thanked me for wearing clean underwear.  And into the basilica we went.  The rest of the visit was not nearly as exciting, and no Southern exposure.  I could not see the mother of my children while this was going on, but JAMM Kids, I’m pretty sure smoke was coming out of her ears.  At least the male bottom inspector was not a groper like some she’s faced.

We went inside and strolled around, and then set in seats in front of the altar and marveled at the beautiful stained glass windows.  I took some pictures and hope they capture the beauty (and I will see if I can put a couple into the blog).  Every time Bonnie and I visit a church in Spain or Italy, we look for the candles so we can light one and pray for you.  There are no candles in S.F., so I walked up to the first steps up to the altar and the chancel area, and stopped at the barricade and prayed.

Before we went in I took a picture, or tried to take a picture of the bottom of one of the columns by the main entrance.  The two columns, one on each side of the doors, rest each on a turtle – the one on the side towards the Mediterranean on a sea turtle, and the one on the land side, a land turtle.  I snapped a shot and someone rudely walked into the frame, another one, and another one.  I said, “Well, how rude!”  Three ladies were standing close by.  I had watched one of them take a picture, and she said, “Wait a minute,” and walked in front of a herd of tourists from the Land of the Rising Sun armed with cell phones and cameras and stopped them.  I took my picture and thanked her profusely, laughing at the act of another Good Samaritan.  Clint Eastwood yesterday, and Turtle Lady today, both doing good.  In a mean world, how precious!

After a guided tour with about 20 other folks (our guide said 15,000 a day come inside the basilica and another 60,000 view it from outside on the streets – you have to buy your tickets online, and at 9:30, they were sold out for the day ... oh, and for the 8 a.m. Sunday morning mass, you must be in line at 5:30.  They let folks in to worship – no phones, no photos, and when the seats are filled, they close the door.  After the worship service has received the benediction, the worshipers leave by one side of the sanctuary and the tourists are then admitted on the other side.

I tried to tip our guide, but he said they aren’t allowed to accept gratuities, so I tried to make an anonymous donation to the ongoing construction, but they said no names.  So I gave a gift and told the lady receiving it, it was to honor Mark, my guide.

Amy, this is one turtle we can't get for your collection.

One of the Gospel writers: Luke

One of the Gospel writers: Matthew

The traitor's kiss

Peter's denial -- notice the rooster

The purchase of our salvation with the blood of the Son of God

We went back to the Metro where we rode back to our stop, and that is when we explored more of Barcelona than we had intended (as military pilots in training never say they are lost, but are exploring new territory, that’s what we did).  Crazy system, but it’s their system.  We exited at a different portal than the way we came in.  Bewildered we set out in the direction we thought that mimicked the one we came is morning, but after a half a block, realized, Vladimir, we were going the wrong way, turned around and headed in the correct way (but on the wrong side of the street) until one of the walkers said, “This is wrong and we should go back.”  I told her, “Okay.”  When we came to a Farmacia, a.k.a. drug store, I went in and asked the pharmacist how to get to our street.  Great young lady – tip for traveling in Spain or Italy and you are not fluent in the local languages: ask a pharmacist.  Everyone I’ve talked to has been friendly and helpful.  She said, “Cross the street and go back the way you came.”  She mentioned a landmark that we knew, and off we went.  

We stopped for some breakfast items for in the morning before we take an excursion to Montserrat (thanks, Linda, for the tip), came back to the apartment, put our groceries away, and walked across the street to Pizza Napoli (the fellow in Aiken, SC has competition, but this is too far to come for a pie, no matter how delicioso).  We were enjoying our desserts and noticed the lights being turned out.  It was 4 p.m. and time for their 2.5 hour afternoon closing.  We consumed quickly, thanked profusely, tipped generously, and left fully.

Well, that’s enough rambling.  You’ve already read over 1,300 words, and for those of you who napped off, well, there you go.

TTFN  

 October 26, 2023

Well, we are in Barcelona after the longest travel day we’ve ever done.  Augusta.  Atlanta.  Newark.  Lisbon.  And Barcelona.  By our count we were up 30 hours before we got into the apartment and had a nap.

At our apartment we were met by the cleaning lady who speaks 10 words of English, and I speak 5 words of Spanish (including gracious, banos, and the Cisco Kid).  We pointed and grunted and made hand motions.  Then we got out Google Translate and got it figured out.

Then we did a little shopping and ate some lunch.  Great bunch of young servers who had enough English to get us through the menu.  The best part for me was a bowl of potato, bean, and cabbage soup.  Bonnie had a good looking salad with vinegar and oil.  Our second course was chicken and french fries.  For dessert she had a chocolate ice cream come (we haven’t found any gelato yet) and I had a cup of espresso.  While were finishing up, a man beside of us was smoking a small cigar – think Clint Eastwood in “A Fist Full of Dollars.”  He looked over at me, smiled and offered me the pack and his lighter.  I smiled a big smile and said, “No gracious.”  He nodded ok.  After a bit, his wife who speaks fair English asked where we were from and I told her I grew up 2 hours south of Pittsburgh and watched KDKA (small joke, closed circuit for Mike and Matt).  Actually I told her Georgia and we chatted for a bit.  It was a fun meal, and I rather enjoyed the man offering me a cigar.  As we left I said, “Senior muchos gracious” (however it is speeled).  He smiled and said, “Danada.”

After a nap we went out again and found the Metro station and bought tickets for our trip tomorrow to Sagrada Familia (Google it for a look, if you are not familiar with that incredible church building – and we will report tomorrow).  And post some pictures.

There was more today, but I’m plum tuckered out.  So I will say, “TTFN.”