I'm sitting in the airport and figured I should update my blog and what is going on in my life/world these days. March 1-March 27, 2009 I was on the ms Veendam where we just did the Western Caribbean runs. I had an absolute blast – truly a top contract in my book. It did have some stresses and lots of ups and downs – but the ups by far outweighed the downs!
Upon arriving on the Veendam, I was put in a fantastic Guest Entertainer cabin with the big bed- basically a full passenger cabin, just located in crew areas with a window and all. I was so spoiled by that. The 2nd week on board I had to move down with another Youth Staff, Alex. She was an awesome person – tons of fun to be around…we had a great time! I did have the top bunk that folds down though – hit my head every night…shocked I didn't leave with brain damage after that! It was just Alex and I – then she left and I got 2 new staff on once she left. That was drama! These girls (they were old – shouldn't say girls). One of the girls was so nasty to the point that I had to move out of my room. By the end of the week, she did apologize and said that she respected me and thought I was great at my job – it was just a rough start. I appreciated that, but still a bad taste in my mouth. Anyways, our DJ quit as well this same week, which took one of my staff because he filled in the position- so we were down a staff. (But I did get the DJ cabin with a big bed all to myself) Then, one of my other guys got fired. Could have killed him! We were so stressed out that week being short staffed and all. But, still worked out – they flew someone else out and then we ended up being perfectly staffed. Worked out wonderfully, because it allowed me to take time off and not sit on the ship all day. So, I took full advantage of it!
In Key West, it was my friend Liz's birthday so we all went to The Raw Bar, I believe it was called. It had fresh seafood and drinks, so we were happy. We had a great time – a group of 6 of us just laughed for a couple hours in there. Then, we rented bikes and rode around Key West for 2 hours – it was an absolutely gorgeous day…perfect in my book! We rode to the beach which was crowded because of the Spring Break people – but it didn't bother us! We had a perfect day and dreaded going back to work that night! It was just an awesome awesome day!
In Costa Maya, Mexico (one of my favorite ports- just cause I can lay out in the sun and enjoy it!) we were in with the Westerdam – one of our sister ships. A couple of friends were on there, so we met up and had margaritas and lunch and caught up on everything. Then, we all went and laid out together and went swimming. It's fun meeting up with friends from other ships and catching up- another fantastic day J
The next week, my friend Liz and I went and walked around Key West – we walked all the way to the southern-most point and walked around the butterfly gardens because it was free for crew. Beautiful place- we enjoyed just walking around and taking pictures.
In Belize City, Belize I went on a Ziplining and Repelling tour. It took about a 2 hour drive to get out to the site, but we were ziplining in and out of these caves and rock formations and then repelled down 15 and 25 foot ropes. It was really humid, but beautiful and so well organized. Top of the line tour! I got some pictures – I'll post them when I get a chance so you can all see them J Just tons of fun – got to sit back and enjoy a tour. Because of the hours we work not (not like the tons of free time I had when I first started working for the company) we rarely get to go on tours because our schedules are not done far enough in advance for us to plan ahead. But, being well staffed allowed me the opportunity. And my manager told me that since I was a supervisor – delegate it all out! So, I did J
I was supposed to go to the Waterfalls in Guatemala because I've wanted to see them forever – and Shore Excursions gave me the tour – but I couldn't go because of the General Drill for the crew. It sucked! I was so upset!
But, the next day in Costa Maya, I went on an ATV tour through the jungle! It was SO rough and we got so dirty! I came back and my clothes were just black. I'll have to scan the picture of us that they took with me on my ATV in my helmet and goggles! I look like a nerd – but it's a memory, right! We rode through the jungle for about an hour – I was right behind the guide and another guy. They told me it was pretty awesome that a girl was keeping up with them because they were going quite fast. I'll admit, I was scared to death but it was exhilarating at the same time. We ended up on a Beach with a bar where they handed out chips and salsa. I didn't eat – I decided to walk down to where these 2 guys just caught a 180LB shark! They had it hanging by these wooden posts – so I went down to take a picture and to touch it. I never realized how sharp they were- but that's one more thing I can check off of things I've done, right? The small little boat they caught it on was even more shocking – so tiny with this little line.
Other than that, the month was full of parties – we had Karaoke nights and acoustic nights. Some of the guys invited the girls and Kyle from the Entertainment Department to play basketball with them. So, we went up to the courts around midnight then played until 1:30am. We had SO MUCH FUN! I'm by no means a basketball player – but that night, for some reason I made literally like 9 shots in the game. Mind you, I stood in the same spot, scared to move and have no clue the rules of basketball. But again, another memory! Another night, there was a party for St. Patty's day in the Engine Workshop and I went back and forth between that one and a party with the guys in the Galley. We had a crew "White party" and just other random nights of hanging out, talking and laughing.
I think I've rambled enough – I obviously enjoyed my month on the Veendam and was sad to see it end – but it had to, they were heading to dry dock in Freeport, Bahamas so they sent us all home.
Off to do more J
