A Long Month

As mentioned previously, I had two bouts of the (thankfully) fast-moving stomach flu, so I thought perhaps I was done with my share after that. Wrong! Towards the end of October, I came down with what I think was probably H1N1 (didn't get tested or treated, as I'd heard that they weren't doing much on either score). It was unlike any flu I've ever had. The usual symptoms, but also a mental fuzziness that was really the most disconcerting symptom of all. And it just wouldn't let go. To add to the general fun, I had the General Managers meeting fast approaching, so I couldn't afford the fuzziness (thank goodness for Gayle being on my team now, is all I can say). I spent two weekends in a row flat out in bed - including missing Halloween with the kids - but I was still sick when I headed out for the meeting. Thankfully, a couple of days into the meeting I began to feel better. The meetings turned out well, which is amazing given my mental state in the preparation stage. We went out for a lovely dinner at the Capital Grille, and also to the Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers basketball game. Unfortunately, the Heat lost the game that night, but it was a good game and it was fun to see Shaq and LeBron play. The announcer even welcomed our group.


Mercy, our Country Manager in El Salvador. We're both having fun being "abuelitas" (grandmas).

The day after those meetings were over, Gayle and I went on a site visit on the MSC Poesia, in preparation for a group sailing on that ship in April, although the itinerary we went on is different than what the group will do. It's no secret that the site visits are the best part of my awesome job, since I'm not taking care of a group, and it's me that's being wined and dined. But - and I know I will get absolutely no sympathy on this point - it's also a bit disconcerting. I'm not really on a vacation, so I feel that I should be working every minute. Which, of course, I don't. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to deal with it!

My cabin had a balcony - always a nice feature on a cruise.

The main swimming area on board - deserted because we were at port in Jamaica. Neither Gayle or I really wanted to go in, as we have both been before. And the high pressure the vendors use there is really not fun at all. But here's a couple of shots from the ship.

The smoke is from one of numerous bonfires made by the residents, I guess for cooking.

Here's a shot of the Poesia as we're going in to Grand Caymen for a little bit of shopping and lunch.

A couple of iguanas in the shopping center.

Grand Caymen port (Georgetown)

The cruise was interesting in that there were 1,300 rock group members and fans aboard in a group called "Shiprocked" (I wasn't clear how the group operates, but their cruise last year was the "Motley Cruise" so I guess it's an annual event that gets a new theme every year). They didn't really share their schedule with the other passengers, but there were several shows. The group sported a LOT of tatoos and long hair, but were very nice and friendly.

At any rate, I am SO glad to be through with being sick and with traveling (except for a small trip coming up to Phoenix and Tucson - in order to keep my Medallion status!). It's almost always sweet to come home. Almost always - I didn't want to leave Maui. :-)