I just returned last night from my much-needed, weeklong vacation in the Bahamas with Bob. It was full of blue waters, lots of drinking, and lots of skin. Some highlights...in case you were interested:
~I love how many nationalities you encounter on a cruise. It's refreshing to be inundated, if you will, by all the culture and thick accents.
~I developed a crush on my Israeli head waiter (it's ok, Bob was well aware the whole time). He reminded me of Christopher Walken, only his hair was that shouldn't-be-dyed-but-is-anyway yellowish, brassy blond color. I realize I'm making him sound unattractive, but he really wasn't. His hair was just fascinating to look at. He was very nice.
~In Key West, people do two things: drink and smoke....all day long. It was awesome. That was probably my and Bob's favorite port. We had a drink and a smoke in Capt. Tony's Saloon (for all you Buffett fans), ate at Margaritaville, and visited (twice) a fun little bar right off the harbour called the Schooner Wharf Bar. Here, Bob and I listened to great local music, drank cheap beers, and bought freshly rolled cigars from the crazy, drunk cigar-rolling man who had set up shop behind us. No joke...if it had been Indianapolis, and this cigar man was in a bar somewhere, I wouldn't have even made eye contact with him, much less bought anything he was rolling. But since it was Key West and in this particular bar, it seemed perfectly ok and safe.
~I found my new favorite mixed drink. If you know me at all, you'd know that this is a huge accomplishment, because you know how picky I am when it comes to mixed drinks or most liquor. To date, I had not found a mixed drink that I liked across the board. Until I met a sweet, little drink called a Mojito; more specifically, a Razz Mojito. I had heard about these mythical drinks and was instantly turned off due to the steadfast garnish of mint leaves in them (I hate when I see "liquor" and "-mint" on any bottle or in a drink name. It's like mixing vodka with mouthwash and calling it a drink. Blegh.). Anyway, I decided, what the hell, I want to try one anyway. And awe of awes, I loved it! I had 3 in a row that night, in fact. And again, if you know me, that almost never happens. I've usually moved onto beer after only one mixed drink. Soooo, that was a big night for me.
~At the dinners, Bob and I sat with a lovely, older couple named Walter and Anne. They were pleasant and had a lot to talk about. Walter had been in the military in his younger years, so they traveled a lot with their kids. He was polite, articulate, respectful, and funny. What a guy. His wife was a little more quiet than he, but was equally as pleasant. Sharing a table with them was lovely.
~I saw so many older women (ages 40-60) wearing the craziest clothes. Now, to clarify, it wasn't the actual clothing that was odd...it was the fact that a 50-something, slightly overweight woman thought she could don a sparkly, sequined, tight-fitting short red dress out in public and still live with herself. It always amazes me when I see what older women choose to wear when the occasion calls for a party dress or a formal outfit. I don't know about you, but as a woman, if something doesn't look good on me or too highly accentuates my fat rolls, I'm not gonna wear it. Period. Apparently, a lot of these women had no such discretion. And I agree...if you've got it, flaunt it. Well, let's just say these women didn't have it.
~One of the few lowlights was that I didn't get to go swimming at all. No pool, no ocean. It was just too breezy and the water was too cold. Bob and I spent 2 days on the beach. The first day, despite the constant sun, we didn't even break a sweat when laying out. The second day, it was downright freezing half the time because the breeze was so strong and the sun was so inconstant in its presence. And, the hot tub on the boat was constantly occupied. Boo to that.
~Despite the somewhat rigid schedule of dinner, the food was excellent.
~Our cruise director looked like a British Cedric the Entertainer.
~In Key West, during our walking tour, Bob and I encountered a pirate. He was standing on a street corner "harassing" women and men as they passed by, much as a pirate should be doing. When Bob and I passed him, he asked Bob if I was his wife or if Bob was just on a business trip. It was funny.
~NO, I DID NOT GET ENGAGED DURING THE CRUISE. I WAS NOT PLANNING ON IT HAPPENING, SO GET OFF MY BACK. Seriously though, Ray, you owe me. I won.
~And finally, I hate airports now more than ever.
~I love how many nationalities you encounter on a cruise. It's refreshing to be inundated, if you will, by all the culture and thick accents.
~I developed a crush on my Israeli head waiter (it's ok, Bob was well aware the whole time). He reminded me of Christopher Walken, only his hair was that shouldn't-be-dyed-but-is-anyway yellowish, brassy blond color. I realize I'm making him sound unattractive, but he really wasn't. His hair was just fascinating to look at. He was very nice.
~In Key West, people do two things: drink and smoke....all day long. It was awesome. That was probably my and Bob's favorite port. We had a drink and a smoke in Capt. Tony's Saloon (for all you Buffett fans), ate at Margaritaville, and visited (twice) a fun little bar right off the harbour called the Schooner Wharf Bar. Here, Bob and I listened to great local music, drank cheap beers, and bought freshly rolled cigars from the crazy, drunk cigar-rolling man who had set up shop behind us. No joke...if it had been Indianapolis, and this cigar man was in a bar somewhere, I wouldn't have even made eye contact with him, much less bought anything he was rolling. But since it was Key West and in this particular bar, it seemed perfectly ok and safe.
~I found my new favorite mixed drink. If you know me at all, you'd know that this is a huge accomplishment, because you know how picky I am when it comes to mixed drinks or most liquor. To date, I had not found a mixed drink that I liked across the board. Until I met a sweet, little drink called a Mojito; more specifically, a Razz Mojito. I had heard about these mythical drinks and was instantly turned off due to the steadfast garnish of mint leaves in them (I hate when I see "liquor" and "-mint" on any bottle or in a drink name. It's like mixing vodka with mouthwash and calling it a drink. Blegh.). Anyway, I decided, what the hell, I want to try one anyway. And awe of awes, I loved it! I had 3 in a row that night, in fact. And again, if you know me, that almost never happens. I've usually moved onto beer after only one mixed drink. Soooo, that was a big night for me.
~At the dinners, Bob and I sat with a lovely, older couple named Walter and Anne. They were pleasant and had a lot to talk about. Walter had been in the military in his younger years, so they traveled a lot with their kids. He was polite, articulate, respectful, and funny. What a guy. His wife was a little more quiet than he, but was equally as pleasant. Sharing a table with them was lovely.
~I saw so many older women (ages 40-60) wearing the craziest clothes. Now, to clarify, it wasn't the actual clothing that was odd...it was the fact that a 50-something, slightly overweight woman thought she could don a sparkly, sequined, tight-fitting short red dress out in public and still live with herself. It always amazes me when I see what older women choose to wear when the occasion calls for a party dress or a formal outfit. I don't know about you, but as a woman, if something doesn't look good on me or too highly accentuates my fat rolls, I'm not gonna wear it. Period. Apparently, a lot of these women had no such discretion. And I agree...if you've got it, flaunt it. Well, let's just say these women didn't have it.
~One of the few lowlights was that I didn't get to go swimming at all. No pool, no ocean. It was just too breezy and the water was too cold. Bob and I spent 2 days on the beach. The first day, despite the constant sun, we didn't even break a sweat when laying out. The second day, it was downright freezing half the time because the breeze was so strong and the sun was so inconstant in its presence. And, the hot tub on the boat was constantly occupied. Boo to that.
~Despite the somewhat rigid schedule of dinner, the food was excellent.
~Our cruise director looked like a British Cedric the Entertainer.
~In Key West, during our walking tour, Bob and I encountered a pirate. He was standing on a street corner "harassing" women and men as they passed by, much as a pirate should be doing. When Bob and I passed him, he asked Bob if I was his wife or if Bob was just on a business trip. It was funny.
~NO, I DID NOT GET ENGAGED DURING THE CRUISE. I WAS NOT PLANNING ON IT HAPPENING, SO GET OFF MY BACK. Seriously though, Ray, you owe me. I won.
~And finally, I hate airports now more than ever.
