Here and gone

So maybe I didn't handle things the best way.

There were angry text messages, yelling, and finally, I gave up. I didn't want to argue anymore. I slammed the door and walked away.

In every relationship that ends there is something to be learned. It's not a failure, but a learning experience. Then why do I feel like it was something I did? It takes two to tango (lordy loo I hate that expression) but I can't seem to shake these bad feelings.

I'm putting him back on a plane today. He was here less than 24 hours. I will try to pay for his 'wasted flight' but he won't take it. Oh that is going to be one awkward drive to the airport.

G-d, I ask for both of us to make it through this day with the least amount of pain. I still care for him and don't wish him harm. Keep an eye on him for me, will you?

I'm back in the saddle again

And by saddle, I mean my faux leather swivle chair.

Like my ride? I heart my green buggy. Hung out with some fellow dune-buggiers (what? it's a word.) on Cozemel and went around the entire island. Yes, I'm that bright white. Feel free to shield your eyes.

Well, I have returned victorious from my cruise and am back in reality, which I must admit is just a little disappointing. The unreality of the service on my ship was so lovely. Ask and ye shall receive. No really. I got ice cream at three in the morning. And everyone was smiling!

Now I'm sure many of them wanted to cut off my head and chuck me and every other cruiser off the damn boat but they never showed it. WAY better than I would have done. If I were on staff, I'd be running out of places to hide the bodies by the third night.

This is what's left of some random building after the last big hurricane. It's beautiful.

The people just cut their losses and rebuilt next door. The food wasn't great but you couldn't beat the view. I just sat and lounged under what was left of a porch and listened to the waves.

There were many adventure but those will come out in due time. For now, I'm going to take off early and unpack and shake the sand out of... well, everything.

So does this make me Dorothy?

Met a lady from Kansas.

Her name is Emily. She is officially my Auntie Em. I'm drawing up documents now.

She might be the sweetest old lady I've ever met.

I will be accompanying her to the pool shortly where we will pretend to sunbathe (palest people on the ship, the two of us) and talk about dogs and boys and food and books.

Bless you, Auntie Em.

"Yarrr" from the high seas

Yo hoe Yo hoe, a pirate's life for me.

So this is my first cruise. I'm still not sure about it. I'm not really the kind of girl who likes to hang with other tourists. I try really hard to hide the fact that I am one. Everyone has been really nice, but I feel like the whole thing is kind of a sham...

First thing, cruises are a cash cow. They have a captive audience who can only buy from them. If you need a razor, pack of smokes, nail polish, you have to buy from them. Then they tack on extra charges for just about everything. You want ANY kind of alcohol? 8 bucks for a vodka tonic. 10 for a decent martini. You want to eat somewhere besides the cafeteria, some place with cloth napkins and silverware? Extra 20 bucks a head. Want to use the internet to write your blog? 2 bucks a MINUTE! The nickel and dime-ing is really getting on my nerves. I already paid a ton to get a nice room and what I thought was all inclusive... but no.

Second, shore excursions are a no-no. Everyone has the same damn vacation! Get off the boat, hail a cab and get as far away as possible until you HAVE to get back. Now that said, I gotta say that there are some things that just must be done to say you have done them. They probably won't be those magically life changing moments that sometimes happens when you travel but you have to go. Go see the pyramids with the other thousand tourists. Go walk up and down the Great Wall. Take a picture or two, then move on.

There are rules everywhere here. Don't bring booze on the boat or you get a finger wagged in your face. This restaurant is closed until evening unless you are a premier uber silver class. No shorts in the dining room.(I don't even own a pair of shorts, but I like to know that I could wear them if I wanted...) Is this a vacation or my great grandma Mildred's house?

Don't get me wrong though; it has many great points. It really does. But that will have to wait until my next post... I have already racked up a $20 internet usage bill with a surcharge for being snarky. Gotta save my money so I can afford a frakin drink. Cheers maytee.

Toasty, with friends all around

Just got back from Amsterdam.

For some reason, I always forget how beautiful it is!
I was so happy just to take my walks in the morning (if it wasn't too rainy) and look at all the little twinkly lights and get a nice hot coffee at the first place that struck my fancy.

Not many tourists and you know what that means! I was one happy American. Empty museums and lots of locals to chat with. Amazing.

You'll be surprised how the locals respond to you when there aren't swarms of ugly Americans mucking about.

Thanks to Adrian for the cuppa and mini tour. See you next time round!