First Caribbean Cruise...remember sharks come in at 5:00!!!

Hello everyone, 

Hope that you have a wonderful week…

Here is what has happened since last time:

Sunday, we were in Barbados again for another wonderful day. We went to the boatyard again to find that they weren't opened and probably wouldn't open for the rest of the day…(boo…no good food). We stayed around and had a lot of on the beach until we all got really hungry and decided to go back to TGI Fridays for a good meal. Heading to the restaurant was harder said than done…b/c there were no taxis ANYWHERE, but when one finally showed up…we were excited. However, the taxi driver really, REALLY pissed me off and I wasn't having any of it. He kept touching me on my legs and my butt to see if I was wet (I was wearing my swimsuit). The first time that he touched me, I was like…okay, did that really happen. The second time, I had a "dad moment" as my family likes to say, where I told this guy that instead of touching me, that he could use his words and ask me if I was wet and he if touched me again…there would be a problem and so on. After I got another taxi and they dropped us off and the rude taxi driver was saying all these things to me…(haha whatever buddy…I wont continue on to say what I was actually saying…I need to keep this PG) we went on to have a lovely lunch at TGI Fridays. 

Monday, we were back in Roseau, Dominica and I was scheduled to be an escort on one of the tours. I was on the Volcanic Adventure tour where we were taken to a BEAUTIFUL rainforest, where I was reminded of my childhood…growing up playing behind my house in the woods. The smells, the trees, the paths..all reminded me of home. Its funny that anywhere I am around the world so far….little things remind me of home and people of home…I find that to be the most comforting thing that we don't take advantage of in this world. Everyone is always so wrapped up in getting to a meeting on time (or an audition) or having to complete a task, etc. or when someone has a bad day and think that it can't get better…there is always something around you…however far away from home you may be…that is there to remind you of how blest we all truly are. After I walked around the rainforest for a little while by myself, we headed to a spa where some of the guests got into a hot tub that didn't look the best…it looked like rusted water but they all seemed to enjoy it…whatever. I really enjoyed that tour…made me feel better about my day. Later that night, I watched our sail away and it was beautiful…I will miss that experience when this contract is done…its just so peaceful.

Tuesday, instead of going to Gustavia (due to the swells in the water…we couldn't go to St. Barts) we went to Basseterre, St. Kitts instead…a day early. Lesley and I were on a tour that day as well…the Catamaran Sail and Sunset excursion and it was SO much fun. We headed off to the pier where we met the rest of the guests that were going on the excursion. Once we boarded the boat, they told us that we could go to the front and lay on top of the trampoline style netting, if we wanted to. Lesley and I didn't waste ANY time getting up there and spent the first half hour (as we got to the snorkeling place) sitting out there enjoy each others company and the view. Once we got to the site…they told us that it had poor visibility due to the hurricane and they weren't joking…I could barely see anything…but it was nice to be snorkeling and enjoying the sea. What always surprises me with the guests and these excursions are when they begin the activity and then maybe 15 - 20 mins later…they quit and are ready to do the next thing. Everyone got in the water and snorkeled or swam and the next thing I knew…it was Lesley and I left in the water. She hit me and said, "we are last…again" and I said, "okay…we are still going to snorkel…they told us we had an hour". So we continued to snorkel and enjoy our time in the sea. One of the guys on the boat, said "you guys have fun but just know that the sharks come into to shore around 5:00". You could have sworn it was a movie…with the camera pan to both of our faces with the noise "bum bum" playing behind. So, needless to say, we got back on the boat and enjoyed the SLOW sail back to the ship. I had to change my clothes in the bottom of the ship, in the toilet that is smaller than mine on the spirit (which says a lot) and I got a tiny bit sea sick…wasn't a good time…but overall the excursion was a great time.

Wednesday, we thought that we were going to be in Gustavia, St. Barts again but due to the swells again, the ship had to be diverted to St. Maarten (not the Phillipsburg side…some other side..haha) but I was on IPM all day, so that I didn't get to get off the ship. What a boring day IPM days are…but I am able to catch myself up on my blog…which I enjoy.

Thursday we are at sea for the first time since the cross and it wasn't half bad. Again, we headed up to the top deck and did some sun bathing. Headed down to the pool deck around 3:00 for water volleyball and it was a COMPLETELY different water volleyball than what we were used to the following week. The cruise with the cross…we had the guests cheering and playing and talking and everything…it was a fun time. This particular game…all we heard was Lesley go, "3 to 5…their serve" THE ENTIRE TIME…haha..it was great.

Friday, we arrived in Bequia, St. Vincent and had a lovely day on the beach. We tried to order some food at a beach hut but that wasn't a successful adventure…the hamburger…I swear…was still mooing…gross. Afterwards Lesley, Jodie and I decided to have a make shift photo shoot on the beach…haha, it was a great time. I have said this for a few time in the past couple of weeks to my friends on the ship but I don't remember saying it here….when my contract is completed…I am NEVER going to say, I'm bored again. I will find something to do with my time and make sure I'm doing something. I would hate to just get home and sit there like a bump on a log and say, "I'm bored"…when I spent 9 months on a ship…where on the ship…there is NOTHING to do, but off the ship…we can always find something to do, to have fun. So after our AWESOME photo shoot (haha) we made it back to the ship, where we had to socialize that night with the guests and say our goodbyes.

Saturday, we were in Bridgetown, Barbados doing embarkation again..with the end of this cruise heading to Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. It will be the first time that I'm back in the states in 3 months…thats strange to say…but these 3 months have gone quite quickly…its crazy. A few things happened that night after embarkation…I was on the duty of "table escorting" where I get to take the people to the tables and seat them and tell them, "I hope you enjoy your meal". So instead of them just assuming that I'm a waiter…I said, "Hello, my name is Jason…one of the male singers on board" which instantly sparked their interest and we had more people to the next night show than we normally do. One of the guests were quite rude to me saying, I don't want to sit with other people, I said that…to which I replied, "I'm sorry sir….I'm one of the singers on board…I don't work for the restaurant….I'm sorry?"…it was quite awkward…haha. One funny thing that happened that night, after we had socialized for a little while…we met these older twin english women…who had me crying laughing…and they weren't trying to. They were quite drunk and explaining to me that they hadn't cruised before but "one time I was on a ship and I thought that I would enjoy my time…until I slipped on some seaweed going down a ramp and broke my wrist"…now if you can imagine like the "proper british accent"…that is how they talked (go watch Bringing Down the House and the older lady at the end…that is the accent…haha. LORD…I was just laughing so hard and they loved it and talked and talked and talked….I hope that I run into them again..haha.

Well, this coming weeks cruise (which I'm already on…whoops) is as follows : Fort De France, Martinque on Sunday (Rocketman show) / Roseau, Dominica on Monday (Jazz show)  / St. John's, Antigua on Tuesday (Euro 2010 show and IPM day)  / Gustavia, St. Barts on Wednesday / Philipsburg, St. Maarten on Thursday / Tortola, BVI on Friday / At Sea on Saturday and Sunday and finally on Monday, I'll be back in Ft. Lauderdale for the day…whooo hooo…AMERICA!!! (We also perform Aquarius and Spirito during this cruise as well…just don't know what days)

Hope that everyones week has been going well thus far and please, continue to have a great and positive week…thats the best way to be…negativity = BLAH!!!

Until Next Time,

Jason

Orange Hair Lady, Tug of War and Finally in the Caribbean

Hello everyone,

I hope that you have had a wonderful week. 

I'm finally in the CARIBBEAN!!!! I can't believe that I'm SO close to my neck of the woods.

Here's what has happened this past week (kinda a long post….sorry):

Sunday through Wednesday, we were at sea the entire time. Each day the cast had a ritual of doing our morning duties that we were scheduled to do…ring toss…really?? I had to wake up every morning and go to Greg and Jodie's dance class and dance with the single ladies…that Orange haired lady was staring at me the entire time. Speaking of that crazy woman…I have a funny story of something that happened during one of the sea days. Every night that we didn't have a show, we were all schedule to do early socializing…just to get out there and make friends with the guests. One night, when I was going to have dinner with two lovely woman from Atlanta, the orange haired lady (named Naomi) came up to me…no, no…sneaked up behind me and tugged on my jacket in the middle of talking to guests that were asking me about where I was from, etc. So I turned around to her and she said, "I'll be sitting over there, waiting for you to dance with me". Now, I'm all fine with me having to dance with some of the older ladies…if they are nice about it and blah blah…but this woman all week had been giving us trouble. She wanted to do dances that I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO DO. She thought that since I was a performer, I would know how to the tango or lindy hop…WELL I DONT!!! Apparently (according to Greg) she had to be held tight on her back anytime she danced…because she has a bad back. WELL STOP DANCING CRAZY LADY!!! Also, I heard that she carried around little bags of cow brain because of her back pain and she had to have the bar staff mix it into her drinks every night. CAN WE SAY….CRAZY?????? So back to my story…after she rudely interrupted me, I said to her ever so politely, "Well, I'm talking to these lovely people right now and I also have a dinner reservation with other guests in 5 minutes but if I do have a chance, I'll come dance with you." That was the professional way of handling it..don't you think? Anyway, she complained to everyone else in the cast about me and I was like…oh get off it…why come on the cruise, just to dance…GO DO SOMETHING ELSE!!! HOW ABOUT BINGO OR SOMETHING, BETTER FOR YOUR BACK…ehhh. Also, later in the week, we did our show, Spirito out on the pool deck. Afterwards, we are ALWAYS suppose to stand there and get people out on the dance floor.  Needless to say, everywhere Naomi was on the dance floor, I was on the polar opposite side…haha. I wouldn't have mind to dance with her, if she was nicer to me…but I'm sorry, I'm not having that…haha.

Anyway, back to our daily schedule…about 12:00 or 1:00 in the afternoon, we would all go up to the top front deck and just lay out in the sun. I found it to be very important that on these 6 days across the ocean, that I get some fresh air, so being outside as much as possible was the best idea. During the week…we would stand outside and talk about stuff…Jodie, Emily and I had a dance class up on top deck (that was funny), we saw flying fish and would narrate for them (also funny). We would talk about how, when we are old we are going to be able to tell our children or grandchildren of the crazy adventure that we had when we were in our twenties…nuts, isn't it? During the week, we ALL went down to the pool around 3:00pm to play water volleyball (but mostly, we were hot from being in the sun all day and we wanted to get in the water). The guests really warmed up to us and I actually started to know guests by name…which was very scary. I had some lovely dinners throughout the cross and got to know so really wonderful people. The 6 day cross actually went A LOT quicker than I thought. The captain also said, I heard, that it was the smoothest crossing that he has done in a while..that made me very happy and I had to agree…we really didn't hit rough waters the entire time. Our last sea day, however, we had a tug of war competition and you guessed it….yours truly was apart of the production cast's team…OH…LORD. So, we are ready to LOSE right away because these guys are all…big engine room people or chefs in the kitchen against the little singers and dancers. Our first match was against the gallery team (the chefs) and I thought that we were going to lose…right away. They had 2 guys on their team that were HUGE, but I said…we have to have fun…just do it. So guess what….WE BEAT THEM!!!! I have NEVER jumped so high in excitement EVER!!! I ran around the pool deck and looked like a total @$$…but it was just for fun. Our second match was the semi-finals against the dreaded…HEAD WAITERS (audience reaction…"OOOOO"). So, us being the under dogs…were going to lose again…or NOT!!!! We totally won again…and the guests were getting involved and cheering for us…it was awesome…I can't believe that we won again and now are in the finals….against the ENGINE ROOM (yeah…one of the guys legs on the team, was the size of me…haha). Needless to say, we lost but we got second in the tournament, when everyone thought that we would lose first. HEY…don't judge dancers…we may look small but we have some strong legs…haha.

Thursday, we had finally made it to St. John's, Antigua….HOORAY, LAND!!! Hurricane Tomas was still around, so all day long we had little rain showers. Lesley and I got off the ship, first thing in the morning to go find something to eat and get some free internet. We ended up in a Subway and I dared to get the same sandwich that I got in Barcelona…lets see if they know what Ranch truly is…..SUCCESS!!! It was the best sandwich I have had in a long time…THANK THE LORD. Afterwards, we headed over to a bar called "Big Banana" where they had free wi-fi and I FINALLY got to upload all my October pictures…if you haven't seen them yet…check them out on my Facebook. We stayed there for about 2 hours and then finally got kicked out…so we decided to go put our computers back on board and walk around and see what we could find. Well, there wasn't really anything to see in St. John's….and it kinda smelled like…crap. I was so excited for Lesley to get to the Caribbean, since she had never been there in her life but this wasn't a good first impression. We walked around to a lot of expensive shops…good lord. I was on a mission that day to find some beach sandals / nicer sandals to go out in and sunglasses…cause I REALLY need them. We stopped at a store that had some beach sandals and I got 2 pairs for 6 dollars…thats not bad and one thing checked off my list. We didn't find any nice sandals or sunglasses but I have some spare time…I'll find them. We ended up going to an AMAZING ice cream shop called, "Australian" and HOLY CRAP…it was the best ice cream I ever have had…not joking. The make the waffle cone…fresh, right in front of you!!!!! I got cookie dough and chocolate and holy crap…it was SO good. It was a great first day back on land. That night I watched us sail away from the port….it took us about an hour but it was so cool. I was up there all alone and everything was so quite…just me and my thoughts. I have come to enjoy those moments….when I can really take the time to reflect and really "understand" what I'm doing this year….its mind blowing sometimes. 

Friday, we had to change our course to Roseau, Dominica instead of St. Lucia because of Hurricane Tomas. I was so excited this day because Lesley and I were suppose to go on an awesome Dolphin and Whale tour…just awesome. I wake up that morning and we had a crew drill…BORING. Afterwards, Lesley and I decided to take the shuttle bus into town to get a quick bite to eat before our tour at 1:00. Well, that was easier said than done….it took us 30 mins to get into the city…when I probably could have thrown a rock and it would have gotten there quicker. By the time we got into the city, we had to just stay on the bus to take us back…we were bummed, cause we were kinda starving. We get back to the port to find out that our tour had been canceled due to the excursions boat propeller being broken…no Dolphin/Whale tour for us….BUMMER!!! So we changed our clothes, got our computers and headed back into town. We ended up going to KFC and having some strange meals. Caught up with the rest of the gang and headed to a local coffee shop to have something to drink and get free internet. That night we had to get back on board early because we had to go full steam ahead to Bridgetown, Barbados. That evening again, I watched the sail away and sunsets….I have to admit…this might be my favorite thing that I can do on board…just so peaceful. 

Saturday, we arrived in Barbados and GOSH, was it hot….WOOOO. I had terminal duty in the morning and I nearly passed out. Lesley looked at me and said, "are you alright" and when I looked at her to say yea…I got the biggest head rush…I sat down afterwards….whoosh. A little later, Jodie and Greg were very very sweet and said, take the day off and go to "The Boatyard" and have fun….so I got embarkation off…THANKS JODIE AND GREG!!!! Lesley, Johannah, Emily, Keeva and I all headed off to "The Boatyard". This place is like a 20-somethings playground (had the best BBQ chicken sandwich by the way…haha) and had a rope swing, jet ski's, trampoline in the ocean…just AWESOMENESS. We spent a lot of time in the ocean and I turned to Lesley while swimming with her and said, "FINALLY….Welcome to the Caribbean!!!!" Later that day we had to go back for the pumpkin drill and taste of things to come…BORING!!! Later that night however, we had THE best time going to a REAL dinner at….TGI Fridays. We all got a drink (Long Island Ice Tea…yeah, NYC) and then we got our meals (Skins and Quesadillas)…YES YES YES!!! Afterwards, we all headed back to "The Boatyard" where they were celebrating Halloween and having a HUGE party…$30 for admission where you get free drinks from 10 - 3am…uh, awesome…party on the beach….YES!!! First though, to enter the party, you had to go through a haunted house. Now if you know me, you know that I don't do scary things well…ESPECIALLY haunted houses, so needless to say, Jodie and I were screaming and holding on to each other like it was our jobs…haha, she is a hoot.

What an awesome week I have had and I can't believe that I am finally in the Caribbean. This next cruise is as follows: STILL IN BARBADOS on Sunday / Roseau, Dominica on Monday / Basseterre, St. Kitts on Tuesday / Gustavia, St. Barts on Wednesday / At Sea on Thursday / Bequia, St. Vincent on Friday and back in Bridgetown, Barbados for embarkation on Saturday.

The next cruise we do a Bridgetown, Barbados to FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA…I'll be back in the states since Aug. 20th…WHOO HOO…and finally able to use my phone again!!!!

I hope that you have a wonderful week and can't wait to see you back here again….thanks for reading about my journeyn (this one is quite long…sorry)…means a lot to know that I have people out there that love me enough to read about this crazy adventure that I'm on. WHOOO HOOO!!! 

Until Next Time,

Jason

There is an Orange Haired, Old lady on the Loose....WATCH OUT

Hello everyone,

Well, I've finally made it…to the first 2 week cruise to take us to the Caribbean…HOOORAY!!! This is what has happened this crazy week:

On Sunday, we made the first of 2 stops in Morocco (which is in the continent of Africa…weird) in the city of Tangier. I went on a tour because I was told that you shouldn't go out in Morocco by yourself…do it on a tour. So Lesley and I got up early in the morning and made our way to our bus, packed the guests in there and headed off. That morning before we left, we asked our guide how to say a few words in Arabic but I already forget…haha, whoops. We had a lovely 30 min. drive to the top of the mountain right where the Atlantic ocean meets the Med…that was so pretty sights. Met two donkeys up there…a mom and her baby and the baby was 26 days old…so cute. Something that I notice up on that mountain (and in my whole time in Morocco) is how pushy they are with you to try and buy something…you pretty much have to threaten to (excuse my language) "kick their ass" to get them away from you. Once we stayed up there for a little bit, we made our way to this strange cave thing that was interesting. The thing that I didn't quite understand were the guests that took this tour when it clearly stated how it was a walking tour. We had people with canes and blind people coming on the tour….I didn't understand that. Anyway, after the cave we headed into the main part of the city. It was SO strange walking down the street in this city…just very "Slumdog Millionaire"…it was strange, but cool to experience. Walking down the side streets there was music playing and people just dancing in the street…it was SO cool to be apart of. Then we headed to a cafe, where I swear I had the BEST tea that I have ever had in my life…it was GREAT!!! I played the drums with a little band that was in there and video taped it…it was fun. We continued to walk the town and pretty much get molested by the street vendors…gosh, they were annoying. You would say NO THANKS…or I DONT HAVE ANY MONEY…and they wouldn't listen and bring down the price or point out that I had a nametag on and say, "You from America? You from America? OBAMA! OBAMA!!" I didn't know what to do, so I kept walking…haha. After the tour, we were all EXHAUSTED so we had a quite night in our cabins.

On Monday, we made our second stop in Morocco in the city of Casablanca. Again, Lesley and I were on a tour together and we had to wake up VERY early for this tour. We got on the bus, made sure everyone was ready and we were off. Our tour guides name made me and Lesley laugh so hard that we knew that the day was good…his name was, "AHH" (when I wrote it down, I didn't know how to write it, so I wrote A-H-H-choke…because he made that noise after the second H…whoops haha) and afterwards Lesley and I discussed how he reminded us of Jafar from Aladdin due to the way he spoke…very very funny morning. We headed off to the 3 biggest Mosques in the world and it was actually very pretty. When we walked into the mosque we were asked to take off our shoes and so we carried our shoes in this shopping bags, the rest of the tour in the mosque…that was something else…haha. Then we headed to the "baths" there were under the mosque and he showed us how they wash themselves before prayer and then explained how sacred the mosque was while literally lighting up a cigarette…Lesley and I were stunned. Then we headed off to see some of Casablanca, which I'm happy to say that I was there and experienced but it is defiantly one of those places that you only want to experience once. Headed to some food markets where I saw more fish hanging around than I care to think about and then went to a hotel to have a few drinks and snacks and then we headed back to the ship. It was kinda a pointless tour because our tour guide wasn't very good but again, we were told not to go to the city unless on a tour, so I guess if I wanted to experience Casablanca…I needed to be on the tour.

Tuesday was our first sea day of the cruise where we had our normal duties and just enjoying the nicer weather for the first time…it was nice to feel heat again..haha. 

Wednesday was spent in Arrecife, Spain (the canary island off the coast of Africa) where I again, was on tour this time with Keeva. We had a LOVELY bus ride to Fire Mountains where we heard some of the history of the island and the Fire Mountains. I would say by far, this was one of the coolest excursions for the past 2 months…I really enjoyed myself. We started by going through the national park and just seeing a few of the mountains…they were absolutely beautiful. While driving we saw walls that were blocking little holes…I found this to be strange. One of the guests asked what they were and our tour guide explained that because during most of the year it is EXTREMELY windy on the island and they need to be able to grow crops…they have learned how to dig deeper holes in the ground a build walls where the winds blow…but still be able to grow their crops…I found this to be very very smart. Then we headed to our first stop….camel rides. OH MY GOSH, it was the funniest and strangest thing that I have ever done. I laughed almost the entire time because I found it to be so strange to be riding a camel first off but mostly because the camel behind me (who I named Raymond) would not leave me alone. The ENTIRE time, he was next to my left arm (like a little too close) and I was like, "uhhhh okay Raymond…haha…you can go away now…haha…uhhhh Raymond…". It was so much fun. The best part is when the camels set you down and our camel (John) had to problem giving us the best experience. When they bring you to the ground…they DROP to the floor and quick. I thought I was on the Demon Drop from Cedar Point…I'm not joking it was that fast. I LAUGHED so hard and thank gosh I taped the entire thing. WHOOSH. After wards we went up to this restaurant that was on the top of a volcano. It was so cool as they were showing us how it was still an active volcano by digging into the sand and putting the HOT rocks in our hand and then you would pick others up that were on the top for a while and they weren't hot…so strange. They by putting wood on the top of an opening of the volcano and showing you how quickly it would set fire. But what I think that coolest thing was that in the restaurant, instead of them using stoves for cooking the food…they use this huge opening in the earth to cook the food…I thought that it was so cool. The rest of the tour was spent going through the first mountains, getting to know some of the guests and ending our tour in a winery in the middle of the national park. It was an awesome day.

Thursday, we were in Tenerrife, Spain where I was on IPM all day long. It was nice and warm that day so it was beautiful to sit outside and enjoy the sun. It was crazy to think that this was the last stop on this side of the world until my birthday next year (May 5th) because that night we started our sail to the Caribbean. I made sure to watch the sail away and I sat there thinking about the wonderful experiences that I have had in the past 2 months and I can't believe what all I have seen and the places that I have been to….this experience is just too cool.

Friday and Saturday were the first 2 sea days out of 6 that we have. Something that I have found (as well as the rest of the company) is that some of the guests on this cruise are quite strange, especially this one woman who came on the ship to do nothing but DANCE!!! She is a rude, older lady with Orange hair that I avoid at all costs. I see her in one of the lounges or bars and I head for the nearest exit because I don't want to dance with her…haha. She has come up to me in the dance classes (that I have to attend…there are no Gentleman Hosts aboard this cruise…ehh) and said to me, "when you see me in the bar, you need to ask me to dance." To which I respond, "alright, if I see you, I'll try to remember to ask you to dance" "NO…you need to dance with me, thats why I'm hear". "Ehhhhh…okay" is what I say…I didn't know what else to say. This cruise has been something else and I have actually been having a great time. These sea days have been going quite fast and I have been enjoying getting a tan. I have tanned so quickly that people can't believe how dark I have gotten, so fast. I love that we are getting to warm weather again…YAY!!! We have some great guests on the cruise and they enjoy playing the games that we have during the day…especially water volleyball. Its crazy to say, that after these 6 days at sea…I'll have cross the Atlantic by sea and sky…strange and the next time I cross the Atlantic will be next year when I come home from my contract. This is a crazy experience but I've loving every minute of it but of course missing people from back home.

Well, tonight (which is Saturday night) I have to go socialize / avoid the Orange haired lady and then I have been invited to dinner (which in a way makes me feel pimped out to the guests but at least I get a good meal…haha).

I hope that everyone's week has been great and make sure that you take every moment in….no matter how small or large the moment is….

Until Next Time,

Jason

Am I on a Floating Funeral Home???? Haha

Hello everyone,

I hope that you had a wonderful week and I hope that it wasn't such a stressful week for you. 

Here's what happened for me this week:

Sunday we spent our day in Ibiza, Spain. Now I'm told that this is the party capital of the world…but not that day. It was quite dead (granted it was a Sunday and its the off season) and quite COLD. Thank you Mom for freaking out in my hotel room in Ft. Lauderdale before I left of the cruise by saying that I needed to bring some warm clothes…I thank you. (haha) We walked around the "dead" city for a little while and to be truthful…that place would be a lot of fun in the summer…I might have to go back. We walked around trying to get Jodie's ATM card to work to find out that its damaged….how that happen, I have NO idea. Finally we found a place that gave me hope (that I might eat something good)…KFC. I HAD SUCH A GOOD MEAL…IT WAS RIDICULOUS. Its sad when you start craving some "home" foods and about freak out when you see a McDonalds or KFC around in Spain…random??? After our WONDERFUL 6 star lunch at KFC (lol) we walked around a little bit more and then got bored. Waiting for the shuttle bus to come pick us up…Jodie, Lesley, Johannah and myself were rocking out to Jodie's new favorite song…"In Miami, Girl". I have so much fun with these girls…just jumping around, dancing like a fool and then CRACKING up when we found out the guests on the bus were video taping us and then all laughed and talked to us when we got on the bus…whoops. It was fun…I love those girls.

Monday was spent in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. That morning, I spent my time on a tour around the city of Mallorca. I have never been more cold in my entire life….it was SO windy but I had a nice group of people with me, so it was an enjoyable time. Went to this castle on the top of a mountain and took some great pictures…but I was about to freeze to death, so I didn't stay up there long. Then we traveled to this beautiful church that had the largest "rose window" in the world and man, that was very pretty. I tried to take a good picture of it but it wasn't coming out very well. It made the coolest reflection throughout the entire church…that was amazing to see. Afterwards, the tour guide gave us some free time and during that time, I spent it in the Dunkin' Donuts where I had a few things to eat and a hot chocolate. Now…I don't think that people in Spain understand what hot chocolate is. I am not joking when I say, it had to be the thickest hot chocolate I have ever drank in my life. Its like I was drinking hot chocolate syrup…NOT even kidding. I couldn't even finish it, it was just too much. After we got done with the tour, I was ready to go have some lunch with the girls. We have been to this port before and we found a great restaurant the last time but never got to eat there, so we went straight to the American Tex-Mex Restaurant that we found. We got to the restaurant and I had for an appetizer…Potato skins (AHHHHHHHHHH…for those of you that know me, I almost cried) and then I had Quesadillas…I was in heaven. I was hoping that this restaurant had free re-fills….it didn't (also, those who know me…this has been the hardest 2 1/2 months with no free re-fills). The lunch was quite nice and I felt full for the first time on this ship. Afterwards, we found a supermarket but I didn't buy anything, just walked around with the girls. Afterwards…we all were a little cold, so we got back on the ship and spent the rest of the night just relaxing. 

Tuesday was our At Sea day, where I got to play ping pong with a guest for 1.5 hours….BORING!!!! Interestingly enough though, his uncle was Paul Newman (the composer - Toy Story) so maybe the 1.5 hours was well worth it…haha. The rest of the day was quite boring and I just slept and watch TV most of the day…just one step closer to the Atlantic Cross. That night however, I had the duty of Table Escorting…where I have to take the rich people to their seats cause apparently they can't do it themselves. Anyway, afterwards the man in charge of the restaurant offered me dinner (thank the lord) and let me look at the menu. I thought to myself, "this is a 6 star restaurant…I just should try something new and eat something that I would never think about eating before in my life", so I let the manager choose my dinner. That night I had 2 racks of Lamb and Risotto and let me say, I quite enjoyed it. I never thought that I would like lamb, but it wasn't that bad (Mom…can you believe that I ate that…I'm a big boy, haha).

Wednesday was spent in Malaga, Spain where Johannah and I got off the ship and went to McDonalds to get a quick bite to eat. I will say, I'm getting quite sick of McDonalds…ehhh. Then we walked around the city and started recognizing places and even remembered where the supermarket was. Thats a problem I feel about these past 2 months of going back to the same cities over and over again…when you start remembering where the McDonalds and supermarkets are…you might need a change of scenery. It was nice just taking a walk around the city and breathing in the fresh air and thank the lord that it was warmer that day…I can't take much more of the cold. Had a great night though with a beautiful sunset with another moment of that random cry. I sometimes think that I can't believe that this experience is happening to me and that I get to witness the world in this strange way. These sunsets are what are so beautiful and just make me think about…life…it looks like a postcard is in front of me and it can't be real…but it is. That night while out on the top deck, I just thought of what crazy stories I'll have to tell my family and friends when I'm done with my contract and my children some day. I'm really REALLY grateful for this opportunity and want to thank everyone that has helped me get to this place in my life. THANK YOU!!!

Thursday was spent in Cadiz, Spain where there is free wifi and OF COURSE…I had to be on IPM…just my luck. Had a full day of duties and just being bored off my mind…then found out that there was some free wifi on the top deck so I got to load a few new pictures but not too many. Had a show of Aquarius tonight and it felt really good…I enjoy that show. 

Friday was spent in Portimao, Portugal where again…there was NOTHING to do. Took the longest tender into the port…EVER! I have never seen the sea so rocky before…I was very lucky that I didn't get sick. Once we got to the port, we had to get on a shuttle bus and head into the very boring city of Portimao, Portugal. It looked like the city was very old and dead. Went to the grocery store and got a few things (Oreos…hooorah). Then headed over to a little cafe where I had the cheapest and best European food…it was very very good. After lunch, it was time to head back to the ship. Going back on the bus, we went by the beautiful beaches that are in Portimao…it was very pretty. Came back to the ship and had a night off of shows…I can't believe it…haha. 

Saturday was embark day in Lisbon, Portugal and I'm very glad that it was a short day of embarkation. This is the start of the cruise that we end in BARBADOS!!!!!!!! I have NEVER in my life seen so many old people. Holy crap…I just couldn't get over how many old people were getting on the ship AND what I really couldn't get over was the fact that many of the officers said that some of them might die on the ship…while we are doing the crossing. ARE YOU FRICKIN KIDDING ME???? They said that its a very common thing that the people come on these types of cruises (the Atlantic cross)…TO DIE and if they do die, the family has the option to fly a helicopter to the ship and get the body for $15,000. AM I ON A FLOATING FUNERAL HOME OR SOMETHING? Lets try to make the 6 day cross even worse by making me think that there are dead bodies underneath my cabin….ehh. HOLY CRAP.

Well, this next cruise is a 14 day cruise that I can't wait to get to the end of. The next week we are in: Tangier, Morocco on Sunday / Casablanca, Morocco on Monday / At Sea on Tuesday / Arrecife, Spain on Wednesday / Santa Cruz de Tenerife on Thursday (and after this port is when we start the 6 day cross) / At Sea Friday / At Sea Saturday. 

I'll keep doing the blogs Saturdays to Saturdays, even when the cruises get to be longer…I don't think that I'll be able to remember more than 7 days of stuff. I can't wait to get to the Caribbean and feel like I'm closer to home and just be somewhere that I have vacationed before. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!

Until Next Time,

Jason

Wait...thats a GUY?!?!?

Hello everyone,

Another adventurous week on the Silver Sprit…at the end of this cruise week (ending in Barcelona, Spain) we have 13 days until we do the cross to the Caribbean…I can't wait.

So what happened this week….

Sunday was spent in Livorno, Italy where FINALLY the internet began working again after 2.5 days. Now I know this doesn't sound like a big deal but please understand that when you have nothing to do and its a crappy day outside…you want to either a.) watch a movie or b.) get on the internet. Now for those 2.5 days we had NEITHER, so it was like a floating prison…not a good time. The weather here that day was quite nasty and was VERY VERY cold. That morning we had a crew drill and had to off the ship and watch one of the life rafts (for the crew) be blown up and you could step in it if you wanted…granted it was SO cold, no one wanted to. Wasn't a nice day.

Monday we went back to one of my favorite ports…Portofino, Italy. Lesley and I went on a cruise around Portofino and the other cities that are around it. Again, not the best weather but it was nice to spend the time with Lesley. On the cruise ship that took us to the different cities…there was a dog on it that looked just like my Grandmothers dog…(Hi Nikki…haha) and it really really made me miss my dog. It was funny that I didn't realize this but after we left that port…that will be the last time I'm in Italy until my birthday (May 5th) next year. I'm going to see a lot of stuff by that time, I wonder if Italy will look different to me then.

Tuesday and Wednesday was spent in the great city of Monte Carlo, Monaco. The first day we had a wonderful lunch at a place called "Stars and Bars" where they had WONDERFUL food and free internet. Then we all decided to walk around the city to see more of it than we did last time. It was extremely windy that day so thank the lord I had my jacket with me. It was so much fun actually walking the road that they do the Grand Prix…very exciting to think the next time I'm in Monte Carlo, the grand prix will be happening and I'll almost be done with my contract. Tuesday night we had Spirito indoors which we don't like having indoors…not an indoors show. But we all were laughing about the last time that we did Spirito and just trying to make it though the show without laughing (love you, Johannah). After the show we all got dressed up and went out to a bar called "Budda Bar" and WOW, it was expensive. I think that he said 15 euro for a mixed drink and I was like…WHAT? (I didn't drink that night…I don't have that kind of money) After that we all came back and had a great night just eating fries and onion rings and just enjoying each others company. Wednesday (after we slept in for a while) we went back to "Stars and Bars" to have another great lunch…it was great food…I really enjoyed it. Afterwards we just came back to the ship and enjoyed the time being together on the ship.

Thursday was spent in a new city we haven't been to (and of course I have to be on IPM) which was Ajaccio, France. From the ship, it looked quite nice and possibly expensive…so maybe it was a blessing that I didn't get off the ship. Thursday for some reason, I slept all day long (on top of doing my normal duties) and I don't know why. I think I haven't been sleeping well lately but I know that I need to stop that and soon. 

Friday was spent in Marseille, France…where Lesley, Johannah and I got off and just walked around the city for a while. We went to the cafe that they ate before (the last time we were here…I was on IPM) and it was great food. Then we walked to a Mall because the girls needed to get stuff so I just came along. When we were in one of the stores, there was this random talent show thing going on but we couldn't see who was performing. Alica Keys came on and this started singing and we were all like, "haha, oh you're not Alica Keys…please stop singing". So when we walked around the corner and saw who it was…A MAN…I was stunned. He was singing SO high, that we thought it was a woman…good for him, I guess haha. It was just really confusing….haha. Went back to the ship and had a great night just hanging out with the cast.

Saturday we ended the cruise in Barcelona, Spain…where we have been 3 times prior. It's okay cause I couldn't get off the ship anyway, it was Embark day…ehhh. I'm really getting sick of the rude people that get on this ship and thinking that we aren't intelligent people or capable of doing the jobs that we are assigned. Its hard to just sit there and smile and be like, "haha…okay"….oh well.

This coming cruise we will be in: Ibiza, Spain on Sunday / Palma de Mallorca, Spain on Monday / At Sea on Tuesday / Malaga, Spain on Wednesday / Cadiz, Spain on Thursday (IPM day for me) / Portimao, Portugal on Friday and we end our cruise in Lisbon, Portugal on Saturday and THATS where we board the ship with the people that are doing the Atlantic cross….WOOOOHOOO!!!! I can't wait to get to the Caribbean cause I'll be closer to home.

OH…just wanted to tell everyone…I have a lot of pictures that will be posting on my Facebook soon but I'm just waiting for free wifi…it takes too long on the ship and I waste money.

Okay, Until Next Time,

Jason

REALLY...IT'S THRILLER?!?!??!

Hello everyone,

Let me catch you up on the remaining week that I have had…

Monday was spent in Livorno, Italy…where it was a rainy, miserable day. We have been to this place before, so I knew my way around a little bit. We went to McDonalds yes, I know…You're in Italy and you're eating McDonalds but the reason is it is cheaper than the restaurants in Europe. The other day, we had to pay 8 Euros for a COKE (thats about 12 dollars)!!! So after awhile…you start thinking…McDonalds isn't too bad..haha. While we were in McDonalds having our lunch…I couldn't help but notice how LOUD it was. I stopped and try to take it in a little bit….I was in Italy and yes, Italians are known to be loud…haha…what an experience. Afterwards, we walked to the supermarket, where I bought the ship life essentials…Pringles, Oreos, Tortilla Chips and Tic Tacs…strange, no? Then walked back to the ship to go do a duty, where you guessed it…NO ONE showed up to. Took a nap…for some reason I have been really tired lately…I don't know why….might be the lack of sun…its been kinda crappy weather. Had a wonderful evening of the Jazz show tonight…I think that it might have been my best show of it yet….felt very good.

Tuesday was spent in Portovenere, Italy and once again…a rainy, miserable day. The town is SO small and there is NOTHING there. It looked a little run down or abandoned…so we didn't really understand what we were doing there but we decided to get off the ship anyway…doesn't hurt anything. Once we got off the ship, we walked towards this weird church/castle/house looking thing (kinda reminded me of the house from Beatlejuice…but anyway) and just enjoyed the views of the ocean and cliffs…kinda cool. Then we decided to play Hide and Seek…yes, we were that bored. The game didn't last long…guess I don't have the spunk like I use to…haha. Then, I wanted to have some Italian food…I had wanted some Lasagna or something…but couldn't find anything…so spaghetti it was…again. Walked around the city and found out there was nothing else to do so we all decided to go back to the ship. Later that day, Lesley and Jodie decided to dye their hair and I was bored so I joined them (not in dying my hair…just the company). I really do enjoy them..they are great girls. Later that night, we all went to the lounge singers show in the main theatre (it was our night off) and enjoyed her show. She sings this song (that closes all her shows) that always moves me to tears. The words really sum up my experience and where I am in life right now…I'll have to find the lyrics and share them with you. Afterwards, we all went upstairs to the karaoke night and wow, that was interesting/fun. I will say, I had two favorite performances….Love Shack and Thriller. The Love Shack singers for the first verse instead of singing the words that are on the screen, "I'm heading down the Atlantic Highway…looking for a..(blah blah..you know the words) she kept saying/singing "sing…sing…sing…sing…sing…sing". I was laughing really really hard….I couldn't help it. The second one, which might be my favorite, was the woman singing Thriller. First off, you would have thought that if you are going to pick a song…pick an easy song that you know. You would have thought, by watching her performance, that the woman has NEVER in her life heard the song. REALLY??….ITS THRILLER. Then at the end of the song…I think she decided that she was a wolf or a whale or the combination of the two because she started making these weird sounds. If you have the movie…Finding Nemo…fast forward it to the part that Dory speaks whale and thats the noises I heard….haha. I don't think that I have laughed that hard in a LONG time. What a great night.

Wednesday was a sea day and thank the lord…there was SUN!!!! I spent the morning in bed, just relaxing and enjoying having nothing to do. Then I decided to get up and go read my book "Eat, Pray, Love". I sat up on the top deck, reading in the sun for 2 hours (mom…what is wrong with me…haha). You know…I would tell EVERYONE to read this book and while reading, just to be open minded and if something hits you spiritually, emotionally or whatever…write it down. This book, a few times, has really touched me and I write it down every time. I don't understand why I'm moved…I just write. I'm learning not to try and figure out why I don't understand something…that's okay. There is one section of the book that really made me think…pages 104/105…Elizabeth (the author) is talking with her friend and they are discussing "words" that describe the cities in their life. For example, New York City's word to her is ACHIEVE….and Los Angeles' is SUCCEED. Then her friend asked her what her word was. She, like myself, find a struggle in what word would describe ourselves and how could you really describe yourself with one word. She never gave an answer to what "word" she is and in a way, I like that. We shouldn't just put one word to describe ourselves or in my life, an event that has an effect on you. If I had to, I guess the best word to describe myself is…JASON. I think a lot is said with just that…your name. After finishing the Italian section of the book, I look up to be greeted by a wonderful view of the sunset to my left and the Italian coast to my right. Its so strange to be reading a book about someone else's experiences in the country that you can see and have been traveling around in for the past 2 months. After I put my book down, I just stood up and looked around. I haven't really done this in a while…just trying to take…the world in. I love this moment and I need to do it more often. I think that we all need to do this in life. Put down the books/crap in your life and LOOK UP and TAKE IN THE WORLD. Makes you humble, grateful for life and for me, a sense of ease. I caught myself with tears running down my face but for no reason. I wasn't feeling sad/happy or any other word to describe my feelings…just….there, being JASON. 

Thursday, I spent the day in Sorrento, Italy…a beautiful place that I can actually see myself living. Didn't spend much time there, just had a great Italian lunch…which I was in need of for a while..haha. 

Friday, I was on IPM (still in Sorrento, Italy) and spent the day trying to catching up on my sleep and other stuff. Funny thing though..one of the guests at the show came up to me afterwards and said…"You have the whitest teeth I've ever seen"…I was like, "OH…thank you?" (Guess the money for braces paid off…huh, MOM?) 

Saturday was another day of Embarkation day in Civitavecchia, Italy (which is an hour outside Rome). I can't wait actually next year to go to Rome…somewhere I really want to go. For the following cruise, I'll be going to: Livorno, Italy on Sunday / Portofino, Italy on Monday / Monte Carlo, Monaco on Tuesday and Wednesday / Ajaccio, France on Thursday / Marseille, France on Friday and we end the cruise in Barcelona, Spain on Saturday. We have 2 more cruise until the wonderful CARIBBEAN!!!!!! I can't wait to get there.

Until Next Time, 

Jason

free wifi.....THERE IS A GOD!!!

Hello everyone,

Time to catch everyone up on the week that I just had.

We started our cruise with an overnight in Cadiz, Spain where they had FREE WIFI in the town square. (there is a GOD!!) I was there all day long. Before we made it to the town square we found a place that was an "American Restaurant" where they advertised free refills…which I have truly missed. So we all decided it would be a great place for us to go because we wanted some good food to eat. The service was CRAP and the food wasn't that great. I had to ask for the bill 4 times before she came over to give us it. I felt a little bit of my dad come out of me when this happened…totally a dad moment (those of you that knew my dad…know what I'm talking about). Needless to say…she didn't get a tip. Then spent the rest of the time on my computer with the free internet…uploading pictures…talking to my mom and so on. Later that night, the cast decided to go out to dinner, just to dress up and have a good dinner. We went to a chinese restaurant and I actually tried something new….duck. Now at least I can say, no I don't like duck because I've tried it..haha. Had a great night and celebrated one of the spa girls bday on the back deck of the ship that night. The second day in Cadiz was more internet time and just enjoying watching the "spanish soap opera" that was happening in front of me…full of fighting, slapping, yelling and spanish…haha. Quite the second day to say the least. That night Johannah, Lesley and I sat up talking about our parents and I explained the story about my dad, deer and the day after he passed….it was a good night. (If you don't know the story, e-mail me and I will explain)

My day in Malaga on Tuesday was a good one spent on tour…going to Picasso's birthplace and museum. I was fascinated to find out about his life and why he painted the way he did…extremely interesting. If you go and look at pictures of Picasso's and see any drawing of a woman…you might see an animal as well because he saw the "emotion" that they displayed in life or attitude as that animal…so he would combine to two…in his Picasso kinda way. Very interesting day and lovely time talking to the guests.

Wednesday, we were at sea all day and nothing too exciting happened…only weird thing was that night at dinner. A few days before, when we were talking about deer and such…we said, wouldn't it be strange if they served deer in the officers mess (dinner hall for us). We just laughed and said, yeah right. So…what were they serving that night???? DEER! I got chills because I have been on the ship almost 2 months and they have NEVER served deer once….what are the chances. (Thanks DAD…I'm glad to know that you are here with me)

Thursday was spent in Barcelona again where we went to Subway and got free wifi. I was thinking…its going to be great having a subway sandwich…just like home. I SWEAR THESE COUNTRIES DONT UNDERSTAND WHAT RANCH IS!!!! It tasted like a mixture of mayo and presto with a hint of what they though was ranch….needless to say…wasn't very good. I can't wait till I'm in the Caribbean and can eat some "normal" food…haha.

Friday we were in Marseille, France and I was on IPM so I couldn't get off the ship but that is okay..we go back again. Saturday, we were in Nice, France and that was a very pretty port/city. Wasn't hectic but was a big city. I was walking around myself…trying to find the supermarket in the town (was told that there was a huge one). I walked around and every street just looked the same and so I was getting a little worried that I would never find it. I couldn't talk to anyone on the street because I don't speak French so…that idea went out the window and I thought….Jason, think…there has to be a way. Got a idea when I passed a Hotel that the people in there HAVE to speak English so I tried my luck and she did speak english…thank the lord. She told me where it was and when I got there…McDonalds right next to it….WOOHOO!!! Went inside the supermarket and boy, do I wish everyone could have been there. I have NEVER in my life seen so many people and so much CRAP…EVERYWHERE!!! Just imagine going to a Target or Wal-Mart (they are normally very clean and kept tighty…well this was just like that but not tighty and not the cleanest place I've been. Also, not very organized to have everything in the same area…for example they had an row of school supplies and patio furniture….together….what? But I just stood in the middle of the big row just laughing and looking around in amazement. They had an announcer in the front of the store doing something…I have NO idea what he was doing….I felt like I was on a game show. What a wonderful experience. 

Today (Sunday), we spent the entire day in Portofino, Italy…which is now on my top 3 places. It is SO beautiful and EXACTLY what I thought a European city should be. I just love Italy…it is so beautiful. We had a lovely lunch at a little cafe (YES…ITALIAN FOOD) and then walked around the little city to just see what it was like. We saw a castle on the top of the hill and wanted to go there, so we did. Once we got there, it was just absolutely beautiful..Castello Brown…it was called. I picked some flowers to remember that place because I can't really explain what it was like….just a bunch of paths and just flowers everywhere….gorgeous. Can't wait to go back next week.

For the rest of my week…Livorno, Italy on Monday / Portovenere, Italy on Tuesday / At Sea on Wednesday / Thursday and Friday, we are in Sorrento, Italy and we end our cruise in Civitavecchia, Italy (an hour outside of Rome) on Saturday. 

Can't wait…we have 3 more weeks until the Caribbean….WHOOOHOOO!!!

Until Next Time,

Jason