The Accidental Beach Day

On my second trip to Gran Canaria I struck out on by myself to explore some of the port city. My first stop was to grab lunch at a cafe with some reliable WiFi (pronounced "Wee-Fee" in Spain) so I could keep in touch with some people back home and try and take care of some business online. I decided on the "Bar Da Vinci" because it fulfilled three necessary criterion. They had WiFi, were not busy (ensuring that the network bandwidth would be moving pretty fast), and accepted credit cards. I settled in for a small tasty lunch of grilled ham and cheese sandwich and a couple bottles of Coke Light (that's Diet Coke for those of you back home). 

After quenching my thirst, satiating my hunger, and satisfying my craving for high speed internet I struck out for a walk. I was originally headed to a shopping center to look for a supermarket on my way back to the ship, but, saw that I had plenty of time before all aboard. So, I took a left turn (literally) and walked into the unknown. 

A couple of observations that I made:

1) I'm used to bigger, more well-defined streets. The streets in the section of town I was in rarely had curbs and were quite narrow. I found myself having to look both ways even when I thought I was just crossing a sidewalk in order to avoid being run down by a taxi cab.

2) Port cities are quite similar. There are plenty of shops where you can buy knick-knacks that are locally made. There are also plenty of shop owners and employees out in the street barking at you to come in and have a look around. I guess some things aren't exclusive to Nassau and Key West.

3) Europeans seem to enjoy sitting outside. I encountered many cafés with most of their seating available outdoors. People were eating, drinking, and smoking more outside than in. Furthermore, I noticed while there were plenty of places to grab a seat outside, most of the furniture was incredibly small and positioned together closely. I'm not sure if it's because I'm American or because I'm bigger than your average person, but, I like a big chair, big table, and a big space to relax in. Small places make me uncomfortable. Surprisingly, I don't notice this too much on the ship. Or maybe I do. I have noticed that my cabin on Adventure is much smaller than my previous accommodations on Majesty.

After walking around for about 20 minutes I, rather by chance, stumbled upon a beach. Just turned a corner and there it was. I know that the Canary Islands are famous for their beaches, but, I hadn't seen one since arriving almost two weeks ago. As it turns out, this one was only about a 25 minute walk from the ship. It was a gorgeous day so I took the opportunity to stroll along the boardwalk and snap some pictures. There is something very cool to me about a beach that has mountains in the background. It just doesn't seem like those two things should be in close proximity. I mean, I'm used to sand dunes, but, not mountains. 

I happened upon the beach at low tide. Lots of sand exposed and people made good use of it both sunbathing and building some very intricate sand castles. Also, there was some sort of rock formation or reef about 150 yards out into the water. Big swells broke against this barrier and provided a very calm area close to shore for swimming. However, it was low in the water so it didn't impede a great view of the horizon.

Another thing I'm not used to seeing at a beach (being American) are topless women. Not that I'm complaining, I'm just saying, I tried to keep the rubber-necking at a minimum. I think I did a pretty good job. 

An observation and a couple follow up questions, if I may, about Euro beach policy:

Lots of totally naked babies at the beach. In fact, with the baby naked and parents both only wearing Speedos (bottoms only, mind you), there was one family that was almost completely naked together at the beach. 

Now, regarding naked babies: what happens at "go" time? Is the beach just one big toilet? Are babies treated the same as dogs in this regard? What's the sunscreen policy and application procedure like?

What is the appropriate age for people to start covering particular areas at the beach? How is this decided? Is there a law or some sort of town hall meeting? Are people just on the honor policy regarding this issue?

Now, I'm not judging here. Just pointing out some thoughts that ran through my mind and asking questions.

Seems to me like the policy is reversed. I think that younger humans should wear more clothing at the beach than older ones. Seriously, it's for their protection (sun) as much as it is for everyone else's (see the aforementioned "go" time).

In any case, here's some pictures that I snapped off on my walk. 

Picture Post - Tenerife

Enjoy a few preliminary pictures from Tenerife.

I first walked away from the city center and came

across this huge statue. 

A nice shady walk uphill.

Taken during a cab ride to the grocery store.

Very cool looking building so I just had to take a pic.

All of the islands that we are visiting on this contract

seem to look similar. Mountains in the middle. 

Civilization on the edges. They aren't afraid to build

right into the side of the mountain, though. Makes

for some great pics from the water.

Steak on a Stone

My first day off the ship on my new itinerary had me in Funchal, Medeira which is part of Portugal. A friend from Majesty, Rachel, invited me out with some other Adventure Cruise Staff to get "Steak on a Stone" for lunch. Basically, the procedure is this. You order the meat or seafood that you'd like grilled up. It gets prepared for cooking in the kitchen. You are then served your raw meat, side dish, and a REALLY hot stone. You cook the steak right in front of you on the table. It tastes great...just don't for get to let it cool before eating!

A round on the house from our hosts!

Sam preparing to cook King Prawns on a Stone.

Rachel pulled a veteran move and got cooking

assistance from a professional.

Hot stone. Very hot.

I got steak with bacon. Apart from a little spatter

everything was awesome.

Prawns. Garlic. Fries. It's all good.

Picture Post - Medeira

Medeira is part of Portugal. We port in the town of Funchal and I had the opportunity to grab a few pictures while off the ship. It was a beautiful day and I got some great snapshots. I also went out for lunch...but more on that later in another post.

Picture Post - Gran Canaria

My first time off the ship in Gran Canaria I went to the mall for lunch, got some internet to post to the blog, and took a short walk around for a few pictures close to port. 

Finally…a new nickname.

Part of the challenge of working on a cruise ship is packing one's belongings. Crew members bring 6 - 10 months of clothes and living supplies with them for contracts and the trick is generally to be able to fit all this into luggage that one person can carry. Not to mention that there is not exactly ample storage space in the cabin for empty suitcases. On my second contract now, I'm able to fit all of my effects into a suitcase, a garment bag, a trombone case, and a backpack. Pretty impressive, I know. That's a lot to carry, but, made much easier by putting my garment bag and suitcase together like a Jenga game and rolling them around the airport.

I had the opportunity to see how the rest of the sign-ons pack their gear on Saturday as we are herded from the hotel to the ship in various shuttle-type transportation and through security checkpoints and introductory meetings like jet-lagged cattle. Most people have the same amount of luggage that I do (minus the trombone) and are able to get along fairly easily. That's not the case with everyone, however, thus the main crux of this post.

Standing outside the Hotel Monte Malaga early Saturday (sign on) morning, I was watching a beautiful sunrise over the top decks of the Adventure of the Seas about two miles away when I heard a quiet and polite "excuse me, please" from behind me. I looked back to see what appeared a small and athletic young woman making her way through the crowd of crew members and tobacco smoke. To be fair, her physical description information had to be filled in later because I really couldn't see much of her. I assumed she was athletic because she was almost completely obscured by luggage. She was carrying at least two suitcases, a huge purse, a backpack bursting at the seams, and another duffle bag roughly the size of a modern hockey equipment bag…and that's just all I remember. 

Now, at this point in the story I'd like to make it perfectly clear that once she got everything balanced she was doing fine and able to carry the luggage adequately. It clearly took a significant physical effort, but, she was more than managing. However, the starting, then stopping, then unloading, then waiting, then gathering up belongings, and starting again was also taking it's toll on her as we made our way from the hotel to the shuttle bus to the dock to the security line to outside the ship.

We ended up walking next to each other during the journey to the ship. This can be an awkward time, by the way. Most of us don't know each other, we work in different departments, the ever-present language barrier continues to exist, we all have been playing various kinds of time zone Bingo, and perhaps most importantly the vast majority of us are going to a new ship or maybe a ship for the first time ever. This can make for a lot of tired eyes and awkward pauses in whatever conversation that may happen to take place. 

What I'm trying to say is, I never introduced myself and didn't say much of a word to anyone for most of the trip…including this girl carrying luggage for three people. I'm also trying to preemptively defend myself against people who are thinking that I wasn't being much of a gentleman. I have excuses even if they're not very good ones.

So, sign on morning goes like this. Hotel, bus, dock, security check. After we get through security we all collect (there were over 30 sign ons with my group) and move together to the pier directly adjacent to the ship where luggage is lined up and drug sniffing dogs inspect for contraband prior to all of us moving onto the ship proper at last. The security checkpoint is much like the waiting area outside of a gate at the airport with uncomfortable plastic chairs, linoleum floors, and duty free shops hawking alcohol and tobacco. After the last person had made it through the security metal detectors and x-ray machines we gathered our luggage for the walk to the pier. 

For some reason at this particular time it occurred to me that I hadn't seen anyone propose to help this young woman with her luggage. Apparently, I hadn't woken up enough or become clear headed enough yet to actually extend a hand to help her myself either. What I did do was approach her as she was struggling to gather her various cases to begin her balancing act and say, "You know, I can't believe that no one has offered to help you carry any of this yet." And then I turned to walk away as we followed the crowd down the escalator. She laughed said something like, "Well, I'm a strong and independent woman here!" 

It didn't occur to me until we had reached the bottom of the escalator that I hadn't helped her either. I had just pointed out that none of us had helped her and let her continue to struggle. In my defense, I didn't have a free hand because I was carrying my trombone, but, I still probably could've/should've made it work. 

When I reached the pier I turned around and saw her walking about 20 yards behind me…with another guy next to her carrying her huge duffle bag. She pulled up next to me and said, "Isn't he the nicest guy?"

I replied, "Sure seems so. I just realized that I never actually offered to help you. I just pointed out the silliness of the situation that no one had. I feel like a total ass right now."

She laughed back, "It's not a big deal. I can't believe I have all this stuff. Thanks for the 'almost offer' anyway!"

We struck up a conversation and I learned that she was going to be part of the ice cast onboard. The only reason that she has all this luggage is that she is transferring from another contract and hadn't had time to drop some of her stockpiled stuff from the previous contract at home before coming to Adventure. I also learned that I'm clearly not at my best in the early morning in terms of accountability, selflessness, and general awareness of my surroundings.

After all this, I do have a new nickname. She calls me Almost Offer now. Or, just Almost for short.

Everything Old Is New Again

I had heard a lot of advice about working on cruise ships from experienced musicians before taking my first contract on the Majesty. All of the advice was helpful when I got there. While onboard Majesty I got lots of advice and recommendations about working on bigger ships like the Adventure where I'm currently living and working. That advice has also been helpful, but, I was truly not prepared for what I've encountered so far. In fact, nothing anyone could describe about working on a bigger ship like this would genuinely prime me for it. Bigger cruise ships are kind of like drum corps. You have to actually experience it live in order to gain a true understanding of what it's like.

Having said that…I am writing a blog here. So, I'm going to do my best. I'm going to try and shed some verbal light on a few things that have happened to me since I arrived here.

Signing on to a ship is a little like this scene from The Shawshank Redemption:

Of course, I'm TOTALLY KIDDING.  I did think of this scene during the sign on process, though. Lots of hurry up and wait. People do tend to stare at me in particular. Probably due to my height  and striking good looks (and modesty).

The ship is huge. It truly does make the Majesty feel like a kiddie bike with training wheels. The main corridor in the crew area on Deck 1 (the I-95) is almost twice as wide as the MJ. Or, at least it feels that way. While the ship is bigger and hallways are wider, the ceilings appear to be lower. It's either that or the floors are higher. I haven't crushed my head, yet, but that's inevitable. So far, every timeI've walked down the I-95 here someone has told me to "mind my head" or asked my height. I don't even have clever answers for this anymore (it wouldn't work with the language barrier anyway). I just say "thank you" and go on my merry way. On the Majesty, I had to keep my eyes on the ceiling and plan a route dodging emergency fire sprayers and smoke alarms. I do the same thing here on Adventure, but, for about 50 yards of the I-95 I have to walk with my head tilted to the side. It reminds me of following my father going down the stairs at our old Loon Lake cottage. I have a clear memory of him tilting his head to the right to avoid hitting the ceiling. My family can back me up on this.

I elected to not pay for a cell phone plan in Europe. We are only here for 4 weeks and I thought I might try to just communicate via internet for this month. One thing I neglected to take into consideration is the time difference. Emailing and using Facebook fine. However, in order to Skype with someone the other person has to be awake and I'm at least 5 hours ahead over here. That makes it near impossible to Skype when it's the afternoon in Eastern Standard Time. We just aren't in ports that long.

The musicians here are excellent and very accommodating. A few of them have worked together before on other ships. All of them have been helpful and welcoming to me. It's a bigger band with 5 horns now (2 trumpets, alto sax, tenor sax, and trombone) in addition to the full 4 person rhythm section. The theater is bigger and we play from an actual pit at the front of the stage that moves up and down utilizing hydraulics. I sit on the edge of the pit nearest to the stage and spent the entire first night of shows making sure I didn't get any part of my body or my instrument trapped as the pit moved up and down during the performance. I'll be used to it after this week, but, it was distracting to say the least.

We work every night. This week we have 2 entertainers onboard. Instead of jugglers and comedians like on the Majesty, the headliners are vocalists. The orchestra provides the back up band for these folks. During our first show on Tuesday night we were backing up a country singer from the U.K. One of the audience members shouted out during a break between songs, "Español tambien! Español!!" It was incredibly rude and disrespectful. I mean, the cruise director had informed everyone the night before that the show would be "solamente en Ingles" or "English only." Besides, it's a country singer from England. The people are onboard for 1 week and they expect everything to be in Spanish? I just can't imagine ever yelling something like that at a live concert or event.

I saw a guy onboard at the crew bar with a shirt that read "Loose Control" in large print on the front. I'm not sure what this means. Loose control? Like, he has loose control on what…his faculties? Or is it the common misspelling of the word "lose" as in Michigan State is going to LOSE to Michigan this weekend? Either way, it's not a message that I'd be comfortable sending out to the world at large.

Chapter 2 - Let's Do This

Wow. 

What a GREAT vacation. 

I had an incredible 3 weeks off. I played some jazz with some old friends in Indy, drove over 2,000 miles (really, it's true!) through Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan visiting friends and family along the way, feasted on lots of great food, knocked back plenty of beers/ciders/whiskey (Vitamin J!), played 36 holes of golf, went to a birthday party, and spent some quality time with Ted. Just outstanding. Thank you SO MUCH to all those who hosted me during vacation. I crashed on couches and in guest rooms for the entire time and everyone was so willing and eager to accommodate my moochin' ass!

One thing I learned while onboard is that I enjoy Jameson's neat (no mixer or ice). 

One thing I learned while on vacation is that I have a truly wonderful support network of friends and family. Thanks again, everyone. Truly. I will miss you all for the next 6 and a half months.

A HUGE shout out to the Hopper Family who were provided me with a home base over the past 3 weeks. Brent, Morgan, Liam, and Hugo (with Max on the way). Thank you so much! #awesomefamilyunit #5fingerpoint #streamofconsciousness #Michiganflop

Now, it's time to get back to the Walkabout. Near the end of my 3 week vacation, I reaffirmed that there is still plenty of processing for me to do. The Majesty of the Seas was a great opportunity for me and I'm anticipating another outstanding  experience onboard my next ship: The Adventure of the Seas. We will be based in Malaga, Spain for roughly the next month after which we will cross the Atlantic and make our home port in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I'm enthusiastic about traveling to more areas of the world where I've never been and playing music for a living once again. 

Adventure is a much bigger ship and is scheduled for 7 day cruises (as opposed to the 3 and 4 day cruises I did on Majesty). We will also be rotating our cruise route and I'm looking forward to the variety. To be more specific about where I'll be over then next 6 months, I'll post some maps below. You can also visit this website: cruisett.com for more detailed information. Just select "Ships" at the top of the page, then scroll down and select "Adventure of the Seas." That will take you to a page where you can see the specific itinerary of my ship regarding ports, sea days, times of embarkation/debarkation, and other ships that will be in particular ports at the same time.

It's important to know that while I'm based in Spain, my phone will not work. I will not even turn it on so as not to incur any huge roaming charges. I have access to a phone in extreme emergencies, but, the best way to keep in touch with me will be via internet communication. Email, Facebook, FaceTime (Mac video chat), and Skype will be available. I will get cell phone service in Puerto Rico and will make calls and answer text messages on Sundays starting in (roughly) November.

As for the rest of today, I'm scheduled to spend 12.5 hours in airplanes flying from Indy to Boston to Amsterdam to Malaga. I have secured an exit row for the flight across the Atlantic and am very glad of that. I try to save my collapsible skeleton for when I'm in my crew cabin onboard. 

Thanks again for all the support, memories, and encouragement. Hopefully there will be some good opportunities for quality blog posts coming soon. Stay tuned!

Planned Adventure Itinerary

7 day cruises with alternating routes each week

Malaga: 10/13/12

San Juan: 11/15/12

Sign Off: April 2013

Route 1 - Home Port: Malaga

 Route 2 - Home Port: Malaga

 Atlantic Crossing Cruise (15 days)

 

Route 1 - Home Port: San Juan

Route 2 - Home Port: San Juan