Narco experiences carry on

Maybe I do feel a little bad about writing about people I cross paths with that make me shake my head and wonder what the heck they are thinking.  But I don't feel bad enough to change my behavior.

On John and my flight home from the cruise, we had a plane change in Atlanta.  The flight from Atlanta to Salt Lake, we had a center seat between us because I like the aisle and John likes the window.  We decided to leave it that way.  We don't need to be glued to each other....especially after spending 15 days together.

We board the plane and take our seats.  About 10 minutes later, a woman comes down the lane with her hands and arms full.  Makeup is smeared under her eyes.  She had a piece of pie in each hand.  Her stuff was in plastic bags or in 2 hot pink drawstring bags.  She stops at our row.  I stand up to let her in.  She proceeds to try to organize herself right there in the aisle.  John took her pies and coffee.  I helped her put a bag above.  Then she has a neck pillow and starts digging into her  bag for her assortment of items she thinks she needs for the flight.  If you've flown in the last century, you know people get very irritated when someone holds up the boarding process.  But Miss Princess just doesn't give a damn.  She is sighing and rolling her eyes.  She is struggling.  And she stinks.....like she just smoked 2 packs of cigarettes.  After a long display of disarray, she steps into the row (I'm still in the aisle) and pulls out some deodorant (Mens speed stick) rubs it on her pits, down and back up her arms, up her neck, around the back, and then lifts her wife beater T that she is using for a shirt and starts putting deoderant on her stomach and back.  A little bit on each cheek of her face (although I wouldn't be surprised to see her pull her pants down right there and do her ass cheeks) as she announces we will thank her for putting on deoderant because she hasn't slept for 2 days and is nasty stinky.  Really?

So she plops down and proceeds to tell us she is on the way to see her fiance in Burley, Idaho.  She is from South Carolina.  She had missed her prior flight because she just couldn't get it together to make it.  Something was just not okay with her.  Drunk?  Tired?  Weird?

We take off and I put in my earbuds and start a movie.  John is much nicer than me and is listening and talking with her but periodically, she taps me on the shoulder to talk.  I put my movie on pause and take out my ear plugs (okay I probably sighed an irritated sigh too....it is genetic) and would listen and nod without trying to engage in conversation.  She is eating her pie with her hands and is trying to get comfortable but no one is comfortable in a plane, especially the center seat. She falls asleep leaning forward over her pies and drinks.  She has her neck pillow on the tray table.  After a bit, she wakes with a jolt and doesn't know where she is.  We assured her nothing had changed since she got on board.  Well wash, rinse, and repeat this scenario a few times.  I told her if she would lean back and use her neck pillow, she would be more comfortable.  Clearly too hard to understand that concept.

The flight attendants come through with drinks and snacks.  She wants a double vodka cranberry.  As the attendant leans down to get the alcohol, I quietly tell her that our friend needs no alcohol and to be cautious.  The flight attendant stands up and says "Miss, have you had lots to drink already?"  Miss 14E (I won't use her name) gets a little irritated and says she had one in the airport but was fine.  Then she is very irritated someone is questioning her sobriety.  Yeah because  you are a sloppy mess Miss 14E!!

Later I head up to first class for the potty.  I was talking to the flight attendant while I waited.  He was pleasant enough.  I pondered if I should say anything about Miss 14E.  I didn't have to ponder long because when I came out, the other flight attendant was there and thanked me for alerting her to her condition.  Well, I let them know I didn't think it was alcohol that was the problem and since she got her drinks and snacks, Miss 14E fell asleep hovering over her drinks with one hand dipped inside.  I was positive I was going to be wearing those drinks!!!  While she was napping, I was able to further check her out and saw all her track marks on her arms and hands. It was bad and it was fresh.  So I shared that information.  I also let them know that John and I were trying to keep her calm and being friendly because we didn't want an incident.  I knew the flight attendants were responsible for the passengers on the plane and I thought they should know the situation.

What could they do anyway?  Miss 14E should have never been allowed to fly.  The lead flight attendant already knew something was up and alerted the captian but let her board and continue?  There was no where to move her.  What would they do?  Make an Emergency landing?  We wanted to get home!

While this whole exchange happened up front, John had somehow weaseled his way from the window seat over Miss 14E in the center and freed himself to go to the bathroom.  When he came back, he offered Miss 14E his window seat.  He said he felt trapped in the window and things were getting worse, not better.  Of course, she took the window seat and passed out.  We only woke her when it was time to come in for a landing.  She had been sleeping on her open sandwich with mayo on it so turkey and mayo were all over her (and her pillow which has yet to make it around her neck).  She was tough to wake.  The flight attendants took her drinks and food and tossed them.  Then John woke her up to put on her seatbelt and put up her tray table to land.  When we landed, she woke with a jolt and had no idea where we were.  I don't know that she ever turned off her phone but someone kept trying to call her.  I presume it was her Prince Charming.  She couldn't even stay awake to talk to him on the phone.  She was in bad shape!

John and I took the first chance we had to jump ship and get off the plane.  I wished the flight attendants great luck in getting her out of there as she was now very sloppy in the window.

One one side, I feel bad for her but on the other, she is the one shooting up like that.  The flight attendants didn't feel bad for her but felt terrible for us and gave me 5,000 miles for helping the flight continue successfully.  John and I both wonder how that story ended.  I highly doubt she make it to Burley for her romantic hot tub date at the Best Western.  My guess is security had to drag her off the plane and deal with her.  Maybe she ended up in the drunk tank for the night.  One will never know.

What we do know is I like photos to share.....for your viewing pleasure. Poor thing.

Can you see the tracks on her arm and hands?
That is serious stuff!

This makes my neck hurt just to look at.

John in the center now and she is a puddle in the window.
Her face is resting on her mayo covered sandwich.

We thought it was only fitting to fly home with Narco girl after spending 2 weeks visiting the drug cartel countries.  Haha

Life rolls on

I was so happy to make it all through the 2 week cruise without getting sick.  But John didn't fair so well and was congested  and had a cough that started on Columbia day.  He insisted it was allergies.  I was home 2 days and I got sick too.  And I am still sick.  Life goes on though because I came home to a very busy schedule.

Not only was Mom here when I got home (she watched my Baby Bella) but Nola was on her way out for Thanksgiving too.  I had Trudy come clean the house.  And I was working.  Turns out I didn't take any vacation days so I just had Thanksgiving day off.

Nola went to Wendover on Wednesday so I beat feet to the doctor to make sure I wasn't getting something more serious.  I frankly felt like I got hit by a truck by Wednesday.  I had the chills and struggled to stay awake.  Turns out I had a wicked fever.  But no influenza (have you had the influenza test???  Yeah...never again for me) and they felt it was probably a virus but gave me antibiotics since I was exposed to 6,200 of my closest friends (strangers) on the boat....and I flew home with more people.  I also got some more of my favorite cough syrup that is so good, you have to show ID to pick it up.  (I had to drive to 5 pharmacies before I found someone that had it or would order it.  Seems no one wants to carry narcotics anymore.)

I am starting to feel a little better 1.5 weeks later but still not 100%.  The cough is still ever present and I am very glad I bought the Costco pack of Kleenex in October because I need lots.  Last weekend, I finally got to rest.  I slept the entire weekend.  I'm not kidding....barely awake for meals. I think the rest has been good for me.

The miracle of all miracles?  Nola didn't get sick!  Neither did Mom.  I was very careful about hand washing and not sharing items.  I take that as a personal victory because I would feel horrible if they got sick.

Ship life on the Bliss

I felt like life on the ship should be a different post.  Humor me here....

The Bliss was a beautiful boat.  Much like the other ships I had been on but some differences.  It was large and clean and gorgeous.

Meet and Greet Officers

Cagney's Steakhouse

3 story chandelier

Cool artworks in the BBQ restaurant "Q"

Senior officers at the Latitude party

Model of the ship in the observation lounge

Funniest Comedian "Frank Townsend" the first week.

Teppanyaki Dinner

Bottoms Up in the Atrium Bar

Games in the atrium

Check out this too tanned mint green shirt guy having lunch with his wife.
Note the florescent pink toenails with flip flops.  

Very cool layered leather art

Gamblin'

Fruit carving show

Wake of the ship.  The ship on the right is Princess.  It was hauling past us. 
Turns out someone was murdered on that ship.  Alleged domestic violence.

I love clouds

Clouds and the wake

My last frozen margarita 

Jersey Boys, the play

How was cruising with John?

I swore I would never cruise with a man again but Uncles aren't quite the same right?  It was an adjustment for both of us to travel with someone.  We both are very independant and not the best at checking in with each other.  We were glad we had our own cabins but were just a door between us apart.  We made a rule right upfront that if you needed privacy or private time, just shut the door and no questions would be asked.  It was honestly rare that the door was tight shut.

We also had the messaging on the ship but it required you check your phone and it wasn't always timely.  John isn't real great at carrying his phone so it was 50/50.  We also left notes on the door between us sometimes which was helpful.  Otherwise, we either did things together....or not.

There are many things I appreciate his help with during the 2 weeks.  I know he felt lost cruising without my help.  So it was a win/win.  We both agreed we won't cruise again together next week but 2020?  Sure thing!!  We are already booked for Bermuda!

Finally...the Panama Canal!

It seems I've been planning for the Panama Canal cruise for so long.  Well 18 months to be exact.  It felt so far away but as time always does, it ticked away until time to go.  This cruise was another solo group cruise which means I knew several on the cruise....and we got some great benefits for free...including free drinks, tips, and the added gratuities.  This time, I invited Uncle John to join me.  We had solo cabins which are about 100 sq feet total but have private bathrooms.  We planned to have connecting rooms which seemed to work out perfect.  As solo travelers, we also had access to the solo lounge which is like a big living room with snacks and such.

We decided to fly to Los Angeles the evening before.  We stayed in the Doubletree in San Pedro which was nice and right on the marina.  At 5 am, I saw our ship come into shore.  It was all very exciting.

We were on the brand new Norwegian Bliss that came out this Spring.  In fact, I saw it in Manhattan when I docked after Bermuda in May.  I couldn't wait to check it out and sail on her.

Our ship is the golden lights on the left.

Happy Hour at the hotel

The marina view from our room

We headed over to the pier in the morning.  As a handicapped person, I get to board as one of the first groups which was fabulous.  We got on the boat by about 11:00 and had a cocktail before meeting  my friend Maureen and her friend Joni for lunch.

Our boat

Waiting for our room from the Waterfront area

Putting that drink package to work

Before we knew it, we were checked into our room, unpacked, and ready to watch us sail away.  We decided to go find out group in H2O which is an outside area on the back top of the ship.

Sail away Margaritas!

Mr.  Hot Legs??  We weren't the only ones ready for 2 weeks of fun.

This is the studio cabin.  Where I am standing is the
toilet on one side and the shower on the other.

Our first stop was Ensenada.  Neither of us were thrilled about this stop but we did decide to get off and check it out.  John of course bought some leather.  I bought a mini sombrero for Bella.

We hopped back on the ship and decided to take advantage of our treat....the thermal spa package.  We pre-purchased access to the thermal spa as a way to avoid the crowds and have some down time away from the other 4200 passengers.  They have all kinds of pools, salt room, saunas, etc.  My personal favorite is the heated loungers.

Ensenada from the heated lounger. 

THIS is why I still work (the heated lounger)

Gorgeous sunset  while at sea

We had a sea day or two (I lost track) before we landed in Mazatlan.  That was exciting as it is a new stop for me.  Our ship is so large, we  had to come into shipping piers for most our stops which wasn't very picturesque but nice to hit land once in awhile.  I didn't get off the ship as it was too difficult but John did and of course, did a bit more shopping.

Corona Factory

Our next stop was Guatemala.  I didn't get off here either and I understand I didn't miss a thing.  People were very unimpressed with that stop.

A few more (or one) sea days and we landed in Costa Rica.  John and I made plans to go do an aerial tram in the rain forest.

River with lots of crocodiles

Costa Rican lunch??

Our boat as we make our way around the shipping containers

The next adventure was to go through the Panama Canal.  I had attended a few seminars on the Panama Canal. I was beyond excited as was everyone else on the ship.  We were scheduled to go under the "Bridges to the Americas" at 3:30.  We got up at 3:00 and headed up to watch only to find out we did it at 2:30 am.  So we waited and waited and waited. It takes about 8 hours to go through the canal.  We went through the new locks which accommodate large ships.  In fact, our ship is the largest ship that has gone through the canal.  I could guess there was about 3-4 feet on each side of the ship as we went through.  It was surreal.

Going from the Pacific to Atlanta, you go through 3 locks up.  Then to the "cut" and a large lake.  Then down 3 locks to the Atlantic side.

Waiting to get going

Surreal

Almost impossible to see through all the people but you can see the 3 locks.
There is a ship in front of us in the last lock.

Away we go to the second lock

You can see how far up we have to go to the next lock (pool)

These green things are the locks.  They go across the waterway and block
the water so the elevation can change.  Each lock has 2 gates just in case.

The lock retracting.  See how the water is all the same level now?

This is inside the second set of lock chambers.  We  start high and lose water
to move forward.  We were at the level of that railing.

It was raining but here is the control center for the second set of locks

New bridge they are building on the Atlantic side.  Scheduled to be done 2019?

I thought I would be able to feel the ship rising and lowering but you really couldn't.  And I was so dang tired, I had to go take a nap while we went through the cut.  It really was for the safety of all those on board.  Tired Alex is not a good thing for anyone around.

The next day, we were in Cartegena, Columbia.  John and I had planned separate tours.  He did a walking tour.  I did a Hop on Hop off bus (which I planned to just stay on).  I was so glad I got to see Columbia even though it was from the bus.

The walled city

The clock tower

Vendor selling hats

Ode to Havana and loyalty to Castro.

The fort and flag

Love the Ocean

Armed men with machine guns on the street

The walled city

Gorgeous architecture

Cartegena as we sail away

Both John and I had trouble with our tours in Cartegena.  John lost his tour.  I didn't hear to get off the bus and had to do an extra circle and then rush back to the ship before last call.  We were both so happy to be back on the boat where people spoke English.  Columbia was beautiful but it was clear they didn't really care for Americans.  English was spoken very little and difficult to understand.  They loved our tourist dollars though.

We had 2 sea days (this I know for sure) to Miami.  It was tough to believe we had been gone for 2 weeks.  And we were landing on the complete opposite side of the US.  And we went to such exotic crazy places.  We teased that we did the whole "Drug Cartel Cruise" because every stop is known for their drug cartel and aren't especially friendly to America. But we made it safe and what a trip of a lifetime!