44. San Antonio, Chile

San Antonio, Chile          66F (19C)

You'd Think the Ship Would Tip Over With All Those Containers

This port is a change of passengers port. About 380 people left the ship and new people arrived. It’s not a pretty port. This spot is very commercial but clean, yet the feeling is like being in a factory instead of in a luxury store. Crates, containers, rail tracks, trucks, cranes, all swish around us. It's a working place. It sure was not meant to be a place where people would be enticed with shiny store fronts and slick glass plated buildings. The internet in the terminal was good, but the whole of it, the set-up, was old, used and not appropriate for a cruise passenger terminal.

Looking For Internet In the Terminal

Yet here we are.

Carol and I walked around a bit, there were hardly any taxis for hire and even if we found one, where would we go? 

Not a Very Appetizing Area

Strange Graffiti

We were supposed to dock in Valparaiso, but the new Captain used this port because it was a cheaper docking fee. While the former Captain spoke via the intercom to the passengers each day, and announced some events or sights along the way, the new Captain is the quiet type. You would not even know there is a captain on the ship. The old one was seen daily on his rounds, mixing with the passengers, joking around with his ‘Bye-Bye’ greetings, the new Captain has a different mentality. He is a company man I suppose, not a public relations man.

Strange Combination of Faces

On our walk around the port area, Carol and I found a grocery store and bought 2 bottles of red Chilean Wine. Someone in the store pointed out what was good, what was just so-so. We listened to him; he seemed to know his wines. I had no clue what was a good name, what was not and it turned out we bought good stuff.

While walking we saw some graffiti with intriguing ideas behind them. Colorful messages to society, painted by hidden artists.

Junk Food and Cigarettes (Marijuana)

Oh, we could have taken an excursion bus, Valparaiso was 45 minutes away and Santiago, the capital of Chile was 2 hours away, but why? What would we have seen that made the expense worthwhile? 

We left the ship at 8 AM for our walk and we were back on board by 1 PM. I took a nap this afternoon, something I normally do not do.  

 

All aboard call was at 4 PM.

There was a 5.15 PM Emergency drill; everybody had to go to their muster station. All elevators were suspended; we had to use the stairs.

Around 6 PM the exercise was finished and now everybody rushed to get to dinner. The formal dining rooms were closed, only the buffet was open. 

All the people at once, tried to use the elevators which started up again.

But once we arrived at the entrances to the buffet dining hall, only one side was open, the other side still closed. Due to the sanitary policy of the ship, everybody had to wash their hands before entering the food courts. With only one side open, now there are only 3 faucets open for all the people piling in to wash their hands.

Well, Carol and I were smart, we went to the closed side, washed our hands there and then walked over to the open side.

Only… the ‘guard’ who watches the hand washing routine told me he had to smell my fingers to see if I washed them. Seriously, he did!

I lost it.

We were nose to nose.  Everybody around was shocked at my behavior but I could not care less. 

Well, my behavior was a bit much for Carol, who left the place embarrassed .

I guess I could have nonchalantly disregarded this ‘watcher’ but… well, I did not.

Was I sorry?  NO!   Did I care what others thought?  NO!

Carol felt otherwise.

More Graffiti

 

43. Still At Sea Towards San Antonio, Chile

Still At Sea Towards San Antonio, Chile          59 F (15C)

So far the weather has stayed cool; it’s another bum day just loafing on decks. 

Lunch was another English Pub day; this time I tried the Scotch Egg meal. A hard-boiled egg, lightly breaded and deep fried. Yummy!

I forget what Carol had, but I am sure we both washed it down with Ale.

I looked it up, today is cruise day 39, almost 2/3^rd through our trip. How do I feel?

Extremely pampered and a bit sluggish would be my first answer. 

Jean, our friend visits the gym every day; she even hired a trainer to push her through her routine. Her husband, Ross, makes sure he walks at least 10,000 steps each day, around and around the ship, up and down, keeps on walking. He checks his performance with a ‘fit bit’ wristwatch. 

Me… I drink cappuccinos and while I try not to eat too much I snack on a cookie here and there. I am more of a nerd. I walk around too but not to the point of pushing myself. I walk around to find a different point of view someplace, explore nooks and crannies, chat with people, and even visit stores I would normally not go into, like a watch store. The ship has lots of stores. I find myself missing the intellectual stimuli I would have being off ship. I read a lot on board. No, I do not watch TV but I try to solve every puzzle the ship prints out and distributes in the small library on board each day. Some are too hard to solve instantly but I do not pursue them to the end, either. I feel like I am on vacation.

Splash Pool On Upper Deck - Good Views of Shoreline From Here

The ship has a large spa facility, taking over almost half a deck. I see the people walking about in their white robes, getting tugged, pulled, pressed and rubbed any which way to try to rejuvenate them. For some it is a hopeless cause. For others the look they achieve is a new radiance. The prices of the spa prevent me from even trying to do anything for myself. So, no, I do not partake in this youth program.  

How do I feel?

When I look around, watch others I must admit that some folks get on my nerves; the pushy kind especially.

Even the crew has developed some attitude here and there and some forget that they are hired to serve. Familiarity sews contempt, I suppose.  At least that is what I believe.

Roderigo Tutti, an Italian Pianist was the show at night. Good!

42. At Sea Towards San Antonio

At Sea Towards San Antonio                               54F (12C)

Humberto gave a destination lecture on San Antonio, Chile today, but after so many lectures and listening to Humberto for 38 days, more or less, I am leery about anything Humberto tells me. 

 

We will see.

I just goofed off all day. While I attended the destination lectures I have given up on the enrichment lectures. For the first third of the voyage we had lectures on the use of DNA in investigative proceedings. I liked that, Carol not so much.

Glass Elevator In 4-Level Atrium

Then for the 2^nd leg of the trip we had a guy lecturing about early airplanes and their restorations. Well, I tried one or 2 lectures, but I am just not a fan of old machinery. Carol did not even consider it at all.

Now, towards the end of the cruise there are no enrichment lectures. Something I really miss on board, because I like to learn, like to listen to new ideas. It does not matter the subject, well, almost, but you know what I mean.

Lots of Fun Modelling - But No Free Samples

Carol still has her gemology lessons. She is now ‘almost’ part of the sales force of Effy’s. The store asked Carol to be a mannequin, a walking, jewelry wearing, real life person who models their collection. The store put jewelry on Carol and had her strut around, showing off Tanzanite. The collection Carol wore today costs about US $40,000.00. That is a lot of money for a few stones. The former Captain’s wife was also asked to model the jewelry and Effy let her wear Yellow Diamonds in the value of US $ 500,000.00.  Yikes, some people have lots of money.

Tanzanite With Diamonds, Set In Rose Gold

While in the gemology lectures Carol met Barbara. Those 2 liked each other. When Barbara, who does not drink, won a bottle of Champagne, she gave the bottle to Carol. We had bubblies for dinner that night.

Talking about meeting people leads me to their stories. When you meet new people, during lunch, dinner or in this case while sharing some interest, there are always stories attached.

Ring and Bracelet, Tanzanite With Diamonds In Rose Gold

 Barbara’s story is sad. Her daughter was murdered by her 2^nd husband and her son committed suicide after he contracted aids. 

No matter how beautiful a person looks, and she was beautiful, behind the presented front could lie a deep abyss of misery and despair. But Barbara seemed very positive and gave out a few samples from her cosmetic line.

Thai Dancing

Since it was formal night again, we had another special performance from the Ship’s crew. This time with the theme ‘Do You Wanna Dance?’

All kinds of dances, from flamenco, to rock and roll, to Irish step dancing.

Flamenco Dancers

One of the Fabulous Singers

Finale