Terra Firma

We have disembarked the ship and are staying one night in Venice before flying home. Today we walked around Venice and got lost for a while. Venice has a million nooks and crannies with surprises at every turn.

The ship docked in Venice at sunrise. I shot this from my balcony as we approached Venice at dawn.
We skipped the walking tour of the city and, because this is Sunday, attended mass instead in St Mark's Basilica. How very, very cool and beautiful. I unobtrusively sneaked a few forbidden photos before the service started.

Beautiful Haifa Bay

Shot from the top of Mount Carmel.

Our ship is the big one in the lower right corner.

Shopping in Nazareth

Olives








Spices








The biggest pomegranates I've ever seen (on right)

Critters

During our trip to the Jordan River, I saw cute little animals called nutria swimming in the water. They look and act a lot like otters. I shot an adorable video of them that I will have to post later when I have access to faster (and cheaper) internet.

Only a Few Thinly Veiled Complaints

A friend told me that a cruise is good for about five days. I tend to agree with her. It's nice to get away from it all, but after a while the novelty wears off and I miss some of the comforts of home. Some of the things I'm looking forward to are:

• My own bathroom
• Drinking unlimited amounts of water from the tap
• Doing laundry in a washer and dryer
• Eating meals when I choose to eat them
• Wearing clothes outside of my travel color scheme of black and white
• Being with my friends
• Hugging my bunnies
  

As I am typing this, one of the Ugly Americans in our group (a grouchy New Englander) approached and started complaining about EVERY SINGLE THING. A few minutes later, a couple we know approached and joined in the bash-fest, trapping my mom and I in the couch. There was no escape. They found fault with the food; the service charges; having to pay for coffee, tea, and bottled water; the tour guides; the sometimes-flaky internet; the decor; the LINT ON THE CHAIR IN HER ROOM(!!). This negativity is killing me. It makes my little list of "thinly-veiled complaints" downright laughable.

Overall, my mom and I are quite pleased with the MSC Magnifica and her crew. Mrs. New England calls it an "Italian racket" and says she doesn't like getting nickel-and-dimed. Well, Lady, it's a business!! Of course when you order drinks you will be charged the price in the menu plus an automatic gratuity (which is widely posted). It must be insanely expensive to run a cruise ship. Just do your homework and read everything you can get your hands on before and during your trip. If you get an unpleasant surprise, learn from the experience for the next time.

Today's lesson learned: Many of the things we encounter is a result of the choices we make. If we are unhappy with the result, that is also a choice we make. Be positive!

Groundhog Day

Today is Groundhog Day. I think I heard on the news that Phil got snowed in. Well, this groundhog is not snowed in; the only weather issue is that it's overcast. I can live with that.

This is our second day spent exclusively at sea. The first day, almost a week ago, we did nothing but sleep and eat! I think it was a combination of exhaustion from daily tours in Italy and from the overwhelming experience of adjusting to life on a cruise ship for the first time.

Here is the extent of our activities and conversations that day:

ZZZZZZZZ.......
"What time is it?"
"9:30. Wanna go to breakfast?"
"Uh.....ZZZZZZZZ......"

"What time is it?"
"12:30. Wanna go to the lunch buffet?"
"I think we should. Plus they need to clean the room."
Do minimal grooming and get dressed.

Go upstairs and eat lunch.
Return to room. Set alarm clock for 5:00 pm.

ZZZZZZZZZ.......

Quick shower. Get dressed.
Go to dinner at the required time of 6:00.
Return to room.
ZZZZZZZZZ.......

Rainbow Over the Sea of Galilee!