I've Neglected My Duties

Good day everyone! I know, I know, it’s been a few days since I’ve written. No excuse. I guess that shipboard life has made me lazy. Too much wine with dinner each night and that continual low level sea sickness have made for little incentive to write. Mostly I’ve been staring out the window with music from my iPod in my ears and an unread book in my hand.

My mom and I have been desperate for two things the last few days. First, to get off the boat and onto some solid land. So despite heavy rain, we get off and power walk through whatever little village we stop at, waiting until the last moment we get on board. I have to feel sorry, I think, for these small towns we stop at. Here this big boat comes up, and hundreds of like minded slightly seasick land kissing foreigners disgorge themselves from the ship en mass. No one really knows where to go and the first ones off the boat are unwittingly the leaders for the rest. Talk about a herd of sheep. We walk all over the road and sidewalks and from the townspeople perspective trying to drive down their own streets, it must seem like some shepherd has lost control of his flock.

Second, my mom and I want some “real” food. I don’t believe a word of the what the tour guide the other day said: “too much of a good thing is wonderful.” I’ve had enough good, no great, food! The trays of fishes and meats, salads, breads and cheeses (I’ve had so much of my beloved brie that I don’t think I’ll be doing wine, banquette and brie with Sara for a long time – sorry Sara!), and the immense array of such decadent desserts – oh, my stomach churns to think of it all. I want a hamburger! I want fries. I want a tofu burrito, please! My mom and I even skipped lunch today and will secretly rendezvous in the café to get burgers and fries when we are sure our waiters can’t see us. The only thing…I’ve seen them put canned corn on these burgers…WTF?!