Thursday April 29th
Wet decks again and it is warm and humid outside. I remember last year that Fort Lauderdale was as hot as anywhere we'd been! I know I must start to clear up and pack but feel too lethargic to make the effort. George is busy correcting exams as are most of the faculty. Students are studious and surprisingle muted.
We did a strange performance of Shakespeare in masks in the faculty lounge last night. I felt that our performance was wild and uncontrolled....which in some ways it was meant to be. Liz certainly thought so, George and others were much kinder. However, all that said, people actually seemed to get something from it so who am I to judge? I am not really comfortable with improvisational theatre....too much potential for disaster perhaps and my own insecurity.
The night before we had listened to music students playing Gamalong (Bali music) and it was wonderful. I loved the sounds and it was brilliantly performed to my untutored ear. Alot of work had gone into it and it showed. Great entertainment.
I am very apprehensive about my own solo performance of Beckett's Rockaby....what will anyone make of it I wonder? (Why do we do this to ourselves?!) It will be on Saturday eveing at 9.30 pm...perhaps as The Constant Wife has sadly had to be cancelled for this weekend you will have time to think about me and send positive thoughts!
I am so sad for all of the cast and crew of The Constant Wife...and especially for Rose. Sometimes amazing things come out of disaster and hopefully it will all turn out brilliantly in part because of the delay and the resulting pent up energy and desire to perform.
George has appeared and is now lying reading on our balcony with a chilled white wine in his hand....looks tempting. 'Bye.........
Showing posts with label At sea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label At sea. Show all posts
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Neptune Day and performance Mask
Saturday 20th March
Today we celebrated crossing the Equator. I should say that while the students and others were enjoying them selves around the swimming pool and being dunked and heads shaved George and I were enjoying the privacy and quiet of our cabin! Dreadful I know but I have been through this ceremony so many times and I am getting more and more in need of space as the voyage goes on. George had alot of work to do correcting papers etc.
Today we celebrated crossing the Equator. I should say that while the students and others were enjoying them selves around the swimming pool and being dunked and heads shaved George and I were enjoying the privacy and quiet of our cabin! Dreadful I know but I have been through this ceremony so many times and I am getting more and more in need of space as the voyage goes on. George had alot of work to do correcting papers etc.
It has been a beautiful day, very hot in the sunshine but perfect for the celebration. I have been considering my 'Performance class' project and have almost decided on doing a Samuel Beckett play called Rockaby and involving some of the older women on the ship....if they will corroborate! It will mean that I direct their voices on tape and then record my own voice over or under them and actually in performance sit with my mask on in the middle of our acting area while the voices 'swirl' around me. My mask is very white, with peacock blue eye lids, high black eye brows and tears on the cheeks (see above). I suddenly felt I wanted to represent older women somehow and as this is a play about a woman 'declining' and then just fading away alone and isolated I thought it just might work. David I. any suggestions gratefully received! It's not at all what Beckett had in mind but then he's not around to protest...
I spent part of tonight watching students performing at their Talent Show: there is alot of talent among the 580 of them....and some are still in the development stage! The Union was so full I couldn't get a seat so finished up watching it on TV in our cabin, but one loses the atmosphere which is half the fun. The next show is the Crew's Talent show and if last year is anything to judge by it will be fantastic.
We're all looking forward to Mauritius: we arrive there on the 23rd March. Liz, Audrey, Chris Hill ( a man for George!) George and myself are going to stay at the Oasis Beach Club for one night and day. It is pretty reasonable in price for Mauritius, a three star only but for one night on a beach who cares? I think India was petty draining for many people and so relaxing on a Mauritius beach seems a good idea.
Just discovered today that there was a terrorist threat in Kochi while we were in Kerala. There certainly were alot of police and uniformed people around but I thought nothing of it. I'm glad that we didn't realise it might have taken the gilt off the ginger bread a bit. The world is a scary place when you start traversing it...
On that pessimistic note I shall retire to bed with my Tami Hoag book and see what terrors go on in the Louisiana Bayou!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Random thoughts in the Bay of Bengal
It has been a heavenly day, the 10th March, sailing slowly through the Bay of Bengal towards India and Chennai. I sat on our very warm balcony and remembered similar days, long past, when I sailed as a child and later an adult through calm tropical seas. There is such a feeling of oneness with the sea and sky, such peace and splendid isolation. I have spent much of today on my own or certainly with my own thoughts and I realise that although, as you all know, I am a sociable creature, the fact of being an only child has given me a high level of comfort with my own company. No need to do the expected social thing, no interruptions, just the total relaxation with no expectations that comes from being alone. Occasionally utter bliss!
Tomorrow we leave the ship to fly to Cochin from Chennai. We shall be met there and driven to the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, about 60 kms from Cochin, where we spend our first night. George will have a nature bird-spotting walk in the morning after which we drive to Munnar, a beautiful hill station at nearly 5000 feet where we spend 3 nights in a "British" bungalow (!) on a tea plantation, which I'm really looking forward to. Always wanted to do this since our days in India. We'll explore the area over the next two days before driving down to Kumarakum to spend a night on a house-boat sailing round the backwaters to Allopey from where on the 16th we return to the ship after a tour of Cochin. So we shall be very busy indeed and hence no blog for the nest 6 days but lots to write about on our return.
Just off now to sit for an hour and a half for a pre-port lecture and dancing by our Indian inter-port students who leave us in Chennai. These pre-ports are much longer than last year fellow SAS-mates.
Later....G and I managed to slip out of the back of the Union after the information part of the pre port was over, and after watching a hilarious sketch by the Improv. club on how not to behave in India. These students know themselves well: they acted two female students going into an Indian restaurant and asking for caramel lattes to a bemused waiter. They shout 'Caramel' at him until they realise he has no idea what they are asking for. They are showing both knees and shoulders in their dress (which we have been advised not to) and are loud and giggling and generally borish. When a friend enters the place they scream and jump up to welcome him in all too familiar student fashion. The funniest moment is when one of them says to the waiter "You may not realise this but we're American"!!?? It's good to know they can laugh at themselves...that goes for the rest of us too.
See you again in a week or so.
Tomorrow we leave the ship to fly to Cochin from Chennai. We shall be met there and driven to the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, about 60 kms from Cochin, where we spend our first night. George will have a nature bird-spotting walk in the morning after which we drive to Munnar, a beautiful hill station at nearly 5000 feet where we spend 3 nights in a "British" bungalow (!) on a tea plantation, which I'm really looking forward to. Always wanted to do this since our days in India. We'll explore the area over the next two days before driving down to Kumarakum to spend a night on a house-boat sailing round the backwaters to Allopey from where on the 16th we return to the ship after a tour of Cochin. So we shall be very busy indeed and hence no blog for the nest 6 days but lots to write about on our return.
Just off now to sit for an hour and a half for a pre-port lecture and dancing by our Indian inter-port students who leave us in Chennai. These pre-ports are much longer than last year fellow SAS-mates.
Later....G and I managed to slip out of the back of the Union after the information part of the pre port was over, and after watching a hilarious sketch by the Improv. club on how not to behave in India. These students know themselves well: they acted two female students going into an Indian restaurant and asking for caramel lattes to a bemused waiter. They shout 'Caramel' at him until they realise he has no idea what they are asking for. They are showing both knees and shoulders in their dress (which we have been advised not to) and are loud and giggling and generally borish. When a friend enters the place they scream and jump up to welcome him in all too familiar student fashion. The funniest moment is when one of them says to the waiter "You may not realise this but we're American"!!?? It's good to know they can laugh at themselves...that goes for the rest of us too.
See you again in a week or so.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Sea Olympics
Monday, March 8th.
What a day yesterday was. By far the most important all day happening was our Sea Olympics which took place all over the ship though some of the sports might have been frowned upon in Vancouver. The students had screaming, yelling, bouncing fun....what energy as they supported their teams and displayed their considerable talents.
I didn't take photos because I remembered from last year that it is almost impossible to see what's going on the crowds are so dense. However for our mutual friends I think Liz might have managed a few. Audie wasn't feeling at all well with what I call the "ship bug" of coughing, infected sinuses and post nasal drip. I think it must circulate in the air conditioning system. Last year I suffered three bouts so brought my own antibiotic this time and after five days of it before Nah Trang started myself off and was soon OK...thank goodness. Anyway I kept Audrey company on our patio while Liz took in the morning's games and then watched them myself in the afternoon.
George earned a well earned accolade in the final ceremonies last night when they thanked him for spending four hours on deck (and it was hot) refereeing and judging events. He slept well last night.
We were both up early to see the Nicobar and Andaman Islands as we sailed close to them. It is always wonderful to see land when you're at sea: it gives a sense of community and always looks so attractive and tempting. We sailed close to an old shipwreck on the rocks surrounding one of the smaller islands, (there are 250 of them in a long chain between Mayanmar (Burma) and Sumatra.) and near a pretty white sanded beach. The indiginous populations of the islands, which are governed by India, are unique in DNA, appearance and languages, of which there were thirteen with only four remaining. One of George's classes deals with "The Death of Language" and these islands are a prime example. The last speaker of one of them died a few weeks ago and had had no one to speak to for 25 years. There are many of us who would not have survived as long I think!!
Judging by the rust on the shipwreck I would say it was between 20 and 40 years old. It had obviously carried passengers and I do wonder what the story is. (Google here I come) It looked so isolated and forlorn leaning slightly into the rocks...I felt sad for the old lady. I think the island was probably too small to have inhabitants.
Yesterday and today have been idyllic sea days: a very gentle breeze, bright sunshine and a calm blue sea. I can think of nowhere in the world I would rather be than at sea on days like these...I feel so very fortunate. If anyone had told me two years ago that I should be sailing back to India and South Africa twice again in my life I should have said they were mad. I would have been so happy to think that this journey, which we made so many times in my childhood, would be repeated into old age! I think of my parents often, they did it far more often than I during their married life....they would so enjoyed this luxury! Our cabins were tiny in those days with 4 bunks and the loo and bath shared down the corridor.
Enough reminiscing.... time to meditate before the 5 pm get together in the lounge bar. Liz has been invited to have dinner with the Captain tonight but not Audie! Let's hope her turn comes with ours so that she feels comfortable. All Life Long Learners and Faculty (with hangers-on!) and SAS Staff are invited to do this at some time during the voyage.
More later.....
Have just been to a lecture on a solution to the US financial crisis and returned to our cabin to watch the wonderful movie of Copenhagen...what a cast! Must be up for an 8 am performance class so off to bed.
What a day yesterday was. By far the most important all day happening was our Sea Olympics which took place all over the ship though some of the sports might have been frowned upon in Vancouver. The students had screaming, yelling, bouncing fun....what energy as they supported their teams and displayed their considerable talents.
I didn't take photos because I remembered from last year that it is almost impossible to see what's going on the crowds are so dense. However for our mutual friends I think Liz might have managed a few. Audie wasn't feeling at all well with what I call the "ship bug" of coughing, infected sinuses and post nasal drip. I think it must circulate in the air conditioning system. Last year I suffered three bouts so brought my own antibiotic this time and after five days of it before Nah Trang started myself off and was soon OK...thank goodness. Anyway I kept Audrey company on our patio while Liz took in the morning's games and then watched them myself in the afternoon.
George earned a well earned accolade in the final ceremonies last night when they thanked him for spending four hours on deck (and it was hot) refereeing and judging events. He slept well last night.
We were both up early to see the Nicobar and Andaman Islands as we sailed close to them. It is always wonderful to see land when you're at sea: it gives a sense of community and always looks so attractive and tempting. We sailed close to an old shipwreck on the rocks surrounding one of the smaller islands, (there are 250 of them in a long chain between Mayanmar (Burma) and Sumatra.) and near a pretty white sanded beach. The indiginous populations of the islands, which are governed by India, are unique in DNA, appearance and languages, of which there were thirteen with only four remaining. One of George's classes deals with "The Death of Language" and these islands are a prime example. The last speaker of one of them died a few weeks ago and had had no one to speak to for 25 years. There are many of us who would not have survived as long I think!!
Judging by the rust on the shipwreck I would say it was between 20 and 40 years old. It had obviously carried passengers and I do wonder what the story is. (Google here I come) It looked so isolated and forlorn leaning slightly into the rocks...I felt sad for the old lady. I think the island was probably too small to have inhabitants.
Yesterday and today have been idyllic sea days: a very gentle breeze, bright sunshine and a calm blue sea. I can think of nowhere in the world I would rather be than at sea on days like these...I feel so very fortunate. If anyone had told me two years ago that I should be sailing back to India and South Africa twice again in my life I should have said they were mad. I would have been so happy to think that this journey, which we made so many times in my childhood, would be repeated into old age! I think of my parents often, they did it far more often than I during their married life....they would so enjoyed this luxury! Our cabins were tiny in those days with 4 bunks and the loo and bath shared down the corridor.
Enough reminiscing.... time to meditate before the 5 pm get together in the lounge bar. Liz has been invited to have dinner with the Captain tonight but not Audie! Let's hope her turn comes with ours so that she feels comfortable. All Life Long Learners and Faculty (with hangers-on!) and SAS Staff are invited to do this at some time during the voyage.
More later.....
Have just been to a lecture on a solution to the US financial crisis and returned to our cabin to watch the wonderful movie of Copenhagen...what a cast! Must be up for an 8 am performance class so off to bed.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Explorer Stats and International Date Line
Tuesday 2nd February
Stats of MV Explorer for Liam and Katie:
Latitude: 25 degrees 3.1 degrees N
Longitude: 173 degrees 24.8 degrees E
Speed 18 knots
Course: 278 degrees
Advancing the date by one day:
Tomorrow will be Thursday, 4th February, there will not be a Wed. 3rd February.
Liam and Katie ask your Mum and Dad to explain crossing the International Date Line. If they can't I'll get Grandad to do it...he'll be much better than me! Let me know.
Stats of MV Explorer for Liam and Katie:
Latitude: 25 degrees 3.1 degrees N
Longitude: 173 degrees 24.8 degrees E
Speed 18 knots
Course: 278 degrees
Advancing the date by one day:
Tomorrow will be Thursday, 4th February, there will not be a Wed. 3rd February.
Liam and Katie ask your Mum and Dad to explain crossing the International Date Line. If they can't I'll get Grandad to do it...he'll be much better than me! Let me know.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Bits and Pieces
Sunday January 31st
Greetings on this Sabbath day. We are doing classes the same as always today so it's hard to tell the difference from any other day of the week.
I have just had the greatest fun. In conversation with the Psychology Prof. (Stewart Schwartz) last night George mentioned that we did patient simulations at McMaster. Almost without a moments thought he turned to me and said What do you do? I named a few cases and conditions and he said Would you come and be manic for my Bipolar class? This is one of my favourites because you can take it from and to the top with a certain amount of freedom. I asked when and he said Be in my class at 8 am tomorrow morning. Well! I honestly expected a little more time to think about it: this was at supper.
So after a sleepless night of wondering how and what to do I did appear in the class on time. We had pre-arranged the moment when I would interrupt him and it was to be after the discussion on Depression, second power-point slide in, at the beginning of the discussion on Mania. So I tensely sat through the first part of the class feeling quite apprehensive. There were about twenty five students and one Life Long Learner whom I didn't really know. As soon as the second slide on Mania was shown I shouted from the back"You know Dr Schwartz your class is really depressing!" Stewart looked wonderfully shocked...he really didn't know what I was going to say, so I said that the slide itself was hopelessly unexciting (it happened to be one in small print which no one likes) and I added "I could probably teach a better class than you anyway because I know alot about this stuff, should I come up and try?" he sort of swallowed a Yes (actually he was very good!) and up I went. I looked out of the window suddenly and asked if anyone could tell me whether "those birds are albatrosses or red footed boobies", he said 'What?! red footed what?"so I explained how important it was to 'my husband' that I got my birds right. I made up a fun story, partly true, about George never getting me a birthday present and how in Waikiki I had taken off and 'done' the jewelry shops buying a diamond pendant...and earrings. (not true) How much did that cost you he asked so I just said 'You don't want to know. I used a credit card so it's OK, but I'm in alot of trouble with my husband.' I also described the really cute guy I had met in a Waikiki bar but added 'You're cute too...did anyone ever tell you you looked like Woody Allen?" which he does. I held my breath ...had I gone too far? After all he might absolutely loathe Woody Allen and his looks...fortunately the class laughed and so did he. I should say that most of the students were still looking gob smacked and very uneasy that this dreadful woman had simply stood up and taken over the class.
Anyway to cut a long story short I eventually apologised and said I must leave. He followed me out and then took me back in and introduced me. I always love the part where I return to normal and this was no exception. The students were sooo relieved! I gave the SP programme at McMaster a great plug saying that Mac had started the whole concept but confessing that the two people who created it were actually American which they were. Heavens that was over 30 years ago! So a fun start to the day.
Last night for our Sino/American relations class I watched two movies, one about Mao Tsetung and the other fascinating and rather amusing one Nixon's visit to China in 1967. I enjoy these so much having lived through those times and thinking while I was doing whatever, they were doing this! Even though we lost Jonathon in Hilo to return to his home in the US, I am still thoroughly enjoying the classes with the remaining two professors, John Israel from the University of Virginia and Professor Shun from China. We were hearing yesterday about the Taiwan situation when Obama's decision to send money for arms to Taiwan was a news alert. One can't help wondering why this action is repeated time and again almost to rile China. I want to ask today whether there are any parallels to be drawn with Hong Kong which has been largely left alone by the mainland government because it is such a money maker. Next class this afternoon.
Later: 15:00 hrs here....putting our clocks back again tonight.
Just to put you right in the picture, it is a sunny day with some puffy clouds but lots of blue patches (enough for a pair of sailors' trousers I think), the sea has a few white caps but is fairly calm and there is a light breeze.
During our Sino American lecture I'm afraid to say I almost nodded off three times, my head actually fell forward and I was right in Professor Shun's line of vision. That'll teach me to lie awake worrying about 'simulating'! I really do enjoy these as I said and it was interesting to hear another (two versions) of Nixon's visit.
Did I mention that both my eldest daughter Sheona and I saw Chou en Lai "in the flesh" and I've always had a great respect for him. When we lived in Accra and Sheona was a toddler, the compound in which we lived was right across the road from the Party Headquarters. Kwame Nkruma was president of Ghana at the time and the murals on the walls depicted him as Osagyfo, which is what he was called. It means 'redeemer' and he was painted as a sort of Christ. I used to wheel Sheona around in her stroller as though the place was an art gallery. Anyway Ghana received visits from many famous people and they were always driven to the headquarters. We stood and watched Chou en Lai, the first Russian woman astronaut, Svetlana something-or-other, and best of all Gene Kelly! Accra fell in love with him and they serenaded him in the streets, hotels and bars all night. There wasn't I must confess the same wild enthusiasm for the other two!
I'm going to be reading the two plays written by our on board playwrights with the other students in the class this evening. I'll be really interested to hear their thoughts. Sally remember how I hated Lunch Hour for the play reading committee....how very wrong I was!
Liz, Audrey and George are all attempting to fill in immigration forms for Japan and it seems are having some difficulty. George is going to pop down to give them a hand but from the look of his face (and there is a guide on our TV set) it won't be any time soon. Aren't I lucky I just get to chat with all of you.
I'm off now to continue my novel....I am really deep in Vietnam which seems to have been a dangerous place not so long ago. This was written after a return visit in 1997. I remember our invitation last year to join the crowd at a communist annual celebration in Cat Tien National park. They were having the best time of the year obviously and knocking back shots of some strong liquor like Saki or rice wine and getting louder and happier by the second but they were very friendly! They kept shouting this one word and we wondered what it meant and asked our guide "Drink!" he said.
I think I'll publish this and have a short sleep before our five o'clock happy hour in the bar....not really, we do have to pay eventually. More tomorrow.
Special message for Liam, Katie and Bryn: Have I told you lately that I love you? Have I told you lately that I care? Have I told you lately that i miss you? Well darlings I'm telling you now!! That goes for your Mums and Dads as well.
More later. We are now 11 hours behind Ontario and tomorrow it will be 12. By the way there is no 3rd February on this ship...it is the day we lose... so I shall take advantage of that and remain the same age through 2010 and George is off the hook for a gift! He is giving me a special dinner which we are to share with Liz and Audrey, Lynn and Marc.
By the way some of you might not know that Andy Murray was beaten in the finals of the Australian Open by Roger Federer. This is possibly the only match I wish Federer had lost! Never mind Andy is only 22 so he's got lots of time....I followed it for a time in 'live text' on the BBC.
Greetings on this Sabbath day. We are doing classes the same as always today so it's hard to tell the difference from any other day of the week.
I have just had the greatest fun. In conversation with the Psychology Prof. (Stewart Schwartz) last night George mentioned that we did patient simulations at McMaster. Almost without a moments thought he turned to me and said What do you do? I named a few cases and conditions and he said Would you come and be manic for my Bipolar class? This is one of my favourites because you can take it from and to the top with a certain amount of freedom. I asked when and he said Be in my class at 8 am tomorrow morning. Well! I honestly expected a little more time to think about it: this was at supper.
So after a sleepless night of wondering how and what to do I did appear in the class on time. We had pre-arranged the moment when I would interrupt him and it was to be after the discussion on Depression, second power-point slide in, at the beginning of the discussion on Mania. So I tensely sat through the first part of the class feeling quite apprehensive. There were about twenty five students and one Life Long Learner whom I didn't really know. As soon as the second slide on Mania was shown I shouted from the back"You know Dr Schwartz your class is really depressing!" Stewart looked wonderfully shocked...he really didn't know what I was going to say, so I said that the slide itself was hopelessly unexciting (it happened to be one in small print which no one likes) and I added "I could probably teach a better class than you anyway because I know alot about this stuff, should I come up and try?" he sort of swallowed a Yes (actually he was very good!) and up I went. I looked out of the window suddenly and asked if anyone could tell me whether "those birds are albatrosses or red footed boobies", he said 'What?! red footed what?"so I explained how important it was to 'my husband' that I got my birds right. I made up a fun story, partly true, about George never getting me a birthday present and how in Waikiki I had taken off and 'done' the jewelry shops buying a diamond pendant...and earrings. (not true) How much did that cost you he asked so I just said 'You don't want to know. I used a credit card so it's OK, but I'm in alot of trouble with my husband.' I also described the really cute guy I had met in a Waikiki bar but added 'You're cute too...did anyone ever tell you you looked like Woody Allen?" which he does. I held my breath ...had I gone too far? After all he might absolutely loathe Woody Allen and his looks...fortunately the class laughed and so did he. I should say that most of the students were still looking gob smacked and very uneasy that this dreadful woman had simply stood up and taken over the class.
Anyway to cut a long story short I eventually apologised and said I must leave. He followed me out and then took me back in and introduced me. I always love the part where I return to normal and this was no exception. The students were sooo relieved! I gave the SP programme at McMaster a great plug saying that Mac had started the whole concept but confessing that the two people who created it were actually American which they were. Heavens that was over 30 years ago! So a fun start to the day.
Last night for our Sino/American relations class I watched two movies, one about Mao Tsetung and the other fascinating and rather amusing one Nixon's visit to China in 1967. I enjoy these so much having lived through those times and thinking while I was doing whatever, they were doing this! Even though we lost Jonathon in Hilo to return to his home in the US, I am still thoroughly enjoying the classes with the remaining two professors, John Israel from the University of Virginia and Professor Shun from China. We were hearing yesterday about the Taiwan situation when Obama's decision to send money for arms to Taiwan was a news alert. One can't help wondering why this action is repeated time and again almost to rile China. I want to ask today whether there are any parallels to be drawn with Hong Kong which has been largely left alone by the mainland government because it is such a money maker. Next class this afternoon.
Later: 15:00 hrs here....putting our clocks back again tonight.
Just to put you right in the picture, it is a sunny day with some puffy clouds but lots of blue patches (enough for a pair of sailors' trousers I think), the sea has a few white caps but is fairly calm and there is a light breeze.
During our Sino American lecture I'm afraid to say I almost nodded off three times, my head actually fell forward and I was right in Professor Shun's line of vision. That'll teach me to lie awake worrying about 'simulating'! I really do enjoy these as I said and it was interesting to hear another (two versions) of Nixon's visit.
Did I mention that both my eldest daughter Sheona and I saw Chou en Lai "in the flesh" and I've always had a great respect for him. When we lived in Accra and Sheona was a toddler, the compound in which we lived was right across the road from the Party Headquarters. Kwame Nkruma was president of Ghana at the time and the murals on the walls depicted him as Osagyfo, which is what he was called. It means 'redeemer' and he was painted as a sort of Christ. I used to wheel Sheona around in her stroller as though the place was an art gallery. Anyway Ghana received visits from many famous people and they were always driven to the headquarters. We stood and watched Chou en Lai, the first Russian woman astronaut, Svetlana something-or-other, and best of all Gene Kelly! Accra fell in love with him and they serenaded him in the streets, hotels and bars all night. There wasn't I must confess the same wild enthusiasm for the other two!
I'm going to be reading the two plays written by our on board playwrights with the other students in the class this evening. I'll be really interested to hear their thoughts. Sally remember how I hated Lunch Hour for the play reading committee....how very wrong I was!
Liz, Audrey and George are all attempting to fill in immigration forms for Japan and it seems are having some difficulty. George is going to pop down to give them a hand but from the look of his face (and there is a guide on our TV set) it won't be any time soon. Aren't I lucky I just get to chat with all of you.
I'm off now to continue my novel....I am really deep in Vietnam which seems to have been a dangerous place not so long ago. This was written after a return visit in 1997. I remember our invitation last year to join the crowd at a communist annual celebration in Cat Tien National park. They were having the best time of the year obviously and knocking back shots of some strong liquor like Saki or rice wine and getting louder and happier by the second but they were very friendly! They kept shouting this one word and we wondered what it meant and asked our guide "Drink!" he said.
I think I'll publish this and have a short sleep before our five o'clock happy hour in the bar....not really, we do have to pay eventually. More tomorrow.
Special message for Liam, Katie and Bryn: Have I told you lately that I love you? Have I told you lately that I care? Have I told you lately that i miss you? Well darlings I'm telling you now!! That goes for your Mums and Dads as well.
More later. We are now 11 hours behind Ontario and tomorrow it will be 12. By the way there is no 3rd February on this ship...it is the day we lose... so I shall take advantage of that and remain the same age through 2010 and George is off the hook for a gift! He is giving me a special dinner which we are to share with Liz and Audrey, Lynn and Marc.
By the way some of you might not know that Andy Murray was beaten in the finals of the Australian Open by Roger Federer. This is possibly the only match I wish Federer had lost! Never mind Andy is only 22 so he's got lots of time....I followed it for a time in 'live text' on the BBC.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Aloha and Farewell
Friday 29th January
I was so tired last night I skipped blogging. It had been a wonderful but exhausting day and on top of everything else we had to wave good bye to Hawaii.
It was a beautiful sunny morning so George and I took a cab up to the Bishop Museum of Hawaiian and Polynesian Culture. I'm always a little intimidated by Museums but this one was a gift. It is first of all housed in a lovely old building, built I think in 1889, and stands in about an acre of tropical gardens. The first thing you notice on entering is the quietness and subdued lighting; the walls are mostly a warm, dark wood as are the frames of the display cabinets. We started by reading the history of the place itself. The land belonged to a 19th century Hawaiian Princess(Beatrice) who married an Englishman by the name of Bishop. When she died her husband gave the land back to the people of Hawaii and the museum was built on it so that generations to come would learn from it and honour their heritage and culture.
We spent about two hours there looking at the exhibits of clothes, Gods, rituals, old styles of housing and living, bark fabrics with exquisite designs, pottery, headresses and ceremonial garb. My only problem was that after a little while I began to feel as if the ground was shifting under me ....it has taken much longer than usual to shed that sensation of walking on a moving ship. I had to keep sitting down to regain my balance. There is no one slower than George going round galleries and museums but this time I was at the same pace....partly from fascination and partly because of my frequent sit-ins!
We decided after a couple of hours to get a bus down to Waikiki for last minute shopping and lunch. I realised how much more of the scenery and culture you observe in a bus than a taxi. Because Hawaii is a part of the United States one tends to think it is simply a sort of exotic "American" island but although there is that aspect on the surface there is a vast difference from any mainland State in the appearance of the people (a mixture of Polynesian, Japanese, and Chinese with black hair, dark eyes and deep golden/brown skin) and their language and culture. They are such a friendly, gentle and dignified people that I felt sad to think of all the close-to-the-earth-and-sea spiritualism and culture they are in danger of losing. I feel more cheerful about the survival of their language as you know...I hope I'm right!
After a last drink at our favourite on the beach restaurant we made our way back to the ship by bus at about 4 o'clock....to miss the long queues as the SAS trips return all at the same time.
We sailed out of Honolulu at 8 pm last night and it was a beautiful sight. The whole city was lit up but you could still see the shapes of the high hills beyond and of course the famous land mark, Diamond Head. There was a starry sky and a full moon so perhpas you can imagine the view as we pulled away from Aloha Towers almost in the centre of the city. There was a warm breeze and we know that we are movong now towards the colder climes of Japan and China.
It is 1600 hours on board as I write (tea time Dia!) and after a very wet start to the day with pouring rain during the night we are sailing through calm seas with a light breeze under cloudy skies. We have all been back to classes today and this evening is going to be full: drinks in the loungs at 5 pm, post port reflections in the Union and our Sino/American lecture somewhere...we haven't been given times and locations yet. There is also a meeting of the news committee to which I am supposed to be invited apparently and a film on Mao Tsetung on TV which we are supposed to watch....hmmm?
I'll let you know how it all works out...
I was so tired last night I skipped blogging. It had been a wonderful but exhausting day and on top of everything else we had to wave good bye to Hawaii.
It was a beautiful sunny morning so George and I took a cab up to the Bishop Museum of Hawaiian and Polynesian Culture. I'm always a little intimidated by Museums but this one was a gift. It is first of all housed in a lovely old building, built I think in 1889, and stands in about an acre of tropical gardens. The first thing you notice on entering is the quietness and subdued lighting; the walls are mostly a warm, dark wood as are the frames of the display cabinets. We started by reading the history of the place itself. The land belonged to a 19th century Hawaiian Princess(Beatrice) who married an Englishman by the name of Bishop. When she died her husband gave the land back to the people of Hawaii and the museum was built on it so that generations to come would learn from it and honour their heritage and culture.
We spent about two hours there looking at the exhibits of clothes, Gods, rituals, old styles of housing and living, bark fabrics with exquisite designs, pottery, headresses and ceremonial garb. My only problem was that after a little while I began to feel as if the ground was shifting under me ....it has taken much longer than usual to shed that sensation of walking on a moving ship. I had to keep sitting down to regain my balance. There is no one slower than George going round galleries and museums but this time I was at the same pace....partly from fascination and partly because of my frequent sit-ins!
We decided after a couple of hours to get a bus down to Waikiki for last minute shopping and lunch. I realised how much more of the scenery and culture you observe in a bus than a taxi. Because Hawaii is a part of the United States one tends to think it is simply a sort of exotic "American" island but although there is that aspect on the surface there is a vast difference from any mainland State in the appearance of the people (a mixture of Polynesian, Japanese, and Chinese with black hair, dark eyes and deep golden/brown skin) and their language and culture. They are such a friendly, gentle and dignified people that I felt sad to think of all the close-to-the-earth-and-sea spiritualism and culture they are in danger of losing. I feel more cheerful about the survival of their language as you know...I hope I'm right!
After a last drink at our favourite on the beach restaurant we made our way back to the ship by bus at about 4 o'clock....to miss the long queues as the SAS trips return all at the same time.
We sailed out of Honolulu at 8 pm last night and it was a beautiful sight. The whole city was lit up but you could still see the shapes of the high hills beyond and of course the famous land mark, Diamond Head. There was a starry sky and a full moon so perhpas you can imagine the view as we pulled away from Aloha Towers almost in the centre of the city. There was a warm breeze and we know that we are movong now towards the colder climes of Japan and China.
It is 1600 hours on board as I write (tea time Dia!) and after a very wet start to the day with pouring rain during the night we are sailing through calm seas with a light breeze under cloudy skies. We have all been back to classes today and this evening is going to be full: drinks in the loungs at 5 pm, post port reflections in the Union and our Sino/American lecture somewhere...we haven't been given times and locations yet. There is also a meeting of the news committee to which I am supposed to be invited apparently and a film on Mao Tsetung on TV which we are supposed to watch....hmmm?
I'll let you know how it all works out...
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