Getting back on the Horse- Learning to Cruise A New

Friday April 24, 2015

It is with mixed feelings I try to continue the David Oliver tradition of keeping a journal and posting a blog for each trip. I know I can not begin to compete with his story telling- then I remind myself there is no competition- its just a new story and a new storyteller. Hopefully I can entertain readers in my own way.

Late last year David encouraged (or insisted may be more like it) that I begin to think about managing life without him. He wanted to assure I would find happiness in a new world and a new life. He also was concerned about all the stress I was experiencing, realizing that I was having a hard time looking forward to anything. He said I needed to get back on the horse soon after he died and get back to cruising. Tina and Becky joined in and thus this adventure, only 6 weeks after his exit was born. I remember so well the night I called and booked it- I got off the phone in tears as I had to for the first time say I wanted twin beds and a large dinner table. Nearly everything will be different this time around- but different can be fun he assured me.  I also remember his glee when I was checking the website as I always do for a better deal after you make payment and struck gold with a family veranda cabin. Its 593 sq ft rather than the normal 193 and has a balcony twice the size. There are only 4 on this ship and we snatched one for only $100 more! He was thrilled, again cheering me on and praising my travel planning.  This literally days before he died.

The ship we will reside on is a familiar friend, Celebrity Equinox. It is the ship we spent 10 days with Mike and family (the four Ms as he would say) in 2012 in Europe. We loved the ship then and Im sure we will again. Joining us will be a new cruiser, a virgin cruiser I call her- Lilly Hahn. Lilly has been my hairdresser since moving to town 19 years ago! She and I had so many things in common, including three kids nearly the same age, ex spouses with the same name and same profession, and challenging nasty expensive custody battles. We have shared drama for along time. I had encouraged her to cruise for years and when our cabin size increased it was a no brainer when Becky thought of asking her. She jumped on it and trusts us completely to show her the way. It will be great having her, someone my own age in addition to Tina and Becky. Four women- should be a blast.

Tina, Becky and I will meet in Fort Lauderdale and enjoy some time with my brother and family before leaving on the 27th. Although we will not be sailing we will be starting the fun when we depart April 25. Tina and I fly from St Louis to Miami and catch the train to Lauderdale airport and rent a car and from there head to Robs. As we prepare with all the packing and double checking of everything I already miss Davids port preparation and map skills- this is where I let him take charge. I already have found myself too nervous about taking a trail 1.75 hours to Seville and returning on time to the ship so I will take the excursion. He would be horrified and disappointed. But that is most likely the only one- the rest I will rely on all he taught me.  Stay tuned and enjoy the ride!