The 12 days of Cruisemas

Well, the last 6 days were just as full as the first 6.

I did find a church to go to in Barbados. I walked into the cruise terminal in the morning, found the information desk, told the lady I wanted to go to church, and I walked out a few moments later with the name of a church and a map. I started walking…and praying. I usually feel pretty safe as I walk around in ports, but I think about how quickly that can change so I kept praying. Ishmael asked me the next day why I’m always by myself. Am I not scared? Do I carry a pistol in my backpack? I told him that sometimes I can’t find people to go with me. I gave the example of going to church the day before. “You pray?” he asked. I said yes and he replied, “Then you have something bigger than a gun, you have God.” I have no idea where Ishmael stands on this yet, but he’s got the main idea down.

Anyway, back to my church trip. I walked about an hour to church and just as I was about to give up, I turned around and there it was. I was a half hour early for the service and a few minutes late for Sunday school, but I joined in any way. They start their Sunday school time with everyone from the little kids to the old ladies gathered together. They were very excited to have a visitor so they all turned to look at me as they sung me their “Welcome Song.” It was nice, but a little awkward. Then the classes split off and one of the old ladies sent me to a class in the back corner- oh yeah, no classrooms. The church was all one room with a small balcony and a transept. So I went where I was sent…I think I was in their youth group- it was me and two teenage girls. Then it was time for church to start. I moved forward and an old lady spotted me asked me to come sit with her. Then the church secretary came up and introduced herself to me. When she got up later in the service to give the announcements she had me stand and the whole congregation sang me the aforementioned “Welcome Song.” I just tried to keep a straight face. Seriously though, it was really sweet and I felt very welcome. The secretary then found a brother and sister (literally, not just Christianese here) in the church to drive me back into town- my mom hates that part of the story- getting into cars with strangers and all…she hasn’t seen some of the cabs that I’ve had to take… Welcome to the Islands! So that was my church experience. I’ve since discovered that I’ll be in Barbados several more times on a Sunday. I plan on going back there each time and taking people with me.

After church I explored downtown and then met up with the Port and Shopping Guide, Vince. He asked if I’d go down town with him if he’d pay for us to take a cab (this is an important part because I had just walked all over the city- rendering me incredibly sweaty and tired). I agreed and we went to The Boatyard- it’s a beach/restaurant/resort type area with an entry fee. We showed up, Vince told the gatekeeper he was the Shopping Guide and I was with him- they let us walk right in. We checked out the beach, they gave us free food, Vince made me watch a kid puke on the bathroom steps, we drank some orange juice, and headed back for the ship.

The next day was Antigua. I checked out the downtown area before running into Ishmael and traveling to the outskirts of St. Johns. We visited a really old church, a bookstore, a casino, a department store all tricked out for Christmas, and a restaurant for lunch. He had eaten before he got off the ship, but he agreed to come with me to lunch- his mistake…we waited an hour my sandwich. I’ve got to find somewhere else to go in Antigua next time, there’s not really much to do in the town at the end of the pier.

I’ve been on the ship since Monday afternoon, but it’s gone pretty fast. I worked a lot of hours Tuesday and Wednesday, but had most of Thursday off. I love these 12 day cruises! I have a few busy days, but only work about 3 hours every port day. I get to sleep and watch a lot of movies constantly! That’s my kind of life…

Here’s a funny story for you:
I was in the theater earlier tonight and one of the bar servers was talking to me. He asked where I was from and I said Pennsylvania. “Oh!,” he said, “You’re from the states? You don’t sound like you’re from the states. It sounds like you’re from somewhere in Europe and you just picked up English.” WHAT?!?!?!?!? I only speak this one language and I’m apparently not very good at it….