Ah, the feel of a course and unforgiving hotel towel! This morning we woke up and headed to church. We went to the Mount Cougar 2nd ward. The ward building was just behind the temple. It was pretty cool because the church was totally hidden by trees and shrubberies. I felt like I was out in the deep woods or something. The church building also had a Distribution Center in it, I wish ever stake center back home did. From church we all came back to the hotel to gather things up and then we were going to head to the pier, Pier 91 to be exact. We packed the van, I was impressed with the precision stacking and carefully plotted design that accommodated not only all the luggage into space saving positions, but also the aesthetic appeal. Then in a hint of genius, we decided taking a taxi to the pier would not only be cheaper but we would also find out that it would be a little adventure of its own. So we unpacked the suitcases and they were loaded into the taxi much like you would stuff play-do back into the little container after playing with it. We had two taxis and the drivers spoke very little English. Keralyn and I were in the front taxi and the driver was using my GPS to get us to the pier. I think that should have made us rethink the taxis, but after a detour or two and no help from the signs on that road that specifically directed cruise line passengers to take the right lane that led us off to some cruise line forsaken parking lot that was abandoned, we made it. We made two different passes, why we turned around and made the same mistake, I can’t tell you. The important thing is that on the third try we disregarded the cruise passenger sign and we arrived at the pier.
The pier was like going through airport security. I even had the button on my pants set off the alarm, so after they ran “The Wand” over my body as if I was suspended mid way through a jumping jack, and after the rather extensive cavity search, we were finally allowed to board the ship. By the way I was kidding about the cavity search. The people at the dock were nothing but kind and apologetic.
We finally got on the ship, it's big! I was surprised at how many people are on this thing. The first thing we did was find food. We ate and then went to our emergency drill. If there is an emergency we are to go straight to our cabins--ours is 4 stories above the life rafts-- and get our life vests, then calmly go to our life raft and board the boats. I’m sorry but I watched Titanic and I know a big ship can sink fast. I am thinking of ways to make the system a little more efficient. I already know I can outrun at least 70% of the people here, I think the average age on the ship is 60. I am thinking of just wearing the life vest all day, can never be too cautious.
The other activities of the day included unpacking, going on a tour of the ship, eating dinner, and getting a glimpse of the ship's programs and entertainment. Then, it was back to the food. Since Keralyn and I are using this cruise as our 10th anniversary trip we have decided to make reservations at the ship's 5 star restaurant for tomorrow evening, it is the formal dinner night and we are exited. But now it is off to bed to be lulled into a deep slumber by the gentle rocking of the ship.
This life vest is going to be hard to sleep in.
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