Sunday, February 18 2007

Sunday, February 18 2007
Grand Princess
Gulf of Mexico
11:37

Woke up at 5:30, then again at 8:30. Alarm at 9:30. Showered etc, then went up to the breakfast buffet. Sat with six other folks already at a table. Granola w/ yogurt, banana, OJ [the same every day mostly, plus coffee]. Walked around for a bit. Warmer, nice in the sun. Didn't have my sunglasses though. Ran into M and R, talked for a bit.

The other cruise ship is about a mile or two off to port. Has been since last night.

18:04
The poker tournament is over. I got knocked out around 4:30, in 15th place. It was fun. One guy got too drunk to play. Pushed in his chips, turned over his cards (no one had called yet), then stumbled into a closet. Someone helped him back to his room.

It's maybe about 60 outside? Twilight. The ship was rocking more today. The captain said that due to weather / currents, we wouldn't arrive in Costa Maya until 12 tomorrow.

Earlier – wandered around. Sat w/ D and K for a bit. Had lunch w/ them at the Da Vinci dining room [dinner room is the Botticelli]. Good curry chicken and very good blueberry frogurt. Face is a bit sunburned.

Formal night tonight. 7:45 reception, then 8:15 dinner. This is what I have been looking forward to most. I hope I don't have too many expectations [hah] and can just relax.

Oh yeah – my underwear has been on backwards all day. Didn't notice until after lunch. ha!

17:09
Mostly dressed for dinner. Still not quite sure if my cuffs are right. Getting a bit nervous.

24:35
The Captain's reception as mostly lame. Weak drinks. Crowded on three floors. Didn't go up to the third floor until the end. Wished I had done that earlier. To dinner at that point.

The food was good. Some duck, a yogurt / tamarind soup (cold), and mahi mahi. Was kind of tortuous sitting there, waiting. After dinner, walked over to one of the other tables to chat. Left after a bit w/ that group. Went to the Promenade bar. Got a round of drinks there, two others joined us. At 11, went up to the night club – was to be 70s / 80s theme. Right as we got there, they started doing annoying shit (conga lines etc). Hung out for 30-40 minutes. I left, wandered around a bit. Felt good, but longing.

Not what I'd hoped for, but I feel good. It's warm enough now that I can keep the balcony door open. Yay!