Time

Time is an interesting thing. Flying from Denver to Ft. Lauderdale wasn't too much of an adjustment, it was 2 hours later there and with the long trip, that seemed to work well and there wasn't much of a difference. However, almost each night crossing the ocean we have had to turn the clocks up an hour and now we are on Lisbon time. We are 7 hours ahead of where I started in Denver and that concept alone is interesting. I used to think of César being 7 hours later than me and this time I think of my friends in the US being 7 hours earlier. A comedian made a cute joke about the cutbacks that are being made on the ship and that by taking an hour a night away from us they are saving money. I guess they are! But the body does not seem to change time zones as easily as the clock. The first couple of days I was okay, but now I am sleeping until noon which isn't bad when you consider that really is 5AM at home. And I can't fall asleep at night because it is the middle of the afternoon at home. Oh well, I will adjust I am sure. Others are having the same problem the room steward told me so in the long run I am sure we will adjust. We always do, maybe the older I get the harder it is to change times.

We are at sea today so the sleeping was not an inconvenience at all. Once we are at ports we will have to be up early, ready for the day's events so I'm looking forward to feeling normal again. Today the sky is dark and cloudy. Too bad there is no sun, and it is quite cool and windy. I'm just so thankful that the water is calm! People are complaining about the weather. Actually people are complaining about everything! Amazing to me and so sad. Yesterday I saw the lady again who is blind and has the cutest small yellow lab as her companion. She was so sweet and positive and should be an example for the others who complain so much. I told her that her dog was beautiful with the sweetest face and she said that is what she has heard. I told her it was very hard not to pet her dog and she said that she doesn't like to tell anyone they can't pet her so if she isn't holding the lead, it is okay, and she dropped the lead and picked up the leash so I could pet the dog, Cypress. Cypress knew she was okay to sniff me and she was quite interested in my tennis shoes that must have had Bram's smell on them. What a nice lady and dog, I hope I see them again soon. She is with her husband and imagine what it would be like not to be able to see the incredible sights that lie ahead. That makes me feel even luckier than I already do, I can see these wonderful things.

We are currently on the same course as Columbus took, only in the opposite direction. He even stopped in the Azores to restock for the long trip. We have almost 24 hours before we arrive in Lisbon tomorrow afternoon. I am excited and hope the time goes quickly. I have to turn in my passport today to have the immigration officer okay my disembarkation and I have to pay my bill, just in case I don't return. I plan to be at each port with the ship, so I hope the rendevous and road trip go well! They say I will be one of the first off of the ship because I have to be approved and go through customs. I hope that no one takes away the fragrant smelling pineapple I bought at the greenhouse yesterday for us to enjoy along the way. Other than that, I don't think I have anything that is not legal to take on land.

So once again from the sea, ciao!