Bandera's Cowboy Mardi Gras Parade

If you have a chance to attend next year’s Cowboy Mardi Gras Parade in Bandera, Texas, I recommend that you go. 

Last Saturday’s parade was not like any other I’ve attended in the past but it was very fun to watch.  As I mentioned previously, my niece was riding a donkey and that was what drove me to attend.   

Bandera’s main street was blocked off for the hour-long procession and people were lined up for almost a mile.  There were no elaborate floats like those in other Mardi Gras parades, but instead, there were cars, motorcycles, 18-wheelers, horses, donkeys, camels, mules, longhorns, and decorated golf carts and four wheelers.  There were numerous pickup trucks pulling flatbed trailers and an occasional bus.  There were no marching bands and no drill teams, but music blared from some of the “floats.”

I watched the parade from the middle of the route, joined by two older women, a working police officer, and a young woman from out-of-town who was there to support her sister and brother who were riding mules.  The two older women fought aggressively for every bead thrown, grabbing them mid-air, not giving the rest of us much of a chance.  They knew many of the parade participants, giving them an unfair advantage!  I managed to get a “few.”

Unlike at big city parades, I saw only one street vendor – and he was selling hot dogs from a push-cart.  The shops sold t-shirts and caps commemorating the occasion.  (There was, however, a family in a parking lot giving away puppies – for free.  My brother wanted to take one home but his wife wasn’t in agreement about it.  But if the puppy owners had been more insistent, he would have.)

The Bandera parade was a family-friendly event.  Naturally, there were some adults who had begun drinking early in the day but I saw no rowdy activity and the area was well patrolled (it was noon after all).  The kids had a great time catching beads and eating candy passed out by clowns walking the route.  And quite a few adults and children showed up in costumes to help celebrate.

Bandera Mardi Gras

After work, I’m headed to Bandera.

Today marks the beginning of the 7th Annual 11th Street Cowboy Bar Mardi Gras, which runs through Sunday in the lively Hill Country town.  Bandera, for the uninformed, is the self-proclaimed Cowboy Capitol of the World.  It’s an hour outside of San Antonio, making it a favorite day trip spot for San Antonio and Austin-area residents.

I’ve never celebrated Mardi Gras “cowboy-style” before and I’m sure the festivities aren’t as lavish as in New Orleans, but I can’t wait to go.

You see – my niece is riding a donkey in the parade tomorrow at noon.  Mind you, it’s a miniature donkey.  And she’s very tall.  A life-long equestrienne and instructor, Victoria also works with race horses.  Since childhood, she’s loved nothing more than flying bareback through a pasture on a huge, muscular beast with her long blond hair trailing in the breeze behind her.

This donkey parade might not be the fast-paced thrill ride she’s used to, but she has a great sense of humor and a 4-year-old who’s waiting excitedly to watch his mommy ride.  (He’s planning to take his super soaker to use in case her donkey acts up.  I don’t think that’s going to happen.)

Wrangler is sponsoring her ride and has provided her with new jeans to wear in the event.  That alone, thrilled her. 

The Bandera Mardi Gras is apparently a big event for local residents.  I’ll be there with a group of family members for the parade and gumbo cook-off.  There’s also a costume contest.  I’ll be the lady in the front row with a camera, catching the most beads, and screaming the loudest.

For information about the annual 11th Street Cowboy Bar Mardi Gras, check out this site: www.11thstreetcowboybar.com.

Sample Novel Section

I've been working on a novel for a short time and am now confused about where's it's going.  Maybe I need someone to critique my writing and offer suggestions. This section is merely a draft, and falls somewhat in the middle of the story.  Please give constructive criticism only!  I'm posting this while holding my breath -- it's scary to do this.  Thank you.

The plane touched ground in a series of little bounces before slamming down with the deafening sound of brakes and engines.  I took a deep breath as I peeked out the window, transfixed by the twinkling runway lights.  There it was.  Mexico City.  Home to almost 40 million people, it was the most exciting place in the world as far as I was concerned.  My Disney Land.  I used to visit the city twice a month, while I was in school, riding buses crowded with families and leering young men, just to get there.  I loved the noise, the traffic, the people and the energy that pervaded the city. 

My routine was pretty standard.  After arriving at the station, I’d catch a cab to the American Express office and cash a check.  Then, I’d either walk next door to Pizza Hut for a slice or two of pseudo-Italian pizza or across the street to Sanborn’s and buy a stash of chocolate and decent American snacks.  Then I’d spend the afternoon exploring the city before taking a late bus back north again.

Those afternoons were my favorite times, where I could be anonymous and free to do or go anywhere I wanted.  I’d shop, go to museums and talk to people.  I met men who would offer to take me to dinner – or even home to meet Mama.  I met families who took pity on my being alone, offering to share their meal/home/friendship/etc. with me.  I met a cabbie who threatened to leave me in the middle of the traffic-jammed Reforma if I didn’t promise to meet him for a date that night.  I met good people and scary people, saints and freaks.  I loved interacting with all of them and I always went home with names and phone numbers scribbled on scraps of paper and promises of keeping in touch.

My friends – Antonio especially – never understood why I chose to go there alone.  They didn’t know how free I felt there.  People there didn’t know me and had no preconceived notions about my life.  I was just another pretty Americana who was friendly and brave, alone in a foreign country.  Mexico City was forgiving and welcoming.  It had so many people that it just didn’t care what I did.  It was paradise.

After collecting my luggage and situating it and myself into a cab, I headed to the Hotel Geneve where I planned to spend the next weeks, close to where I’d be working in the Zona Rosa.  An old European-type structure, it had been a grander hotel in the late 70s.  But I still loved to stay there when I was in town and, besides, I’d heard they had recently renovated the place.  It had charm and memories that the newer glitzier buildings lacked. 

I leaned back into the shredding cab seat and willed the muscles in my shoulders and neck to relax.  I had a lot of work to do this week, including wining and dining new clients on Thursday night.  And then on Friday, Jon planned to fly in and join me for a few days.  I closed my eyes for a minute so I could sort it all out.  I hadn’t invited him to come with me and I wasn’t sure I even wanted him here.  But he was convinced that time together would do us good and might even convince me to live happily ever after with him.  He was a dreamer.

Mind you, there really wasn’t anything wrong with Jon.  It was just that everything wasn’t right about him.  I scolded myself for being so shallow, but there were little things that drove me crazy.  Like his cologne.  And when he said certain words, his accent grated on my nerves.  But I think my biggest problem with him was his level-headedness.  He never did anything wild.  He never did anything bad.  He had a steady job and a nice car.  He was respectable in public.  He was friendly and had a zillion friends.  And oh yeah, worst of all, he adored me. 

But he would probably be here soon and I’d better get used to the idea.  Maybe, if I had time, we could rent a car and travel northward during the weekend.  That would be a good thing, I decided.

With Jon, I wouldn’t have to go there alone and no one would misinterpret my reasons for being there.  That is, if I ran into anyone I still knew (which seemed highly unlikely since it had been 25 years since I’d lived there and probably 20 since I’d last visited).  The last visit had been fun and relaxed.  I knew that Antonio was no longer there and met up with old friends and enjoyed being there.  But now it was different.  His brother’s email said that he was living there again several months during the year.  There was always the off-chance that I might run into him.  Having Jon with me might ease any awkwardness that might occur. 

Besides, my relationship with Antonio was long over.  We’d both continued to live and move on with our lives.   We’d both had successful careers and, I presumed, he’d had a wife and family.  I needed to go back to close a different chapter in my life that had nothing to do with him.

Twenty years was a long time and it blurred and erased the bad feelings I’d left behind.

Yucatan Cruising!

Home from my annual vacation, I'm taking time to reflect on the past week.  This year, my sister Maggie and her daughter Annie joined me on the Carnival Triumph for a five-day cruise sailing out of Galveston, Texas.  The three of us had each experienced stressful events during the past months and desperately needed some down time.  Unfortunately, I would need to  stick to a strict budget on this cruise and find cheap ways to entertain myself.  Fortunately, except for alcohol, Bingo, soft drinks, and specialty coffee drinks, the cost of everything else is pretty much free onboard.  I knew I'd be ok.

Day 1: The cruise begins





The original plan was to get up early, do the last load of laundry and change the cat's litter box.  At 11:00 or so Maggie, Annie, and I would leisurely make the hour-long drive to Galveston and board the ship.  Well, I got up early and that's where the plan changed.

I read my email.

Due to heavy fog, no incoming or outgoing vessels were allowed in the Port of Galveston until further notice.  Luckily we'd prepaid our pier parking so we wouldn't have to worry about finding a place when we got there.  The Triumph was still outside the port, loaded with passengers from the previous cruise, so they hadn't vacated the parking facilities yet.  At least we were guaranteed a spot at a good place with covered spaces and a reliable shuttle for us and our luggage.



Annie relaxing in port.  The Triumph is the
ship behind the Carnival Glory.



As a past cruiser, with eight of them from Galveston, I've learned the importance of preplanning.  I've been the victim of fog, Mardi Gras parades and Super Bowl parties and the resulting traffic in the past.

Anyway, Annie arrived, ready to go, at 9:00.  With nothing exciting to do while we waited, she, Maggie, and I packed and repacked our bags and did more laundry.  The dog and cats were nervous, sensing their lives were about to change for the next five days.  I faithfully checked the travel alerts for updates. Finally we learned that we could board from 3:00 until 6:30.

We left home at 3:00 allowing plenty of time to get there.  First, there was a request to stop at McDonald's for soft drinks (it was a long drive), then there was a road closure in Houston, adding another 30 minutes or so to our drive.  Driving south on the Gulf Freeway, we plodded along, hitting another road closure nearer to Galveston.

About 30 minutes from the pier, we received a voicemail from the parking lot owner. No one answered when Maggie called back so she left a message that we were almost there.  We figured that with heavy traffic they might want to resell our space if we weren't going to use it.

About that same time, Annie announced that she shouldn't have had a supersized soft drink. She needed a restroom as soon as it was convenient.  The fog was getting heavy again as we got closer to the causeway bridge taking us onto the island. It was after 5:00 but I swung into an Exxon convenience store, dropping Annie at the front door and telling her to hurry.

Men from the adjacent parking facility tried to sell us parking accommodations for the cruise but we smugly told them about our prepaid reservation closer to the ship.  Waiting for Annie, we were entertained by watching a "working girl" (dressed right out of a bad crime drama) strut her stuff, getting chummy with men in the parking lot. She seemed to be real friendly.

Back on the road again, we made our way to the parking lot near the pier.  The facility was closed -- gates chained and shuttle buses parked.  We were out $35 with no place to park.  But then, an angel in a white minivan from the Dolphin Lot came to our rescue, only costing us an additional $30.

By time we reached the cruise terminal, there were no lines outside. In fact, there were no porters except for one that the Port police found for us.  Inside, there were hundreds of people waiting to board.  Since this was my tenth Carnival cruise, our group had platinum VIP status and was rushed ahead of the others.  VIP is wonderful -- especially at the end of a long, tiring travel day.

Once on board, we found our cabin and headed for the buffet.  Having been warned that we might not sail until morning, we were pleased when, after the longest muster drill in history, the whistle sounded and the Triumph propelled to life.  Followed by a night of continuous fog horn soundings.

Our lovely balcony cabin was located on the Lido deck, close to the pools and food.  It was meant for two passengers but had a sofa bed for Annie.  It should be noted that she is the tallest of the three of us at 5'8" and the sofa bed is about a foot shorter than the regular beds. Yet, she refused to swap with either of us since her bed was closest to the door and bathroom. She said it was very comfortable.

As veteran cruisers, we've learned to bring our own soft drinks on board so we can spend money on more important things (like overpriced coffee mugs and t-shirts).  On this night, we discovered a genuine bargain.  Carnival sells an unlimited soft drink ticket with an insulated glass for about $40.  However, the glass alone is $6.95! It holds about 20 ounces and keeps ice for hours. Plus, the glass is a cool souvenir to use at work once back in Houston.

Usually the first cruise night is hectic. Everyone's out and about, getting to know the ship.  Lines in the buffets are long, young adults are in swimwear (no matter how cold it is) and crowd the main pool area scoping each other out.  There's lots of alcohol everywhere. We hung out on the Lido deck and watched people for awhile and I headed back to the cabin to unwind.  Day two is a sea day with lots to do on ship. Have to rest up.

Day 2: Cruising to Mexico and bouncing the wavelets

This was a pure relaxation day for me. I woke up early, thinking I wanted to go out on deck, drink coffee and read.  After negotiating the logistics of climbing over two beds to get clothes out of my suitcase stashed inside a cabinet, I rolled over and went back to sleep.

At 7:00, Maggie and Annie left for the gym and I took advantage of some alone time. I got dressed and found coffee and the first round of food.  Then I sat by a window on an open deck and wrote. It was true joy.  Something about the sea air unleashes my creativity, begging me to write forever.



Our cabin before we really moved in and made a mess.



Let’s get back to the food for a minute. Carnival has an excellent healthy menu throughout their cruises. Low fat, low sugar, low carb.  They have them all and they are mostly delicious. There is always a full supply of fresh fruit, coffee, tea and juices. The omelet chef will make your omelet with anything you request -- even with egg whites. You can be as healthy as you want. I've lost weight on past cruises with good food selections and lots of activity.

This trip was different.  Along with the masses, l indulged in a morning-to-night graze.  I balanced my diet with one healthy item for every ten bad items.  There's something virtuous about eating a fresh orange with four desserts.

Anyway, after breakfast, it was time to hit the casino. Since I can be a little compulsive with video poker, I limit my playing money to a very small amount. I left thirty minutes later with $.85 in my shipboard account. Obviously, I'm not a good gambler.  While I played video poker, Maggie sat in a lounge area charging her iPhone and playing trivia led by Cassie, a perky crew member. Annie donned a heavy sweatshirt and sunned in a lounger. When I saw her, she had the hood pulled up over her head with the drawstrings pulled tight. Only her eyes peeked out.

Then it was time to eat again. I spent my afternoon reading and napping. The water was a little choppy, the Gulf air was intoxicating, and I just felt like chilling. The good thing about a cruise is that you can do as little or as much as you want.

In the evening, after dinner and a trip to the pizzeria, I found an unexpected surprise in my cabin.  Because I was a platinum level passenger, the room steward left me an insulated cooler bag with the Carnival logo.  I was very excited to receive it, yet sad that my travel mates did not.  Maggie reminded me that she will gain her platinum status on the next cruise.

Everyone was tired and went to bed early. The water had become a little rough and the wind was strong. The cabin a/c fluctuated between cool and cold. Maggie had a whole conversation about relationships in her sleep. Annie was restless and watched tv all night, changing channels hourly. I woke up and read every few hours. Not a good night for any of us.

Day 3: Progreso

I got up at 7:00 after watching us pull into port from the cabin window.  I had a couple hours of serenity just drinking coffee and writing.  People always try to spy and see what I'm writing. (It reminds me of the days when I would sit in the plaza in San Miguel de Allende and write and draw.  I was young and full of youthful ego then, feeling confident that I was on the cusp of greatness. How the years bring out one's humility.)



The pier at Progreso from my cabin balcony.



Mid-morning, we walked down the pier to the buses waiting to shuttle us into town for free. It was a short ride, about ten minutes or so, delivering us to the center of town amidst the vendors' outdoor stalls.  Exiting the bus, I caught my toe on a step, twisting my knee in the process.  I hobbled through a few stalls, bought a silver bracelet and found a low wall to sit on while the others shopped.

While waiting, a bubbly girl named Maracita asked about five times if I wanted a massage.  After determining that I was indeed allowed to pay with my Visa card, and that the price was (just for me only) $15 for 30 minutes, I bought two -- one for Maggie and one for me.

The massages were given in the center of a busy terminal building on typical massage tables. Maracita draped the table with clean towels and had me lay face down after removing shoes and jewelry. I was wearing capris and a t-shirt so she covered my bottom with a towel and pulled my shirt over my shoulders and undid my bra. Essentially, I was topless in the middle of a busy public building.  Soon there were men on either side of me getting massages. Since my face was buried in the well at the end of the table, nobody saw my face. I felt no embarrassment and had a wonderful massage that left me limp and relaxed.  Maggie said she expected chickens to wander through, but her massage was worth every dollar paid.



Beach area close to the center of Progreso.
There are many shops, bars and restaraunts nearby.



Progreso is a small fishing village with no real tourist sites.  The people are hardworking and honest and are proud of their city.  There are no chain retail stores or fast food drive-thrus.  It is not at all commercialized.  The beach is a short walk from the center and is adjacent to clean, inexpensive restaurants and bars. A 20 minute tour of the city aboard a garish double decker bus can be taken for $3.00. It's a great way to see the city and determine where you want spend your time while visiting.  Our bus driver stopped at a corner tienda where we could buy $1.00 beer and soft drinks to drink on the tour. Afterward, we hopped -- limped -- onto a free bus back to the pier to have lunch and set sail for Cozumel.  I've visited Progreso many times in the past and truly love it. It's been my experience that people either love it or hate it.  If you desire designer shops and free toilets with rolls of paper, skip this port.  (Buddy's, located across from the beach, offers free and clean facilities – including toilet paper – and cheap drinks with good food.  Buddy is a transplanted American.)

The pier has a few shops selling the usual souvenirs pretty cheap.  Since I love my friends and had limited funds, I bought maracas for each.  They're an unusual group of people. Weird enough to enjoy maracas.

Day 4: Cozumel

I woke up with the blues, unsure if I'd be able to leave the ship due to the pain in my knee.  From my bed, I watched us dock next to the Carnival Glory.  She was a beautiful ship and about the same size as ours.  When we dropped anchor, my balcony was directly across from the Glory's bridge and her officers. The view cheered me up enough to get out of bed and into clothes. After limping to the breakfast buffet, the daily food orgy began.



The Carnival pier in Cozumel



I didn't spend my morning writing, but instead, sat talking with Maggie and Annie.  After arguing about my staying behind, I was guilted into going ashore with them. The pier was clean, new (rebuilt a couple of years ago after severe hurricane damage) and bustling with activity.  With only one other Carnival ship in port, it was only slightly crowded.

Normally, after working out way through the pier shops and dealing with the vendors begging you to visit their shops ("Hey bonita, come see me. I have special prices just for you."), we would grab a taxi just outside the area and head downtown to shop. Shopping is a favorite pastime of mine when in Cozumel. Our normal routine is to shop, maybe spend time at a beach, and finish our visit with hamburgers and tall drinks at Carlos and Charlie's. The loud and familiar chain restaurant/bar has become a tradition for us. It's located next to the Hard Rock and adjacent to a group of shops ranging from a pharmacy to high-end clothing boutiques.  You can also buy cheap t-shirts and junky souvenirs there.

On this visit, we decided to stay at the pier because of my knee.  We shopped and then ate at Carlos' Backyard next to Cinco Soles.  The food was excellent and reasonably priced. We sat on the shaded patio but could have been served on the beach, just steps away.  Unlike the restaurants closest to the ship, the atmosphere was relaxed and more adult-oriented -- no loud music or girls dancing on the tables.  Our check came to about $30 for nachos, quesadillas, chips and salsa, guacamole and three diet cokes with refills.

Watch out when buying soft drinks in the shops.  Annie bought three cans of Coca Cola Light and was charged $7.50. In the pharmacy, three large bottles cost $4.50.  And while you're in the pharmacy, you can stock up on antibiotics, Retin‑A, birth control, and just about any other prescription drug you need without a doctor's notice. Supposedly the quality is the same as in the States, but who knows.

I bought most of my souvenirs from Pirana Joe. The shop, with locations throughout the Caribbean, has good quality casual wear at decent prices.  They even have sales racks.  You won't find 6 for $20 t-shirts but you will find heavy-weight attractive shirts for $10 to $15, that you might even wear at home. I bought the little kids on my list rubber sun visors shaped like horse heads for $4.95 and a cute adult beach cover-up for $12 for my dog sitter. Not bad shopping.



Downtown Cozumel - a short cab ride from the pier.



Back on board, I relaxed on the balcony, waving to an officer on the Glory's bridge. It's always fun watching the drunks stagger back onto the ship after a day in port. This cruise had an unusually large number of college-age kids wanting to party.  They staggered, they yelled, they danced their ways back onto the ship feeling no pain all the way back to the bars.  One group gathered in the next stateroom with their music loud. They screamed and whistled at other guests coming aboard. Security was called but they only paused for a moment and continued until we set sail. This is the first cruise where I've experienced this.

By time I'd eaten my second dinner round, I vowed to never eat unhealthy food again.  Only the healthy menu for me until the end. That's a promise.

Back at the cabin, there was another VIP treat waiting -- a plate of chocolates and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Very yummy so the healthy eating will wait a day.

I feel that I have to explain about my lack of activity on this cruise.  After surviving a stressful few weeks and with an aching knee, all I wanted to do this trip was relax. Annie and Maggie, however, participated in everything the ship had to offer and were on the go from early morning until late night.  They attended karaoke, trivia, seminars, the art auction, and poolside parties every day and night. There were movies, contests, bingo, and dance clubs. Plus there are three pools with hot tubs on this ship. And a spa. There's literally something for everyone.

I like to dress up for formal night and have proper meals in the dining room. Maggie and her daughter would rather wear shorts and grab a bite on the Lido deck. Being outnumbered, I did things their way.  The dining room menu is more traditional than the buffet. In the dining rooms, you have choices between steaks, fish, pasta and vegetarian meals. On the buffet, you get some strange things -- plus desserts.

Day 5: Sailing home

I woke up this morning at 6:00 to the television blaring marimba music on the Carnival channel. I tried to bury my head under a pillow but finally I gave up, got dressed and headed out to find coffee. I sat in a quiet spot for awhile and wrote, watching people as I did so.  Cruises attract a diverse group of people.  There are young families, retirees, young singles, and honeymooners. Some people wear resort wear, some wear slut wear, but the majority wear the same casual clothing they would wear at home. After years of cruising, I've decided that comfort is the key and I no longer worry about looking especially good.  I pack makeup, one pair of black pants, capris and shorts.  Then I take a sparkly top, a couple of tanks for sunning, one nice top (like I might wear to work), and a tee. Throw in toiletries, underwear, sandals and I'm ready to sail. I wear my bulkier clothes for travel -- jeans, sweater, and tennis shoes. I take one suitcase and one carry-on with my camera, tablet, hearing aid stuff, driver's license, prescriptions, and essentials.  And I take a large ziplock bag (though I'm not sure why) and my bottles of Diet Coke.

If you're shy about taking soft drinks or bottled water aboard, don't be. Carnival allows a "small amount" in your carry-on for personal use.  Look around while boarding and you will see people wheeling in cases of the stuff.  The water aboard ship has a slightly different taste, but is pure and safe to drink.  Working with civil engineers, I've learned all about water purity, desalination plants, and water reuse.  I trust drinking ship water, although I'll buy a few bottles of Ozarka while in port.



Rough morning.  Where's Stefan with my coffee?



One of my worries before my first cruise had to do with my larger size. Flying can be tricky for a large person so I wasn't sure about cruising. I'd heard how small the bathrooms, showers, and cabins were, so I worried. I also worried that since cruises are perceived as glamorous, I might face some prejudice from staff and other passengers. I needn't have worried. I've always been treated like everyone else by the staff, always had crew members who flirted (I have a thing for eastern European men), and have never had my feelings intentionally hurt by another passenger. Most are more interested in their own personal interests. I can turn around in the shower stalls, roll over in bed, go to the potty just like everyone else.  There are special handicap-modified cabins for people with special needs and you will see many motorized scooters and wheelchairs. You will also see many large people on the ship and on excursions.

This past year, I have begun wearing hearing aids because of hereditary deafness and was concerned that I might miss alerts and alarms in my cabin with my aids out.  I called the cruise line ahead of time and was told that special assistive devices could be installed in my cabin free of charge, at my request.  They have phone amplifiers, door knockers, and bed shakers (I was soooo tempted) available. The cruise line truly wants passengers to be safe and comfortable. If we have a good voyage, we will return. If we keep coming back, they make a profit. Everyone wins.

So, back to day five.  After gambling away my morning and watching a competitive bean bag toss, I headed back to the Lido deck to grab some sun, healthy food (ok, cheesecake) and a chance to see my newfound love -- Stefan. Tall, handsome and young, he has a sexy accent and knows how I like my coffee.

This was chocolate dessert day so I sat poolside with my chocolate ice cream and watched the dance party. People of all ages and sizes lined up to do the Electric Slide, a standard on every ship I've been on. Some were in bathing suits, some weren't. I made the observation that approximately 2 percent of the cruise ship's population looks good in a swimsuit.  And they are mostly under 10 years old. This is one more reason to indulge in activities while on ship. Someone will probably look worse than you do!

Maggie and I sat on the balcony reading and watching the sunset before meeting Annie for the last dinner.  (Room service was scheduled for after the night's movie on the big screen by the pool.)  We sat and discussed the things we'd miss once we returned home, and the things we wouldn't.

Maggie and I agreed we were sick of eating six desserts a day, cole slaw, and salads. I would miss the relaxation, early morning coffee in the fresh air, and the little pastries for breakfast. Annie would miss her nightly pizza and having meals prepared by someone else.  Maggie loved the endless supply of fresh fruit.  I was looking forward, though, to being with my dog and cat and driving my car.  Oh yeah, I won't miss doors slamming.

The last night on a cruise is bittersweet. I'm sad as I pack my suitcase to go home, but I'm already planning the next trip.  This night was no exception. Everything had to be packed before going to bed since we were scheduled for priority debarkation at 7:30 the next morning. One last trip to the casino was made to cash out my account with $2.75 remaining in it.

After packing everything to take home and settling our onboard accounts, we turned out the lights about midnight.

Day 6: Home again

The Triumph pulled into the Port of Galveston at about 7:00 on Thursday morning.  Normally, I would get out of bed to watch the ship dock, and then take my bags (if I chose to use the “self assist” option and take them with me off of the ship – otherwise luggage is tagged and set in the hallway the previous night), to the Lido deck to have breakfast and wait for our zone to be called for debarkation. Thanks to our VIP status, we were allowed to exit the ship first using self assist.  At 7:40, we were leaving the ship, making a quick stop with customs.  The Dolphin lot’s van was waiting to take us to our car, and by 8:00, we were driving out of Galveston.

By 11:00, I had stopped by my house and dropped off luggage, picked up Annie’s dogs from their sitters, taken her home, driven another 50 or so miles round trip to pick up my boarded dog, picked up lunch, and was back at home.  Maggie and I were both asleep in chairs by 12:00. 

Later that afternoon, we started making plans for the next cruise.  I’m thinking maybe Europe.  She’s thinking Alaska.  We’ll see.