Aqaba Jordon tomorrow

Tomorrow Petra! Yeah

We are all excited at the fun we will have going to Petra. Most of the ship is going. The photography department will all be there. The ship is sending several bus loads of crew so they can experience it as well. We are all delighted with thship is sending several bus loads of crew so they can experience it as well. We are all delighted with this.

My hat and back pack are ready along with a scarf for the sun and any sandstorm. We have heard that the temps are in the 70s. that would be marvelous as my one concern has beenabout the extreme heat we experienced last time.

My camera is ready including back up battery and SD chip.

Destination talk

Zanthuykos of something like that is an island in the Greek archipelago that we will be visiting when we hit the Mediterranean. Not much there but we’ll enjoy it.

Israel and Egypt

The speaker made comparisons and contrasts about the history and current status of these two countries separated by a canal and border.

Lunch

People are interesting. A British couple sat with us and are not going to Petra. We’ve seen enough “ruins”. I didn’t try to persuade them this one is different. I don’t put it in the same category. Another lady is 80 and travelling with her 30 yr old g’dtr. That conversation was interesting. She also has many complaints about the ship. I smile and move one with these stories. Some people will never be happy. They should stick to larger ships.

Interview with the dancers

These “kids” (probably the oldest is in his late 30s or early 40s I’m guess, are in such good shape and are so fun to talk to. Several from the Urkraine and Britain. Alex: “Sasha” hurt his foot/ankle/leg? In the late performance last night so he is on crutches and estimated to be out of service for 10 days. He is the one who danced with me at one of the parties. So cute. Many have been dancing from preschool ages. And their path to this job is remarkable.

Trivia

No threat to anyone today. They have a Happy Hour and Frances got a drink and a second for $1 so she gave me the second Beverly Hills Iced Tea (no tea in it). Well I know it had alcohol because I was giddy for hours afterwards. No more of that for me. But we did have fun.

Dinner

Francis, our waiter, was telling us about a drink he has had as a kid. It is essentially a Bloody Mary with beer to top it off. We asked him what it was called: he smiled and said: A bloody Indian. My Lord we all roared.

Variety show

Was the singers and the comedian from Canada. He reminds me of George Carlin. The singers are permanent but the other entertainers we’ve had since Dubai leave the ship tomorrow and we pick up some new ones for the next leg through the Suez. The entertainment alone has to cost the company a small fortune.

Yeah! One more hour

We set our clocks back again tonight. But don’t gloat: we have to give back that hour when we get into the Mediterranean, and then before Venice, we get it back again. I just do what they tell me.

My latest book

Is about Eugenics. I’m about half way through. I think I’ll listen to it one more time. It is fascinating going from the beginnings of the idea of eugenics to (the part I’m at now) blood types and recessive genes. Many of the names along the way are ones I’ve known for other topics and research. Of course the Nazis applied it in appalling ways but today’s society does it too. In the interest of not stepping on touchy political  toes, I’ll not mention the ways we do it now.

So be aware: there are positives and negatives to eugenics.