OK, here goes the count down...

Seven, yes seven days until we head to Minneapolis.

Why Minneapolis?

'cause Moria Vanish loves Mary.



The status in Bowden right now is very unstable. Weather shifts have went from -48 to plus temperatures and our frozen turkey, reserved for March, is in defrost mode out in our garage.

What this means is that I will be cooking another turkey in a couple of days and we will be celebrating a Pseudos Christmas. Oh what fun!!!

I get to celebrate Christmas all over again before going to Minneapolis and meeting a virtual Lou Grant.

Of course, Spain is the destination, but who knows where those planes will take us.

If they can lose luggage, they might be capable of taking us who-knows-where.

We are expected to arrive in Amsterdam on the 22nd.

I'll keep you posted on the turkey situation and let you know of pertinent developments in Moira's quest.

Sandra

OK, it's clear that the characters in Magic of Letters are coming into focus:

Lou Grant is

Michael Cornetto

Murray Slaughter is

Steve McDonnell

And Ted Baxter is none other than our glorious:

Jeff Bush

How the heck did that work out?! Who knows!  

Sandra

Kay, here we go again,



Obviously, you know I like goofing off, but I'm serious with all of our roles.

Minneapolis is grand and now I need to figure out  a new climate!

K so now I better study up and learn how to ask for the bathroom in Spanish.  

Sandra

Not sure if he's still alive, but if he is, Gavin Mcleod probably has more hair than me.

I used to watch Mary when I was a teenager - had a bit of a crush on her.

Have a great holiday Sandra.

Quoted from stevie Not sure if he's still alive, but if he is, Gavin Mcleod probably has more hair than me. I used to watch Mary when I was a teenager - had a bit of a crush on her. Have a great holiday Sandra.

Thank you Stevie. We're flying from Minneapolis over to Amsterdam and then to Barcelona. We'll be there a few days before getting on the cruise.

Yes, the MTM show was very good. From the perspective of the writers and how they developed the characters and the actors who fulfilled those roles in the show.

The following is taken from The Museum of Broadcast Communications

From MBC:

Much of the same style and tone carried over into Brooks and Burns next success, The Mary Tyler Moore Show. At MTM Productions Brooks and Burns were among the first members of a large group of extremely talented individuals, all working in a creatively charged atmosphere established by executive producer Grant Tinker.

Tinker's philosophy was to acquire the services of creative individuals and then assist them in every way possible to become even more productive. Brooks and Burns thrived under the system, working first on The MTM Show, then creating or co-creating, Rhoda, Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers, Taxi, The Associates, and Lou Grant.

On the basis of these successes the team of Brooks and Burns became known as members of a new group of Hollywood television producers, often referred to as the auteur producers. They were the creative force behind their shows, imparting a recognizable, distinctive style and tone. Indeed, programs created at MTM Productions have been referred to as the defining examples of "quality television."

The programs were noted not only for their wit and quick jokes, but for establishing a focus on character. Most were built around groups of characters related by circumstance or profession rather than by family relations.

They were quickly recognized by critics as something different from the earlier forms of television comedy focused either on zany "situations" or on domestic settings. These new programs were among the first and strongest of the "ensemble comedies" that were to dominate television for decades to come.

Human frailty and the comfort of friends, professional limitations and the joy of co-workers, a readiness to take one's self too seriously at times, matched by a willingness to puncture excessive ego--all these are hallmarks of the Brooks style of ensemble comedy.

While social issues might come to the foreground in any given episode, they were always subordinate to the comedy of human manners, to character. In this way, the MTM shows were distinguished from the more overtly issue-oriented style of Norman Lear.

This focus on character and ensemble has been passed down through professional and industrial relationships into the work of other producer-writers in shows as diverse as ER and Hill Street Blues, and programs such as Cheers, Murphy Brown or Seinfeld are clear descendants of the work of Brooks and his various partners.

**

The light that was in the writers and actors is something very special indeed.

Perhaps I'll sit down to enjoy some of the old episodes this year sometime.


OK, now I better get down to business.

Sandra

In the following video, Carl says, "We have traveled this way before and there is much to be learned.

I'm going somewhere. I'm performing a thought experiment, and when I recognize who I'm playing with, as co-partners, it's never so lonely as it would be otherwise.

So I'm all packed to travel. Basically, I've packed a lot of black and white clothes, some small light prints- things that don't need ironing and things that I can lux out easily if I need to.

I packed some flax chips because they are my standard night time snack. The vodka, I'll get on the plane or the ship.

I've got Name the Wind, a novel by Patrick Rothfuss packed and a book of intentions. I've got an Asus Eee notebook also ready in carry-on.

All standard health and beauty items are all check-check and double check.

Now I'm wondering, what else might I like to bring.

I know. I want to bring some gifts for people that I meet along the way.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Whatever it might be, it needs to hold sentiment and be light to carry.

Here's another Carl Sagan remix: (I know... from Mary Tyler Moore to Carl Sagan... go figure huh?)



Sandra

Have fun Sandra!

btw, the boat's name isn't SS Craven is it?  

Quoted from Grandma Bear Have fun Sandra! btw, the boat's name isn't SS Craven is it?

Thanks Pia,

It's called the Norwegian Jade, but if we write another ship themed script, I'll have some experience of what it's like.

It feels strange as time gets closer to leaving. Especially since, like you might remember from an earlier post, that a turkey we had out in the garage had started to thaw out because of warmer temperatures and now I've suddenly got to cook turkey again.

Things are starting to get rushed again. It feels all pre Christmas all over again.



Sandra

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. K so now I better study up and learn how to ask for the bathroom in Spanish.

Donde esta el bano?

Quoted from Shelton Donde esta el bano?

Thank you so much for reminding me!!! I need to drum this well into my head because I think it's the most important question that I will need to know.

I wonder if they have the man and woman symbols on the doors?

Sandra

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. I wonder if they have the man and woman symbols on the doors?

Just beware of the one with three legs.


Not sure if it's normal or not, but the ladies' room in the factory at work has "Damas" on it.

Quoted from Shelton Just beware of the one with three legs. Not sure if it's normal or not, but the ladies' room in the factory at work has "Damas" on it.

Damas sounds like dames to me.   Then again it has the "damn" kind of thing goin' on too.

I like to use word association, but that might get me into trouble.

Sandra

Peace,

I'm just about finished the script that is going live despite its imperfections and is going to kick off the real journey that I will experience on the cruise.

I'll try and send it out tomorrow.

It's called "All Down But Nine". It's a Magic of Letters" script and my goal has been to rally on the winds of what Jonny initiated. He set the ball in motion; so I figure since he brought out  the flag, I will wave it.

The character of Moira Vanish was created in the 7WC. She's based upon myself. She's not me, but she is loud and definitely wants to speak; so she's definitely "part" of me.  I think I'll find out more as I write her. Right now, I know she's scatted about within the scripts of Simply.

She's on the run and knows why in one reality, but in others, she doesn't know much at all. In fact, she's so "not herself", she has a hard time understanding what a "sugar cube" is.

She asks herself. "What the hell is a sugar cube? Who the hell invented a sugar cube? And why?"

I'll take notes while I'm on the road, "water" or wherever I am and I'll try and relay back to you all as much as I am able.

Now to

The David Lynch Thread:

Quoted from James McClung Just saw Mulholland Drive for the first time. I think it was way better than Dune which was ruined by terrible acting. I can't really compare it to Eraserhead as I had mixed feelings about both. I loved the noir feel of Mulholland Drive. The scenes with the Cowboy and Silencio were really cool and out there although I have no idea what happened at Silencio. Some of the imagery like the miniature people, the blue box, the studio head and the man from the nightmare were also really creepy. The lead actresses were solid and while the director seemed like a big time creeper, he won me over by smashing the gangsters' car and pouring paint on his cheating wife' jewelry. That said, there were times when the acting and dialogue just didn't seem... right. At times, both felt awkward and unrealistic but in a way that felt intentional. Are all of Lynch's films like this? Also, I thought the whole "switch-aroo" was semi-obnoxious. They made it extremely obvious that all the character names had been switched around and the stuff with the blue key was equally in your face. It felt amateurish, frankly, and reading up on the history of the film, it seems like the weird ending could just be the result of switching from TV to film. In any case, it feels like Lynch has no idea what this movie's about himself. That said, if you can get past the idea of actors playing multiple characters, there's a perfectly logical explanation for everything that happens. That's my interpretation anyway. Seeing as Lynch wanted people to come up with their own, I'll go with the logical as any other would seem like the result of Lynch being a lazy bastard and just throwing a hodgepodge of nonsense out there for people to kill themselves over trying to make sense of.

This sounds interesting to me because I'm interested in the inner meaning of every little thing that I come across.

I haven't seen a Lynch film yet.

If you were to recommend one to me, which one would it be?

I'm still thinking back to when I watched Solent Green and I really didn't know what to think, but it felt to me that it was one of those movies for "its time".

You know how you get movies and you get movies and then you get movies for their time and they surpass their time?

For instance:

Rocky.

Rocky seems so classic that we can hear "Adrien!!!" and we understand.

How about Grease?

Sandy: "I'm going back to Australia; I might never see you again."

Danny: "Don't... don't talk that way, Sandy."

Sandy: "But it's true! I've just had the best summer of my life, and now I have to go away. It isn't fair."

How many times do we feel the echo of "Hopelessly Devoted" and know how it feels to lose an old high school love?

If we start to wonder how it "might have been", this song is likely to be there.

It might not be this song. It might be another one, but there's always "the song" like that.

Which one's yours? What's your story?

**

OK, I cooked the turkey this afternoon.

The gravy is excellent!!!!

I'll freeze miniature dinners for the girls for when we're gone.

They can enjoy it when they are busy and just need to sit down and eat and feel cozy.

Sandra

Today was a wonderful day weather wise here in Bowden.

We saw the Olympic torch come to Bowden when it was still dark, early this morning.

We've got some pictures and hopefully, they'll turn out nice.

It' felt nice to give the torch bearer a "pat on the back". A wonderful connection where it's this family kind of feeling. We had about 500 people out to support. This is good because there are probably only about 1600 estimated people in Bowden. I'm not sure exactly. But it was really amazing.

I'm weird, but I had to hold back the tears.

After our celebration in Bowden, Dave, Lindsay and I went into Innisfail and had a humble McDonald's breakfast, but I do enjoy their hash browns, humble or not.  

It was fun because in Innisfail, they had the torch stop there just before us, and McDonald's was completely crowded with a lot of happy campers wearing Canadian hats and scarfs and red and white.

One of the highlights for me were the butterflies that were a decoration in the McDonald's near the bathroom doors. I've always loved butterflies  because they're a symbol of transformation. Even before I knew that, I loved butterflies.  

So yes, seeing them, was a big thing for me.

I figured out what to bring to people as gifts to remember us by. Besides the typical "Canadian" souvenirs, I realized my luck!!! ...

Valentines is on its way and I was able to find HEARTS!!!! Hearts hearts and more hearts!!!

So we're bringing love from Canada.

I also found this Native American Dream catcher with a woman and an eagle.

I don't remember if I actually posted my eagle story yet, but when I saw it, I thought, yes, I am going to give this to someone. And right now, I'm wondering who.

OK, so tomorrow I'll give another proof of the next Magic of Letters and I'll post it.

I want to thank Jonny again because I'm riding on the tale/tail   winds of the 7WC, and I wouldn't have written what' you're about to witness, (bad and good) without his efforts. So thank you, Jonny.

Also too, a very special thank you to Don who makes all of this possible.

There's just so much going on behind the scenes and we take it all for granted.

Thank you, Don. Really and so much. We are so very extremely grateful for what you have provided!!!!

I just hope you know that for me personally, I would not be the same without you.

And to all of you. You are all more special than you will probably ever know in one life time.

When I head out this week, I'll try very hard to keep you with me.

As soon as I get to an internet connection, I'll try and log on and let you know.

In the mean time, I'll post the little silly tid bits leading up to our travels.

*

This is dedicated to my brother, Stevie,



Sandra

Thank you Sandra. Wonderful song.

John woke one morning with the words 'pools of sorrow, waves of joy' going through his head. He sat down and wrote the whole song almost at once.

There's a fantastic Beatles fansite I frequent: Dm's beatle forums. The people are great, so many young fans. It is awesome seeing the pictures of the lads that fans post off the Net.

Quoted from stevie Thank you Sandra. Wonderful song. John woke one morning with the words 'pools of sorrow, waves of joy' going through his head. He sat down and wrote the whole song almost at once. There's a fantastic Beatles fansite I frequent: Dm's beatle forums. The people are great, so many young fans. It is awesome seeing the pictures of the lads that fans post off the Net.

That's so cool, I'll have to check it out.

OK, so:

It's Northwest Airlines
And it's Flight 1540
It will be interesting to write
And tell you the story

Of planes and of ships
And those neat little deals
All rolling around
Like the spokes on a wheel

Esta donde banyo?
Is my first bit of Spanish
And I think it's cool
It rhymes with Moira Vanish

I managed to write more
In Magic of Letters
It's
All Down But Nine
And it could be much better

Alas though it's there
And "There" is a place
I'm glad that I'm here
In this virtual space



I'm with you in The Beatles Land right now, Stevie



Moira Vanish is extremely everywhere and nowhere in All Down But Nine

The things people do to learn to rrroll their r's.

In my practice, I've found some unusual videos.

The following one in particular is interesting and I even learned about the unfortunate name given to a light bulb company that wound up moving into Poland.

In Polish, the company's name is Osram, which apparently means "to shit".  

So I thought to myself. Holy Shit!! They still kept it? Yes, they wouldn't back down on that one. Good for you, Osram, stick to your guns. That's what I say.

And then I learned that

One traveller in Denmark was very confused: the stores appeared to be having "slut sales" everywhere, they were actually having "closing" sales.






Sandra

K/ / / /

One sleep and I'm gone.

Catch you on the flip-flop.

Thanks a bunch for the encouragement.

Especially to:

Michael, Clorox and RV,

All of your work is so very much appreciated and more
than I can express.

Sandra

The time now is 4:55 am Alberta time, but it's 12 55 here in Amsterdam.

Everything is very much English here from what I can gather so far.

We're about to get on the plane for Barcelona.

We had a Heinekin in the Constellation Bar and were priveleged to be
driven to the point of madness with "Mind yor step", with a British lilt
of sorts. There she goes again, "Mind yor step"...

I'll check in again later when we get to Spain.

I hope you don't wind up having "Mind yor step" caught in your head all day.



Sandra

We're at the U232 hotel. The room is nice with an inside bar.

Nice and cozy in here, but it's a madhouse outside as far as traffic goes.

I don't know what happened, but there's an ambulance or something holding everything up.

We're going to go for dinner and meet with a new friend from here.

Sandra

If you get the chance, Sandra, you should try to go to Camp Nou and watch FC Barcelona play some football.

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. We're going to go for dinner and meet with a new friend from here. Sandra

Wasn't that the beginning of Hostel?

Quoted from Shelton Wasn't that the beginning of Hostel?

What are you doing do me?! First you all lead me into Solent Green and then reference a movie, you screen elites no doubt have all seen, but this poor wayfaring stranger doesn't know...

And then... and then the whole world comes crashing in-- what with security checks and traveling ahead in time and whatnot.

Lord knows about "whatnot". That's always the worst.

So tonight we had tappas. I completely dig champanions with the lemon and garlic and we went from place to place and apparently, we are much like the locals.

It figures. You can get away from your locality, but you can't get away from your roots.

Truly, if I could just roll my "r's", things would be very fine.

Quite fine, as a matter of fact.

Do the Spanish say, "Quite fine, as a matter of fact?"

Hmmm... Has that mysterious recorded sound from the woman's
voice on the movelator, saying, "Mind yor step..."

Anyways friends, we've got the World Congress tomorrow and I'm completely spent.

Tapas or no Tapas; Logan or no Logan...

Nights,
Sandra

Sounds like you're having a good time!!

...in regards to Mike's comment, I would agree. If the trip leads anywhere near Eastern Europe, don't take travel advice from any Russians...

Quoted from Grandma Bear Sounds like you're having a good time!! ...in regards to Mike's comment, I would agree. If the trip leads anywhere near Eastern Europe, don't take travel advice from any Russians...

You know what, come to think of it, I did see that movie, but my memory isn't always the greatest. I will watch it when I get back.

Wow, Simplyscripters, I just have so much to tell you and time is short at the moment, but yesterday we went to the Gothic Cathedral and I just can't say enough, but more than that, my new friend, Marina, took me around so close and told me so many things that I would never have known. Not only regarding the area, but kabbalistic meaning.

Not inside the cathedral, but outside, in the narrow streets, we laughed and laughed and went into a little deli style cafeteria and got together with another Spanish friend, Virgil, (Virgeel), a fabulous new brother of mine. I am in completely awestruck.

We had congress at Rosa and Luc's house, such wonderful people and even not knowing a lot of Spanish, I began to learn and we were actually all talking around the dinner table. Words cannot express my gratitude.

Later, Dave will help me to convert picture files and I will post as avatar or have to learn to post otherwise in Simply. Not sure how.

We're getting aboard the ship today.

Hasta Luego,

Sandra

I am currently on the Nor. Jade and we've just set off after a big ordeal in the process of bording,
doing "the drill" and unpacking.

We have a quaint little cabin with a balcony; so we can go outside and get fresh air.

I've got an acupuncture session scheduled for tomorrow and lots of spa time with a full body massage the next "sea day". Tomorrow, will be at our first P.O.C. in Rome.

Sending you lots of thoughts. It was just such a busy day with more early morning touring in Barcelona that I truly am in need of some spa and chill time.

Lovely to meet people and tour, but very hard on the senses at times. Time for a spiritual retreat.

Maybe next year.

Sandra

Today was a "sea day". We had breakfast in the Garden Restaurant which is a huge open restaurant for dining at any time you please except in the night. For night time dining a person needs to go to the Blue Lagoon restaurant. We haven't been there yet.

I'll keep this short because I have only so many minutes, but I can tell you this. As I write, I'm floating upon the Meditteranean Sea, the sky is between light and dark-- it's dusk. And I'm at a little desk near my balcony and Dave is telling me now that I'm facing Northeast. The waters look a steely grey to me and a dark green black to Dave.

There's the odd whitecap which is a wave that crests with foam. The sky is grey with the odd patch of white coming through. Kind of that sad kind of lonely image you might get in your mind sometimes and also a peaceful one-- that juxtaposition between light and dark.

We will be arriving in Rome tomorrow. I am so looking forward to this.

I am very grateful that I was able to have my first acupuncture treatment and I can tell you that it was extremely amazing. Dave is going to set me up with another treatment before the cruise is done. I don't know how it works, but it really is an amazing thing. I would recommend it to anyone if you have any health issues.

I'm sending loving thoughts from the Norwegian non the Meditteranean and I will catch you on the Flip Flop my dears.

Luvya,

Sandra  

Today was an extremely busy day. One obviously will need a vacation after the vacation as always with these kinds of tours and whatnot. And you already know about "whatnot", don't you my dears.

So yes, today we arrived in Civitavecchia, docked, and drove to Italy and into Vatican City.

The tour was fast paced and we didn't have a lot of time for stopping. We took pictures on the fly and tried to maintain pace with our group on the tour.

I really think this is good for anyone who wants a good and quick overview, but really, to see it and enjoy it, you need to go back and spend at least a few days in Rome. More, actually. A week at least, I'd say.

Nevertheless, the fact that we can think of going again and dreaming about it is a wonderful thing. It's really strange though because I think I left part of my heart in Barcelona.

The highlight for me besides the tour of St. Pete r's Basillica and the Sistine Chapel was our Italian Meal before going to the Colliseum. It was truly wonderful to get together with people from Virgin Islands, and New York and Buffalo and to talk over vino and typical Italian pasta and actually what was a nice plate of food that wasn't overdone-- just the right amount.

We're going to a comedy show tonight; so I'll say arrivaderchi my friends, until manuana.  

Sandra

This is a Simply Holy Shit moment!!!

The waves (Dave tells me they're called swells- learn something new every freakin' day) and lightning are freaking me out right now!

Please God ease up with the roller coaster ride.

We're in the Ionian Sea-- cape seritavento or "something or another" the dot where we are is right over the printing on the television screen; so I can't
make out what.  

Sandra

Hello Dears,

Last night, when I took a pill to knock myself out, the waves were reaching 18 ft according to our monitor. It was really rough, but I managed to get knocked out and get "some kind of rest" ...

...and in the morning I met Father Don from Wescheschire-- just outside of Toronto- (unsure of spelling) and he said that around 12 midnight the waves were hitting 40 ft. ... He said that he took Dramamine and hit the hay, but was really sick.

Alls I can tell you is that when we were about to knock ourselves out with prescription drugs, the waves were really harsh and according to our ship's television, the swells were reaching 18 ft. A lot of people were very sick last night. Thank God-- although I felt awful, I didn't get to the point of nauseous. That's not pleasant and I know that it was hell for a lot of us last night.

For myself, although I felt very weird in my head and body, I wasn't sick to my stomach.

It was a very positive experience to have had acupuncture and full body massage. Who knows? Might that have helped? I don't know, but I will definitely try and keep contact with our doctor on board and my therapist. If they come to Canada, they can stay at our house.

The positive side to this is that when I write a "ship's log or any "ship experience" it will be reaL from an experiential point of view.

To imagine that I was going up 40 ft. in the air and then down over and again is something that I will have to learn to comprehend. Thanks to God I was given strength to make it through. I'd definitely advise people of this possibility in the future; so if you're going on ship, you might want to get  a prescription just in case. If you're lucky, you'll be like me and not need anything more than Vocka, but if you''re not a drinker, then you can take something to make you feel better.

We were so very blessed today:

When we finally got off and had the clearance in Greece, we met who was our "Guardian Angel" in Greece. His name is Dimitris, and he took us to the Acropolis, to the city, to the changing of the guard and to a wonderful sea side restaurant where we had two bottles of wine a crisp Greek salad and sea bass as our meal with not only the pleasantries of the meal, but gentlemen who personally escorted me across the street to where the washroom was. ...

You see, our eating place was on what had been an old wharf a long time ago, but they had transformed it so as that now, we have a cover and glassed in area to dine in so very comfortably. The actual "cooking area with the restrooms is across the street.

We dined on the water across from the old home of Jackie Onassis.

*
Alright everyone,

My thoughts as usual are with you. It's so wonderful to be able to meet friends around the world... AND!!! ...

DIMITRIS!!! GOD BLESS YOU MY DEAR BROTHER AND THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!

Loving Thoughts,

Sandra

Luvya from Piraius, Greece,

Sandra Kisses and Kavana,  

No words can express my gratefulness for today, but I will try.

We arrived this morning in Izmir, Turkey and then took a taxi into Ephesus and went up the mountain side to a very high place both topographically and spiritually. We went to the House of The Virgin Mary where she spent her last days before her death.

There is much that I don't know about this place, but after when I get home, I will research it.

Inside, I was able to be caught by some kind of rainbow upon the wall on the stone. It was colored, but very faded and over it, was a clear glass frame. They were placing this over as to draw attention and protect it: this is my guess. But the strangest thing is, that our first time through the house, the sun was shining precisely in this spot, but we came out and had decided to take some candles to light as our points in the heart. And so, upon doing this, we made a second entry; only this time, when we came to this room, the light had already shifted positions.

I don't know what was drawn there, but I was drawn to it. I can tell you that this is a very special place on the planet and how blessed we were to be able to be there on this perfect day. The weather at that time cooperated. We had sun and a light breeze and the temperature was about 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit.

We both drank and washed with the holy water and our hearts were moved.

Some time was spent just gaining impressions of the place and then lingering outside with a strong Turkish coffee which was served with water because it's so very thick. In a way it was kind of chocolatey. Not for someone who's afraid of trying something strong.

On our trip back to the ship, we stopped to buy a few trinkets and discussed how Turkey has a beautiful vibration to it. Very unlike Athens. There's something special about this place. I could live here, but I guess since it's communist, and the way it's set up, one cannot come to live here. Too bad. Well, maybe we can come back for an extended visit.

Before boarding, Dave went loco and bought me an expensive new wedding ring from a Jewellers here in Izmir. Must be the Turkish air. Thank you Dave. God bless your heart and soul.

To all Simplyscripters, I hope you can sometime get the chance to come to Turkey and breath in the special quality here that is so sublime and as a Spanish friend once said while we were eating dinner in Barcelona, "I am flotondo".   Floating up in the clouds in a very special place.

I'll check in again tomorrow,

Luvya,

Sandra

We arrived in Alexandria on the morning of January 31, but we weren't cleared until around eleven and weren't off until after twelve in the afternoon. This screwed up our whole day as far as the timings of the tour went. We were rushed right through. We had to first drive to Cairo which was about three hours from Alexandria and then we did a tour through the Egypt Museaum.

It was all so fast paced that one had no time to actually take it all in, unless you consider the walking encyclopedia we had for a tour guide who was very good if you want to become an Eygyptologist, but if you're going for "the experience", forget it.

Our evening meal was served on the Ferrie called The Crystal Nile. The entertainment included a whirling dervish, a belly dancer and some very loud middle eastern music. After dinner, we went up top and took some footage on the Nile at night, complete with a full or close to full moon.


There was still one more stop to make after the ferrie ride: The pyramids at night. Here we watched a spectacular light show that was very beautiful. I'm not sure if it was that I was just extremely awestruck by the pyramids, or praising Allah to be rid of the tour guide for a precious hour.


So then, thank you Ramses, it's been a pleasure. I'd like to see something that my culture shocked little brain will accept as home for a wee bit. Thus, we were on our way to The Fairmont Hotel. Let me tell you, it's a long long way when you must travel the congested streets of a celebrating Egyptian population that has just won their soccer cup.

It was a mad house. People putting down flags on the road and none of the drivers would drive over the flags out of respect and so the traffic stopped. People were burning whatnot in the street. Children were riding on the roofs of cars-- they had to since the insides were typically filled with nine or more people depending upon the vehicle. Mostly they packed themselves tight and some just wandered in between the traffic fearlessly.

I thought the drivers in Barcelona were crazy. Well Egypt wins the crazy race. How to drive in Egypt? Drive in the middle of the lines. Learn how to scrape another person's vehicle with grace. Honk your horn for the helluvit, just to feel in the swing. Don't stop for pedestrians because they have their own techniques for getting across and probably have a secret death wish anyways so if you hit them and knock them cold, they'll be grateful. Enjoy the horse carriages and donkeys because they are you're best connection with nature in this land of brick slums and brick palaces and garbage strewn along the Nile.  

So yes, The Fairmont-- we finally made it there. It's a 5 star hotel with very sleek and modern interiors. Upon arriving it was the ordinary dejavu that a traveller gets when once again, you're going through security, putting your purse or bag through the x-ray and making it "in". Away from the rifled tourist police, away from the poor areas you're thankful you don't have to exist in, where cats and dogs roam eating garbage and there is no such thing as an SPCA. This was a sore point for me and many other of us Canadian and American animal enthusiasts. But it's not just the animals you feel sorry for. It's the people in general and especially the children. The slums are very prevalent and when you exit into a secure 5 star, you might as well be on another planet.

So "in" we were and up on the sixteenth floor, we entered the haven of rest for the night, but it would be a short night since we got there so late. We had time enough to go to the lounge which was a Star Treck like bar with mood lighting that changed colors behind the bar every few seconds. A couple of scotches and a beer and about $95 USD later, we were back up to our room. The bathroom was one of the highlights here. Everything was done in a black marble and the shower was huge. Alls you do is step inside like walking into another room. The shower itself is in the ceiling, like a large round plate and presto. Or, if you need to you the attachmnents like one would with a vacuum cleaner, you had those options too.

Next to the shower is the bathtub with shutters opening to the room; so you can speak with your love meanwhile. Very pretty.

Alas, no time and then, Satan strikes...

It's five o'clock and I'm very sick, picking up some kind of local bug. I managed to make it through half a day's tours to the lesser pyramids in the daylight and the mosque, but that was it. I finally was too weak and stayed on the bus. It was a day in hell and I just wanted to get the hell out of Egypt. When we were finally leaving that evening for the three hour drive back, I said to Dave, "Now I know exactly how the Jews felt. And my grand exodus out of Egypt was filled with sickness and prayer that I wouldn't throw up.

We made it back onto the ship and I felt like I was going to die. Luckily, whatever I had, managed to resolve itself by morning. As quickly and as acutely as it came on, it had left.

We're currently at sea and heading to Malta and we are once again in rough seas. I don't know what's going on there. For most of our entire cruise minus a couple of good days, it's been rough or very rough waters.

See you in Malta,

Sandra

We arrived in Valetta, Malta this morning of February 3rd 2010 and took a taxi to Medina and Rabat. Once in Medina we took a carriage ride up the mountain side right to the top where St. John's Cathedral seemed to toll its bells just for us.

Let me tell you, Malta is exquisite. It's beautiful and clean and soooo quiet! Shhh... that exclamation mark was even loud. It's like a secret that you discover and when you do, you want to come back. We roamed the streets that were a complete mixture of tourists from all across the world, but also with locals. The culture is such a blend with English being predominant everywhere we had went, but I really enjoyed the Italian lady who happily wanted to sell me on an apron and it wasn't her job to do so. She was a tourist too!   Very sweet!

I found it strange to be in such an old and quiet place and yet so chick and cosmopolitan. Dave and I will definitely consider coming back here to spend several days.

Traveling narrow streets on foot and also taking a horse and carriage up the slopes was wonderful-- even a little scary when I was looking down a little too close to the edge for this lady. Our horse leader and guide was fabulous and offered to take our picture without us even asking. The beauty was his sincerity and handshake. It was completely different than when we were in Egypt. You have to see and feel it for yourself to understand, but Malta and Egypt are two entirely different worlds.

I'll never forget the presidential gardens where I was able to pet one of the resident cats that was clearly looked after. He or she purred for me and that made my day. Here, unlike in Egypt, they look after the kitties they have roaming. They put out cat food and they even made little "cat houses". In Egypt we saw dead dogs lying on the road and cats eating paper from the garbage. The garbage and disrespect for God's creation was hard to take, but once we landed in Valletta, it was like: "Here, see, how it can be when people care."

I think that what I've learned from my touring so far is what I've always known in my heart. It's that yes!!! We can make a difference!!! Just let us start caring for our little patch of community wherever it may be and if we can do that, it will spread throughout the world. We'll set an example and we'll clean up the world.

This is my prayer tonight: Let's start with ourselves and our family and community and let us change the world.

Sandra

Sounds like you're feeling much better today Sandra. Sounded a little rough going yesterday.

Wow, Sandra, fantastic holiday! I didn't realise you were taking in so many countries.

I had the pleasure of going to Turkey in 97. Wonderful country, lovely people, great beer and so cheap. We were there in summer though, and it was quite warm.

Funny you mention Izmir and Ephesus. I got sick staying there and our day at Ephesus was me felling miserable! We actually walked there from Izmir!
Great memories...thank you!

Quoted from Grandma Bear Sounds like you're feeling much better today Sandra. Sounded a little rough going yesterday.

Yes, it was rough in Egypt. I never want to go back, but who knows, things are always changing and you just never know, but it's certainly not in my plans. The disrespect for the land and the ecology is terrible and add to my illness and the whole ball of ugly wax and I am just glad to be gone, but still, there is some pleasantness despite it all. There always is and the word bittersweet will probably be used a lot in my future vocabulary.

Quoted from stevie Wow, Sandra, fantastic holiday! I didn't realise you were taking in so many countries. I had the pleasure of going to Turkey in 97. Wonderful country, lovely people, great beer and so cheap. We were there in summer though, and it was quite warm. Funny you mention Izmir and Ephesus. I got sick staying there and our day at Ephesus was me felling miserable! We actually walked there from Izmir! Great memories...thank you!

Yes, Turkey was very clean and the whole feel of the place was completely different than in Egypt.

The temperature has been extremely pleasant ranging from upper 60s F to 70s and in and around there. Very nice that way.

We'll be back in Barcelona tomorrow and spending another day there.

Luvya,

Sandra

I am unable to listen to this without interruption right now because of the slow satellite connection on the ship, but this is to share with you some talented and loving young people who got together to sing for us about our global connection.



Sandra

Hey Sandra i see you have a very nice time and a very nice holidays.....

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. : When we finally got off and had the clearance in Greece, we met who was our "Guardian Angel" in Greece. His name is Dimitris, and he took us to the Acropolis, to the city, to the changing of the guard and to a wonderful sea side restaurant where we had two bottles of wine a crisp Greek salad and sea bass as our meal with not only the pleasantries of the meal, but gentlemen who personally escorted me across the street to where the washroom was. ... You see, our eating place was on what had been an old wharf a long time ago, but they had transformed it so as that now, we have a cover and glassed in area to dine in so very comfortably. The actual "cooking area with the restrooms is across the street. We dined on the water across from the old home of Jackie Onassis. * Alright everyone, My thoughts as usual are with you. It's so wonderful to be able to meet friends around the world... AND!!! ... DIMITRIS!!! GOD BLESS YOU MY DEAR BROTHER AND THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!! Loving Thoughts, Sandra Luvya from Piraius, Greece, Sandra Kisses and Kavana,

So you were in my area! I hope you enjoy your time in greece....

P.S. Dimitris is a very common name in greece.......

Quoted from Dimitris Hey Sandra i see you have a very nice time and a very nice holidays..... So you were in my area! I hope you enjoy your time in greece.... P.S. Dimitris is a very common name in greece.......

Yes, I enjoyed the time, but you know, what I've found that makes a place special, isn't so much the place itself, but the people you meet along the way. In the case of our taxi driver, he made it special for us.

My advice to people planning on traveling is that if you can possibly afford it, hire a personal tour guide and if you can't do that, hire a taxi driver that you trust because these gentlemen are often very professional and caring too. Remember though, you always need to be careful and use your good judgment. Some areas are worse than others; so do your research.

There's a standing joke regarding Egypt. A gentlemen comes up to you and asks, "Would you like me to take your picture atop of my camel? It's free." And so the tourist who doesn't know says yes and up he goes, has his picture taken and all would seem to be well, until... Now's the catch. "You want down? Twenty dollars."

Now, having experienced these vendors, I can tell you, they really are very pushy and the trouble is, that if you're like me and don't like to be rude, it's difficult. A person needs to learn to not even say no, but to just completely ignore. It's not fun to do that. You feel really rotten either way. In any case, no matter what you do: What winds up happening is that you just feel stressed the whole time and are not in the mood for shopping.

Anyways, I digressed, but if you're going to take one of those big magical mystery tour buses, be prepared to be disappointed if you don't like to be hearded around. Many of the good people on the various tours with us felt the same as we did. I'll give you a for instance:

While in the Egypt museum, we stood around a picture showing all the curiosities that were uncovered and their placement. Our tour guide kept us standing there for what felt to be pushing past ten minutes while she did her talk. Then when we moved on and we had to walk like hell before we had a long winded spiel again.

The thing is, what most of us wanted was only highlights and to be able to see more. That was not the case. So-- just as long as you understand what might happen on a large tour, then you can know what to expect.

I would largely recommend that if you're going somewhere, go there to stay awhile. Meaning, go there for a few days, make yourself a bit central if possible to the areas you want to visit and just go on your own. You'll have a much more relaxed time, you can play it by ear and actually feel like you're on a vacation and not working to keep up with someone else's schedule.

Dave and I are currently back in Barcelona. It felt really good to know we were going to be back on solid ground and once we got off the ship and made it back to the U232, we were able to rest a bit before heading out and exploring.

Everything was lovely this afternoon. We enjoyed a meal and a beer, but alas, the Devil strikes again and now, the same illness I had, Dave's come down with. It's been running rampant on the ship. It's the Norwalk virus and it's really been wreaking havoc with everyone. I feel bad for people that were catching planes today and that might find themselves sick while in transit.

So there you go, the upsides and downsides.

Hopefully, we'll have some recovery time tomorrow and be able to enjoy ourselves once again.

Luvya,
Sandra

Hey Sandra,

Hope your having lots of fun and PS don't tell anyone what INSIDE of the pyramids - it's a secret.

I got a couple of surprise packages in the mail filled with all sorts of meaningful goodies and one very beautiful sparkly plate.  

That was unexpected and quirky - just like you - and it made me smile.

Cheers,

Michael

Quoted from mcornetto Hey Sandra, Hope your having lots of fun and PS don't tell anyone what INSIDE of the pyramids - it's a secret. I got a couple of surprise packages in the mail filled with all sorts of meaningful goodies and one very beautiful sparkly plate.   That was unexpected and quirky - just like you - and it made me smile. Cheers, Michael

Who knew it would be 3:11 am when I'm responding to your message? Smiles and cheers to you, Michael. You're golden and I raise my early morning coffee mug to you right now. And God it's early, but at least I'm home.

I spent a record amount of time dead-in-bed yesterday after the long travel homeward on Sunday. First we traveled from Barcelona to Amsterdam, but then there's all that waiting at the airport and finally we were on the plane and taking off at about ten to three in the afternoon. It was nine hours on the plane and when we arrived in Calgary, the time change was hard to get over. Here it was still afternoon and a person's clock is completely discombobulated.

I'm very glad to be home.  

P.S. I didn't go inside the Pyramids. I was told though, by the tour guide, that you go down inside this claustrophobic space and see nothing.

Sandra

Alas, Simply Cruisin' will be buried today.

As the names and faces become portions of what we all know as "faded history", I grip hold, tightly. It must be my desperate ego. The one that gnaws at me in the morning, reviving all the guilt that I acquired the night before.



Gracias, to our dear Spanish friends. "Holy Toledo" means a helluva lot more after meeting you. Although we never made it to Toledo, we "Made It" after all!

Gracias again,

Sandra