A Beautimus Day - 29 October

It’s been a great day – gorgeous weather, excellent food, enjoyable company and an excellent Halloween party!

The day started with a Global Studies exam which was a drag for those having to take it but wonderful for those of us who don’t. I’ve already paid my dues as a student, thank you very much! I spent the morning walking around talking to colleagues and just enjoying the all-too-brief serenity of the ship.

After lunch, I did my stint in the library even though nobody was using it for the purposes of studying or academic pursuits. Everyone has been all hyped up for the Halloween party tonight and the Sea Olympics tomorrow. With the Global Studies test out of the way, there were precious few students who were actually studying. I didn’t get much done myself due to the rough seas we had today. It makes reading a computer quite a challenge.

At 4:00, one of the faculty members invited a few of us to her cabin for drinks and snacks. She is one of the fortunate ones with a small balcony off her room. We spent an enjoyable two hours drinking wine, talking about all of the latest gossip on the ship (and there is plenty to talk about!), and enjoying the breathtaking sunset over the Egyptian landscape. We’ve been on the Red Sea for the last several days and the pirates are a thing of the past. We didn’t see a single one (you can stop worrying now, Dad!). Today, we have been traversing the Gulf of Suez and have been treated to views of Egypt along the way. It’s been very beautiful to witness when I remember to look out the window.

After the private happy hour, we went upstairs to the pool area where a BBQ had been organized for dinner. Happy Happy Joy Joy! It was a smorgasbord of all things grilled – hot dogs, hamburgers, ribs, and chicken. We sat on the back deck with the wind whipping through our hair, ketchup dripping from our chins and very contented expressions on our faces. There are times when all of the stars are in alignment and life is damn good. This was one of them! After we stuffed ourselves to the gills with dinner and dessert (CHOCOLATE!), we went our separate ways. Me to get dressed for the Halloween party and the others to pursue their own pleasures. I had consulted with my nieces (my real ones, not the ones on the ship) about what I should do for a Halloween costume and they suggested a Goth Librarian. Works for me!

I got all gussied up in my Goth clothes and then joined all of the very creative students in the Union for the party. My niece and nephew on the ship were there and we took a picture together. I promise I will post a photo of all my nieces and nephew at some point before the voyage is over but for now, here are two of them. There weren’t too many people who recognized me tonight. It was a very odd feeling but I guess that means the costume was successful.

I hung out at the party for a bit but after a while I had had enough and went back to my room to clean all the gunk off my face and revert back to my usual persona. Tomorrow we go through the Suez Canal. Classes are canceled for the day and everybody is participating in the Sea Olympics so it should be another excellent day. Happy Happy Joy Joy!