Written in London after the fact, with perspective.
1) Thursday must have been my “lost day,” in which I did almost nothing but sleep, eat, and read. At least I got in my four laps on the promenade deck, but that was it. I don’t suffer from seasickness as a rule, but honestly, I think the motion of the ship just made me feel sleeeeeeeeepy.
1a) That morning I did a reading for myself — I brought my tarot cards this trip — which indicate confusion to come, but some happy conclusions? I can only hope.
1b) After dinner, I did join a group of men from social hour in the front row of the theatre for Symphony, a musical salute to London’s various music halls with the songs of Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Beyoncé, Shirley Bassey, and others — and the orchestral sounds of John Williams. Why this should all be themed around the phrase “Symphony of Life” I will not attempt to fathom. The four singers — two men, two women — put on a show. Polished, slick with just the right amount of grit — and sweat. All the ship’s musicians were part of the program, and everyone up there delivered.
2) Friday I asked room service just for coffee and croissants, as passport inspection was taking place for passengers on my deck in the morning on the dining room’s mezzanine, and I figured I might as well kill two birds with one stone. My one chance to have eggs Benedict on board!
2a) I thought it was mighty efficient for them to conduct passport inspection on board, rather than complicate disembarking even more. But rather than show up with a book about British espionage, I left The Secret Royals in my cabin and started Chasing Beauty over my breakfast, the new biography of Isabella Stewart Gardner.
3) And then four laps on the promenade deck, followed eventually by lunch with chocolate orange mousse, the most exquisite thing I ate on board.
4) At 2:30 the ship’s classical pianist gave a recital in the theatre. I stayed only half an hour (more on that in a moment), but was able to enjoy her Scarlatti and Brahms.
The parade of waiters.
5) I left the recital early to scout out a good table for tea, as I had a couple gentlemen joining me from social hour. And they had not yet been to tea! Lucky me, I found a table for three at the end of the Queen’s Room mezzanine, ideal for watching the parade of waiters. And wouldn’t you know it, we had such good talk over the teacups I actually stayed until the very end of tea for the first, and only, time.
6) Practically dashed from there to social hour at the opposite end of the ship; anyone wearing one of those Fitty Bitty things would definitely be getting their steps in! The Commodore Club is set up with these ponderous velvet armchairs (not uncomfortable, just solid). This time I defied my own conventions to pick one up and move it into a group. One of the guys said “I never expected to see you do anything so butch!”
6a) Anxiety about the current administration was generally felt all week, and today I heard from one gentleman who lost his gov’t job and is now going to retire overseas with his husband.
7) I had a long nap before dinner — one friend at home would say I had Bad Sleep Hygiene — and dressed me up in one of my larger bow ties for dinner. Walking through the lobby, I ran into that guy who was surprised I could lift an armchair. He said “You always seem to be wearing something completely different!” And that kind of is the secret, isn’t it?
8) We were only three at our table for seven this night, and almost witnessed a choking incident. Happily everything resolved without having to resort to the Heimlich.