I found a cozy nook. Actually, it wasn’t too hard to find. It’s the veranda outside the room. I’ve a lounge chair and a teeny tiny table for my coffee cup. I’ve fresh sea air and a ceiling so I can stay dry if there’s moisture. I’ve got that rock-a-bye-baby wave action happening. Very peaceful. I’m extremely contented.
The waiter with our breakfast woke us up. We didn’t unpack yesterday and ALS suitcase was blocking his path, having fallen over during the night. But he was a tiny man and very light on his feet. He danced daintily over the suitcase, swept the large tray off his shoulder and skillfully set it upon the table before he made a hurried exit without having us sign for the meal. Someone later called to make sure we had, after all,received our breakfast.
I believe we frightened him. His little eyes were wide as he strove to understand what I was saying to him. I thought I was being friendly,discussing the weather, but being half asleep myself, I’m not sure how I came off. I had opened the door to our stateroom, hair a rats nest, digging ear plugs out of my ears, rose colored Eileen Fischer combed cotton pjs clinging to my middle-aged curves. Our room was dark, but I’m sure he was dimly able to make out Al, with his balding pate, wild hair and naked shoulders–squinting and snuffling like some nocturnal rodent, raising himself out of the bed. I’ve no idea what was crossing through the poor waiter’s mind, but I’m sure he’s going to beg not to have to service our room for the rest of the trip.
Yesterday was a mixed bag of emotions.
On our Panama trip, we had stayed in a stateroom with all the amenities an “S” status brought with it : champagne, fresh flowers, large sitting room, kingsize bed, special lounge to separate one from the riff raff with free laundry services and first off the ship status for excursions, etc.etc.etc.
On this trip, Al and I got the usual stateroom and were on a wait list for an upgrade. Bob and Molly got their upgrade. We did not. Bob and Molly have “S” status. We do not. You could fit two of our rooms into their suite with their glorious veranda featuring two lounge chairs and a large table with four comfy sitting chairs. Our veranda has one lounge chair that Al and I fight over, and two chairs with a table that fits one coffee cup, only. (see photo)
To add insult to injury, our room was set up with two twin beds and not one queen sized bed. I immediately called to request a change to the sleeping arrangements. Then I go to use the facilities before unpacking. Oh horrors! I lifted the lid and find USED toilet paper in the toilet that refuses to flush even after several attempts. I gave up and used it anyway, my knees gently pressed against the rim of the tub, only to glance up and see someone else’s pubic hair still on the rim of said tub.
No, I realized, this is not a suite. We are the riff raff.
Oh that Green Monster was clinging to me. I look about our room and tell Al that I want a room change. He calmly tells me that it most likely will not happen. I tell him I didn’t care and refuse to unpack. I refuse to allow Al to unpack as well. That is why the waiter has to dance daintily over the fallen suitcase this morning. Further, I tell Bob and Molly that we will be spending our cruise in their room on their couch and that I hoped they did not mind. ( I really didn’t mean it….I said it for effect.)
This is not like me. I’m an easy going person, but I was seeing Bob and Molly’s room in my minds eye coupling up with my memories of our lovely Panama Canal suite.
I turned into a nasty, spoiled child.
This would not do! If I were to have a lovely restful trip, I was going to have to spank that spoiled child.
And that is what I did.
Actually, I did more than that.
I gave her a time out and sent her to a dark corner in my mind where she got to have a long think-about-it until she could laugh and play nicely with others once more.
She finally was allowed out after a lovely dinner and lots of jokes and laughter. By bed time and two phone calls, our twin beds were converted into one cozy large bed. I plan to buy a large scarf or throw over our tatty couch and our teeny tiny stateroom will transform itself into a special “our room”.
And, I found my nook which is the icing on the cake.
I am sitting in one of the deck chairs with fresh air and a vast horizon. It is so peaceful and calm. I had a wonderful sleep, having been rocked all night by the sea.
As we left NYC, we sailed out of the Hudson river and past the Statue of Liberty. With the late afternoon sun, she wore that beautiful green copper glow against the dark sky. I could easily understand how my father was moved to tears, after having been in Europe for five years throughout World War II.
Al has come out from his shower and now it’s my turn. We have all day to do absolutely nothing. It’s overcast but balmy. And it smells so salty and fresh!
Bob and I are taking a wine tasting class at two o’clock. Tonight, the four of us will have dinner at the Pinnacle Grill the on-board five star restaurant, and Bob and I can choose the wine.
Sent from my iPad
Chronicles of Cammy, my Fool's Journey and Travelogue 
Woooo. Your spoiled child was a model of decorum! I would have been on the floor, turning purple and drumming my heels … AFTER I’d ripped the curtains to shreds with my teeth! Congratulations on bring such a wise and flexible grownup – both of ya!