We spent the night in New Orleans, before boarding our cruise ship. I was glued to the Weather Channel, as Tropical Storm Debby (or was she a hurricane?) was roiling in the Gulf.  My worst fear realized! Then we heard about the horrendous hot weather in the Midwest. And Miami meterologists had the audacity to claim that they had record highs of 93. Please! We are still 104 degrees today. We wandered the French Quarter and listened to some very talented street musicians.

The ship was easier to maneuver because we sort of know the basic layouts, having cruised previously. The first day wasn't bad at all because it takes six hours to travel down the river before arriving at the ocean. Then, things started rocking and rolling. The waves were 6-8 feet at least. I didn't panic or get seasick. I realize that airplanes hit turbulence and ships encounter high waves. BUT, our neighbors, a young couple, Elsbeth and Daniel, in their early twenties were having a rough time. She pleaded to be taken off the ship. Begged for Dramamine, paced for hours, while he walked out on the deck and shouted repeatedly, "F**k YOU, ocean!" The next day the seas and the two of them calmed down.

Our first port of call was Isle Roatan, Hounduras. Oh what a spectacular sight to behold. We spent the day at the beach and was I shocked when a pelican swam right past me and many others. It was oblivious to the people, and focused on catching a fish.

The next day we went to Belize, but we were very disappointed and saddened by the sights on shore. There were groups of  young children sitting at the side of the road playing "music" on upturned broken buckets for spare change. I so wish I had remembered to bring the bag of lollipops I had brought along. We deposited a dollar each in buckets for the three groups of children who had dull, sad eyes. It broke my heart.

The cabbies offered to take us to a beach for $49. They said the water was so murky at port because they were eight inches below sea level. Huh? In any case, we went back on board the ship and went in the pool. What an experience. Three couples: twenty-something-year-old newlyweds, a couple in their mid-thirties and us old timers. One thing led to another and before you knew it, we women were having a convention. I taught preschool. The bride taught first grade and the other gal taught 1st grade. We all had the same stories, and our husbands had the same complaints: we spend too much on our classroom supplies. It was an enjoyable day.

Third island, Cozumel, Mexico. We snorkeled at the state park, Chankaanab, and swam until we were exhausted and sunburned. Oh, my, I could live right there under one of those palm trees.

I missed you all, and I will catch up on your blogs soon. Please see my previous post, and if you wouldn't mind, leave a comment on Sasee's sight. Thank you.

I have more stories...think Lucy!