Adjusting to the Newness of it All

Greetings from somewhere south of San Diego!  We're moving at a pretty good pace this morning.

Yesterday felt totally overwhelming - and I surprised myself (not to mention J.) with some reactions to things I don't do often.  Hard to keep track of passports, room keys, etc..  Hard to adjust to not living out of a suitcase - putting things away and then having to remember 'where is this'?  Over and over.

The casino is so-so - it's honestly not very big and has pretty old machines.  In hindsight, I guess I should have expected that.  This ship arrived in port yesterday morning and offloaded 2800 people. Cleaned up after them and then boarded another 2800 - all in the span of about 7 hours.  Where does it ever find time to have newer slots installed in the casino?  Never, I guess.  There are some old familiar 'standards' and they are OK - but it's not really a place I feel much interest in spending too much time - which is good, I think given how 'expensive' it is.  Not saying I won't play at all over the next six days - but certainly not much.  There's plenty of other stuff to do.

We pulled out of port yesterday and the Battleship Iowa's staff (it's a museum now) bid us farewell over their loudspeaker.  So did a nearby restaurant.  People were standing and waving and we were on our balcony doing the same.  It was exciting.

I'm getting used to the steady sense of movement under me (always).  I don't feel nauseous at all but I do feel disoriented and I think that's partly why yesterday felt like just a huge 'adjustment' day'.  I slept pretty well (considering) and by the end of the night, instead of thinking 'what in the heck is moving under me', I drifted back to sleep thinking 'nice to be rocked to sleep'.  I think I'll survive the cruise -

We are heading out to breakfast shortly (having navigated the shower) and then have an art auction attendance planned.  We don't plan to buy anything - but we get a free serigraph for attending - nice way to pass some time and get a free souvenir out of the activity.

The food is delicious and plentiful and we are being pretty careful - BUT I enjoyed a delicious, freshly made crepe with lemon filling, chocolate sauce (from a chocolate fountain) and freshly made whip cream!

We are 'at sea' today and tomorrow full days and then it's three back to back excursion days in each port of call.

We have champagne, a dozen red roses and chocolate covered strawberries here for our 'Romance Package'.  We also will enjoy a romantic Italian dinner, hors 'd oeuvres tomorrow evening, a portrait at the portrait studio on board and tea service in our stateroom before the journey is over.

Internet works fine and there's a 'glitch' that lets us text each other for free - using the ship's WiFi. Relieved we can be in touch with H. (especially) since he's got some specific things he needs to keep us looped in on.

It's a little overcast this morning on this first day of Spring, 2017 - but it's still lovely.  Coffee this morning watching the water was a wonderful way to start the day.

From the high seas, I bid you a wonderful day - I'm with my best beloved experiencing a new way of vacationing and enjoying (pretty much, anyway) every minute -