Yeah, we pretty much floated into this little cloud on Monday and stayed under it until returning to New Orleans the following Sunday. It followed us around like Pig Pen's dust. I didn't get off the boat in Costa Maya, Mexico or in Belize because it was raining so hard you could barely see the shore. Some brave cruisers did it. I am not that brave cruiser. Plus, it was cold. And the boat had stuff to do. Like sleep. And drink. And go to the spa and have facials and massages.
The destination where I had the most fun was the one I least expected - Guatamala. It's really beautiful there. At least, as long as you're not in the cities, which look like every other city in Central America, with bad roads, dogs everywhere and houses without windows. It kind of makes you feel like a total ass to be riding around with a tour guide for the day, staring out the window with your expensive camera and expensive clothes and jewelry to see how the majority of people live. I need to stick to developed countries for my travel. Otherwise I'm just going to feel guilty for being able to afford to go on vacations to begin with... so, next trips? Buenos Aires, Edinburgh, Paris, Tokyo... here I come!
Some might find that statement trite but I've come to the conclusion that there is only so much a person can do in life for other people without completely losing themselves. And my job (40-50 hours a week!) is where I give every little bit of myself to other people. Don't get me wrong - I'm not burned out in my job. I freakin' LOVE my job. But it's all I can do. I cannot be actively involved in the saving of baby seals or the economic status of under-developed countries or the future of nuclear proliferation. I will give my monthly donations to various causes. I will continue to read the newspaper and books by Thomas Friedman and Jared Diamond. I will proudly and happily say "Yes, we can!" and really believe it. Because in my work, I CAN. But my own little piece of the world to save is the patients I care for. Or else my soul will quickly drain out of my body...
Wow. Where did THAT come from??? I didn't sit down to write that. It just sort of spilled out in that verbal diarrhea kind of way. So, blogging really is a bit soul-cleansing, no? Twenty-first century journaling, for the masses to see.
The first night on the boat, I did get a beautiful picture of the sunset. So, to end this post on a high note, here you go:
Wow, I'm sorry your cruise was all rainified, but you did manage to get some snazzy photos! I'm with you on the developed country vacationing. In some ways I feel bad because those less developed places can certainly use my dollars more.
Posted by: dani | February 02, 2009 at 05:36 PM
Go to Buenos Aries. Argentina is amazing. I went to Mendoza a few years ago.
Posted by: Becky | February 15, 2009 at 08:28 PM
mkigoqpr rvnxm srgaizxnv ldihvpx jbrwpz jeihf rgpiqv
Posted by: dsxqr pyfd | February 21, 2009 at 06:18 AM