La Valletta

La Valletta..

Like entering another era. The docking is magnificent. You get to the harbor and it feels like you are entering an old pirate/Templar's knights town. It is breathtaking. it feels like you are in a scene for Game of thrones.

Today, I did not get to do or see much. As I left the ship this morning, I walked past sky in the gangway and was smiling so much because i knew that tonight after work, i would meet up with him, and finally spend some time alone and get to know him better. Something i was actually really looking forward to and it surprised me because, i did not expect anything or at least not what was happening right now to happen. And why was I so excited. I heard horror stories about security boys and the way they treat girls, well in general, I heard horror stories about men on ships in general. So I was trying to stay away from all of it. I came here to get away, to find passion and happiness in my life, to travel and see the world while earning some money. I had a plan, a mission in my head of what this experience was supposed to bring me. And all it took was a smile to make me forget it all and all of a sudden have new plans, and missions in mind. One fucking smile... if only i could just have walked in another gangway that day, my initial plan would be way closer to realization than it is now.

So I had the whole day to get through. A very long and boring day really, but I was in a great spot! I waited for all the buses to come back to the ship. After that I went for a quick salad at Hard Rock Cafe, and had the chance of eating being able to just look at Sky sitting with his friends, in his uniform which made him look even more handsome than he already did, at a table nearby. I am not a subtle person, so it probably was extremely obvious! And yes, that is why I ate at the Hard Rock Cafe because otherwise, you will not catch me there. I do not understand the hype about that place. The food is mediocre and the drinks expensive and the same than everywhere else. For real, someone will have to explain that one to me. I would much rather find a little local restaurant and try local food when I go to a new place. Mot go to an overrated, overpriced American food chain! Same with Starbucks!! WTF!!! that's all I have to say. We would be in some amazing places with the greatest fresh coffees ever, and everyone would run to Starbucks... But why :'( :'( :'( with tears in my eyes, that's not coffee fuckers!!!!!!!!!!! Anyways, yes, me I was there just to be able to take full advantage of the perfect angle i had to just look at him.

Back to the ship after that and back to the office. It was a quiet day. So nothing major. Finished working at 9. Ran to my room, showered, got dressed and waited for him to let me know when he was done. He called and I went to looks for his cabin, which turned out to be close to mine and on top of it, the cabin I would walk past everyday and have a little giggle at the name on the card and would imagine who could be named like that and how would you even pronounce it. All day everyday I walked past, everyday I said it in a different way and everyday I giggled all the way back to my room or office. Well ladies and gentlemen that name that made me laugh so much everyday was his. Turned out that he made my day better everyday already without even doing anything or even knowing it. So I paused, giggled and knocked...

Mondello

Mondello...
Yes it might be a fantastic destination in summer but in winter it is seriously depressing. when the weather is dull the whole town looks sad. All the shops are closed between 1 and 4 pm so ghost town. I just sat in a restaurant drinking hot chocolate for 2 hours waiting for this crap to end. Now if I feel like that then the guests feel the same. Its all good. I've gotten good at dealing with complaints and stupid questions. no for real. I am not in charge of the weather people. How can you blame me for a natural happening. I do not have a direct line to the gods of fuck this. I know you've paid for something but think damn it. If the weather is going to be bad what were you honestly gonna do on your own? I'll tell you, nothing! You would have done nothing, so at least you were forced to get out of the ship and actually do something so be happy about that.
That's how i try and see it. Well at least I was here, I would mot have otherwise been. It is one more spot that I can say that I visited. And no matter how bad the experience I am still happy and grateful i got to experience it. Seeing the glass half full people not half empty.

By today my flu is totally gone, I've had a few touch and go moments at the office, felt faint a few times but made it through and survived it! No antibiotics were used in the process, hard to believe right, everything on board is healed by antibiotics. Well not for me. So at least that's another silver lining, I am feeling great again.

But this town is seriously once again depressing,

I came back on the ship and ran into "sky" and after the day I had just said hi quickly and without thinking asked him if we could get together after work, he replied sure, tomorrow night. I smiled and ran to the shower.
After work, i went with the girls to the bar. We were all doing better as a team. We all starting spending more time together, going to the bar and spending time in each others rooms. I was excited for tomorrow. I said nothing kept to myself. We will see how tomorrow turns out first.

Rome in sunshine!

Back to Rome I go!

This morning I got out to the buses to find "My friend" standing there as beautiful and smiley as ever. So ran to him, gave him his daily hug he was also going to Rome for the day. Needless to say, I spent all day looking for him, but unfortunately unsuccessful. 

But as I said before, When I go on full day excursion it is all i do on the day, So I had the night off!

It was sunny, Rome in the sun... Who wouldn't love it! 

Got to see the Vatican again it had been a while. The last excursion I was on did not include it. I forget how grandiose it was. Honestly one of the most beautiful architectural building I've seen. I love sitting on the stairs on the side and just watch everyone walk past, so busy, taking pictures of everything, everything so quick, I almost feel sorry for some of them. they are so busy on their devices taking pictures of everything that it sometimes fell as if they forget to actually look properly at what they are capturing, like they are more interested in the picture than what is actually is in front of them. Yes it is great to have pictures, to post them, to get some like ( yes, we all like those "likes" don't lie to yourselves.) But in the end, they never take time to actually capture all that it is to discover something for the first time or just take the time to actually just take a proper look at what you are surrounded by and take it all in and just remember that feeling when you think of the place. Me there are many places I went to now and just close my eyes and remember the exact feeling I had standing in that specific spot. Really take the time to really look around and register it all.

I had a great day in Rome spent a lot of time sitting in st Peter's square looking at everyone but also discovered that my uniform can actually get me free shit! No for real, You get in some touristic places for souvenirs or well placed restaurants and take-aways  that get to know when the ships come to town and they benefit from it so they are happy to always satisfy the staff to make sure we carry on sending customers their ways. Bonus for me. 

I walked into this great little place on the left of the Trevi Fountain and because of my uniform was given free cappuccino, a slice of pizza and an ice-cream. Oh yes, he saw me there every time i went to Rome. Their pistachio and hazelnut ice-cream is just the bomb!! And it did work as every time I came back with guests to try their gelatos.

That night after dinner I bumped into my friend and yes, i still do not know his name. He was working evening shift, I walked past him in the corridor on my way to a smoke, spoke for a second, left and a minute after I lit my smoke he showed up in the smoking bar where he hates going because of the smoke to come say hi. And I finally learned his name. It is a great name, it means horizon, or in the horizon. Anyways, his great name being Hebrew is hard for me to pronounce and for a little bit instead of having giggles thrown at me, i just called him sky, which he reluctantly answered to  every third time only, It quickly was switched to hun.

Overall... I am starting after today to really love my job. And after all the ordeal of Tunis, I will just skip the whole dealing with it at sea the day after it happened and arriving in Barcelona with reporters everywhere. Talking to him and getting to know him is making it all worth being here and  because of him I am really starting to just smile, be happy and just loving everyday. And nothing much even happened. We just talk.

 

Last day in Tunis

 The many faces of the day. I always go from so excited to be out of the ship to what the hell am i doing here in this town. Third time out and still as uninteresting as ever and on top of it I still have the flu!! I actually sometimes push guests to leave the carpet and perfumery presentations/ shops. For real, how long can you spend trying to sell something to someone that clearly does not want it and is not interested!! Damn it, if you were less irritating maybe people wold consider staying, looking around and actually buying something. No one wants to be in a place where you just feel attacked but also expect them to spend money! Honestly I hated that place. Which is a shame because honestly I could see potential, if a few things were handled differently. But its their way of life not mine. i am not supposed to judge what they do, right.
Anyway, i was on the shopping and tradition tour. Spent all day around the Mdina. So much fun. Please shoot me was the general thought going through my mind. A thought I didn't know i would regret thinking later.
Spent the whole day speaking with an Australian family, trying to convince them that it was totally safe to come here. and at the same time reflecting to the fact that i had been on board for over 3 weeks now and i was enjoying it very much. But in the office I was feeling a little bit out. Some of the girls were nice, some of them were not. It was hard to integrate into the team. there is as I like to call it an adaptation time. Every time you have a new team there is always an adaptation time where you need to find out where you fit in the momentum of the team. And i must admit. Our team was a little dismantled and some of the girls were just mean to each other..
After the Mdina, you have the joyful privilege of watching a terrible what-was-supposed-to-be  belly dancing show. But turned out to be two elderly ladies walking with a pot on their heads. No really, terrible!!!
After this disaster, we all went back to the ship where on the way army had been deployed and we could see that our guide was a little too quiet. As we got back to the ship and i exited the car, one of my colleague ran to me and jumped into my arms, so happy to see me and with tears in her eyes explained to me what had just happened.
Terrorists had attacked the Bardo Museum and many of our guests that were there had been injured or even killed, and the fact that at this moment, we had no idea what was happening.
The news on TV were more informed than we were and we were dealing with local police directly. Our Israeli security team which is not allowed out there were sent on the pier to deal with guests.
We were told to keep quiet and just get back on board, which we did. we all stayed in the office, trying to get through to our families to let them know we were all ok.
Not such a great situation for my office. Can you imagine, we were the ones that organised the excursions the victims were all on. For some at that stage, it was as if we were the ones responsible for this terrible act. We all were in shock, we all were crying in that office. Most of us were out that day walking around the place where it happened just leaving before thankfully. We all also were affected by it. We sold these to some people that would never come back. I know i might not be directly responsible for it but I did feel for a few days that i sent 2 specific guests to their death as i had pushed them to take part in it when the wife had doubt but then decided to go for it. They both died that day.
Even through all of this, we opened the office during the hours we were meant to be open and we took all the frustration that everyone had. We took the insults, the shouting and the sadness of everyone, we were angry with them, sad and lost with them, with no words with them. We took it all.


My experience on board of the first 3 weeks was turning out to be an absolute nightmare. But that night, someone walked past me, said hello and smiled such a sincere smile
 that I just jumped in his arms and hugged him, he hugged me so tight, it felt that all the troubles from work just disappeared. Once I felt calm, I let go, smiled at him and just walked away. I knew him, I spoke to him sometimes, hello and such, but I didn't know his name. So I just used to call him "my friend".  Great thing I learned from my manager. Remember faces not names, they all are "my friends".
This was the first time I hugged him and he made it all better.

Oh and this pictures are the only beautiful things i got to see and yet, there is this ugly aircon which I only notice now.

Rome

Next stop Rome.
I've been to Rome before with my sister while on a little Euro trip. We did all the touristic places, the Vatican, The Coliseum from the outside only, we never managed to have time to get there on time to get in, we were there when it was seriously crazy busy. We were lucky enough to be there when the pope did a prayer and the town was busy as hell. We walked through the streets, got lost, found some special little places. We did the Vatican museum saw the 16th Chapel it was such a special experience, i loved discovering all these places with my sister, and even thought i know i dragged her to many places on this trip she would have totally avoided and just gone party, she followed without moaning a single time and went everywhere i wanted and even looked pretty excited doing it. We met amazing people and had a hell of a night, we went to the wrong airport and were lucky enough to be driven by someone kind that took us to the right one on time. Traveling with someone you have fun with is the best. So i already had a good memory of Rome as it is. So I was pretty happy going back,



Unfortunately, went i went there it was summer and i had no idea that it could just be that cold in winter. I was excited to go back but not too excited about the weather. That day was hands down one of the coldest days I've experienced in Rome ever! The winds was freezing and it was raining like cats and dogs. So knowing the guests by now and the fact that they complain about absolutely everything, I was quite scared about how the excursion was going to turn out and having to deal with complaints on the tour already. I was with a group of French and German guests and quite frankly, at that stage, I understood no German at all so i was wondering how to deal with that in case of and repeating in my head the 6 words of German  knew at that time. which mainly consisted of me just saying I do not speak German in a very crappy, half understandable way. I know that the languages are divided and I would follow the french group and the German group had another guide. It is even scarier because now you don't understand what the guide is saying or if he is doing good but he turned out to be a trooper and got the guests' totally fascinated and wanting to know more. Apparently his stories were well explained and captivating. I was so glad. Germans guests are a tough crowd to please.

So after an hour and a half of driving from Civitavecchia we get to Rome. All guests were given raincoats on the ship for the rain so that a was good move to start with. Giving umbrellas might be more useful, maybe also GUM BOOTS, I'm from South-Africa, we use our gum boots during winter when it rains and it works. Now that would be a great thing to give out to make sure your guests are comfortable. You will understand why later. But raincoats is a good start.
As we get there everyone runs to the bathroom. I do not understand, is my bladder different from everyone else. I mean, as the doors open, everyone rushes out. Do people really need to pee every hour. Am i the abnormal one? I do drink my 1 to 2 liters of water a day too but i mean, that often, at every corner every time, it is like herds migrating in the Okavango Delta. You say bathroom, they all run together in a single motion towards a common destination full speed.
After that, we start walking from the Coliseum to the Piazza Navona going past the Fountain of Truth, the Spanish stairs, the Pantheon and much more. The guide was amazing, she taught us so much about the history of the town and the country. She was so active and full of stories. The guests were all so happy and even though it was raining like crazy and we half the time could not really find each other because of all the umbrellas. (Thank goodness for headphone, when the guide gets to far from you the sound goes off and you can always find the guides again because of them)
The tour was fantastic. I was freezing the whole time. My feet were wet and frozen, my hands were trying to get rid of my fingers so it would be less cold and my ears even though i had a hoodie were ready to retract in my body. Honestly as I said I was FROZEN!
But the tour was amazing, hands down one of the best ones I've done in this condition. I will not say in this town as it all differ depending on so many factors. I will say under these conditions because when the weather is just so bad it all depends on the guide, its his/her job to make sure the guests are happy and they have magnificent memories and stories to take home. This guide let me tell you was number one. She had many short stories, got the guests involved and always captivated.
She made me love the tour and I was kinda hating everything else at that stage.

After this fantastic tour, we went back on board where I was finished working for the day. Yes ladies and gentlemen, when you are on a full day excursion, you are done for the day. You have worked your hours. So hating me yet... Hold on, it's coming.

Back in my room, run to the shower, the WARM shower. Stood there for about 30 minutes. Do not judge me, I nearly lost limbs during the day, it was extreme weather conditions out there.
From there went to eat and straight to bed. Woke up... Wait for it... With the flu from hell!!!!

Genoa aquarium

Genoa... I like the city very much. You have the older part of town with all its history and wonders and you have the new part that is booming with life and things to do.

Today I was excited, I was going to the great aquarium every one keeps on boasting about and an excursion I have to sell as one of the best aquariums in Europe, something not to miss.
Well, Miss it. To me it was atrocious! I literally ran through that place. I come from Cape Town, we have a pretty awesome aquarium here which is pretty descent. And I went there many times, even had a yearly membership last year which I can proudly say I did use quite often.
The aquarium was cold and unwelcoming, the tanks looked uncared for, empty, only the fishes swimming around. that poor dolphin really did just look bored as hell swimming in circle in his tank. Where is PETA now?  Not really an activist but in this scenario, I think something should be done. Or they make it better or they just close it down.
I did not enjoy it at all. But i was a sunny day, the little port is so pretty and nice to sit at and just enjoy the moment.

And this morning he smiled when i said hi.

Barcelona

I just love Barcelona, it has an amazing atmosphere. It is a fantastic places to just walk around in, there is so much to explore and discover.  I finally had some time to go out and do what i want. first time since i embarked. You don't often have time to do what you want. You do go out and get to see the place as you go on excursion with the guests. But this time, i had time to go out, by myself with noone to answer to and finally only do what i want and see what i want to see. And that day, after a week of terrifying food on board, all i wanted was food..


                            So I decided to go to La Boqueria, It is only one of the most amazing fresh markets ever!!!! So i'm a freak when it comes to food. I love everything and i want to try everything. I am a little bit Gourmet sometimes but overall, I'll try it all.
Started with a fresh kiwi and coconut smoothie and sipped it while walking around for the first time to just be able to get a look at all the delicious options and to decide what you want to try out.
After that smoothie which was just so fresh and fantastic i decided to try everything. So i had, friend shrimps... yum!! Mini saucissons, parma ham, sausages.... Double yum!! but also a fresh fruit salad, some cheeses and olives and sweets... OMG YUM!!!! Basically i ate it all and it was all too great for words! and off course to round it off i decided to grab another fresh smoothie and went for a mango, pineapple and coconut one this time and it was a winner!!!!



After all this amazing food and drinks, i had to run back to the shuttle bus down the Ramblas to be able to get back to work on time. On a full tummy, not so great, but all so worth it.
Overall, great first experience in Barcelona and definitely happy to be back there everytime.

Tunis

Tunis was by far my least favorite place to go out in. 

I was so happy to go out, no for real, I just could not wait to go out and see the city. I was expected spice markets, street food, lots of amazing things to taste and discover. To walk around the Medina and shop for anything i could wish for. Somehow i did not imagine carpet shops and perfumeries with their never ending trying to sell you something you really do not need or want or anything...

I was so disappointed, from the dirty streets, to the pushy guides and sales people, to the non existence of anything to actually look at, overall I even found it hard to find a positive point in anything about being there. 

Sidi Bou Said is cute and pleasant to walk around in but again, nothing special. Maybe it just me or maybe it really is that bad, as everyone have their own opinion, but i know little people that had anything positive to say about their experience in Tunis, For my part i am not running back there any time soon.

The Medina is just an amalgam of shops all selling more or less the same cheap uninteresting jewelry and  utensils. Many similar cheap and repetitive souvenirs, so many souvenir shop and touristic traps. Everything you see there, you can deal for a cheaper price as they honestly just make up prices as they go and overcharge everything to be able to bring it down during bargaining, because yes there, everyone bargains. Nothing is sold at the same price then it is advertised. 

I bought a fridge magnet from Sidi Bou Said that was advertised as 5 euros and got it for only 1 euro. So for real guys.... bargain there do not say yes straight away. 

Anyways, me that day, i was so happy to be back on the ship and understood why no one was fighting to go on excursion.