Carnival

I got here just in time for Carnival. There are massive parties, they had the floats/parade as well. Its because ash Wednesday is coming up. It’s like our Mardi Gras. They have parties till like 630 in the morning. I went yesterday to see the floats.





Massive people there!! I’ve never seen something like this in person. So, many people. Besides a concert or course. But for celebration, even at like the St. Patrick day parade there aren’t as many people coming out as this!! Crazy. The floats were cool. They had a theme, something like wealth out of garbage. So a lot of the floats were about saving the environment. They had a lot of music, and cultural and historic floats. It was cool that I got to learn more about India. Joe explained a lot of those things to me. I wasn’t feeling too out of place. I was worried I would. I stick out obviously; I get the stares, as well as Joe for being with me. There are other white folks here on holiday. One of Joe’s friend has a friend from the UK I think. She’s leaving in a day or so.

After the floats were all said and done everyone started to leave. Now when anything like this happens in the states, there is always this gridlock. Major traffic, and someone always gets hurts and/or dies. Not here. That totally amazed me!! So many ppl, cars, and bikes, but traffic keeps moving. Amazing.

Finally made it to India!

I finally made it! I’m happy to not be on a train, bus, plane, shuttle, car, or in a hotel. I feel like it took so long to get here. It’s great to finally reach my destination. I was Running on no sleep in about 42 hours Before i got some sleep.

My flight from Kuwait was … interesting. Lol. That airport is a big mess. Lol. A lot of disorganization going on. They use shuttle buses to take you to the airplane. I found this odd. But turns out it’s how they do in this part of the world. Like not every plane has its own gate. They take a number of flights through one gate, and you have to make sure you’re on the right bus.

So made it on the Mumbai/Bombay flight. Took off a bit late, but made it to Mumbai only 10 minutes late. While I was on this flight was just done with airports, security, and being on a plane for so long.

When we finally landed in Mumbai, I got nervous. Lol. I don’t know why. I thought about Joe, and how ppl are gonna take to me. I had nothing to worry about. People are really nice. I don’t know if it had anything to do with me being white, or a chick, or American, but I got to skip customs in Mumbai. Lol. I was like “sweet!” I didn’t ask any questions. Lol. Immigration peeps were nice too.

Joe met up with me. It was really good to see him, not to mention just someone to meet up with in a country I’ve never been in. We had to catch our last flight to Goa. I thought it was like a 4-hour flight, but Joe told me its only 45 minutes. You don’t know how happy I was to hear that!!

My first impression of India: I literally thought “well, its not as bad as people in the states make it seem." All countries have their problems, poor and rich, great things and drawbacks. When I flew into Mumbai I thought wow there is a lot down there. Lol. I didn’t see much because of it being dark. When we flew to Goa, I got a chance to see some things. Mumbai-Packed with tons of buildings. Yes, the shacks that everyone thinks covers India do exist. There are stretches of land that you can see these small low-lying buildings. It’s actually quite a thing to see, high aerial view, or up close.

Once we got to Goa Airport, fastest disembarkation I’ve ever had. Off the plane, our bags were first out, and than we quickly got a ride to his house. I’d say we spent an actually 3 minutes from plane to the car to reach his house.

The car ride to his house was exciting. I was looking at everything. Joe, asked me “Whats wrong why are you was so quiet?” I don’t wanna talk when there is stuff to take in. I was absorbing everything. ☺ The roads are … different. You have to dodge other drivers, ppl on bikes, ppl walking, animals. Its just mind blowing, how a country like this has such traffic….but no fatalities. It just really amazes me. Our roads in the States our wide as crazy, with clear cut lanes. Like massive organized, and ppl crash and die everyday. The more I travel the more I think “wow how do we in the States have these problems, when other countries are easily breezing through the same things?” It really blows me away. I mean one thing that bothers me is the garbage. But India actually recognizes as a problem. Once I knew that they see it as a problem, I thought well at lest they are doing something about it bit by bit. They know it’s a problem.

We finally got to his house. Exactly what it looks in the pictures. But I thought when I walked it that it’d be bigger on the inside. I like the house a lot. Just the way it’s arranged. I like how is not an ordinary American house. It wouldn’t be right? lol. But I hate looking for apartments in the states. It’s always the same blocking. I love his floors! I don’t know the material exactly but it some kind of cool tile. Lol. He told me its called Spartex?? Lol. No idea.

He’s in the process of adding things to the house. Like he’s re-doing his kitchen, and adding things here and there. I know he’s adding a/c soon as well.

He has all these plants growing fruits in the backyard. His mom does the gardening. She showed me the bananas this morning. Lol.

Yes, it’s hot here. Lol. I came here in the afternoon when it’s the hottest. At night and in the morning is perfect temperature.

So, far things are going great. ☺

3/5 of the way there!!

my title explains it perfectly. lol.

I am currently in Kuwait waiting for my next flight, which is in about 5 or 6 more hours away. It feels like it's taking forever to get here.

Ok, why am I not in India yet? Well, lets start from the beginning.

I left BUFFALO at 444am. I caught a train to JFK. The less I fly, and the less money I spend the better. If I flew itd be like 200 more dollars. So I was like hey why not take a train?

I made it to PENN STATION with no problem. I had this ticket for a shuttle or whatever to JFK airport. On the ticket it didnt have any details on there. Checked my email, it just had the time. So, obviously I was trying to find out where I had to go to get this transportation to the airport. I went to the amtrak customer service. the lady had no idea what it was. lol she was like (in ghetto voice) "girl you go get in that line and get a refund and just take the long island rail road, and catch the airtran." I was like "ok than". lol I got in the huge ass line, and got to this guy who didn't help either. I asked him if he knew where I should go. He tried to send me back to the other lady. I also mention how the other lady told me to get a refund. Than he said a refund, and info are two different things. Obviously. lol. At this point I was like ok I'll check things out and see what I find. Nothing was found. lol So, I called a few numbers, NO one knew what I should do....besides forward me to another person, or place. So, I ended up getting a refund, and taking the train. Yes, I did follow the directions of the lady, but not in the first place....only because I wanted to know the deal about this ticket I bought online. I wasn't freaking out on time, cause I knew I had a lot of that. Made it to JFk no problem. I waited two hour to just get checked in though. Than security and all that jazz, than waited a few more hours till my flight. I also forgot to eat during all of this, so I decided to finally do that. but than on the plane they just kept throwing food at me. lol

My flight to LONDON was ok. My plane stopped in LONDON than to KUWAIT where I catch a different plane to MUMBAI. I was an in-transit passenger... but i still had to go through LONDON security. This time around I wasn't pissed. When I left the ship i was in the worst mood. lol. Mainly because they tried to charge me crazy amounts for my luggage. Flying internationally I find that they don't charge you for checked luggage. It may not be every airline.

It was funny because everyone needed to find out what gate we had to go to. This one security guy was telling everyone gate 8. well there were like 15 passengers in a row asking him. They kept asking like they didnt hear him three people in front of them, and the second person in front on them. lol. So while I was getting all my stuff together and putting in my contacts I saw all this happening. You could tell the guy was thinking...."fucking idiots". So, I looked at him and said "so, uhh what gate was it again" and laughed. I made him laugh. So, I hope it helped him out. lol.

We board the plane, it was late, and boarding took forever. We take off. I'm thinking "finally." Like 15 minutes later the captain gets on and says "We would like to ask you for your patience, we are experiencing a technical problem, and we will be landing in London Heathrow airport." I was ok at first. Than they released all of the fuel. Than I was like of "oh, jesus." It freaked me out a bit. So, there we were flying above LONDON for a half hour releasing all the fuel than we land. They wouldn't let us off. So, we sat there another 45 minutes. Than we took off finally. All of....that situation caused a massive delay of about 4 hours. I got to Kuwait an hour after my flight to MUMBAI left.

I wasn't alone though, at least 30-40 other ppl were stuck there. No flights to MUMBAI till the next day at the same time. So, they shipped us to a hotel literally at the airport. I'm not talking like across the street, or down the road. Like I can see planes take off outside my window...runway and all.




Ive kept my cool so far. its really cool though. everyone has been really nice. beside the chick at the Kuwait Airways desk explaining to all these furious passengers that there are no flights till tomorrow night, but thats acceptable. lol. ppl just would not get it. I thought she was bad ass. I didn't give her attitude. for what, ya know. yeah it sucks I missed my flight, but... not the end of the world. It did suck that Joe had to pay for changing our flights to the next day. I felt really bad, but nothing I could do about it.

It was cool when I flew into KUWAIT though. They have regular street lights in the city, but when we flew over the desert area, they had these cool fire torches. I never seen it before so I thought it was cool. oh! we flew over the Swiss Alps. That was really awesome to see!!

Scanning frenzy!! I feel like this scanning thing is out of control. I scanned to get on a plane. scanned when I got off the same plane. scanned again to get out of the airport. scanned again to enter the hotel. its just crazy.



two more flights. thankfully shorter ones. :-)

leaving again..but not for the ship

well I'm nervous and I need to write it out.

I'm going on a trip to India. This pertains to the ship only because I am going to visit the Bf i acquired on the ship. lol.

We talked about it for months how I would come visit him. I always wanted for the longest time to go to India. Every since i crossed Australia off my list.

I applied for the visa, waited as patiently as I could. lol Got it approved. I Finally got it back, Booked my flight, and packed my things all in a matter of a couple days. Its happening really quickly... or maybe it just seems that way.

I was super excited once I got my passport back, and booked everything I needed to. That excitement has now turned into nervousness, and I have to admit I am a bit scared.

In India.... there ain't no blending in for me. if you know me you know I'm pale as sin, bright green eyes, and just ...well Amber. lol

I'm staying with Joe, and his family, so I am nervous about that as well. I tend to get uber shy around family. I remember when I went to Australia. I did not know a soul there. Got on a plane, got off a day later, and was like "ok where do I start?" This time I at least no someone, but I'll be sucked into his world rapidly. In Australia I did everything at my own pace. If I wanted to make friends, and hang out- I did. If I wanted to be alone, and wander - I did. I feel like this wont happen time, this is going to be drastically different.

This is why I travel. Each time its all very different. I learn about me what my limits are, and about the people I'm surrounded by.

After this trip my next place I really want to visit is the UK, and South Africa. :-)

I'll blog about my trip while in India. :-) So, there will be new stuff!!

ship love

Well it happens, here's my story. Lol

Its def a different ship-life experience when you are in a relationship on board. Specifically ones that start on the ship.

I'm not talking fuck buddies, or the many flings. I'm talking full on in love with someone. This contract there were quite a few serious relationships that I saw. But once person A left the ship. Perspn B still on board found person C reeeeeeally quick.

I can say that that is not what me and joe were. We didn't want the whole end of the contract comes around and we just say hey let's go our separate ways. The end of the contract didn't mean it was the end of us. We are serious. Ppl on board always saw us together everywhere. Almost weekly we had ppl asking when we were going to get married. Lol

It was all a fluke how we started out. I noticed him right away onboard. He worked in my section. So I ended up seeing him often. He'd just stare at me never say anything. It totally bugged me. He never said hi. And I say hi to everyone. Lol. I saw him around in the crew bar. I noticed him dancing. He's intense when he gets going. Lol than I saw him dj. I think seeing all these things intrigued me. It just showed how he was interested in other things besides working and money.

Than one formal night when I was working in the gallery he was there hanging around. Again I caught him staring. So, at this point I was like okay this dudes continues to just stare and never ever says hi. What's his deal? So, I waved to him and said hi. Than he was shocked. Lol I said "yes, you, I can see you" lol I told him he never says hi to me. So, than he came over said hi how are you and kissed my hand. Lol super cute. That's how we started talking. Hanging out with him became an addiction.

When I first came on board I def was not boy crazy like I was my last contract. Lol I def was not looking for anything with anyone. I was pretty focused on work.

We just progressed into something that thus far in my life has been unmatched. He's amazing. We have so much fun together. He's just my everything. Lol. It sucks that I won't be able to see him for awhile. Luckily I'll see him in India in a few weeks!

It gets harder since we left the ship him being from India, and me from the states. But we are linked. :-) we left this ship the same day :-) and we are scheduled to join the next ship together if we do join again.

leaving

I hate the actual leaving of the ship. You have 800 things you have to get done in a 24 hour period on top of packing. I hate the luggage stuff-(company losing your shitand trying to find it), immigration, airport check-ins, oh and I won't forget the obscene about I have to pay to check two bags. I hate the whole process of the airports. Inspections, the cloth bomb test bs, and the worst...the waiting for your flight.

The process started off blah. Immigration at 530am. Than we started to leave the ship, and I didn't get to say bye to joe yet. I was first and he ended up being last in line for customs. They physically pulled me out of the line to go first. The one time I wanted to wait in line(because of joe) is the time they take americans first. Just when I grabbed my stuff to get in line to get off the ship to leave for the airport he just got back on the ship. I got my goodbye hugs and kisses. :-)

Once off the ship you gotta search for your luggage...mine always gets lost. Oi. So my one bag was right where is supposed to be, but the other one was at the other end of the terminal. My annoyance began at 730am for the day.

My flight is at 340pm. Any flight before 4pm -princess(at least the caribbean princess) has you off the ship and off to the airport at like 730am. I have a Huge wait time. Boooooooo!

I was hoping the bus ride to the airport was gonna be long...ten minutes. Booooo.

I paid $30 for each bag. My one bag was over weight, and they tried to make me pay $50 extra. Than one dude was like oh its actually $100 extra. Needless to say I found my way out of that. I basically said I'm not paying it. Not after I paid for $60 for two bags. They eventually gave in.

Security here moved like molasses. They did the lovely x-ray scan...which I just don't get. And than the bomb test stuff.

Than I was off to my lovely, long, painful wait to board my first flight.

Thankfully I don't have to go to far to get home. The crew who have full on full day flight connecting two three times, I don't know how they put up with it. Lol

Almost home!

Almost Home

I haven’t written in months…I’m pretty sure. I guess I got distracted. My blog no longer became a priority.

I leave my second ship in three weeks. I cant believe its already time to go.

A lot’s happened to me this contract. I learned more, when I thought I had this ship thing figured out. I thought I had me figured out. I thought I had life figured out, or at least was gaining some ground on how to go about things. I’ve found that there is no consistent…or pattern….or certain way to go about things. The same situation can happen and you can do every step the same to try to avoid anything bad from happening, you take the same steps….everything goes wrong, and turns out drastically different.

There is no “one way.”

This contract I have been extremely happy and extremely miserable. I hated my job one day, than loved what I did for a living the next. I hated when I had a shitty manager, I hated how things piled up on me. But I was happy to get to do all these fun tours. I was happy that I had fun friendships. Its all been up and down. I hated how everything work wise changed week to week.

You have to learn how to adapt….and quickly. I think that’s the one thing that really got drilled into my head.

Ship life sucks sometimes…But I always said to myself, “It could be worse.”
Even with everyone’s mood swings, drunken whores, giant egos, tedious policies, and the hundreds of hours that gets spent working hard on a product that no one really wants to buy. (something is obviously going wrong)

I got a comment on my last blog about “oh your life is so bad cause you work in the Caribbean,” Obviously you sense the sarcasm. The comment was definitely warranted. My first instinct was to get upset when I saw that. I than quickly thought….”hey, dude’s right. My life is not that bad.” I know this. Yeah my job got harder with the whole wedding policy. I guess when a big change comes the idea of change is harder to accept, than the thing that actually is changing. Doing the weddings isn’t that much of a hassle. Us videographers were just pissed that a big change came our way…again.

I thought working on ships would expand who I was, or open my mind a lil more. Yes, I get to work around people from different countries, and I get to meet people from the Caribbean, and see and do things I never would have had I not had this job. I am extremely grateful for that. I really am. I feel like I’m becoming a worse person from ships though. Drinking, smoking, lying, partying, gossiping, over eating, back stabbing, tempers, laziness, and stepping on or sleeping with whoever you can to get promoted are all things I don’t want to indulge myself in. I feel like that’s all ship life is about.

I notice more than I did my last contract. Like for example, favors don’t happen unless you happen to be from the same country, or sexual orientation. How much you have to stroke the egos of these people with such high ranks is insane. I also noticed most people on ships…if they’ve been doing nothing but ships straight out of college or high school, they do not know how to efficiently manage people(no effective managerial training on princess), or get the best work out of the people that work under them. They use threats, yelling, insulting first before anything…most of the time. When you encounter a good manager, thank them. I miss my one senior Marek. I really appreciate him. My one manager now is great, Chris from my last ship was also very good. Those types that are sharp, no BS, no chip on the shoulder, and know how to treat you professionally when things go wrong and keep the personal stuff aside, they are hard to come by, just be grateful if you are working for someone you have respect for.

There were some great things that happened this contract. Some very bad. Like my last contract there were the laughs and the tears as always. Love and hate.

My next contract …..(sigh) I don’t know. I just don’t know. My rebellious attitude got me into a bit of a tiff once again. But this time my senior decided to truly screw me as much a possible, all the way to head office. It doesn’t look like I’ll be senior, or promoted to VDO3. Its okay though. Nothing I can do about it. All I can do is learn from all of this. I just hate all the unfair shit that goes down on ships. Certain people just get away with any and everything. And that will never change. I know that some of you will say “well the same thing happens on land jobs” of course they do, but ships…the best example I have is that its like a reeeeeeally small town, and there is no way out once shit goes wrong. You’re just fucked.

There is so much more I could write, but I feel like the more I write the more all of this stupid ship stuff doesn’t matter. I’m going home to my family soon. I have someone I’m madly in love with, and I have a career plan in action. I can say this was an experience, and learned a few more things this time around, but there are things that matter to me more than this ship life. Ship life isn’t all I have. In fact it is a very small part of my life. I can say that very happily.

Until next time. Or not. But I will be starting my own Photography business, in the process now actually, so this wont be the last of my online blogging. I will have my website up soon enough. I just hope I don’t have to blog about the ship life that leaves me so torn.

Wish me luck. :-)

-Amber