Thursday 2 Sept 2010

Today is my first day flying solo. Everything has gone pretty smoothly. It was a dive day so I read and re-read all of the instructions for draining the tank, shutting off the valves and refilling the tank. Everything seems to be running again after all is said and done so I must have done it right!

Neil left yesterday afternoon for San Diego to go shark diving off of Guadalupe Island. People back home are jealous that I am here but I am jealous that he is there!! I'd rather be jumping into white shark infested waters off of Mexico....I've done this gig before! Scotty and I have always talked about doing that shark dive but we never have. Someday.

I had to move out of my original cabin and into Neil's cabin on the Shadow. Apparently, the room I was in is used for frequent "guests" and if the guy shows up, he wants his room. It has to be empty and ready should he just stop by, I guess. Now, if we should leave for Hamburg, the Odyssey and Shadow will split up so I will have to be relocated again to the Odyssey. The tank is on the Odyssey so I wouldn't be much use on the Shadow. I'm excited at the prospect of living aboard that big beautiful yacht but I was told that I might possibly have to share a cabin. That isn't exciting news as the cabins are pretty small. I'm sure I'll survive.

Fresh ON the Boat

I arrived in Nice, France yesterday evening to beautiful weather, friendly faces and good food! Neil, the aquarist I am relieving for 4 weeks was off mopedding around Italy and San Remo (lucky) and didn't get in until midnight. Needless to say, I was asleep. The flights were relatively uneventful. I got the lucky middle seat on the flight to London (awesome) but got to watch "Date Night," "Invictus" and most of "How to Train your Dragon." On British Airways each seat has it's own screen so you can watch whatever TV shows or movies you want. They also have an extensive music list that you can create your own playlists with so that was a perk. Amazingly, I slept for about 3 hours or so which, for me, is great when I'm on a plane. Put me in a car and I will pass out within 5 minutes, but on a plane I just can't get comfortable. Blame it on the long legs - and the guy with longer legs behind me constantly ramming his knees into my vertebrae.

Got to go through security AGAIN in London. Set off the metal detector. Got a very thorough pat-down by a nice gentleman who then asked what was in my pocket so I pulled out the chapstick and he said, "That was it." Seriously? Chapstick set off the metal detector? Wasn't aware that chapstick had metal in it. Anyway, had time to kill in London so I just walked around. Then a massive downpour occurred out of nowhere. Not in the airport, or course, but outside where it could delay airplanes. Luckily mine was not delayed. Funny thing at Heathrow, they don't feel it neccessary to announce that your flight is boarding. I was sitting in the waiting area facing away from the gate, checked my watch and thought, "Gee, we're supposed to leave in about 15 minutes, you would think they would announce the flight." I turned around and there was a big line of people getting on the plane. Really? Too lazy to come over the loudspeaker and tell us that it's time? Anyway, I made it on.

I arrived on time in Nice, collected my bags and walked right out, no customs, nothing. I wish the journey home was going to be that easy. I was picked up by one of the crew members who was told to look for, "the guy with the big earrings." The guys last time made a big deal out of my earrings and it must have made an impression because that was what they remembered!

So, here I am, on a mega yacht, in the south of France, heartbroken and jobless, taking some time for introspection and relaxation. There are worse places I could be and worse things I could be doing. For now I'll write as often as I can, try to stay positive, keep the fishies happy and go for long walks on the beach!!

Cheers!