new york - all the feels
This part of our adventure had come to a close. Pulling back the curtains early this morning, we have ended in a parkade in downtown Manhattan. Staring down at the sea of cars, I wonder if the first half of this year was a dream. No time for nostalgic thoughts, the ship is continuing, and new guests will take over our suite tomorrow. We are ousted by 8 AM with a quick breakfast and thrown into black SUVs bound for JFK airport.
One day prior, we hugged and cried our way through the ship. It was an emotional departure as this was like being part of a dysfunctional family that will be dearly missed when gone.
After 34 countries, 20 time zones, and hearing YMCA 500 times, we are both changed humans. In full honesty, we have been delighted and disappointed. This particular corporation paid generous lip service to ultra-luxury. The actual ultra-luxury moments were provided by crew who truly are the jewels in this experience. Crew came from all corners of the globe and worked tirelessly to take care of us; their kindness and patience shown to all guests was astounding. Stories they shared of their lives were wildly inspiring, and lifelong friendships were born.
As you know, Trevor and I are quite private humans and value our time together, and also, we thoroughly enjoyed pockets of time with fellow world-adventurers. Each brought a wide range of stories and backgrounds. As a group of 200, we lived in a bubble on the sea where the news had no effect, there was no rush hour traffic, cliques formed, dramas played out, and drinks flowed through it all.
There were doctors, professors, crypto whales, finance & business humans, authors, media & TV producers, and a world-class pianist from China by the name of Fu Ning who delivered a stunning performance for all on board.
A few delightful moments that have lodged in my memory include - yoga at sea, mimosas on deck, sailing up the Seine, watching schools of flying fish leap across the waves, the daily Chronical and the time the tempurature low was 263 C, caviar on demand, formal nights, the surprise gift of a sari from the butler manager, and emergency chocolates sent to our cabin once a month by a very wonderful human. ( Trevor thanks you! )
This experience was a reflection of life, waves of energy on literal waves. If Trevor were writing this, he would have a science-y word for this phenomenon.
The first half of this year has been awesome, but this isn’t the end. The adventure continues as we trade our sea legs in for land legs. Three months on the west coast of Canada to let the memories marinate, catch our breath, and create some magic.
Though you might find me in the tub sloshing around, I do miss the feel of the ocean.
