March 29, 2006 Total Eclipse Day
The last several weeks we have had 3 astronomers on board explaining the stars, the sun, eclipses, etc. And today was the big day. Around noon the moon’s shadow began to take bites out of the sun and within 90 minutes the sun was totally eclipsed. As it gradually grew darker, the temperature dropped precipitously. We had been out on deck with short-sleeved shirts on, but quickly made a dash for that sweater or coat. The total eclipse lasted for less than 4 minutes, but it was amazing to be able to look at the sun with our naked eye and see all of the activity shooting out around the shadow of the moon. Some of the older people said that this day was worth the entire 4 months of cruising.
I have gotten to know one of the astronomers because he and I are in the gym at the same time each day. He is training for a marathon and actually enjoys working out. We talk and I have gleaned much that I would have never known about astronomy without our informal chats.
March 30, 2006 Kusadasi, Turkey
Turkey has been a treat. The people are pleasant, although a little more pushy here than in Antalya. I think we were the first tourist group of the season and all were anxious to have us “take a look” at their wares. Alemitu and I got out early and she bargained hard with a shop keeper, only to walk away because he wouldn’t give her a price she thought was reasonable. He came after her and she did make the purchase at her price of choice. Since it was the first purchase of the day, he insisted that we not pay him, but put the money on the floor. That is supposed to give them good luck for the rest of the day.
We spent the afternoon at Ephesus. This is definitely the most impressive ruin I have ever been to. They dropped us off at the top of the hill and then we walked down, thru the excavated ruins. It is amazing how organized and healthful these ancient people were. They had sewage systems, clean water systems, baths, even toilets. Each home had running water – and this was 300 BC. Impressive.
I feel as though we might be getting back into a world with the services we need. We have had a hard time finding razors and general hygiene products. We have yet to find a notary, but we are hopeful that one will be available in the next few ports.
Our room flooded, source unknown. Carter asked for some assistance, but nothing happened. The next morning, Alemitu, unbeknownst to us, went up to the front office and within an hour, 2 men were in the room sucking up the water and they placed a huge fan in the room which eventually dried it out.
March 31, 2006 Iraklion, Crete, Greece
Last night a little after midnight the general alarm went off, meaning muster at your life boat stations. Carter didn’t wake up, even tho there was an extremely loud alarm ringing in our room. I grabbed the apnea machine and tried to pull it off, saying, “What is that alarm for?” He knew that he was supposed to muster in the infirmary, so off he went. I pulled on heavy clothes, thinking of the Titanic and how cold those people got. I didn’t want to suffer from hypothermia. Then I realized that Alemitu wasn’t here. She had been in a crew room below our deck and materialized at a run. She was dressed for dinner in a cute spaghetti strap dress, so I told her to get on something warm and went out to see what was going on. Almost immediately a crew member ran by and said it was nothing, to go back to bed. I wanted to hear the word from the captain…..Within a minute or two he came on the loudspeaker to say that there had been an overheated dryer in the main laundry, but it was now taken care of. So within minutes, Carter was snoring, Alemitu was back with her friends and I was just processing what would happen in a real emergency. Makes you appreciate all those drills.
Winnie
posted by Hills @ 11:52 AM
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