Well, I finally made it off the ship in both Southampton England and New York. I only made it as far as Brooklyn last time with my mom and Eddie when we hit New York in April. (Was it that long ago?) This time, me, Paul and Andrew ("Bam Bam") took the crew shuttle to Brooklyn, then hopped on the subway to Times Square. It was amazing. When we came out of the subway, I couldn't believe how tall the buildings are. I took lots of pictures, which I can hopefully upload a few, and lots of mpegs (thats digital movies for you older folks).
Jay (our crew chief) gave me a copy of a program he uses to edit movies, it's only a trial version though so I'm limited as to what I can do. But it came out great. I will try mailing home a copy, but guess what? I've only got a little over a month left. Woo hoo!
As for England, it was nice. Not exciting and not the best food. We had pizza in both places so I'm not so homesick on the food part. We arrive in Southampton in 2 days and I will be port manning again so I'll be sending money along with Bam Bam to bring me back a McDonald's Cheeseburger or something. Have I mentioned the food sucks on board? (At least for the crew).
Next ports are
May 29 - Southampton
June 4 - New York
We have a charter coming up which will take us to South Carolina and a stop in the Bahamas before we hit New York again, then on to the Mediterranean (Italy and Spain) with a new cast of singers and dancers.
Miss you all! See you in July.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Monday, May 15, 2006
Norway and QM2 in the News
So most of you have probably heard by now (thanks to CNN, BBC and SkyNews) that there was a death aboard the QM2. This is slightly true.
During lunch time, in the crew mess several days ago, a Filipino crew member (unnamed) attacked one of the ships asst. electrician's in full view of the ships crew. Rumors vary but the main story is that he hit him from behind with a hammer and ran (thankfully I wasnt there to see it). The crew member suffered critical injuries and was airlifted off the QM2 within an hour and a half of the incident. Unfortunately, he passed away after he left the ship.
The authorities joined the ship in Bergen, Norway and the attacker was taken off the ship temporarily while the police investigated. The ship left the port on time but with the assailant and police staying on board. The police will hand over the suspect to British authorities when we arrive in 2 days and he will be prosecuted there.
The ship's crew is still in shock and collecting money for the victim's family (wife and two children). Police tape and blockades are still up in the crew mess, so I try to avoid the area as much as possible. A mass and moment of silence have already taken place with the ships priest, Captain and Cunard Counselor.
Ok, back to Norway. Norway is absolutely gorgeous (and extremely expensive). They use Kroner (spelling?) for their currency. Only the 100 and 50 are in paper form. All other currency is in change. The rate is about 5 kroner to 1 dollar and I got two slices of pizza and a soda for about 68 kroner. So my souveneir shopping for all three ports was minimal. I was able to see Bergen and Aelsund, but I was port manning for the second stop in Flamm.
Flamm seemed to be the most beautiful port so I took pics from deck 13. I tried getting a hold of those little plastic viking helmets as a gift for my mom and step-dad, but they only sold them in Flamm and ... yeah... port manning.
We're on our way back to Southampton, which I'll probably miss again for the fourth time because we have to do lighting maintenance. But then it's on to New York then we're doing a charter for the Merryl Lynch company down the eastern coast of America. This means lots of T-mobile time. :-) I love those weekend minutes.
Miss you all, can't wait for July 3rd, I may spend a few extra days in New York before flying home just so I can actually see it without having to rush back to the ship. Sorry guys.
During lunch time, in the crew mess several days ago, a Filipino crew member (unnamed) attacked one of the ships asst. electrician's in full view of the ships crew. Rumors vary but the main story is that he hit him from behind with a hammer and ran (thankfully I wasnt there to see it). The crew member suffered critical injuries and was airlifted off the QM2 within an hour and a half of the incident. Unfortunately, he passed away after he left the ship.
The authorities joined the ship in Bergen, Norway and the attacker was taken off the ship temporarily while the police investigated. The ship left the port on time but with the assailant and police staying on board. The police will hand over the suspect to British authorities when we arrive in 2 days and he will be prosecuted there.
The ship's crew is still in shock and collecting money for the victim's family (wife and two children). Police tape and blockades are still up in the crew mess, so I try to avoid the area as much as possible. A mass and moment of silence have already taken place with the ships priest, Captain and Cunard Counselor.
Ok, back to Norway. Norway is absolutely gorgeous (and extremely expensive). They use Kroner (spelling?) for their currency. Only the 100 and 50 are in paper form. All other currency is in change. The rate is about 5 kroner to 1 dollar and I got two slices of pizza and a soda for about 68 kroner. So my souveneir shopping for all three ports was minimal. I was able to see Bergen and Aelsund, but I was port manning for the second stop in Flamm.
Flamm seemed to be the most beautiful port so I took pics from deck 13. I tried getting a hold of those little plastic viking helmets as a gift for my mom and step-dad, but they only sold them in Flamm and ... yeah... port manning.
We're on our way back to Southampton, which I'll probably miss again for the fourth time because we have to do lighting maintenance. But then it's on to New York then we're doing a charter for the Merryl Lynch company down the eastern coast of America. This means lots of T-mobile time. :-) I love those weekend minutes.
Miss you all, can't wait for July 3rd, I may spend a few extra days in New York before flying home just so I can actually see it without having to rush back to the ship. Sorry guys.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Hamburg & Photos! (Finally)
We just docked in Hamburg, Germany (literally 10 minutes) ago. We pulled into the dry dock area and as I type, crews are working to pull the gates shut behind the ship and start pumping out water so they can begin working on the broken pod. Crews joined in Southampton last time we were there, yesterday morning and already fixed stuff all over the ship. The floors in the pub were sanded this morning and have already gotten a first coat of new varnish.
Tomorrow morning we start running our production shows for a filming crew and will spend all day running pieces of the show over and over and over... for multiple camera angles and stuff. So it will be a long day. But, tomorrow night, we will also all venture out into Hamburg to see a club called the "Reeperbauhn" (SP?)
But... until I can come back on here and post another blog, you'll just have to settle for PHOTOS!!!
Tomorrow morning we start running our production shows for a filming crew and will spend all day running pieces of the show over and over and over... for multiple camera angles and stuff. So it will be a long day. But, tomorrow night, we will also all venture out into Hamburg to see a club called the "Reeperbauhn" (SP?)
But... until I can come back on here and post another blog, you'll just have to settle for PHOTOS!!!
Here's an artistic pic I did off the coast of Chile. It's freezing, about 7 am in the morning, and yes I am wearing layers upon layers of clothing.
First stop on the trip was Acapulco, Mexico. As you can see, I had a great time. This was the last time I saw a tortilla and guacamole since yesterday. The ship decided to celebrate Cinco de Mayo for the small amount of hispanics on board. Unfortunately, the British think Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day.
Valparaiso in South America.
The greatest steak I've ever had was in Uruguay. Rhymes with Casey's Gay.
There's the statue of Christ overlooking Rio in the background.
This guy was carving replicas of the Jesus figure at Ipanema beach. I tipped him about a dollar. That's how most of these people make their money. Most of them would just come up and beg you for money, people like this artist were the only ones I tipped.
Rio doesn't call it a "Royale with Cheese."
Puerto Montt in Chile.
Puerto Montt in Chile.
In Panama. The dancers greet guests coming off cruise ships. We didn't wander too far from the boat. Had a beer and a hot dog from a local stand.
This is Peru's National Soccer Stadium. I took the pic from a taxi cab while driving thru on our way to a mall.
Off the cape of South America.
Off the cape of South America.
St. Kitt's. This is just before we came back to the US for the first time since I left L.A.
St. Thomas. Finally back in the US and the first time I was able to get a phone signal. Stupid T-mobile.
My boss. He's drunk
An artistic photo of the crew rave night in the crew bar. This is where my boss got drunk at.
Jay, Jorge, Matt (my boss), and Caz (my old cabin mate)
Me and astronaut Kathy Sullivan. She came on board to lecture about life in Space.
Me and Caz. This was on the 4th of May, the night before she left. :-(
Ok, that's it for now folks. Everyone take care. I miss you all. Good night, or good afternoon for you. I'm 11 hours or so ahead of you now.
Roxanne
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