We have been in a new port almost every day or two. It can be exhausting. On the ship everyday there are lectures, dances, bridge, shows, parties, pool parties, mahjong, jewelry making, cooking classes, art classes, trivia competition, needle point classes, the walking track and the exercise room, yoga, the spa,and still more. There are interesting people to meet and new friends to make. I do not even think of trying everything.
Dining is all you can eat and more, 24 hrs every day, delivered to your room or anywhere you happen to be on the ship. That includes caviar and champagne. Originally I said they they were not good at feeding vegetarians. I was wrong. A vegetarian could literally eat her heart out. For example take yesterdays chef’s “inspirations” at just one of the four dinner venues.
They will also prepare custom requests from lamb, to steak, to fresh fish,to hot dogs, to sauteed spinach. I have become accustomed to dressing for dinner and I can do a “killer” formal night.
I am writing all this not to gloat about what a great time I am having (well that is not the main reason.). This is undoubtedly a luxury cruise. But in some parts of west Africa the luxury ceased the moment one stepped off the gang way. I am a fairly seasoned traveler. I have traveled not so much for leisure, but to see different parts of the world and different peoples. I think I am not a naive traveler, but this trip caught me off guard. I have not posted a destination description since Dakar. I came to realize that the jarring contrast between luxury and poverty was becoming oppressive for me, and I did not want to pass that on to you, gentle readers. It has taken me a while to processes it all, so that I can communicate the various experiences of this trip to others as accurately as I experienced them, but without over emphasizing the unglamorous elements.
I must admit that after some excursions I was more than relieved to get back to the air conditioned ship for a hot shower to wash away the dust and detritus. The gratitude for all that I have been given, lingered, along with a measure of humility and guilt. Those emotions lessened as we moved south down the coast. I don’t know if it is that I have just become more hardened to it. I do think the poverty is not as deep in some of the recent countries and/or it was not displayed as readily. At any rate I will resume the descriptive narratives and photos….. and keep you updated on terrorism and Corona virus.
I really am, having a great time and I am so glad to make this journey.
Linda
Hi Linda,
I had a feeling this was coming. I too have been to places where the poverty and living conditions are carbon copies of what you have been experiencing, and it makes those visits both “sweet and sour”.
A great majority of Americans have not ventured beyond our own borders, or on those rare occasions when they do, migrate towards venues that provide a “little america experience”…very sanitized and far from reality (i.e.): some of the favorite tourist meccas in Mexico and Central America. In a sense, those young “backpackers” who bother to shed a comfortable life style for the adventure and experience of traveling and going somewhat native, know more about the real world than do their parents and home-bound peers ever will.
Looking back, I believe one of the real advantages of the military draft system was the exposure it gave to many young men (at the time, no women were drafted that I know of) of the real world beyond the U.S. shoreline.
I am sure you will notice it when you travel to India, and yes, I believe you do become somewhat “immunized” after being around it for a while. I have a friend who accompanied her daughter on a trip in the far south of India to adopt a little girl, and her descriptions and pictures of the living conditions of most of the population tell a story that most westerners would close their eyes to.
Your inclusion of the vegetarian fare on the dinner menus made me hungry.
The Jubilados ask about you on the rides, and are still grading all the rest stops using your point system.
Bill