Finally Underway

May 26th

Somewhere between Basel and Strasbourg

Wasn't able to update the blog until early this morning. Internet connectivity is virtually nonexistent in this part of the River - or actually - canal.

Today has been another good day. Started the day with a small cup of bulletproof tea. Afraid to try too much. Still trying to recover from the evening event in Basel.

I am papering myself no end…I began today with a deep tissue massage. It was excellent and a great help to sore muscles, especially my tired ole legs. Then the excitement began. I mentioned in yesterday’s blog that I had lost my power adapters, especially the one for the laptop. So after finishing my massage I came back to the room and began a quest for a replacement. AppleCare was great, gave me the description of he adapter I was looking for and the phone number of the Basel Apple store. Yes they had it in stock.

Wait, I have to back up. The local store only spoke German. The front desk didn’t so he called someone who did. In a few minutes the Captain showed up, made the call, confirmed they had the adapter and arranged for a cab to take me. By then it was 11:00. I had to be back at the ship by 12:45 because they sailed at 1:00. As I “dashed” toward the cab stand, a voice said, “Follow me and I’ll open the door for you. And forgive my luggage.”

It was the Captain! Lugging two trash bags to the shoreside dumpster!! At the street he met my cab driver, told him of the time constraints, ensured I had enough time to go to the City Center and back, and that he needed to wait for me at the store. I told the Captain that I would forego the trip if it would cause problems. His next statement nearly floored me. “Don’t worry, I know where you’re going. We won’t sail without you even if you’re late.” Astounding!!

Thanks to his arrangements I made it back to the ship with thirty minutes to spare where he met me at the gangway and welcomed me aboard.

After lunch, which began shortly after I got back, I rested for a few minutes before the afternoon presentations. The first was the overview of the cruise, with special attention to tomorrow. The two tours I wanted to take were the “Do As the Locals Do” which is a walking tour ending at the Cathedral. The second, which overlapped the first, was The Black Forest Tour, which lasted all day into the late afternoon.

I mentioned to Chad, the Cruise Manager, that I was scheduled for the Black Forest but really wanted to see the Cathedral. He had arranged for busses to leave the ship at 8:45 for all the tours. I told him I didn’t think I was up to doing both. He said, “Don’t worry. The Black Forest bus will park a short distance from Cathedral. I’ll walk with you to make sure you make it okay. After seeing the Cathedral, then you can walk back to the bus at your own pace where we will return to the ship before leaving on the extended tour.”

Don’t worry? I’ll walk with you?? 120 guests and he’s giving me that kind of attention?? And I’m not the only one the Staff is giving special attention. Truly this is an exceptional cruise line! THANKS, MICKY!

I didn’t know before booking the cruise that it was going to be a Jewish Heritage Cruise. Each stop has a special tour for those interested the the complex history of the Jews in this region. The guest lecturer for the evening was the grand-niece of an artist who, through his own experience, had chronicled the Russian holocaust. (Remember my airline seat passenger’s history? Hmmmmm.) It was an excellent presentation and David Labkovski’s art was astounding. Too much to blog, but hopefully someday I be able to tell you the story.

Evening was the Captain’s Reception and Dinner. Let me tell you. It’s hard to find solitude on a cruise with 120 friendly people. I asked to eat alone because I was deep in thought and wouldn’t have been a very good dinner conversationalist. The Restaurant Manager, my Butler and two different tables tried to get me to sit with them when they saw I was eating alone. I hope I gracefully declined because they were so thoughtful.

If you want to see the rest of the pictures from today, click here.

If you want to share in my day's spiritual reflections, click here.

Tomorrow’s another full day. It’s late here and I have to get up early for the excursions so I’m off to bed.

Blessings and peace!