Three Days to Senegal, Africa
April 21, 2008
We are on our way from Brazil to Africa. Yesterday in Brazil was a tiring day, mostly from the heat and humidity. We had late dinner with our table friends and then watched Fernando, the Comedian Hypnotist. He asked for volunteers, started with about 18, and gradually narrowed it down to six. He let the others go, one at a time because he could tell they didn't easily fall under his influence. We observed this as he would lift their arms and let them fall. You could see which ones didn't fall quite as dead weight. It was interesting, but we're not converts. He was selling tapes and also giving seminars during the three days on how to lose weight, quit smoking, and other OC problems...ha!! He said that he would not make anyone cluck like a chicken or bark like a dog. He just made them do other embarrassing things, like perform like they were a rock star, listen their phone ringing in their shoe, etc. Clarice and Ella attended his lecture today, will see what they have to say tonight.
We slept in today, the room is so dark with the curtains pulled, you can't even detect sunshine outside. Last night we moved the clock forward one hour. We will repeat this for the next two nights as well. Soon we'll be 7 hours ahead of California time. Therefore, because of the 10:30 am breakfast, we've skipped lunch. Everyone raves about cruise food, but I'm really getting almost bored with it. The late dinner seating is nice because it is served very slowly, taking 1.5 to 2 hours to finish. We're not used to eating so late, and besides, we think they are drugging our food to keep us sleepy all the time. Less problems for them that way, I'm sure.
We have yet to try the hamburger or pizza. That will happen if we really get bored with the food offerings. For our afternoon snack I had ribs in a great sauce. (Dennis) Tonight I will have rib eye.
We attended another art lecture, this time on Picasso. We had already watched a nearly two hour TV program about him, so knew more than was talked about in the short lecture. The main point of the lecture being the topic of what influences artists and their styles. The influence is caused basically by everything they see, feel, experience. This also influences the "periods" they go through. Picasso is a great example of this because he was successful very young, lived a long time, and had many "experiences." These were mostly female. However, he was certainly not afraid to reinvent himself over and over as he experimented with other's styles (his friend Matisse), cubism, etc. He executed beautiful realism in his early paintings as well, before he began to broaden his styles. Sometimes he returned to previous styles, changing them a bit. All very interesting.
Everyone carries around books. Some do suduko, word puzzles, or sleep, but most are reading. I've finished two books so far. The only excitement today was the frenzy at the T-shirt sale table...boy these (us?) old folks can act like piranas. Note to self: "TRY not to be less impatient as age advances, t-shirts are not THAT important."
I'm very unhappy with my packing this time. The shoes that seemed fine at home are causing me problems when I try to walk the deck. Clairice (who was checking on signing up for the extended tour) was talking about being over weight on her luggage and already planning to perhaps dump some clothing. She is going to bring me a pair of socks tonight. Hopefully that will help. It's beautiful and sunny outside today.
The Rainbow:
At about 4:45 pm today we observed a full rainbow with a double a ways behind. The foremost rainbow ended in the water about 50' or less from the ship. We have observed a rainbow here before, but not nearly so close. We figure the pot of gold had already been captured by the cruise lines. Hmmm. Or maybe the owners of the oil tankers. Hmmm.
It is Tuesday, 4/22. The ship has one more day before reaching Africa. Our cabin is close to the art gallery, which we have to walk through every time we go someplace. They are constantly changing the art pieces, so each day is like a new art show. Selling art is a big deal with the cruise lines. Tomorrow is the third art auction. The cruise line operates the art business like Cosco; they buy in huge quantities - originals and prints - and offer them at auction at very reasonable prices. Today some works sold at opening bid of less than $50; others, some of the originals sold for thousands. Prior to each piece being sold, the art guy tells a bit about the artist - sometimes very interesting and educational.
The colors inspired us finally to go upstairs by the covered pool and do some art work ourselves.
We walked over a mile again today; that is the distance it takes to walk the deck 2 times and a few yards. It is generally pretty busy. The ship is large enough for thousands of passengers to spread out so it doesn't seem crowded, except at the lunch and breakfast buffets.
dennis
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