five on friday (cruise edition)

Last week, we took a family vacation. It was our first winter vacation, and to say it was delightful would underestimate just how lovely it was! While we were sitting on a beach swimming and soaking up rays, our town was experiencing yet another wintery episode. Today's five on friday is a run-down of our week at sea!

1. We boarded a Carnival Cruise on Monday. Although we knew Carnival had a reputation of being a "party boat," it was evident from the get-go that we were on no such thing! More than 50% of our shipmates were long past the age of retirement, and the remaining passengers were definitely not the partying type! Apparently, our ship was home to a Gospel-Singing Conference, but the witnessing tracts in the tampon dispensers were proof that we were not among many party-animals!

2. Well, that was true until Evening #2. As part of the evening dining room entertainment, the waiter drug me out of my seat to dance. Despite being mortified, I mustered up some non-rhythmic, white girl dance moves that are hopefully not etched in any person's memory. Luckily there is no video of my rug-cutting, but I do have one still shot of my debut to "Apple Bottom Jeans." The look on my face says it all!

3. Speaking of pictures... I was a little overwhelmed by all the photographers begging to take our pictures each night. Cruise pictures aren't exactly my style, but even if they were, who would need 8 million of them? We managed to dodge them each night, but many of the other passengers weren't so lucky. A few nights I sat back and watched the photographers at work. I don't claim to be a photographer, but I'm certain the next few poses were inappropriate for senior citizens. In fact, I'm not sure that a person of any age wants to have their head shoved in an artificial plant. Just a thought, sir... just a thought!

4. Our boat docked in Calica, Mexico and Cozumel, Mexico. In Cozumel, we shopped and hung out at the beach, but in Calica we went to a park and spent the day. Among many other things, we swam in a cool(as in chilly) underground river, saw a variety of wild animals/ sea creatures, and watched a tribal dance. Jack insisted on riding a boat that we had seen in the brochure, so we concluded our day with that. We had no idea they would ask us to ride silently or we might have chosen another activity. Silence with strangers is always awkward. Fortunately, some loud three-year old broke the muteness by proudly announcing "I POOTED!" In case you were wondering, there was only one three-year-old on the boat... and he looked a lot like this little boy (minus the cheetos):

5. And in conclusion.... I don't care what state, country, or continent I am on, I will never get used to this site. Grown men should not be allowed to parade around in this manner!