So, the blog isn't really meant to handle so many pictures. Instead, i've begun to upload to webshots. Enjoy!
http://community.webshots.com/user/snoopmt1
Monday, March 9, 2009
Pictures
So, I'm back safe in Cincinnati where the internet is free and plentiful. I'm going to start posting pictures. There are way too many to really do captions for everything. Since I've been to some ports multiple times, some groups of pictures represent different days in the same place. Enjoy and ask any questions you may have!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
last night on ship
I had some things to blog about before I left. I visited Malaga for a third time and bought some really cool gifts for my sister. I overpayed for a simple lunch at a bar. Etc. But, 5 beers into my going away party of sorts with the band, I don't much have the patience for that. The crew bar was a big love fest tonight. Hugs and kisses all around. In addition to my parents, I now have multiple other places to stay in NY if I ever need. The funny thing about drinking is that you mean every word you say, but it's not necessarily what you would have said if you were sober.
Because I had shows tonight after my luggage had to be checked, I'll be carrying my black shoes around all tomorrow.
I've already been asked back to this ship over the summer. The band master is due for a vacation again and I'm the obvious choice for a replacement. I'm not sure yet if I'll come back to ships. The saying I've used most often on the ship (but not my favorite saying...Fav) is that some days you feel like you're stealing money and other days you feel like you earn every penny. On this ship, I had the pleasure of working with some of the best musicians and singers I have ever worked with. I also had to work with some of the most undertalented, over-obnoxious people I have ever had to deal with.
Overall, my cruise ship experience has been successful. It's been about 50% the paid vacation that my family and friends seemed to assume it would be, and 50% the hard work I was pretty sure it would be. The bottom line is that I've now visited Rome, Athens, Cairo, Canary Islands, Madeira, Malta, Casablanca, Barcelona, and Malaga while being paid and working with highly talented people. Oh, and drinking $1 beer nightly.
Stay tuned to my blog because when I get home and the internet is fast and free, I'll be posting all my pictures. Including me on a camel at the pyramids.
For those in Cincinnati, I'd like to get anyone interested together at Hofbrauhaus (in honor of all the beerfest sets I've played on board) this coming weekend (not sure Friday or Saturday yet).
Thank you so much for reading my blog and for some of you, posting responses. I look forward to real water, real air, and the two Lost episodes I have yet to see.
Because I had shows tonight after my luggage had to be checked, I'll be carrying my black shoes around all tomorrow.
I've already been asked back to this ship over the summer. The band master is due for a vacation again and I'm the obvious choice for a replacement. I'm not sure yet if I'll come back to ships. The saying I've used most often on the ship (but not my favorite saying...Fav) is that some days you feel like you're stealing money and other days you feel like you earn every penny. On this ship, I had the pleasure of working with some of the best musicians and singers I have ever worked with. I also had to work with some of the most undertalented, over-obnoxious people I have ever had to deal with.
Overall, my cruise ship experience has been successful. It's been about 50% the paid vacation that my family and friends seemed to assume it would be, and 50% the hard work I was pretty sure it would be. The bottom line is that I've now visited Rome, Athens, Cairo, Canary Islands, Madeira, Malta, Casablanca, Barcelona, and Malaga while being paid and working with highly talented people. Oh, and drinking $1 beer nightly.
Stay tuned to my blog because when I get home and the internet is fast and free, I'll be posting all my pictures. Including me on a camel at the pyramids.
For those in Cincinnati, I'd like to get anyone interested together at Hofbrauhaus (in honor of all the beerfest sets I've played on board) this coming weekend (not sure Friday or Saturday yet).
Thank you so much for reading my blog and for some of you, posting responses. I look forward to real water, real air, and the two Lost episodes I have yet to see.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
cagney's
With my stay on the ship winding down, I'm taking the opportunity to do some goodbye things. Tonight I took a picture with my band, for example. I'll post it when I get home. Another thing I have yet to do is visit the steakhouse on board. Although there are some free places to eat for the passengers, most of the theme restaurants have cover charges. Our steak house has a $20 cover. The nice thing about cover charge is that once you're in, you can order (almost) anything off the menu all for the same price. 3 appetizers, 2 sides, a second entree, 2 desserts, all for the same cover.
Here was my $20 meal tonight: Ahi tuna caprezzi, caesar salad (the best I've ever had, with a little tobasco), rib eye steak, mashed potatos, onion rings, and for dessert, cheesecake and apple crisp with vanilla ice cream. Oh, and some tea afterwards. Even at TGI Fridays, that's not a $20 meal.
The only thing that ruined it only slightly was that I had to leave dinner in order to play a solo set in the atrium. I decided to do a set of Broadway favorites. I was sad my grandma wasn't there because I played one of her favorite songs, The Best of Times is Now. I don't mind playing, but it was sad to leave a wonderful meal to work. Oh well.
Today is Wednesday. Thursday, Friday, Saturday...fly on Sunday!
Since this has been a food post, I should follow up on an earlier post. After wondering about losing weight, I have sadly gained weight while I've been on the ship. I have been pretty lazy about working out and I certainly eat my share. Also, there's a soft serve ice cream machine in the staff mess. What's a guy to do?
Here was my $20 meal tonight: Ahi tuna caprezzi, caesar salad (the best I've ever had, with a little tobasco), rib eye steak, mashed potatos, onion rings, and for dessert, cheesecake and apple crisp with vanilla ice cream. Oh, and some tea afterwards. Even at TGI Fridays, that's not a $20 meal.
The only thing that ruined it only slightly was that I had to leave dinner in order to play a solo set in the atrium. I decided to do a set of Broadway favorites. I was sad my grandma wasn't there because I played one of her favorite songs, The Best of Times is Now. I don't mind playing, but it was sad to leave a wonderful meal to work. Oh well.
Today is Wednesday. Thursday, Friday, Saturday...fly on Sunday!
Since this has been a food post, I should follow up on an earlier post. After wondering about losing weight, I have sadly gained weight while I've been on the ship. I have been pretty lazy about working out and I certainly eat my share. Also, there's a soft serve ice cream machine in the staff mess. What's a guy to do?
Monday, March 2, 2009
5 more days
I come home in 5 days. I realized this morning that my flight gets into Atlanta at 4pm and doesn't leave for CVG until 9:30. That's no fun. Fortunately, I'm flying with two of my favorite people from the ship and they're currently trying to get us seats together. They're a lounge act. She's from Australia and he's from Texas. Great great people.
I started packing tonight which was very exciting! I can't wait to get back.
I started packing tonight which was very exciting! I can't wait to get back.
Friday, February 27, 2009
randomness
So, I received my flight info a couple of days ago. I have 8 days left on board! 7 weeks has gone by amazingly quickly. My posts haven't involved my work life since things have pretty much become routine.
I'm realizing now that the monday question day lasted...a single day. So, while I'm still blogging about this, I'll try to spend my next couple of days answering any remaining questions.
I went out to Malta the other day. I got to give my mom a call through Skype and also talk to my Fav on her way to work. I think she was a little jealous that she was driving to work while I was sipping wine overlooking the Mediterranean in Malta.
The new incoming cast came this week. This means that in addition to shows at night with the current cast, there are rehearsals during the day with the new cast. I'm not sure how much time I'll get off the boat this cruise which is sad.
I miss Cincinnati a lot. Once I get over my jet lag (6 hr difference), I think I'm going to get some Wild Mike's wings and maybe even some skyline Chili.
And, finally, my hero for the week is Kelly because she's going to pick me up from the airport! My hero for the month is of course, Brieghan, for driving my car while I'm gone.
And, post-finally, a room service update. Tonight I needed a snack to eat while cleaning my room. So, I ordered a turkey sandwich with chips and a fruit plate. It was rather good. You hear that, breighan? Turkey sandwich, chips, and fruit plate. I expect that to be on hand in case I call you for room service.
I'm realizing now that the monday question day lasted...a single day. So, while I'm still blogging about this, I'll try to spend my next couple of days answering any remaining questions.
I went out to Malta the other day. I got to give my mom a call through Skype and also talk to my Fav on her way to work. I think she was a little jealous that she was driving to work while I was sipping wine overlooking the Mediterranean in Malta.
The new incoming cast came this week. This means that in addition to shows at night with the current cast, there are rehearsals during the day with the new cast. I'm not sure how much time I'll get off the boat this cruise which is sad.
I miss Cincinnati a lot. Once I get over my jet lag (6 hr difference), I think I'm going to get some Wild Mike's wings and maybe even some skyline Chili.
And, finally, my hero for the week is Kelly because she's going to pick me up from the airport! My hero for the month is of course, Brieghan, for driving my car while I'm gone.
And, post-finally, a room service update. Tonight I needed a snack to eat while cleaning my room. So, I ordered a turkey sandwich with chips and a fruit plate. It was rather good. You hear that, breighan? Turkey sandwich, chips, and fruit plate. I expect that to be on hand in case I call you for room service.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Cairo
The day started with one mission: see the pyamids.
Step 1: getting there.
We knew haggling was the name of the game. You walk off the ship and there is a parking lot filled with blue taxi cabs. The cabbies are standing in a big bunch chatting. We had decided ahead of time that we were aiming to pay $150 US roundtrip. Negotiatons started at $200. We started at about $120. The guitar player did most of the talking and we ended up at exaCtly $150.
If you've never driven in Egypt, now is not the time to start. Many of you will try to picture being in a cab in Manhatten. That is not a helpful image. There were traffic lights at intersections...sometimes. But it didn't matter. People ignored them anyway. There were lines on the road showing where lanes were, but it didn't matter because people didn't really stay within them anyway. At some intersections it wwas just a mass of cars trying to all go in contrasting directions as they could manage. Some cars coming across the intersection from the left ended up on the shoulder of the road facing us, trying to turn their trip straight across the intersection into a right turn from the wrong direction. Pedestrians were on their own to cross the street in between moving cars.
Once on the open highway, our driver's technique was as follows: drive fast in the left lane. If you're about to pass cars, honk and flash your lights in case they might decide to switch lanes. If there's someone in front of you, honk and flash your lights to get them to move over. Honking was more to anounce his presence than anything else. The driver, William, spoke English quite well. He was about 25-30 years old and had spent a year in the Egyptian army, which is mandatory if you're educated. If not, you are required to be in the army for 3 years. After 3 hours, we (somehow) arrived in Cairo.
Step 2: seeing the pyramids
Just as we were arriving, William informed us that he had a friend there that gave camel tours. For $40 (plus tip) we would be taken to see all the pyramids, a panoramic view of the entire area, and the sphynx. Another $12 bought us tickets inside a building right next to the Sphynx.
When you see pictures of the pyramids, it looks like there's desert for miles. In reality, there's a parking lot with shops and a sand-colored Hard Rock cafe right at the edge of the desert. We paid the guide ahead of time and before I knew it, I was on a camel with a white sheet covering my head from the sun. My two friends began the day on horses.
As we hit the sand, the tour guide reminded us that we were on the very edge of the Sahara Desert.
Although the tour took almost 2 hours, it's hard to describe it in detail. Keep in mind that for the majority of the trip, there was a 10 year old boy leading the camel on foot. At one point, we slowly rode up to the biggest of the three big pyramids. We dismounted our transportation and walked up to the pyramid. The 5,000 year old pyramid built by 100,000 slaves in 30 years. The guide had us climb up about 3 steps. At the base, steps are about chest high or so. After climbing 3 steps, the tour guide took pictures of us. I saw a loose piece of the pyramid that had fallen down and was sitting on the ledge. This soon became my souvenir for my dad. A small piece of a 5000 year old pyramid.
Top 3 surprising things about the pyramids that you doni't see in pictures:
1. Next to the 3 giant pyramids there are smaller pyramids about 1/3 the size.
2. There is a parking lot and Hard Rock Cafe no more than 200 yds from the pyramids.
3. The Sphynx is considerably smaller than you might think. It does not tower over the desert but is only maybe 1 or 2 stories high.
Step 3: Getting home
After 3 hours on the way up, William's driving had become uneventful. It was getting dark and we were tired. I slept a little of the way, but mostly watching the desert scenery (including Ali Baba's palace of "and the 40 thieves" fame.
We arrived back on the ship and I had an amzing hot shower. One of the top 5 best hot showers I've ever had, not that I can name the other 4.
So, in the span of 6 days, I saw the Collosseum in Rome, the Acropolis in Athens, and the pyramids in Cairo. The three of us, who had gone on all of these trips, agreed that this might be the most incredible week any of us will ever have. And my trip to the pyramids was the most amazing day I've ever had.
Step 1: getting there.
We knew haggling was the name of the game. You walk off the ship and there is a parking lot filled with blue taxi cabs. The cabbies are standing in a big bunch chatting. We had decided ahead of time that we were aiming to pay $150 US roundtrip. Negotiatons started at $200. We started at about $120. The guitar player did most of the talking and we ended up at exaCtly $150.
If you've never driven in Egypt, now is not the time to start. Many of you will try to picture being in a cab in Manhatten. That is not a helpful image. There were traffic lights at intersections...sometimes. But it didn't matter. People ignored them anyway. There were lines on the road showing where lanes were, but it didn't matter because people didn't really stay within them anyway. At some intersections it wwas just a mass of cars trying to all go in contrasting directions as they could manage. Some cars coming across the intersection from the left ended up on the shoulder of the road facing us, trying to turn their trip straight across the intersection into a right turn from the wrong direction. Pedestrians were on their own to cross the street in between moving cars.
Once on the open highway, our driver's technique was as follows: drive fast in the left lane. If you're about to pass cars, honk and flash your lights in case they might decide to switch lanes. If there's someone in front of you, honk and flash your lights to get them to move over. Honking was more to anounce his presence than anything else. The driver, William, spoke English quite well. He was about 25-30 years old and had spent a year in the Egyptian army, which is mandatory if you're educated. If not, you are required to be in the army for 3 years. After 3 hours, we (somehow) arrived in Cairo.
Step 2: seeing the pyramids
Just as we were arriving, William informed us that he had a friend there that gave camel tours. For $40 (plus tip) we would be taken to see all the pyramids, a panoramic view of the entire area, and the sphynx. Another $12 bought us tickets inside a building right next to the Sphynx.
When you see pictures of the pyramids, it looks like there's desert for miles. In reality, there's a parking lot with shops and a sand-colored Hard Rock cafe right at the edge of the desert. We paid the guide ahead of time and before I knew it, I was on a camel with a white sheet covering my head from the sun. My two friends began the day on horses.
As we hit the sand, the tour guide reminded us that we were on the very edge of the Sahara Desert.
Although the tour took almost 2 hours, it's hard to describe it in detail. Keep in mind that for the majority of the trip, there was a 10 year old boy leading the camel on foot. At one point, we slowly rode up to the biggest of the three big pyramids. We dismounted our transportation and walked up to the pyramid. The 5,000 year old pyramid built by 100,000 slaves in 30 years. The guide had us climb up about 3 steps. At the base, steps are about chest high or so. After climbing 3 steps, the tour guide took pictures of us. I saw a loose piece of the pyramid that had fallen down and was sitting on the ledge. This soon became my souvenir for my dad. A small piece of a 5000 year old pyramid.
Top 3 surprising things about the pyramids that you doni't see in pictures:
1. Next to the 3 giant pyramids there are smaller pyramids about 1/3 the size.
2. There is a parking lot and Hard Rock Cafe no more than 200 yds from the pyramids.
3. The Sphynx is considerably smaller than you might think. It does not tower over the desert but is only maybe 1 or 2 stories high.
Step 3: Getting home
After 3 hours on the way up, William's driving had become uneventful. It was getting dark and we were tired. I slept a little of the way, but mostly watching the desert scenery (including Ali Baba's palace of "and the 40 thieves" fame.
We arrived back on the ship and I had an amzing hot shower. One of the top 5 best hot showers I've ever had, not that I can name the other 4.
So, in the span of 6 days, I saw the Collosseum in Rome, the Acropolis in Athens, and the pyramids in Cairo. The three of us, who had gone on all of these trips, agreed that this might be the most incredible week any of us will ever have. And my trip to the pyramids was the most amazing day I've ever had.
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