gigiboheme - Tumblr blog

[gigiboheme]

On a train headed to DC to say a final goodbye to my father. It's a bittersweet trip for sure but I will enjoy some of the sights while I'm there. It was his hometown and he did love to drag us around to see what's what. Meanwhile, coffee is in order. 😁

[gigiboheme]

Carnival Dream Review

Long story short, our cruise on the Carnival Dream wasn’t totally a nightmare but it was enough of a drag that I was sorely disappointed. For more details, please read on.

Embarkation was easy enough. Because I have issues with mobility and use a cane, and sometimes a walker, I was directed to the “Special Assistance” sections and lines which moved us along rapidly onto the ship. A word of warning, though: if you have trouble with distance walking like I do, get a wheelchair. I wish I would’ve not been so proud and had gotten one for myself. I paid heavily for it in terms of pain later on that first evening.

I did have a “modified” stateroom - 6207 - and it’s an 8A class balcony room that is starboard and forward, at the front right side of the ship. This presented a problem in that it was quite a haul sometimes to the elevator, but that would be an issue for me on most big ships. The room is quiet from a people-noise standpoint but of course, being forward, pitches and rolls quite a bit in anything other than calm seas, and the wind sounds are very strong at times. I enjoyed that sound, but some might not. Our steward was ace and kept us flush with towels although the room was serviced only once a day which I found odd.

Here’s a view from the door, and pardon the bed. My husband had already rolled around all over it when I took pics! It was much more nicely made when we arrived. To the left, just out of view, is a light, mirror and shelf, and some wall hooks and to the right, just out of view, is the door to the bathroom.

Here’s a view from the balcony door looking toward the stateroom door. Closets and desk area are on the right, just out of view, and the bed and chairs/table are on the left, just out of view. Bathroom door is on the left past the bed, across from the mirror/shelf/light on the right. On one hook there is a door tag for “Cruisin’” or “Snoozin’” to let your steward know when you’re open for room cleaning. Blank room service requests also hang here until you fill them in and put them on the outside door handle.

The stateroom was spacious enough for me and my husband but we travel light so others might find the storage (4 drawers) and closet space (two floor to ceiling) somewhat lacking. The fridge had no shelves and kept our bottled water cool but not cold. The hair dryer was okay but had a short cord and could not be used standing up. There is a bag to send out laundry but we did not take advantage of that service. The safe is small but usable for items like phones, wallets, jewelry. (Sorry, some pics are upside down and I can’t get them to flip!)

The bed and pillows were comfy, the linens were clean and smelled fresh, but they were worn, and I did notice holes in the room curtains. The nightstands have no drawers and not much surface space for things like books or glasses but there is storage underneath. There is a table and two chairs to the right of the bed. If you’re in a wheelchair and need that space for access, these can be easily relocated to the entry area under the mirror.

The balcony was adequate but I can’t envision a wheelchair being easily maneuvered out there, although there is a small ramp to allow for such. The deck chairs are narrow so unless you’re a skinny, good luck being comfy. Previous reviews from several years ago said that this was an obstructed balcony due to it being a steel bulkhead but that is not the case now. The plexiglass (or whatever is it) made for great views through the window and door. The curtains work well to keep out heat and sunlight as needed.

The bathroom was large and had plenty of hand rails. The sink is low and a wheelchair would fit there and its occupant be able to see into the mirror and use the sink, and there is an adjustable shaving/tweezing mirror. The shower is a roll in. There is a fold down seat, a rubber mat on the shower floor, and there are dispensers of shower gel and shampoo. I was not inclined to use those but my husband did and found them satisfactory, but this is a man who would bathe with a stick and straight lye so I don’t count his review as worthy. It might be good stuff but I didn’t try it out. I did use the bar soap provided and it was fair. My biggest issue with the bathroom: Mold. It smelled mildew-y and there was soap scum on the walls and mold under the mat. Other problems: the seat under the sink had three of four leg bases missing and, even with the shower curtain closed, the floor gets soaked and is extremely slippery which is a big safety issue for those of us with poor balance on dry land, much less in standing water on tile. You’ll need extra towels to keep yourself upright. (Note that these pics were post-cruise. Normally the bathroom was loaded with clean towels, hand towels, and washcloths.)

Now to the rest of it.

I’m from New Orleans and I know I’m a food snob because we having amazing cuisine but the Dream’s food didn’t even meet an overall standard of mediocre. The buffet was particularly obnoxious with the exception of the Mongolian Wok, which was okay. The seated dinner was fair but meats were routinely overcooked and group table diners were awkwardly served at different times, meaning your table mate got to watch you eat dinner while they waited for theirs. There was too much of a time lapse between serving for the normal “wait until all are served” rule. Room service was timely and friendly but breakfast items other than cereal were either stale or tasted off. The sandwiches got a pass from husband. I didn’t care for them. Overall the food gets an F grade and because eating is such an integral part of daily living, it really affected our trip in a negative way.

Teenagers and kids abound on the Dream, and I expected that, but what I didn’t expect was the lack of monitoring to keep them out of the adults-only Serenity area. At one point some under-21s were shouting and cursing - fuck this, fuck that, fuck you - and it got to the point that I stood up and pulled a grumpy granny act and told them to shut it. I then told the two very timid but sweet ladies behind the bar to step it up and either check IDs or call security. If you plan to be in a public area other than Serenity, expect tons of screaming, loud pop music, kids and teens, and all that comes with them (trash, crying, diapers, etc).

The spa was lovely. We got a Cloud 9 couples pass to the thalassotherapy pool and steam/sauna rooms and it was well worth the price. The pool in particular was amazing and we enjoyed it a lot. It was never too crowded for us to have a roomy spot. Spa prices were ridiculous for services but that’s a given on any cruise, and deals were forthcoming throughout our time on board. Staff was friendly, towels were abundant, areas were clean. The spa was the best part of the ship, hands down.

Our ports of call were Costa Maya and Cozumel. Both were way too tourist-y and of course that is expected, but Cozumel was flat-out ridiculous with the gauntlet of pushy people selling alcohol, cigs and diamonds that has to be traversed before getting to the actual areas where one can walk around freely and meet their excursion hosts, etc. We had a delicious meal and drinks at Three Amigos so that is recommended.

My biggest concern of the whole trip was the lack of cleaning in the public areas, as in, I didn’t see much of it happening. Also, while I did see hand sanitizer dispensers scattered here and there, their use was not encouraged and I saw maybe one of every 20 people use the hand sanitizer. Norovirus is a huge concern on any vessel holding thousands of people and I did not once see a crew member wiping down handrails, elevator doors and buttons, or anything else for that matter. I did see some haphazard table wiping in the dining area but otherwise, nada. I saw dining staff sneeze, cough, and touch faces and noses, and then touch tabletops and dishes. This alone made the trip a huge fail for me.

Disembarking was not well organized. There was supposedly an instructional flyer with details but I never could find one and the steward was clueless. We did get a customs declaration form and some luggage tags with a number on them stuck into our room’s “mailbox” but only from previous cruising experience did I know that those were for our luggage to be zoned by number and to have the bags out the night before port arrival so they could be picked up and placed into our zone. We eventually discovered a channel on the TV that had the very sweet “Emily the Unicorn” discussing disembarking procedure and that was helpful. Still, it took us 3+ hours to get off the ship. We chose to have our bags picked up the night before so we expected a wait, but not that much of one. We got kicked out of our room about halfway through the wait time and hid in the library (in comfy seats) while we waited for our zone number to be called. Again, if distance walking is an issue, go to Special Assistance and request a wheelchair. Due to long lines and standing, I was in tears by the time I got to our ride’s vehicle.

In summary, I wanted to like our time on the Dream. I really did. It was a five-day getaway for me and my husband for which we’d had much anticipation. His vacation time is extremely limited and even though we enjoyed the spa and were able to relax a bit, I feel like his time was wasted on a subpar experience. I have only ever been on the QM2 and perhaps that has me terribly spoiled but the total sum of negatives didn’t allow the Dream to be a dream for me. I won’t be repeating the experience.

[gigiboheme]

The Gulf of Mexico looks a bit moody from deck and it’s calm now but it won’t be for long. There’s a rough 18 hours or so coming up and I’m not looking forward to it.

[gigiboheme]

Cozumel, Mexico

[gigiboheme]

Wow, America the Beautiful, right? I do pine terribly for Ireland and Cornwall but there is so much here in the USA to enchant the senses. I’m nowhere near recovered enough to return to hiking but one day I will be and a trip to Glacier National Park would be a fabulous present to myself in celebration.

May it be so.

(Photo Credit: Unknown)

[gigiboheme]

Here's a pic from my trip last summer, from the Ireland part of my journey, and what I wouldn't give to be there now! I felt such a strong connection to that green land, a sense of happiness and peace, a lightness of being, and I feel an immense longing when I look at this image. Little did I know when I got so sick in a Kilkenny pub that I'd just thrown a huge pulmonary embolism. Death was perched on the stool next to me giving me the side eye as I chalked up my gasping breaths to the bartender as a respiratory bug. I'm grateful that for some reason I was smiled down upon and made it home alive... and here I am still... sick, yes... but here.

A toast of thanks, then, on this fine St. Patrick’s Day, to my Galway people, Hugh Patrick Rowan and Mary Meehan, for making the long trek to New Orleans in search of a better life and for joining the family tree that eventually led to me, to good health, that I continue on the path toward it, and to Ireland, for being its glorious self.. 

I pray my feet will one day again touch that soil. May it be so.

[gigiboheme]

It’s been one month and four days since my initial diagnosis of a DVT in my right popliteal vein which was followed the next day by a diagnosis of multiple bilateral pulmonary embolisms with pulmonary infarct. It’s been a terrifying and painful month, to say the least. I’ve been exhausted, short of breath, and extremely anxious when I think about how close I came to dying, and I wonder what the future holds for me now. Even in the short time since diagnosis, I’ve been changed in so many ways, and I am grateful for every single day I am given.

Today is World Thrombosis Day. Please take some time today to do some reading about the risk factors associated with blood clots, learn about the symptoms, and always remember to be your own best advocate. You know your body and if you feel something is wrong, persist until you get what you need in terms of diagnostic testing and treatment. Despite my years of RN experience, I never knew exactly how scary the statistics are regarding VTE until I began to educate myself. Talk about eye-opening!

Here are some great resource sites to learn more:

http://bloodclotrecovery.net/

http://www.clotconnect.org/

http://www.stoptheclot.org/

To my fellow world wanderers, you especially should take heed and make yourselves very familiar with the signs and symptoms of VTE. Mine happened in Ireland, while doing tons of walking no less, so don’t think it’s just for older people or those who don’t move around. It truly can happen to anyone.

Please help me build awareness by liking or sharing this post! 

[gigiboheme]

Moon view from my bed, and the double-paned glass makes for an interesting effect. #MoonBaby

[gigiboheme]

Moonlight and beer... #MarkeysBar #NOLA #SuperMoonSoon

[gigiboheme]

The “Back to Real Life” Blues

16 August 2015

It’s been approximately two weeks, two days and 19 hours since I landed in New Orleans after eight very amazing and beautiful weeks of wandering around Ireland and the UK. I’ve reveled in the joy and relief of being back in the presence of family and pups, I’m unpacked and caught up on sleep, have managed to visit with most of my friends and hand out the small gifts I bought and collected with them in mind, and I’m mostly back into the swing of prepping for the upcoming “high season” of Autumn and all that brings... but... I’ve been in a totally weird state of mind since about a day after I got home. At first I thought it was just me being tired and out of sorts, but rest and a return to routine didn’t make me feel better. A Facebook friend recently joked about “post-vacation depression” and just today, a very good friend talked about the catharsis of writing in her own post, and I realized I’ve been avoiding writing so as not to face that I might actually have a case of the “back to real life” blues. WTF? 

Even though I moved around a fair bit through Ireland and Southwest UK so I could experience as many sights as possible, two months of immersion in another culture and spending so much time alone is bound to have an effect on one’s way of thinking, you know? I went through a lot of self-discovery during my time away, and personal and professional changes were decided and are in the process of being implemented. In short, this life that was fully mine before June 1st feels so strange to me now as I dismantle it for a rebuild and I think that’s got me out of sorts. I’m sure these reality blues will pass soon enough but meanwhile I’m thinking, “Suck it up, cupcake! You’ve got too much to do to be wallowing!” 

Where’s the monkey barrel?

[gigiboheme]

Such a good girl... #HeidiFeist

[gigiboheme]

30 July 2015

Headed Home

Here I am at 34,000 feet and what a view, eh? It seems a fitting closure to my trip to be high in the sky with the Beautiful Moon. While my trip has been amazing beyond words and I will be forever grateful at the opportunity, being away from my family was very difficult for me... but I think being with myself, alone, was just as hard. 

At any rate, I am headed home... and the person who left 60 days ago is not the person who is returning.

Other people might not like it but I am very glad for it.

[gigiboheme]

22 July 2015

Thoughts on Ireland

After Sister’s trip and fall at the end of our time in Wales, and the subsequent diagnosis of fracture and “see an orthopedic surgeon” as soon as possible, I found myself going it solo in Ireland. I have to say I was pretty deflated. I actually going to cancel the whole Ireland itinerary and head back to the UK, with thoughts of heading down to France for a while. I wanted to be in Ireland too but it didn’t seem right to be wandering the place she was so excited to see and experience, you know? I’d prepaid for the car rental, however, and they were not inclined to refund my money for the unused days so... there I was.

Because she was in denial and tried to tough it out for two days after her fall, we actually had made it to Ireland via the Stenaline ferry from Wales over to Rosslare and then to Waterford, where I finally stomped my own foot and took her to the local hospital and she was diagnosed. While I was technically in Waterford, I didn’t get to see much of it because we were trying to coordinate her sudden trip home. After a brief trip to Kilkenny so she could wave at Smithwick’s Brewery and drink a pint, I sadly packed her and her crutches off to the US via Aer Lingus out of Dublin, and there I was, all alone in the land of Leprechauns and Guinness.

I went from the Dublin airport straight down to Cork, keeping to our previous itinerary. Cork felt historic and eclectic, and it was quite a busy place. I liked it. From there I swung up to Galway where I stayed at a lovely place I found on Airbnb. Galway is freakin’ awesome! Very energetic and artsy, lots of music and great little pubs. The 27th Annual Film Fleadh was in progress so there were lots of dramatic sorts in town. I took a gorgeous ride down the Coast Road to see the Cliffs of Moher. I found the “Cliff Experience” to be slightly touristy but the cliffs themselves were just stunning, and the drive there and back was equally as stunning. From Galway I went to Killarney and the Ring of Kerry. OMG I can’t even describe the beauty. I was just in awe and it was hard to drive because I kept looking out of the window to see what was next. From Killarney I went to Kilkenny which started out pretty awful due to a horrible Airbnb experience (worthy of its own post) but then it got awesome. I enjoyed Kyteler’s Inn, the High Street, Kilkenny Castle and several other local attractions, and then reluctantly headed back to Rosslare to catch the ferry back to the UK. 

I am too lazy to document every single experience but suffice to say it was a whirlwind two weeks and, with the exception of the B&B fiasco, I loved every second. The food and drink were delicious, the city centres were fun and lively, there was a castle or a ruin around every bend, but I just couldn’t get enough of the countryside. I fell in love with the remote areas and the green green green rolling hills with sheep and cows and deer, and thatch-roof cottages, and the variation of the terrain from rugged to lush. The people were also amazing: friendly, welcoming and genuinely invested in me enjoying their home. 

My feeling overall in Ireland was one of stepping back in time but it is also modern and edgy in certain places and so offers something for everyone. It is a fantastic place and I will definitely go back again one day.

[gigiboheme]

14 July 2015

Wales... for now.

I know I’ve been promising a ‘Thoughts on Wales’ post but I still have a lot to think about before I put it into words. It really was the roughest part of our trip for several reasons but I want to do the place justice so, for now, that post sits in a draft. It’ll go up eventually!

Meanwhile, however, here are a few pics of my favorite places in Wales: Newgale Beach, The Old Pharmacy Tea Room in Solva, St. David’s Cathedral, and the Coast Path at St. Justinians. So gorgeous! I’ll be catching up on posting soon enough - ‘Thoughts on Ireland’ coming up - so watch this space!

[gigiboheme]

This is the story of my life since arriving in England, LOL! Thank goodness for GPS/Sat Nav because there’s no telling where we’d be by now, although getting lost has been half the fun. We’ve seen some beautiful sights and have met some fabulous friendly people! 

[gigiboheme]

25 June 2015

Tummy Trouble in Wales

We’ve ridden the rails from NOLA to NYC, been tossed (gently) on the high seas of the Atlantic Ocean, I hired and mastered a stick-shift English car to traverse the hilly and narrow-laned countryside of this stunningly beautiful country, and along the way thus far we have had an amazing time... and then we arrived in Wales. Beautiful glorious Wales, which we’ve long been looking forward to exploring... but it seems I have now been felled by something nasty and microscopic. It’s to the point that I’ll be seeking out a chemist for some advice, and I suspect some OptiBac probiotics will offer a lot of relief - please, Goddess! - but meanwhile, we’re forced to stick close to the lodging. To add insult to injury, Sister’s pre-trip knee blow out has made its presence known quite voraciously after Tuesday’s marathon of very physical climbs up hills and on beaches, and despite anti-inflammatory meds and a knee brace, she is hobbling quite a bit and is currently laying in bed, pissed off that she is missing today’s castle and sight-seeing run with the Picton Reunion group. Between her misbehaving knee and my chronic hip issues coupled with stomach rumblings that can be heard a mile away, we have turned into house-bound hags. Sigh.

At some point today I will attempt a run into the nearby big (not) city to get those probiotics so I can get these tummy issues settled. Hopefully a day of rest and some heavy-duty epsom salt baths will help Sister get back on her feet, and I’ve been dealing with my hip pain and dysfunction for years and so will carry on as I usually do. Meanwhile, I have reminded her - and myself - that we’ve still got a week here in Wales to meander about, see what we wanted to see, and I think a day or two of rest in this adorable lodge, surrounded by crows, rabbits, and seagulls, will do us some good. 

Wales is telling us to slow down... and is not taking no for an answer! 

[gigiboheme]

19 June 2015

Some Thoughts on Cornwall

I feel a bit bad about starting with this, but I have to admit that last week’s departure from mildly frenetic, no parking in sight, quirky-fun Exeter (and the very scary beginnings of my UK driving experience - holy shit) didn’t make me wistful in the slightest. Although I thoroughly enjoyed being there - Exeter held a lot of awesome tourista-type treats (Exeter Cathedral, anyone?) - I was ready to move along and saying goodbye was easy. It’s been a rough time for me over the last several years - financial struggles, health and mobility issues, stress of all kinds, big decisions to be made, the death of my father, and more - and I have really been looking forward to the kind of soul-filling that only a hard-core session with Mother Nature can provide. As we rolled down the A30 and into Cornwall, I knew almost right away that I would adore her and she would offer up to me exactly what I needed. Talk about a visual smorgasbord! There was literally not one bad view from the Devon/Cornwall border all the way into Truro. The hills were just steep enough to offer stunning views of hedgerow-lined fields, green-on-green, peppered with flowers and sheep and windmills. The roads were smooth, the roundabouts were navigable even with my minimal UK road skill, the sun was shining and I felt like I was rolling into a slice of Heaven on Earth. Arriving at Bodrean Manor Farm was the buttercream icing on the almond cake. A bumpy tree-darkened one-lane road opened up into fields of sweet hay, cows and sheep, ducks and crows, and ended at a 400-year-old farmhouse. When I opened the car door and it smelled a thousand times better than any “laundry fresh” dryer sheet, my eyes filled with tears of relief and gratitude.

We’ve spent the week alternately enjoying “lazy days” on the farm and exploring the surrounding towns. Truro’s “Town Centre” was completely delightful with its friendly folk, fab little shops, the Truro Cathedral, Northernhay Gardens, and the wonderful Cornwall Family History Society where I was able to spend some time working on my Lathlean/Nankivell genealogy research. Penzance was so fun - pirates everywhere, fresh seafood at the Dolphin Tavern, and delicious cider at the 13th century Turk’s Head pub topped the list of our fun - and Marazion was absolutely breathtaking in every way (and I WILL return there one day for a proper stay). Our trip to Calstock and St. Andrew’s Church and Cemetery was a bit hairy (the driving video Sister took was filled with screeches of fear, laughter, and profanity) but the drive down 30 miles worth of cow lanes was so worth it. To put my feet on the same piece of earth where my ancestors walked was extremely profound, and it moved me very deeply. I did not know them in the flesh but I have been reminded that I am connected nonetheless. A gift was graciously offered up to me, one was given in return with sincerest gratitude, and my heart is now full with the knowledge that I have visited that sacred place. 

After another fabulous day today of driving and exploring - Pendennis Castle and Falmouth, to be precise - Sister and I are spending our last night in Cornwall eating lasagna and sitting in front of BBC TV watching “The Chase” (I’m totally crushing on the Beast; Sister says it’s because he reminds me of Husband, LOL) and basically we’re chilling a bit before we begin the tedious job of packing up and loading the car. The loft door is open and the breeze is drifting in, the birds are chirping, the stunning gardens are in view through the windows. I’m happy, calm and relaxed, and despite sore leg muscles, feeling good... but there really are no words adequate to describe how I feel inside as I sit here. While I’m so excited to be moving forward in our trip’s itinerary, leaving this beautiful place will be bittersweet. 

Dearest Cornwall, you are definitely a “proper job” in every way and I thank you. I must say farewell for now, but definitely not goodbye forever, because I know in my heart that I must return to you again one day!