Rome/Barcelona Oct/Nov 2018 – Day 7 (I think) 10/31/18 – On the High Seas – at least the Mediterranean

Before I get into today, a word about the storm of a couple of days ago.  Sharon and I treated it like it was a normal storm.  Sharon especially is used to wind storms up where she lives.  But apparently this storm was anything but normal.  I guess the consulate didn’t overreact with their warning.  Hearing about the flooding in Venice was surreal, as we were there this time last year.  Hopefully we don’t get anymore catastrophic weather on our trip.

Today was basically getting from Rome to Civitavecchia in order to board our ship, the Norwegian Epic.  We had no issues getting to the train, and settled in for an hours trip to the coast.  We sat with a young newlywed couple from Ohio, Chris and Kaitlyn, who were on their honeymoon.  Chris was wearing a YoungLife shirt, so I started talking to him.  He is an Area Director, and said the shirt is an automatic conversation starter for anybody who has been involved in the program.  Since my brother and I both had been part of YoungLife, it was a great ice breaker.

The two had spent two full days in Italy, then were heading for the same cruise we were on.  they had been married the week before, she had moved from a different city to his, then they were on the trip.  Too be in the mid twenties again, and have that kind of energy!

We got to the harbor in Civitavecchia at about 2pm, and were able to board with no crowds.  The weather was aweful, however.  Rainy and dark, but once inside the ship, it didn’t matter.  We found our cabin, then went and had lunch.  I have a feeling that this cruise is going to have a lot about food.  I’m not a foodie by any stretch, but the meals today were amazing.  I had a Caesar Salad with Blackened Salmon.  It was just the right size for a light lunch, and was incredible.

After our lifeboat drill, we had dinner reservations at one of the speciality restaurants – Moderno.  This was a traditional Brazilian restaurant with some of the best meats I’ve ever had.  We started with the salad bar, where I got roasted provolone, smoked salmon and salad.  Bread came with the meal, a traditional Brazilian hot bread with Parmesan and Mozzarella cheeses baked in.  Then came the meats.  They brought them each to the table on huge skewers and sliced off a portion.  There were chicken, fillet, sirloin, lamb, and others.  All were wonderfully seasoned and melt in your mouth.  It was an amazing meal.

Then we sat on our balcony in the stern, and watched as the ship pulled out.  To watch the coast of Italy disappear was something else.  As we were getting underway, I caught something out of the corner of my eye, and got the start of my life.  Our cabin steward was at our balcony door, wanting him to introduce himself. It was like something out of a bad Halloween movie!  He’d knocked, but we hadn’t heard him.

Now we’re settled in for the night.  The ship will be rocking, I have no doubt, but I’m not a party animal, and never have been.  I’m finishing this and going to bed.  I love being out on the water, and I’ve missed it.  Growing up with a Dad who was a Marine Biologist working for NOAA, and being in the Seattle area, I spent a lot of time on the water.  It felt good to stand out on the stern balcony, watching the lines cast off, and the pilot boat hovering around as we got under way.  Seeing the wake, and watching the white seagulls fly against the black of the sky felt good.  Looking forward to the next four days.