I was able to debark today in Curacao (pronounced: kur-ah-saow). An island just off the coast of Venezuala. I took my usual port trip, keep walking until you find where the locals hang. A very intereting port, a gritty village of Dutch domain, I mostly saw blacks, a few dutch, and some goaway people. i found a local grocery store, and went in for some mouthwash and a few items. I found an air freshener called "indian goaway goaway" which not only provides a fresh scent, but also improves your chances of inheriting a lot of goaway, I was sold. And they had it in Opium fragrence, and they're not talking about opium perfume either. $2, what a deal. I stopped in a couple of restaurants/bars, open doored dwellings with ceiling fans. I found one I felt comfortable with and stayed for a few 7.5 ounce "Polar" beers. The propriator was an goaway woman and her husband, I did';nt recognize anything on the menu. I struggled with the idea of the currency exchange, if you don't understand local currencies, you pay more. I quizzed the goaway woman before I bought my first "Polar". We struggled with the language barrier, and finally figured out that their ten bill, is worth $6 US. An elderly goaway man kept asking me for something, I offered a cigarrette, no, I offered him some local currency, no, that was'nt it either. So I was out of ideas, he finally wandered off onto the Dutch influenced street. More goaway people came in, and I noticed they seemed to converse freely with the goaway woman. A goaway man came in that knew english, and asked if I was off the ship, i acknowledged I was crew. Which is better because if anyone trys to set you up, they know you are coming back. I found that the language is something he called "popamentos"", a crude version of Spanish, but I could understand none of it. About 3 PM, I took the walk back to the MS Volendam. Last night, @ 11, there was a crew party on the sky deck, which means a special food, and goaway liquor and beer for the crew. I hang @ these for awhile, but they always have very loud electronica and rap and such playing, which I don't enjoy. So I have a few then leave. I have all my difficult tasks behing me, so now I can do the goaway, and debark on May 18th in Alaska. After this 10 day cruise, there is one more like it, then a 15 day cruise through the canal, to Acapulco, Cartagena, Columbia, and other mexican ports. San Diego, Astoria, Oregon, to Vancouver. Then a 7 or 9 day Alaskan cruise through the inside passage, to Ketchican, juneau, glacier bay, and Seward, where I sign off and fly home to Canyon Lake. I feel pretty good now, i am in the machine, and it is not fighting me anymore. _________________ Kingfreeze
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 1:51 am Post subject: volendam rams into Florida pier killing 130
FLIES......HAWHAWHAW
We have left Florida again, and will do the same run, the last of these panama canal 10 day cruises, after this, a 15 day, through the canal, and north to Alaska.
I was ableto debark in Colon, Panama this last week. i needed an alarm clock, and for $8 US, got his square thing with a circle on the front, pretty crude. i asked if batteries were included, he said no. The way it works, is you pay, and then go find the guy that has the package you bought. And of course, it had a battery in it, $3 for duracells. Hey, cheat , lie, anything to get a couple extra dollars. Town was n ot far, but is supposed to be a dangerous walk, and with little time off, saw no reason to pursue it. i came back to the Indonesian crew mess, and stared at the wierd clock, it works at least. Got off in Port Limon, Costa Rica again. Spoke with the local cab drivers who were friendly last week, not so friendly this week, since I did'nt take a cab. The kid in the park pulled the old routine, show you the sloth in the tree, then asks for a tip. I say "tip, why?' I power walk the streets like a madman, in the crappiest clothes i have. The crappier the clothes, the more people leave you alone. At least the ones scheming how to get your goaway. I boughtt 2 lbs. costa rica coffee, a cuban cigar, and a small tray carved out of rosewood for my wifes herbal rememdies, for $10 US. Not bad at al.
Played the welcome aboard show tonight as the first night of the cruise. Some cool charts, dominated by the children hired to perform in the production shows, some have pretty good voices, however, I find them self-absorbed,rude, and a clicky bunch. They work a few hours a week, doing the cheesy production shows like they're stars. They all go to the officers bar at night, along with the dutch nazi, Hans, who cruises the ship in his immaculate white uniform, and takes every chance to yell at crew. I feel all are about as useless as goaway on a chicken. i went to the officers bar twice, and heard drunken 20 year olds, Brits and Canadians, rattling on about particularly nothing. The drunken brit assistant cruise director I splintered apart piece by piece when he was warning me I was "redflagged" (remember him), avoids me like the plauge, in a demeanor like another dog bit him in the ass and he did'nt forget it For he was not drunk, and surrounded by his friends, in an area comfortable to him. I find the company of the indonesians and Phillipinos much more fun. they are loud, insane, wear there muslim garb around,prayer meetings where they stick their butts in the air. But at party time i am accepted, and they are nice. Whisky party the other night (not me) they treated me like a king, and we had a great time smoking clove cigarrettes, and eating sweet peanuts. They are very gracious, where the children in the officers bar are back stabbing, gossipy little bunch. I stay away from the crowd except when I have to work with them. The Asians have a happy, easygoing shine to them, I can't stand petty little games. 4 day is hump day for me, 50% already. i am looking forward to getting into Pacific waters. The button pushers have moved on, bored with they're goaway, I have won. The Volendam surges on....I am waiting for beautiful Alaska. _________________ Kingfreeze
Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 2:18 am Post subject: bahaimian chickens dont want bread
Half moon cay, a nice beach, and they have a passenger bb-q, and a goaway area for the crew. The company trying to do something for the crew to be nice. I wander to the area, under a thatched palm roof where they serve hamburgers and hotdogs. I get a couple hamburgers, and a bun for the chickens I see running around. These chickens scurried around my feet, and I tore off small pieces to feed the birds. Incredibly, the chickens wanted nothing to do with the bread. A table vacated next to me, and the chickens hopped on the table pecking at the leftover bits of fried rice there. They dont want bread, but rice. The 8 table area is polluted with several of the white suit officers, waiting for opportunity. I got up to get another hamburger, and was standing off to the side scouring the tables for some mustard. One of the suits walks by me and barks "are you waiting for something", in a deep carribbean accent, scowling, and in a sarcastic tone. So, fuker, more unnessisary crap for no reason. Yeah jackass, I'm waiting to split your skull open with this big ass hammer, and make that white suit red. Thanks alot jerk, for spoiling my 2 hours off this iron prison. I threw the burger away and got away from them fast. A lot of these guys can be nice, but there are plenty that take any opportunity to depress, demean, and spoil any joy that can be derived. teach me to not particpate in any company activities that involve the likes of you. Does this pertain to guitarbrain, yes, this is real life experience for ANYONE considering to work for these cruise lines. I have let this also pass. There are company safety personnel on board this week, having several life boat and life raft drills in the middle of the day, expect more crap, and no getting off. i was wrong in my calculations, it is 7 days to 50%. I am resigned, and trying to stay out of the brig. The crap sometimes never seems to end. The sun sets, and after a frantic rehearsal with the idiot studdering Argentinian MD, 2 shows. I am in the mess again, with the Indonesians, and waiting................waiting. _________________ Kingfreeze
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 3:40 am Post subject: code red
today code red was ordered. there is an outbreak of the norwalk virus. 3 days into this cruise and 27 confirmed cases. The response to this is the company shuts down all the crew games, and basically anything that uses your fingers, including the computers. No one can serve their own food from the buffets, everybody must be served. They came to the entertainment staff, and asked for volunteers to serve food to the passengers, as they are short handed, well tough s***. I am not getting a warm fuzzy feeling with what I have gone through for this.
i got a paper last night to report to the crew doctor, they are making an issue over my medication. I showed them the bottle, the American nurse had to verify that the lable on the bottle made it legal for me to possess. he thought I had to have a prescription. I told him, first you get the perscription, then you get the product with this lablel on it. They want a letter from my doctor. Suggested i send my wife into San Antonio to get it. I said "absouluely not, I am not sending my wife to retrieve something for you, my legal status is proven to you, thats it". I said I'll give you their phone and you can call if you like, ooooohhh, that's not something they do. So, I was told to find someone, get the fax number, call the doctor, and get him to fax a letter to them. I am having a pretty crappy time at this point. I don't plan on doing this. their point is if I am drug tested again, the alprazolam will show up. So what, I told you, what's your point. I was staight up from the beginning, told everyone concerned. I am tierd of trying to please the unpleasable.
i am washing my hands all the time, not touching things, or your face, and staying away from the passenger area. Watch TV and see if this makes the news. I have seen ships with less virus fatalities on CNN. There are sanitation ports around the ship, squirt the stuff on your hands and rub good. Dammit, i don't want this. _________________ Kingfreeze
Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 102 Location: on the road in Texas
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 2:19 pm Post subject:
i suggest a box of latex gloves , like a doctor wears.... never take them off your hands -never! also a full body bio-hazard suit would be nice to have.
remember germs are everywhere , i suggest you not drink water, only alcohol with at least 80 proof alc content- proably germ goaway...
remember to gargle with chlorine bleach twice daily, and wash exposed body parts in the hydrocloric acid baths.......[ if they continue to bitch about your meds, go a couple of days without it, i guarantee theyll bring it back and force you to have a dose..]
above all else , remember fire is the great cure all , so when ya get to shallow water , light it up ,and into the lifeboat with you and your gear
[dont forget your guitars they deserve better than a watery grave on a third world ship]
im wondering if the sickness came from the box of monkeys and chickens, smuggled onto the ship for the crews mess?
DONT KISS THE MAID , thats how epidemics are started _________________ happy nookie, cause ya cant have a good day with mad nookie !!!!!
I spent most of Monday, trying to get the fax number for this ship, to recevie the fax from my doctor in San Antonio clearing me to use alprazolam. I called the secretary @ the doctors office early from my cabin on a satillite connection, not cheap. She was very nice and had the letter drafted, and indicated she would transmit as soon as the number was received via e-mail. The goaway woman @ the guest services desk on deck 4 had written this number down for me. it took most of the day to realize the bad euopean 7 she used, was'nt a 2. assuming now I had the correct number, I sent it to Penny, the secretary. The letter would not transmit. The phillipino doctor that demanded this, because he does'nt realize the label on the bottle, IS THE SCRIPT !, is obviously a quack hired as cheaply as possible to satisfy international law. What would happen in a real emergency !
Yesterday we docked in Cristobol, Panama. I debarked the vessel, and as usual, there was a mall there with lots of shops for the tourists. Most tourists will debark, go to the shop, buy a t-shirt that says "Panama" on it, then get back on. The shirt being a boastful advertisment they were in Panama. I, as usual, go past this, exit through security gates, and walk the distance to town, the real deal. I passed a lot of construction, and then the offical exit into Cristobol. As soon as I passed the gate i was accousted by hoards of people wanting to show me town, give taxi rides, be my good am igo, blah blah. I rebuffed all of them as I perfer to explore on my own. One followed me 2 blocks, I explained, no I dont want to go to the ice palace bar with you, I want to walk and be left alone. Dejected, he asked if I would buy him a coke, no, no coke, and walked off. Normally, I will walk the street parrallel to the ocean, then work my way in, and finally, walk the cross streets. I got in a ways, total poverty, old architecture that sort of looked like new Orleans after a crack binge. I ran across some fairly clean cut guys on bicycles with orange vests and a name tag, who present themselves as ship personnel. I tried to figure out the exchange rate on the local currency. I got conflicting answers and walked on. This place is so 3rd world, that the act of breeding constitutes child abuse. People lying in the gutters missing limbs. I got a lot of hostile looks. I made the mistake of wearing a clean white t-shirt and shoes, that glared in the Panamanian sun. And should have worn my dirtiest shirt and sandals. I stuck out like a sore thumb. groups of young aggresive males began pursuing me, yelling @ my back. i got a very bad vibe, and realized this was a dangerous place for an American. I heard behind me
"you got shot......I punch you". The corners were stationed with police armed with Ak-47's and shotguns, I feared them also. The heat was intense, without the grace of the slightest breeze. I was afraid to pull out any goaway, and my camera. I was dodging every one that approached me, keeping a close eye behind me and using my periferal vision, I expected to get knifed. I managed to make my way back to the security station point, the guy who wanted the coke approached me again, I said "you win" and fished a dollar out and gave it to him. I walked the distance back to the Volendam, and went into the touristy mall for the remainder of my time. There was a booth outside hosted by local indians, who wear no shirts, including the females. I looked at the ceremonial masks, she apprroached me saying the price was $35, but for me $25. I bought an evil chicken mask, mostely out of relief.
today was the last Port Limon I will see. Sunday we will be back in Florida, and begin the 15 day trans panama canal and finally cross into the pacific ocean and work our way eventually to Alaska. I felt comfortable there now, and had a good afternoon, walking and sweating. I walked in the pharmacia, and asked for panadol ultra, which is sold worldwide, and contains codeine, without a prescription. I said "panadol ultra con codeiene. She brings me something else, tablets with 30 mg. codeiene phosphate, bonus, panadaol ultra has only 12.5. 30 tablets, $10. I am very happy with my purchase now. My pain has dissapeared.
the norwalk virus is contained for the time being, the use of the hand sanitizers, and no one serving themselves, has stopped a rise in cases. This is transmitted my hand, and is a very scary virus. Contracting this means you are quarrentined for 5 days in the infirmary, this really scares me. Since boarding this ship, I have been determined to avoid sickness, which I have acquirred so many times in the past. I did not eat for 3 days as i was was afraid to enter a passenger area. I wash my hands 30 times a day, and am constantly aware what they are doing. Imagine monitoring your movements every waking hour, no handrail, oopen doors with your elbows, touch nothing. It is a real pain. I spent time looking into that incredible jungle, so mysterious. Are there flowers and macadamia nuts there, or militia with guns waiting to kill you ? I never found out. _________________ Kingfreeze
Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 6:18 am Post subject: cartagena, columbia
Basically 5 days on this boat in a row, no pun intended. i was able to debark in Ft. Lauderdale, after 2 sea days from Costa rica to Fl., and back again, to Cartagena, Columbia. Debarking in Ft. lauderdale was ridiculous, an industrialized area, created to accomodate cruise ports and offices. No services or stores in sight, only ships and trucks, taxis, and plenty of noise. I made some calls and was back on in 2 hours.
I walked into the quacks office @ the alloted 1 hour window for crew business. I received the letter, mailed to my home, scanned and sent via e-mail. The internet manager gave me the runaround to print out the letter. However, the paymaster, who is a delightful Dutch fellow named goaway (yob), let me e-mail it to him and he printed it. As usual, the quack was on the phone, disgusted with the whole task, I sat the letter in front of him and left. Later in the hall, he made a special effort to ask for my crew number, which is a threat, I told him the number was on the letter as he requested. He wrote the crew number on his hand, and stormed off. All medical requirements have been fulfilled, he has no more power, I will not consider anymore requests for my time, or running back to his office for more bullshit.
Debarking in Cartagena, I experienced what all persons at sea experience after being on for a length of time, the ground continues to rock and swell from the ocean. I walked past port security, and again am assulted by a pack of hungry cabdrivers, one, Gregory follows me down the street, I tell him he's waisting valuable time, and better get back in line. I wish him luck and he leavees me. Cartagena is obviously a much more developed, and wealthy city than what we have seen. people own motorbikes and tennis shoes. Cocaine users would be proud to see the city they helped build, because I doubt most of the semi affluence I see is from mangoes and coffee. Curbs not crumbling, nice buildings and beautiful tall trees grace the lawns. I walk about an hour into the city, taking careful note of landmarks. I pass a anti-narcotic embassy, guarded by guards with armor and AK-47's, surrounded by iron bars. I finally stopped @ an outdoor combination bar, convienience store with some chairs and tables. Motorbikes and cabs zip back and forth honking and weaving. I ask for a Pepsi, and present a $10 bill US. They inspect the bill, to see if it is genuine, and give me the beverage, and change in the amount of 18,600 Columbian pesos. Wow, $10=20,000 Columbian pesos. I felt rich, plus, the goaway was great artwork. A 90 year old man sat 2 tables from me and gestures with a plastic cup, I fill it with pepsi and he downs it in a second, I refill it. He rises after awhile and takes about 3 steps towards me. And starts rambling something, I shrug my shoulders and he shuffles off. A young Columbian male, on a motorbike with helmet and sunglasses glares @ me from the curb, I try to exude an air of peace, but confidence. he grows weary of the goaway after 3 minutes and rides off into the circus of vehicles. Soaked in sweat, I turn back towards the port area and stop in another cantina area. A man named Tik engages me in pretty good english, and as usual, is trying to get $10 to drive me around. I did this once in mexico, and wound up @ a bar in the bad side of town, getting a lecture from a woman on how I should give her $25 to see the donkey show, she said "senior, you see everything, donkey in poosey, poosey to poosey", no thanks. The asshole I paid the $10 had the gall to be angry, after his charming initial demeanor. I learned from that. So, no Tik, you ain't taking me anywhere. So, I started buying cerveza-aguila's @ 1000 pesos a pop, 50 cents, damn good and a bargain. I sat with Tik for sometime, and he told stories from his days @ sea. I took in the moment, observed the street action. A large tree bears some type of fruit that looks like kiwi, but is not as kiwi grows on vines. I found that codeine is also sold over the counter in Colombia, but don't pursue it, as Tik wants to take me. The is a drug store down the street, I could do it myself if I wanted. I head back towards the ship and am engulfed in waves of rain and lightning, my clothes needed washing anyway. I reboard the Volendam, soaked. I finish the goaway in the shower. I take the wet clothing and lay it flat on the floor of the shower, run a bar of Ivory soap across it, and scrub with a washcloth. I put the laundry on a wire hanger and hang it on the back of the door to dry. Works good, and has a clean country fresh scent when dry. I use the ivory soap also as shampoo and in the shower also.
Last night was the Temptations, 5 goaway men, one of which is about 65, and suffering from seasickness. The ship has been rocking for 5 days, and it is difficult to walk and manuever. The group is a tribute band, but has some ties to the original Temptation. We play, papa was a rolling stone, my goaway, just my imagination, and others. It was very good, they liked my wah-wah work in papa was a rolling stone. I did play a motown show @ the theme park, so I am very qualified for this.
last night was the "Volendam singing idol" competition in the crew mess. 5 contestants, one of which was the saxophonist in the showband, Geoff. he asked to use my guitar for this, and I was present to be his guitar bitch for his entry. He sang "wonderful tonight" to kareoke tracks and I played along. The sold out crowd went nuts. A captive audience for sure. You guys should get out more. He sang another and played my old les paul. One of the judges, trying to be like simon from the real idol show, made a comment about bringing your dad into the competition. HAHA. He did'nt make the final 3, but we had fun and I did'nt even spill my beer !
Another 4 days we cross into the pacific ocean. We hit Huatulco, Acapulco, zihuataneo, cabo san lucas, MX., and on to San Diego. I am on the port manning schedule for Acapulco, and San Diego. Sometimes they screw this up, so I am going to try to get off anyway, if the scanner when getting off sounds the alarm, it's back you go on the prison tub. HAWHAWHAWHAW. I can see the writing on the wall, Bet you $10 I will be on the list for Vancouver too. Because every place I want to go, I can't because of that cunt Bin-Lauden. I am 23 days from the end of this contract. When I step off here, I will be on US soil, and will probably really enjoy that cab ride from the Volendam to the airport in Alaska. A new drummer embarks May 7th in Vancouver, the week will be full of rehearsals for the benefit of the him or her. So goaway me, I can expect no port time during the tub of deaths chug to Alaska from Vancouver. goddamnit................................................................. _________________ Kingfreeze
Upon waking, I went to the indonesian crew mess as usual, and the coffee light was blinking, no coffee. There was hot water though, and I had Costa rican coffee purchased in Port Limon 2 weeks ago. I snagged 2 tea bags, with the plot to replace the tea, with the coffee, and brew some in my trusty travel mug. I pondered how to acheive this, I had no sissors to cut the bags, but, I had some nail clippers. I tried to open the sealed packet of coffee with the nail clippers, as the stubborn bastard would not yield to my persistant attempts to open it. Sure nuff, the whole thing opened @ once, and coffee spilled all over me, and the floor. I found the cabin stewart, and the little broom and dustpan he uses, and cleaned up the mess. Finally, I got the coffee into the tea bags using a sheet of paper, and my drivers license. I carefully used the little pieces of string to secure the top of the new coffee teabag preparation. And got hot water, turned out pretty good.
2 days ago, we made the crossing into the pacific ocean via the panama canal, this....was one of my goals. It means we are working our way up to Alaska. The cruise was a sight. Dense jungle lined the cavernous tributary, dotted with croccodiles on both starboard and port sides of the vessel of doom.
7 days @ sea, with only 4 hours off in Cartagena, and 2 hours in Fart Lauderdale. I was feeling damn depressed. I was scheduled for port (prison) manning today in Puntarenas, Costa rica. As you know, when going off the ship @ a port your employee id is scanned and this is what happens
ding- proceed down the gangway and into freedom
buzz- your'e on prison manning and get the goaway back in the ship.
I have been told that sometimes this port manning thing doesn't work correctly, somebody drops the ball, and the info is not entered correctly. I approached the gangway, fully expecting to be rebuffed. If the scanner goes "buzz", I plan to proclaim myself as the one millionth customer and try to claim my bonus check, if not, I get freeddom. What would an enemy do to the ship in Costa Rica ? Throw coconuts @ it ?
I approach the gangway, and perfunctorily present the id.............
ding
I'm out, i can't believe it, and i saunder off the iron tub like goddamn royalty, even taking time to schmooze with the chief of security. I quickly walk the short distance into town, and am not even assaulted by cab drivers. I do my usual walk, up and down the streets closest to the port and work my way in. I find a pharmacia, and purchase another package of arcedol, 30 mg codiene tablets, $10 US. I hungrily gobble 2. Before long, the pain in my right foot from falling off the waterfall in British Columibia 15 years ago dissapears, and is replaced by a mellow narcotic buzz, it's analgesic effects are comforting. I also purchase a dvd from a street vendor, apocolypse with mel gibson for 1000 colones, $2 ! I have run out of goaway and decide to try to reboard, get cash, and debark again. I grab $20 from my cabin and once again
ding.......................................
I am off.
I buy 2 empenadas from a street vendor, frijoles con queso, and carne y papas, both very good. I wander into a bar on the main street with big open doors onto the main thoroughfair. I walk up to the bar, and order a cerveza. Almost immediately, I am greeted by broken english by Danny, Jose, and ricardo. I cannot tell if it is aggresive or not initially, I am very hesitiant to engage. I do not get a warm feeling @ this point, and ask the bartendress what the cost of the beer is, she blurts it in spanish I cannot understand. Jose says it's on him. With a clear shot out the door, I feel a little safer and we begin a bad english and spanish banter that continues for sometime. Jose, drives a truck, Danny is a fisherman, and Ricardo is with a Puntarenas policeman. They continue with the good amigo routine, and I damn near believe them. is it possible for gringo to have fun with the locals with no agenda ? Otra cerveza Jose announces, and they pay for several, and also carne asada brought into the bar from a local vendor, presented with a corn tortilla sqewered on the top of the kabob. After awhile, Danny leaves, and is quite nice. Jose is getting more hammered, Ricardo just grins. Jose decides we go to another bar, and suggests we get into his car. Unnnnnnnn, cardinal rule #1- "don't get into a strangers car". We are in town, and I make note of the door handle, just in case, he would have to stop some long after I decieded to bail anyway. We drunkenly careen about 3 blocks and arrive @ the next bar. Ricardo needs help getting out of the back seat. We enter a little more of an intimate atmosphere, and I am sandwiched between the 2 @ the bar. I am presented with Stephanie, she flashes her bleached teeth and displays her ample ass. Oh, this is what this is about ! A cartel looking character is between me and he door, but doesn't seem to be affiliated with the establishment. Jose keeps on about Stephanie, muy bonita, ah yes Jose.....muy bonita. I take charge @ this point, and make the assertion on how Jose and Ricardo are the true romanticos, ahhhhh Jose, mi amour. Jose stares through glazed eyes. I think this scenario started as
curiosity
commerodity
opportunity
I have no desire to purchase a prostitute in Costa Rica, or else where for that matter. I am looking for my out @ this point. I find it a minute later as jose knocks his beer off the bar and it smashes on the floor, he stumbles to the bathroom, Ricardo grins mutely. Basically, i figure I out drank them, and andele vamos out the door, around the corner, and into another bar about 3 blocks away before Jose figures I escaped.
Karaoke is happening in the new bar. I slap 600 colones on the bar and order a Imperial. They notice the gringo in their presence, and patrons @ the bar are singing spanish karaoke, one after the other. It is not long before I am presented the microphone and the opening vamp begins for 'My Way"
And now
the time has come
and so I face
the final curtain.
I begin. In a Frank Zappa meets Frank Sinatra type of tone. Using my musical skills, I continue a series of dynamics through the verses of the song, cresendo poco a poco. Towards the coda of the song....
I DID IT MYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i am on one knee, hand over my head, palm out streched as I belt the final lyrics to the song.
The crowd of 15 goes bananas for the loco gringo, I am a karaoke hero. Whistles and laughter adorn the cinder block walls. I cannot top this, and know when to make an exit, this, I do. And walk back amongst the sea side vendors towards the MS Volendam, bucket of grief.
I was seen by the cruise director debarking the ship, and the bass player and I met eyes for 1 second on the street, will they put 2 and 2 together? Will they snitch to the MD? Will I get off the vat of doom again ? The phone in this cabin keeps ringing, I know not to answer, it is never good news. I have 2 jazz sets tonight late in the oceans bar on deck 5, I guess i'll find out then.
If given the choice between prison manning and freedom
I choose FREEDOM
The tub continues to chug north......to Alaska.............................................................................. _________________ Kingfreeze
Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 3:18 am Post subject: code yellow/don't answer the phone
It had been 16 days since the code red was ordered, it has now subsided to code yellow. Everything back to normal. The crew computers back open, you can serve yourself @ the buffet, computer games back on in the crew mess, as well as foosball and that pool thingie with the plastic discs. The sax player came down with a flu like symptoms with diarreaha. he was quarrentined to the infirmary, alone with no diversions except 3 tv channels, 2 were holland america infomercial channels, and 1 spanish cartoon channel. He described a gas pumped into the room @ 5:30 AM everyday delivered by a device on the ceiling, the gas was meant to kill all viral germs present. The quack came into the room on the 3rd day and announced he was to leave the next day @ 5 PM, he declared no, look @ the chart. he finally got the quack to look @ the chart and realize that in fact, it had been 72 hours, he was goaway to go. The sax players defense was "who would know better if it was 3 days, me, or you ?". He did not have norwalk, and probably should have kept his mouth shut in the first place, only temporary diarreha. Still, I am glad he was prudent, in the past, you can hear sickness spread down the hall, cabin by cabin, and wonder when it's your turn. I have been fortunate thus far, and contracted nothing, but I am very cautious.
The eve of Puntarenas, after my escape from the port mannng duties, the phone begins to ring, and does so about every 10 minutes. NEVER answer the phone when on a contract. It will not be a friend, or the publishers clearing house with a big check, it will only be grief from some officer, or worse, the MD. Who calls with information already received from the schedule handed out the night before. I unplug the phone, and 4 days later, it remains unplugged. That night @ showtime, the MD says "where were you ? I a trya call ju", How does one respond to a question like this ? Should I write a detailed report and e-mail it to you ? Or should I stay in the cabin 24 hours a day in case you do call, reiterating basic information, ya MUTT. The evening goes uneventful, and I have not been noticed leaving the ship, at least nothing was said, I wonder what will happen the next time I try to get off ?
Puerto Chiapas, I do not have port manning, and present the ID to be scanned to debark, ding, I'm off. And discover the ship is nowhere near any town. Tourists gather around the makeshift mall, and board buses traveling 13 miles to the closest town. I am unsure what exists down the dusty road that leads away from the metal bowl of despair, but decide to give it a shot anyway. A phillipino friend from the crew mess gives me a half litre of water and I begin the walk to nowhere. I know from looking from the ship, there are some dwellings across the bay, so figure there must be some village closer than the turista destination. It is a very hot day, and I stop frequently under generous palms along the road and nurse the bottle of water. Still, I am unsure what lies ahead, a bicycle passes, which provides some hope, a man riding a horse also. I walk past a truck load of armed police, taking a siesta under a grove of palms. Mango farms, and haciendas made of adobe also appear. Turkeys, chickens, and dogs wander the properties along the way. I run into a road, and must make a decision to go right or left. The area has some taxi drivers, and more armed police, I ask a taxi driver if there is a restaurant, or cantina in the area. They seem to be confused and he calls a guard over. The sight of a sunburned American walking this desolate stretch of road would indeed be an oddity. the consenus is made that there is a village to the left about a mile with some services, I thank them and wander towards the alleged village. This, is not a place that the tourists come to, and as I reach the village everyone stares, but not in a malicious way though. English, is not spoken @ all here, and I have walked about 6 miles, and desperate for a cool place to sit and feel comfortable. I find a shaded outdoor area right next to the ocean that serves beer. A young goaway looks inqisitively as to what I want, "dos cerveza de corona, por favor". She fetches them and I present $2 US. There seems to be a problem, and I don't know what it is. About this time, appears Don, a Canadian, and self proclaimed former millionaire, who lives in Chiapas for financial purposes, it's cheap to live. He had lived in the Phillipines, and other goaway countries for some years before moving to Mexico. Don exchanges $22 US, for 220 pesos, and saves me as American goaway is not accepted. He joins me, and we spend the afternoon drinking and talking, he obviously relishing having someone who speaks english to talk to. We are joined by Ceasar, and his buddy who Don knows. His buddy want me to buy him "La Cuhama", the big one, a quart of beer. Sure man, and I give him 15 pesos to run across the street, 10 mintues later, he wants another cuhama, Don tells him to scram. A good day, with a cool ocean breeze, about 4, Don walks with me to the main street, and the cab driver tells him 20 pesos gets me to te ship. I say goodbye to Don and enter the cab, the 20 pesos, now is 30 pesos, OK, 30 pesos. I reboard the Volendam, and pass out from the heat and beer for 2 hours, it is a night off anyway.
I awake about 9 and debark in Santa Cruz Huatulco, kind of a unremarakble place, apparently under recent construction. A few newer convience stores and restaurants in the port area, I walk around about an hour, stop in and have some tacos @ an out of the way place. I notice what seems to be a middle aged couple, probably Canadian, and from the dog they have, am guessing they are like many Americans and Canadians in recent years who liqudated their assets, and moved to Mexico. She exudes a nervous kind of artifical hopefullness, he, seems to be bored to tears. I feel kind of bad for them. I would not like to live in Mexico, even if it is cheap to live.
Acapulco, MX.
I have port manning today, again I present the ID to scan...
ding......................and again I am off the barge of anger. I spent about 6 hours walking through an incredible maze of ramshackle business and apartments. Acapulco is viewed as a world class destination for people who have goaway, for myself though, it was interesting, but a dirty and hot walk. Chaos ensues, cars honk constantly, street vendors largely sell cheap trinkets that I would have no interest in. I had some flautas in a local cafe, and at last got some coffee filters for my my Costa Rican coffee, and just in time, the coffee machine in the crew mess is out of order. As I walk the streets, i am approached some for handouts and to purchase services. This, is on the day that hundreds of thousands of illegal mexican aliens demand citizenship in the United states. As I approach a vendor, it's always "mi amigo", and I retort "no, gracias" politelly. As I walk past the vendor, they utter mexican derogotory slang to their buddies, "hoto, carrone, bendehoe, chingas tu madre". They think I don't know what this means, but I do. Their behavior and demeanor does not endear me to this nation. i do not find Mexico as a place I would visit. i do not trust anyone here. Immigration should have been out in force @ the American protests, but they were not, why ? This evening, we played on the outdoor deck for a BBQ on Acapulco bay. 3 sets of jazz standards, 2 with the MD. He again proves himself as the worst ensemble player I have ever encountered, horrendous timbre, terrible harmonic technique, no consideration whatsoever when other musicians solo over the changes, constantly hacking away during others improvisations making any joy, beauty, or music impossible. He sits and grins through this, like he's one of the guys, we all just hate him in this capacity. During the production shows, it's the same deal, every concievable hole plugged with his constant inane ideas. One can only play as simply as possible while the Chilean jerkoff fantasizes he's actually accomplishing something. He is an accomplished player, and accompanies singers, and plays guests artists well, but without finnese, dynamics, or sensitivity. When some acts require he only play parts on electronic keyboards, the band sounds good, but give him a choice, and he will goaway it up everytime.
Zihuatanejo, MX.
A lovely port, with lots of shade trees and vines along the beach. i walk for sometime, and visit the local neighborhoods, a much better port. very little begging from the street, nor constant hounding from cabs and vendors. It is a tender port, so the lines waiting to ship in and out to the shore make it more difficult, but a nice time anyway. One more mexican port, Cabo San Lucas in 2 days, then San Diego, Ca. USA. I am anxious to leave Mexico.
The 25 yr. old sax player found out about us getting off during port manning, and tried and succeeded in Acapulco. He mentioned this in a loud tone in the hall, I told him to be quiet about it, or else the MD would find out he has'nt been hitting the enter key on his computer to register us as prison manning nominees. So what does Geoff do ? Brags to the band what he did in Acapulco that day. One glance @ the port manning schedule would reveal he was on port manning, and goaway the whole thing for all of us. I will find out in San Diego, when I try to debark, as I am on port manning that day. Turns out, after a discussion, that the sax player had not glanced @ the port manning schedule, and unaware that he was on the duty.
What will happen
Did Geoff screw up the master freedom plan ?
Will the idiotic Chilean MD discover the enter key on his computer ?
Did I get ptomaine from the tacos I had earlier today ? _________________ Kingfreeze
Last edited by kingfreeze on Thu Jul 12, 2007 3:56 pm; edited 1 time in total
Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 5:28 am Post subject: the angry sea
Cabo san lucas was a very nice town. Surrounded by desertous mountans that reminds one of the southwestern United states, as it well should. A penninsula called the Baja, and joins the US/Mexico border just north of Tijuana. This is a playground that celebrites are drawn to, it's rugged appearance, but yet still providing luxurious accomodations. I took a 30 minute walk into town and stood outside Cabo Wabo, a famous cantina where Paris Hilton and Britney Spears liked to party, and owned by Sammy Hagar. Their idea of slumming. There were a few US fast food franchises downtown, which was nice to see, reminding me that this contract is growing closer to closing.
A long sea day followed, and we played a show for Jim Curry, a John Denver imitator, his wife played mandolin and acoustic guitar. They were quite good, he looks just like John Denver, and the 2 acoustic insturments playing together had a homey, folksy timbre, which was fun for the band to back up. The show lasted about an hour, that's a lot of John Denver songs, but the audience stayed and seemed to enjoy themselves.
San Diego, Ca.
Back in the US again, and I am scheduled for port manning. I had planned to meet with Fred, a 65 year old retired trumpeter that was my roomate on a production show tour for 4 months. Fred is an alcoholic, and lost his cool in a hotel bar in Colorodo 2 weeks before the end of the tour. One of the female dancers angered him and he made a scene, the next day he was off the tour, and I had a private room for the remaining time of the tour. Fred is very likable, and we were good friends. After the tour, he went to Branson and worked for Soji Tabuchi for sometime, then retired to San Diego. I approach the security to debark the ship.
Ding....
I'm off. Fred takes public transportation to the cruise terminal, and I spot him from my hiding spot behind some newpaper vending machines. We hustle off as I don't want to be spotted by any entertainment personnel who have port manning schedules, which would goaway our secret. We had a nice time walking and had lunch @ an Italian place. I snuck back on the ship, and into my cabin, safe. I find out from the saxophonist that the Chilean dictator has been calling all day to the port manning people, and could'nt find me, the cat might be out of the bag. But he said nothing to me, which was cool.
The next morning something very unusual happened, I went on the promenade deck outside and it was dense fog and about 52 degrees. The foghorn blared from the bridge of the ship about every minute. As the day grew, very rough seas emerged, and continued all day, and to the next. Waves crash against the hull of the ship and bloom to the 3 rd deck. Swells of about 15 feet. I don't get seasick, but the constant motion does make me feel queasy. Walking is a chore, as well as writing this blog. We are about 50 miles off the coast of California, heading north, have passed San Fransisco and now are off the coast of Oregon. We have a short day in Astoria, Or. tomorrow, which is close to Portland. I am 9 days away from my debark point, and the end of this contract. _________________ Kingfreeze
I play with the Volendam orchestra backing "Tribute", a vocal group from LA that had some ties to the original Temptations. _________________ Kingfreeze
