While watching so many cities of the world in chaos and feeling deeply hurt by their pain, life goes on elsewhere. It's not that I don't feel the sorrow of others, but I also realise how life is short and the need to get on with my life the best I can, while I can.
We went to Zuma's for dinner with a new girlfriend, Kristine. As we struggled for a table, a passion fruit martini was on order and got talking to some Greeks. They invited me to their restaurant in Mykonos in the summer. I thanked them and warned them if I came, it would be with a group of ten to twenty people!
We went to Zuma's for dinner with a new girlfriend, Kristine. As we struggled for a table, a passion fruit martini was on order and got talking to some Greeks. They invited me to their restaurant in Mykonos in the summer. I thanked them and warned them if I came, it would be with a group of ten to twenty people!
We finally got shown to our table. Kristine went to the ladies and did not return for a while. I was people-watching when she came back in all excitement and stood next to me to say: "Haldita, you won't believe who's here... John Kerry. I just talked to him and took a photo with him."
I racked my brain, 'John Kerry rings a bell. Is he some hot Irish actor? Which movies?' I thought momentarily. While I was in my reverie, Kristine asked in shock: "You know who John Kerry is?" She added: "The ex US candidate for the presidency."
"Oh!" I must have had an indifferent look on my face and continued: "OK."
"But he's big. He almost became president." Kristine went on: "Look, I took a picture with him on my iPhone. Everyone's taking photos, go and take one."
She showed me her photo with the tall, grey man.
"Yes, of course, I know." Now I sounded disappointed. "My phone camera doesn't work." I tried to get out of the obligation.
"Take mine," My friend offered, "Go."
"It's ok. He can wait. Let's have our sake first." I said as the sake was being served.
Kristine laughed in disbelief. If he was some hot-looking actor maybe, but some politician?! And not even Obama at the very least! Mmm... Of course, by the time, I was ready to offer Mr John Kerry the pleasure of a photo with me, haha, he was gone. I am not vain, just not into politics!
After dinner, we picked up Hala to go to Supper Club for a night of dancing et 'de la folie'.
It is actually the first time I truly felt at ease, sorry, an understatement! Haha. I feel great about the way I look. It's not that I have lost any weight! But I feel fit and strong after that lipo suction surgery I did almost a year and a half ago which left me in pain and sick for months on end. It's good to have regained my energy and there is nothing, but nothing more important than our health. I actually learnt to control my drinking from the South Americans on the cruise we went on for a week while in Venezuela. It sounds strange as the Latinos I had gathered drunk well.
The story is as follows: Teresa and Ramon, through their super friendly travel agent, suggested we take a cruise from Caracas, which only began running in December, to see another chosen destination: Cartagena in Colombia. The route of the cruise in seven days was: Embarkation at La Guaira in Caracas on a Tuesday, a day at Curaçao, a day at sea, Colon in Panama, Cartagena, Santa Marta and Aruba.
So we did it.
The idea of a cruise and being stuck with a group of people on a ship in the middle of the sea had never appealed to us before. But with a group of fun-loving Latinos... Why not?!
As the price of the cruise was inclusive of meals and drinks of any sort, we were expecting somewhat drunken behaviour from passengers. However, in one week, we never saw anyone behave out of character to that effect. A very mixed group of ages, there was music, dancing and a friendly atmosphere on the cruise. Hardly anyone spoke any other language but Spanish and in the one week, we never met anyone from outside of their continent. So we got to practise our Spanish. Perfecto. And boy did I speak my heart out! We got invited by couples and ladies to all parts of South America. Very cultural as Hala puts it.
Ocean Dream was the name of the cruise liner, 205 meters long. We had a good size cabin with an en-suite shower room. TV which Hala turned on at night to watch the CNN news of the riots going on in many Islamic countries to get rid of their tyrant leaders, keeping up with the world while cruising the seas so far away from the troubles.
The Dutch-occupied Caribbean island of Curaçao was a vibrantly, colourful version of a city in the Netherlands, under the sun.
We took a colourful bus tour around the island with the jolly bus driver and tour guide, The Salsa Express as he called it. Curaçao's main source of income is from the oil refinery, the oil brought down from Venezuela. It lacked the rustic, unorganised feel of most islands in the Caribbean. Nevertheless, beautiful.
At the end of the tour, the tour guide played salsa music and being amongst the 'forever ready to dance' Latinos, people stood up in the moving bus and let their bodies follow the music. Shaking it with the happiest of smiles on their faces while the rest of us clapped.
We next got off at Panama and took another tour to visit the eighth wonder of the world, The Panama Canal. Watching the movement of the cargo ship leaving from one side, while the water went down on the aisle next to us to let the old American warship enter from the other was a sight to watch. The process takes about 2 hours each time.
On the fourth day, we had the whole day to spend in Cartagena which had been high on our agenda, to visit. Cartagena has recently become super popular with visitors, celebrities and travellers. Entering the port onboard, we could first see a row of modern apartment blocks, quite Miami-like, mostly in white, followed by the dome of yet another cathedral in what looked like the old part of this well-known Colombian holiday destination.
As we entered the port of Cartagena, there was a tropical garden with dancers and musicians, welcoming the cruisers.
We were approached by a Venezuelan lady to join their group of two couples to take a tour around the town. They, of course, thought we were Brazilian first, like everyone else we met.
We were first taken on a drive through the modern part of the city.
To the old part. So much charm, walking through the pedestrianised streets of colourful houses; posadas discreetly hidden behind large wooden doors.
The middle photo of the statue of the irresistible La Gorda, lying in the middle of the main square, took my breath away. I had Hala take a photo of me almost biting her big toe. Now I ask you, if a skinny woman was lying there, would the attraction of this larger-than-life character be as significant? Not judging, simply reality-check.
Cartagena is not a cheap destination to visit but its charm and beauty would definitely make it worth a visit. We left the lit-up city at night. Shame, as I have heard the partying scene in the city at night is fun and exciting. Never mind... There could always be a next time.
There is not much about Santa Marta in Colombia to report. I heard from someone I met at the pirate party on the ship, on the Thames here last week who had been there a month before our visit, that he had enjoyed a great time. However, our visit was very touristic, the beach we were dropped off at, was rather busy and the sea, not that pleasant to swim in. So, different times, different experiences.
Aruba, the second biggest Dutch Caribbean island was also colourful. Only 18 miles from Venezuela, the port was just off the main street and the sign of Louis Vuitton could be read on a shop across.
Aruba was filled with Cacti; four different types and views of the blue sea were stunning from every angle.
Everyone residing in Aruba speaks four languages by the age of 12. During the XIX century, there was a gold fever and soon afterwards, a refinery of petroleum was opened in 1924. The oil in countries like Venezuela and Iran seems to cause them so much chaos and yet the refineries of the oil in islands such as Curaçao and Aruba have brought them prosperity and peace!
We left on the cruise, watching another magnificent sunset on the blue seas.
Our one week on the cruise ended with meeting very friendly people and exchanging emails and phone numbers. We may never cross one another's paths... Or we may do. What is important... is that initial moment of bonding, however short or long.
Apart from adding to our worldly culture, I remember the smiling faces of people having fun.
If you put your head on your pillow with no friends to think about, the world could be a lonely place. Embrace your loved ones with gratitude.
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