Captain's Orders...

Just a quick bit….

What a day today was…especially since we are now officially back in the northern hemisphere. We crossed the equator at 1900 (local time, 10 hours ahead EST, 3/6/06) and there was a big jump that we all felt…hahaha. (Just kidding.) It was a most perfect day though; the sun was shining, the Indian Ocean was yet again it’s lake-like self, and it just so happened to be a B day (I only have two morning classes…done by 1045)! What made today most exciting was that the Captain ordered full speed ahead! As you all may well know, the ship I’m sailing on is THE fastest passenger cruising vessel on the high seas. We topped out today at 31 knots! You could feel, see, hear, and sense the difference. He ordered full speed ahead as a test for the engines. Normally we only run two engines, but to go full speed all four need to be kicked in. The drastic difference in our wake and trail behind the ship was incredible. You cannot even imagine how quickly the sea was passing by beside us. We passed the clouds like John Materas does when he’s not crashing against the wall at Thompson Motor Speedway. (Sorry Johnny!)

It’s hard to describe speed on the sea, but all I can tell you is…it felt like we were flying. I kid you not. I was lying out on deck 7 Port, my usual spot, and the conduct officer comes up to me and lets me know that the captain was going to crank up the engines. Not a minute later did I feel a sort of jolt. I stood up and immediately felt the increase in the wind speed and noticed how much quicker the sky was going by us. I have no doubt that the reason he was testing this was to make sure we could out run and be ready to ward off any Pirates as we get closer and closer to India. As of now, (2100, local time, 3/6/06) we are a little less than 1000 Nautical miles from Chennai, India.

As for tonight, there’s a toga party in store. So I’ve come up with my toga (we weren’t aloud to use our sheets or towels from our cabins). It my towel, safety pinned in back with a shoelace and some underwear. Man I wish I brought my Jesus sandals and toga gear from home. But hey, we make due. Today’s rehearsal went well, considering we were supposed to be off book! HAHA. Thankfully we have a few more days with a prompt (someone calling out lines when we need them). The show goes up March 23rd, in route to ‘Nam (sorry Mom, Dad and Betty, you’ll just miss it!) so we’ve still got some time. Fortunately, we stop in India before the show goes up because my Indian accent is god damn pathetic. Abu on the Simpson’s would even be ashamed.

Well, I’m off to socialize like the Romans and wine like the Greeks…till next time mateys….

AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!