What can I say- finding good internet traveling all over the world and across seas isn’t the easiest of tasks. Now that we are in our Baltic Season, though, things are really settling into a routine and we are figuring out just what life is going to be looking like for the next 5 months. The biggest event for me personally this week was… MY BIRTHDAY!!! I turned 22 on July 17th in Stockholm, Sweden.
Now I wasn’t sure exactly what my day would be like because it was an embarkation day on the ship which is normally VERY busy for us. I figured I would have to work, but my Assistant Cruise Director, Elda, was so sweet and gave me the day off. It was the most BEAUTIFUL, sunny day, so I decided, of course, to explore Stockholm. I took one of the crew bikes off the ship, ripped some pages out of my Europe guidebook, and set off to find an adventure. First I headed onto the island of Djurgarden where there were lots of fun paths and parks and where I found Skansen. Skansen is an open-air museum like Colonial Williamsburg, but shows history of Sweden. There were all sorts of old homes and shops and craftsmen at work.
Finishing up there I rode through the busy city where there are lots of dedicated bike lanes and began to find my next spot. The old town area of Galma Stan holds the city’s most beautiful area with a palace, coffee shops, a marina, etc. It was extremely picturesque and kind of reminded me of Italy. I headed back to the ship for our sail away through the tiny islands surrounding Stockholm (known as the archipelago) and met some super-nice guests. That night the cast through a party for me in the crew bar with games, balloons, signs, and even a cake made by the pastry staff on the ship. We had a blast celebrating all night and I even got into a little trouble. (It was really hot so I took off my sweater best and unbuttoned my shirt, only to have it taken off by one of the dancers. Well- security wasn’t too happy. Ha ha! How was I supposed to know that a shirt was required in crew bar?! Oops.)
Anyway- I just want to thank everyone for helping me have an awesome birthday. It was a little bit bittersweet only because I wished I could be celebrating with more friends and family back home, but I was thankful to be surrounded still by people who love me. Plus- I still got love from home; through the miracle of the postal system, a little birthday magic and the power of the one and only Donna Hampton, I actually received a birthday package from home ON MY BIRTHDAY!!! Ha ha! I was happy to find dvd’s of the first two seasons of “Friday Night Lights.” Already- I’m hooked!...and I’ve got 40 hours to occupy me! WOO HOO!!! Love you guys tons.
Tripp
1 comment:
So glad you like the DVD's! It's gotta be hard for a guy like you to NOT have TV for six months! (I would go crazy myself!) Glad we got to talk on your birthday though. Do you realize you haven't celebrated a birthday at home since you were 17? Wonder where you'll be next year? Maybe NYC!!! Love you, Mister, and hope you have MANY more to come!
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