One of the most enjoyable interactions that I have been privileged to partake in…for some time…was my visits with, Jack, during the first few days of our Caribbean Cruise.

I mentioned Jack in an earlier blog.  He was one of the most vibrant and aware and alive 89 year olds that I have ever met.

His recounting, over dinner, of his military exploits just after the WWII were enthralling.  Jack told me of visiting the Roman Coliseum and it being empty of people.

He also mentioned, when we told he and his wife, Jill, that we had taken a private tour of the Vatican…a few years ago, that he had been in both St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel when they were completely empty of people…just after the Second World War.

He went on to talk of he and his friend convincing two spies to have their picture taken and an article written about them for the military newspaper.  Of course the article visually identified them by their photographs and blew their cover with the accompanying narrative.

Listening to Jack brought a time, long past, alive for me and caused me to relish in it’s intrinsic detail and incalculable worth.

Jack is a part of the Greatest Generation.  Time is drawing short for us to learn what they have to tell us.

We met an artist from Siberia…the warmer part.

Victor Shvaiko has a compelling story.

Viktor Shvaiko (or Victor Shvaiko: born 1965) is a Russian artist who’s work has been shown in various galleries across the world.  He was born in Altai, Russia, on of Russia’s most remote towns.  He exhibited around Russia up until 1991 where he fled to Italy, through Yugoslavia during the confusion of the civil war there.  His forte is in paining cafes from areas around Italy, France and the rest of Europe, with  great sense of lighting and shadows in his evening and morning paintings.’   Wikipedia

Mr. Shvaiko spoke of not having anything to eat for 24 days during his time in Russia.  The suffering that he underwent and the cheerfulness of his demeanor was a stark juxtaposition of the human experience.

Mary Jane and I were sitting at a dinner table that the Shvaiko’s were hosting…but we really could not hear them, due to the background noise.  Victor, came over and knelt on the floor between us and visited with us for ten minutes or better.

I was impressed with his humility and caring spirit.

He is an extraordinary and accomplished artist.

We have cruised several times…but never have we experienced a more thoughtful and considerate cabin steward than on our recent journey.

He greeted us, both morning and evening, and beseeched us and implored us as to what he could do to make our stay more enjoyable.

I must admit, at first, I thought that he had been been trained well and that, perhaps his concern was expected by his supervisors.  However, I quickly discovered that his demonstrated customer service…was who he was and that he, indeed, did care.

A cruise ship crew member that truly cares about your vacation experience can transform a good cruise into a great cruise.

Such was the case with, David G., who was part of the group that we were traveling with.  His keen interest in our welfare and looking out for our best interest was inspiring and made us feel both welcome but also a integral part of the festivities.

David G. is a professional that is truly immersed in his chosen discipline and his enthusiasm for it is contagious.

A few days ago we visited the Caribbean Island of Aruba.

We had taken a Caribbean cruise in January of 2012 with my wonderful brother-in-law, Ron, and it was nice to get the opportunity to return six years later.

In 2012 we visited the Mopa Mopa store, that was just inside the enclosed dock area for the cruise ships patron’s as they exited for their Aruba adventures.  They are the exclusive store for the art of the Quillacingas tribe, who have been using the same process for over 2000 years.

‘The masks line the walls-faces decorated with stripes and flowers streamlined with hues of crimson, muted blue, and golden yellow.  The expressions they wear are countless-staring, frowning, and grinning-their mischievous eyes waiting to tell a story.’

‘The masks give the store it’s name and they represent a culture, a tribe and a tradition.  Though the striking handmade masks appear painted, they are actually coated with naturally colored tree bud resin.’   mopamopa.com

We sought the fine watch and jewelry store that we had visited in 2012 to see if they had the watch that got away.  It was still there but we did not find the watch.

The Caribbean Islands in general and Aruba in particular has an easy…live and let live attitude and feeling among it’s inhabitants.  Once you become accustomed to the heat…I think that the life style would be compelling.

With the devastation that has hit the Caribbean in the past year…the islanders are, as always, very welcoming of tourists.  I think that all of the Caribbean relies and exists on tourist and the finances that they bring.

Mary Jane and I spoke for some time with, first the daughter, and then the mother who actually had two Mopa Mopa stores…one being at the dock and the other being a few blocks up town.  What delightful and interesting people!

I could not help but think of my buddy, Ron, when we revisited Aruba.  He throughly enjoyed his visit, with us, in 2012.  In fact he enjoyed everything about that Caribbean cruise, and especially the food on board the Caribbean Princess…he said at every meal…’this is to die for!’

I remember, so fondly, the first night of the 2012 cruise, where the waiter told us that he had a fine wine package available for us for the paltry amount of $150.00 and that included three bottles of wine that individually would sell for $500.00.  Ron exclaimed that he would take it…and I pondered that he, indeed, was enjoying his first cruise experience.

Ron, was such fun to have with us.

When I travel…I learn…each time…that there are members of God’s creation all over the earth…that are different than me…and who are fascinating!

I am humbled by my ignorance of the splendor of the families of the earth…and my minuscule part in the story.

‘Cartagena is a port city on Colombia’s coast.  By the sea is the walled Old Town, founded in the 16th century, with squares, cobblestone streets and colorful colonial buildings.  With a tropical climate, the city is also a popular destination.  Reachable by boast are Isla de Baru, with white-sand beaches and palm trees, and the Islas del Rosario, known for their coral reefs.’   Google

We can now say that we have visited South America.  Cartagena was a lovely city and the Old Town, which is walled, was especially interesting.

Our tour guide seemed, especially, concerned for our safety and at one point on the tour, when we had thirty minutes of free time, he instructed us to not go anywhere with anyone.

Our guide also told us to not purchase the, purported, cuban cigars that were being offered by the numerous street vendors…as they were not really cuban.

We heard, at some length. of the damage that Pablo Escobar and the Medellin Cartel had done to Colombia.  He noted that all tourism had ceased when the Cartel was in force and that Colombia was truly a dangerous country, at that time, for both it’s citizens and tourists.

We visited the Palace of Inquisition.

‘The Palace of the Inquisition may today be one of the finest buildings in the city, but in the past it housed the notoriously grisly Inquisition, who’s bloody task it was to stamp out heresy in colonial Cartagena.’   lonelyplanet.com

There were many police, everywhere that we stopped, in Cartagena and they seemed very focused on keeping order.

Also, there were numerous street vendors who were selling everything from beer to cigars…and they looked hot and tired and often desperate.

We sat in a park that was in the middle of the walled city’s square.  Here people seemed to be enjoying life and relaxing.

We visited the most decadent chocolate store…and they had free samples.  You could help yourself…to all that you desired…with little spoons.  It was delicious!

We also visited a jewelry store that specialized in emeralds.  The little store was so packed that it was difficult to hear the introductory speech that the owner gave, regarding emeralds.  Further, when we inquired regarding the price of an item, the language barrier prohibited us from communicating with the store employee.

At one point, during our short siting in the park…a vendor came by exclaiming that he had coke…’which was the beer of Cartagena.’  I mis-heard him and recounted, what I thought was a humorous phrase to Mary Jane.  He heard me and asked, imploringly, if I wanted a beer?  I did not want one…but I wish that I had purchased one.

Mary Jane and I have just returned from two week journey to the Caribbean.

Although we have been there previously, I do not recall meeting so many lovely people before.

Before leaving on our cruise, we met Jack and Jill, at a cocktail party at a resort that we were staying at, the night before sailing away.

We were sitting at a table for four when, Jack and Jill, joined us.  I agree, their names are easy to remember.

We were discussing our various travels and Mary Jane mentioned that we had taken a private Vatican Tour a few years ago.

Jack began to tell us of entering St. Peter’s Basilica, just after the war, and there not being anyone in it.  Also, he noted that the same experience occurred in the Sistine Chapel.

When we returned to our room, I remarked that he must have been speaking of WWII…but that he certainly did not look old enough to have been in that War.

The next evening we had dinner with Jack and Jill and he asked me how old did I think that he was and then told me that he was eighty-nine years old.  I exclaimed that he did not look nearly that old but that by my calculations he must have been to have participated in the Second World War.

Jack held his head high with pride and told me that the events that he had been referring to happened in 1946.

We spoke of politics and faith, they are Jewish, and I was wearing my Star of David ring that was made in Israel.  They were a delightful couple and we were privileged to enjoy dinner with them on a couple of additional evenings.

As we were boarding the bus that was to take us to the cruise ship, Selena told me that she liked my hat.  Selena was checking our names off of a list, as we were traveling with a group.

Selena had that rare combination of talent and ability combined with a wonderful personality…that made each person that she encountered both comfortable and the warm feeling that they were an integral part of the group.

John conducted the events that we were part of on the ship.  Having been in meetings that he conducted at a previous event…I pondered his unique ability to facilitate such a smooth and interesting meeting.

I told him at the conclusion of the cruise that I believed that he, ‘had a good heart…a heart for people…and that it was no mystery to me why he was so successful.’

Each stop and each day brought us beauty and a richness of visual stimulation…but it was the connection with other human beings…that made lasting memories.

I watched with amazement as Mr. Katoot led his team in the massive labor of producing an excellent event for the attendees.  His herculean efforts along with his team of four extremely hard working individuals…made for a flawless smooth journey through our activities.

I told Mr. Katoot what an appreciation I had for his efforts and abilities, having come from a career in University support services…myself.

Have you ever been on a cruise?  If you have I am certain that you have noticed the hard work and long hours that are spent by the ship’s staff.  The Cruise Industry would not exist without these dedicated professionals.