A voyage to the Caribbean Islands December 17, 2024

 Today is December 20, 2024 and I'm doing something different for this web page: the last will be first, and the first will be last. Therefore, there will be several items of current experiences on the first page followed by the first writings on December 17 beginning with "Welcome back you two."

And I thought I'd start with the last painting by Van Gogh created at Dr. Gaudet's home where Vincent was receiving medical treatment. Here is the self-portrait that had been lost and then found many years after his suicide. His mental condition is clearly evident through his eyes, and of course the ever-present turbulence in his brush strokes:

Just the other day Greg McDonald Amazoned the Ann Patchett book 'Bel Canto' to Gary and he brought it with him. Here are a few of her opening words, 

"When the lights went off the accompanist kissed her. Maybe he had been turning towards her just before it was completely dark, maybe he was lifting his hands. There must have been some movement, a gesture, because every person in the living room would later remember a kiss. They did not see a kiss, that would have been impossible."

Are you intrigued, maybe yes, maybe no, or possibly but I'll need more? I am and I'll read for a half hour each day until I get my answers from Ms Patchett.

Welcome back you two. I've been waiting in the wings of Air Canada, so to speak. I believe you settled on this Azamara Cruise about six months ago when Sandy and Cathy from Scotland dropped the hint. I'm glad you did, and when Ray and Christian decided to get on board we all knew that the party was on.

Terryl looks very fine and you don't appear to age either. Let's get prepared for this trip that starts on AC1198 December 17 at 09:00 departing for Miami, and of course you have requested J seats and will probably get them. I see you have booked Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay with a King overlooking the pool and ocean from your balcony until December 22 when you board the beautiful Azamara Journey for their 16 day voyage from Miami to Nassau, St. John US Virgin Islands, Charlotte Amalie St. Thomas, Charlestown, Castries, Port Elizabeth Bequia, Bridgetown, St. Johns Antiqua, Philipsburg, Road Town Tortola, and back to Miami Florida.

So let's get packing and I'll see you at the hotel on Biscayne Bay.

On December 17 AC delivered them on time in comfortable seats at 12:15 but there was a longish walk to the baggage claim and they were burdened with a month of supplies and clothes so they asked for a lift and the attendees in place delivered the wheels and driver in ten minutes. After the trot to the baggage carousel they were in a taxi in another 25 minutes. The Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay is large and beautiful. At checkin they were asked if they would like a higher suite with a fantastic view of The Bay and its surrounds. They accepted the complimentary upgrade and up the elevator to a lovely room. Terryl was in a hurry to buy some beer and wine for the room and returned in 30 minutes. There is plenty to see and experience so after a Cleansing Ale and a Chardonnay on their balcony off they went to The Grand for happy hour followed by a tasty Pork Belly and Mussel dinner with Roast Cauliflower at The Gold Coast dining room in the Marriott. It's an early night they tell me, so lights out to a great start on this voyage.

CASABLANCA on the bay menu cover

December 18 and 19 were spent around the hotel, then a Uber trip off the Bay and into Miami proper. The outgoing was with a driver from Detroit, and following a cordial question asked by Terryl he said, "when I had money I really enjoyed living here." This from a very tall and larger man whose knees tucked under the steering wheel almost meeting the dashboard. On receiving his comment I couldn't help myself from asking, "that's a bold statement would you mind talking about it?" He then launched into his story that started in Detroit where he was in the financial world of stocks, bonds, mortgages and the like doing quite well. Jordan was his name, his language was complicated and critically described highs and lows of winners and losers in the markets and how they got there and that he served until he found himself on the losing end. This man spoke clearly and organized about his education and experience. After about 15 minutes, and very close to our shopping destination another driver was making an illegal U turn right in front of us. All the traffic had stopped. Jordan dropped his window and spoke quickly, "there's no u turn here!" But still the opposing driver inched forward. Our driver then opened his car door and roared, "there's no F ing u turns here!" The other guy yelled, "just watch me" and inched forward and made the turn and off he went.

When we got out of the big guy's very clean car I asked if he'd seen the movie Beef. He said no. It's about road rage, I said. Oh I'll look that up and off he went.

Oysters at 50 cents each. 1 of 2 trays today

From the 24th floor of Marriott Biscayne Bay

We hit TJ Max, Marshalls and Target and got the stuff, WiFi'd another Uber and a new clean Hyundai arrived in 10 minutes and off we went.  We introduced ourselves and Marcel, sporting long shoulder-length red hair, bare muscular shoulders, shorts and running shoes, starting talking about video games and their manufacture. He owns most of them and knows its' creator. Another Uber guy whose hobby is tied to the hip. By the end of our ride we knew plenty about him and he knew something about us and Benjamin McDonald.