Whew!

I’ve been missing…for good(ish) reason. The past month has been quite hectic. I had to move, was working on a big project at work and then right after all that wrapped up, had to organise, amidst all the chaos and move clutter, to go on vacation. Everything culminated all at the same time essentially and I really had no room for error and had to focus to get things done correctly. Imagine I actually said “if I had my way, I wouldn’t go on this cruise right now…I just need a 3 months to organise myself”. I pulled off everything without a hitch but my writing suffered and it had to take a back seat for the hour.

I’m going to ease back in and just talk a lil bit bout vacationing – no details or stories just yet. I wish I can go on vacation willynilly (and maybe I can but I’m not that brave). I always think about so many things, namely:
*who, if anyone, am I going with (as independent as I can be, I am always mindful of everyone else around me – I don’t want to cramp their style)
*is the terrain scooter friendly and will I be able to move around?
*what about where I’m staying, will I be able to get in and out of the bed?
*Does the place have rooms with roll in showers? the list goes on.
The struggle is real and sometimes it’s just easier to go home (where I know I’ll be good) or not go to new places -just depends.

so for the past few years ASal has been talking about going on the Ubersoca Cruise and as much as it sounded like it would be fun, I was sceptical. You see, I’d never been on a cruise before and yes, I hear that they cater to the handicapped etc, I just didn’t know for sure. Depending on the situation too, I prefer to be told “yes it’s Stacey friendly” from someone who knows specifically what I’m dealing with and whom I can trust…that’s probably very limiting but it is what it is – maybe one day I’ll let that go, but it eh today. Well she got the opportunity to go last year and when she came back she said “easy peasy for u…won’t be a problem at all!” I signed up for 2019 without hesitation.

I am so very happy that I went; what a time we had! Of course two days before we left, I started worrying about whether we’d specifically asked for a roll in room – did we even need to on a ship? I couldn’t remember…cuz we talked to the organisers in march or something so and here we are in November. Was I making a mistake? Shit…nothing I could do about it at that late stage, just have to go and deal with whatever the universe had in store for me. Well the universe had a bess time lined up and it was a great 5 days. Will I cruise again? Yes without a doubt although after the USC2019, all other cruises may pale in comparison and I may find them quite boring LOL! like i said, no stories just yet but know that they are coming.

will I ever throw caution to the wind and just go? Doubtful. I like to know what situation I’m going into and need to have some understanding that maybe I’ll be able to handle whatever is thrown my way while keeping in mind that with my wretched disease, anything can happen at anytime. Anyhoo, ah gone so till next week…allyuh hold it dong.

Life is too Short

i can’t believe this has happened again. I returned from my vacation and learned that 3 people had died. One was my favourite radio personality from the trini radio station I listen to regularly (he was younger than I), one person lives here in Atlanta and was one of the older Trinis who welcomed us into their homes years ago when I was a starving student and then there was Carlet. I met Carlet in primary (elementary) school; I think we were about 9. Over the years we didn’t stay in touch but whenever we saw each other, we would lime for a few and catch up. She was battling her own disease but you would never know it because she was ALWAYS so full of life, very positive and ALWAYS smiling. Goodbye my friend…my condolences to all those who loved her. I saw the following posted on her wall…

Speaking of making my life the best story in the world. I went to Barbados for vacation and had a fantastic time. One of the things we did was take a catamaran sail along the west coast of the island. Now Barbados, like Trinidad, is not the most “Stacey friendly” (read accessible) place and when we pulled up by the dock my cousin had to go inside to see what accommodations could be made for me to get on the boat. As she went inside, I got out the car and started making my way over because I wasn’t sure how it was going to happen but I knew that it couldn’t happen with my sitting in the car. There are only 5 people whom I would actually ask to lift me up to take me somewhere cuz they’ve each done it before and quite regularly too – I know I’m not the heaviest person but I certainly do not go around assuming that someone would lift me up if I asked. As I was walking to the dock, a guy came out and I heard him say, “yeah. We can pick her up and take her in”. He went back inside and came back out with another who scooped me up like a rag doll and took me straight on the boat without a second thought. Gavin, the captain picked me up and Reynaldo was his first mate.

the trip included 2 stops – the first to swim with turtles and the other to see 2 ship wrecked boats that are sunk off the coast. As everyone got off and went swimming with the turtles, Gavin told me that he’d take me out at the next stop – I was sceptical, slightly afraid…I am on that (now) self imposed ban from the ocean after all – but how could I say no to that offer. I’d certainly have to put all my trust in this man I didn’t know but could probably assume that he knew exactly what he was doing and signing up for. What the hell? You only live once…I have a a short clip of  our getting in the water but alas, I am unable to load it for u.

The next stop was for lunch and fellas with jet skis approached. I remember looking at them and thinking, “sigh…if only.” I couldn’t see a way that I could end up on a jet ski at all. My eyes made 4 with Gavin’s and I guess I motioned or mouthed something to him cuz he indicated  that getting me on the jet ski would be lil tricky (steups! – just as I thought). 5 mins later, I heard my name, looked around and Mone was calling me over. The guy whose jet ski she was riding was happy and willing to get me on.  I eh go lie, it took about 6 men to get me on. Reynaldo was in the water holding the jet ski steady near the steps of the boat, Gavin was holding me under my arms with his partner jostling with my legs (because u know they weren’t working on their own – especially under all that pressha), one was swinging the legs where they needed to go and finally I was on. Fella jumped on behind me and we were off…

Was great – that day was certainly the highlight of the trip for me. When we docked, Gavin took me back to the car – no questions asked; he was wonderful…the entire crew was.

aye aye captain!

Take your life and make it the best story in the world. Life is too short for regrets and we get no “go backs”.

Follow Me

Get the latest posts delivered to your mailbox: