I did go to Bermuda with my friend Beth when we were in nursing school at BC - and we did have a great time - but I seem to remember that the good times were not all on the beach - I was covered up there as well - I loved the mopeds. And another friend, GeeGee, used to go with friends to the Caribbean - I was never jealous or even interested in going. Altho I did appreciate the T-shirts she brought back!
But my sister Christine went on a weekend cruise two years ago with my youngest sister and Jody's friends - and she enjoyed it - so much that she went again last year. And Jody has been on several weekend cruises! So I was thinking I would like to try it. So when Jody suggested a Keohane cousin cruise, I was in!
Now my three sisters, three cousins and my friend Beth are all going. Cynthia is even flying in from Colorado! Some of us are flying out from Logan this Friday morning - January 23. We are meeting Cynthia and her sister Kathleen in Florida. The ship - Enchantment of the Seas - sails from Port Canaveral on Friday afternoon at 4 pm.
So I am sitting here on Wednesday night about to pack my suitcase. I am staying with Beth tomorrow night. My son Mike is driving me up to Melrose when he finishes work tomorrow at 3 pm. I am trying to think of everything I will need which is difficult having never been on a cruise before! I have all my summer clothes pulled out so now I need to put half of them away. Isn't that what they tell you to do? Pack your bag and then take out half of what you put in! And then take out even more!
I have read a little bit about the Bahamas - their discovery by the Spanish and settlement by the English - the buccaneers and pirates - William Shirley who was governor of Massachusetts in the mid 1700s and then was governor of The Bahamas in 1760 - the settlement by the Loyalists during and after the American War of Independence - the murder of Harry Oakes - William Cardinal O'Connell of Boston buying The Hermitage which had been built by Lord Dunmore in the late 1700s as a summer residence. A couple of links to Boston.
Aunt Monica Murphy worked for the McAlpines of England - she would travel to the Bahamas with them every year. Johnny Murphy talks about the postcards from Nassau that they would receive in Gortdromagh. His cousin said that Aunt Mamie sent her family postcards as well. So this is another reason that I am looking forward to the cruise - to see Nassau where Aunt Mamie used to visit.
Ahhh, now it is Thursday morning - my bags are packed - overpacked I am quite sure! I have printed my Jet Blue information, checked in online, have printed my cruise information and Sea pass - printed Beth's information as well - her printer is giving her trouble. I have my knapsack ready with license, passport, Mastercard and some cash, camera, chargers, suntan lotion, sandals and books. I have a small bag with old PJs, etc. that I can use tonight and can leave them with my old winter jacket at Beth's so I don't have to carry those on the cruise.
I think I am good to go - just need to take a quick shower - put on old clothes I'll leave at Beth's - pick Mike up at work (I dropped him off in Yarmouth at 7 am this morning) - and we'll jump on route 6 for the Sagamore Bridge and be off to Beth's. Her Brian is driving us to Logan Airport in the morning. The flight is at 7:30ish - I hate to think what time we have to be there!! But then it will be party time for the Keohane cousins!!
Ohhh, but before I forget! Let me run out to the girls and give them a good supply of pellets and water - don't want anything to happen to my poor chicks while I am gone!
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| Thank you Jody for the beach bag!!! |
