Story Veta (Book 2) (complete)

[Kathy in FL]

I will not be posting this one quite as fast as Book 1. It is all written and a lot of it already posted at FP, but what isn't posted isn't ready for prime time and needs editing but there is still a lot of the first half written. Lots of real life going on so if I seem short with any answers to questions, or if I miss them, I promise I'm not be a donkey on purpose ... just burning the candle at both ends and in the middle. Thankfully got to have lunch with @dawgofwar10 and @tiredude yesterday so have some good memories. If any of y'all make it to the Tampa area, sing out and we'll try and meet up. TB2K is a community. We should take advantage of that when we can.

Let's set the stage:

Time has passed between the end of Book 1 and the beginning of Book 2.
Life has not been a fairytale.
Both Veta and Vit still have some growing to do.
There are other family pressures and challenges.
There are financial and societal pressures and challenges as well.
And life continues to throw curve balls that they are doing their best to deal with.

----------------------------

Chapter 1

“Kokhana …”

I hated the tired and defeated sound in Vit’s voice. I hated more what had put it there.

I told him, “Stop worrying about me. Okay, so we had plans. But this isn’t the first time we’ve had to prove how flexible we are, and we aren’t the only people this is affecting.”

He sighed but consented to me massaging his shoulders and then leaned back into my embrace. “Yes. We had plans. I promised …”

Trying to not show how upset and angry I actually was, since it wasn’t at Vit, I said, “We put off having kids because it is what made sense at the time. Things were too crazy, and we had a lot to do around Pembroke House, work that I couldn’t have helped with had I been pregnant. Then there were the wars and rumors of war thing that has been going on. Waiting a little longer won’t hurt. Just tell me at the end of this, even if … if we haven’t found a place to call our own, we’ll still discuss it.”

“Of course my Kokhana. And forgive me. I simply cannot … cannot …”

We’d been over this same ground too many times to count. Vit’s fear of leaving me pregnant and alone, of leaving a child of his without a father and some type of financial security that would keep them from growing up in an orphanage as he had. I told him, “Stop believing it is somehow your fault. We had an agreement. Life just handed us … a bowl of lemons. It isn’t your fault.”

“Isn’t it? If I had not invested in those bonds, we would have had the cash to buy the house ourselves. You would not be leaving your family behind once again. It is too high a price to pay for my failure.”

Stoic around all others, with me Vit could be highly emotional and fixated on what he saw as his shortcomings and their effect on me. In reality, while I was very angry, he was the last person I would direct that anger at.

“You didn’t fail.”

He tried a different track. “Veta, see reason. Stay with your family. There will not be as much communication as we had on the Sun and O’Meg.”

“That’s fine with me. Communication apparently isn’t all that important to them.”

Vit blinked and struggled for a response for a moment before acknowledging, “You … remain angry with them.”

“I remain furious at them.”

“Kokhana … they didn’t know what would happen.”

Snarling I spit out, “Of course they didn’t. They only thought of themselves.”

“Kokhana … Love ….”

“Vit, I still love my family but some of them …” I shook my head. “I know they gave me a lot of help growing up and then getting on my feet as a young adult. They put up with a lot as well. I know I owe them way more than I will ever be able to repay. But they didn’t even think to give us a chance. Nothing we said made a dent. They wanted everything as fast as yesterday and refused to think beyond what they believed to be their own needs.”

“Derrick needs the operation.”

“I know that!” I jumped and turned away. “God I’m sorry Vit. That was uncalled for. I’m so …”

And then it was him holding me. “Shhh. It is all very much for you.” He sighed. “Are you certain Kokhana? The situation is going to be a difficult one with an uncertain end date and uncertain duties in uncertain places. And the rest of it …”

“I will not be separated from you. I’ll deal with everything else, even the family stuff, but I won’t lose you.”

“You’ll never lose me Veta.”

“You know what I mean. And this is all because they …”

“Veta. Please. Do not let these circumstances cause a vohora … a feud. I will leave on my own if that …”

“You do that Vit Dymtrus and I swear on everything holy that there will definitely be a feud. The only reason there isn’t one now is because they all act so … so …” I sniffed in contempt. “They are all so tragically apologetic.” Sneering and mocking them, “We didn’t know. No one told us what the consequences would be. It was all supposed to be painless.” Returning to a more normal tone of voice I hissed, “Painless? If they had only given us a little more time, a few days at most, we could have purchased the house ourselves and kept it in the family. At the worst we could have paid them all incrementally and they wouldn’t have been hit with the capital gains tax that cut their profit in half. But no … they ‘needed’ the money immediately. They had debts that were eating them alive and selling the house would make all their problems go away. I cannot believe how stupid my own family has been.”

“Gently Veta.”

“Gently? Gently?! Who in their right mind ties revolving credit accounts to their house equity with the economy the way it is?! And at their ages?! They should have known better. Poppa taught them all better. And because they didn’t get the amount they thought they were getting the loans are being called in anyway and their creditors are taking liens. What really gets me is now that I’ve had time to examine things that not even Charlie or Dylan thought it was a bad idea. They went right along with the rest of them thinking that it would solve everyone’s problem and get rid of a problem asset that didn’t bring income but created expenses. Expenses that WE were taking care of and they never even had to pay for!”

“Veta. Kokhana …”

I continued to rant. “Only it wasn’t painless for anyone. And they created a huge problem for us!”

Trying to distract me he said, “You are sad to lose your childhood home.”

I stomped my foot. “It isn’t the house no matter what anyone thinks! They put you at risk! Your green card! It was nearly cancelled Vit! We were just this close … this … close … to the immigration hearing. What would we have done if Baird hadn’t called out of the blue like that?!”

“Shhhh. Shhhh. God’s ways are unknowable. It happened the way it did. Don’t question it.”

Who would have thought Vit would have ever become a member of what Charlie calls the Amen Pew? But somehow that is exactly what has happened. It is the contacts at the church and amongst Devin’s crowd, that militia masquerading as a neighborhood watch group, that has allowed him to stay employed and keep his Green Card good. But times are hard and no matter what or how people are willing to help, the government says you can’t be dependent on charity or subsidies to remain an immigrant in good standing. Farm workers are especially scrutinized and have a completely different Visa – nonpermanent – than Vit has. Only that is the category his short time contract work put him into.

See when my siblings, equal members in the Trust my parents left behind, voted to sell Pembroke House and split the proceeds, what no one seemed to realize is that the government worker that handled Vit’s records would take it as a sign that he was homeless, especially since we weren’t able to secure a lease on a rental where we could find work. It was one of those Catch-22s … no permanent job so no lease, no lease therefore we couldn’t find a permanent job. That set off the alarms and then the case worker found that Vit didn’t have a permanent job per se but was dependent on what they considered piece work. A hearing was set and if Byron Baird hadn’t called us desperate the night before Vit was to appear to ask if we knew of anyone willing to do the job we had done previously … I don’t even like to contemplate what could have happened.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 2

“I can’t believe that Little Toad actually came in here to make sure you weren’t stealing any of the fixtures.”

I looked at Devin and shook my head. He was the only one of my siblings that I was on easy speaking terms with. I said, “Good luck with him. And I’d start telling everyone to be prepared for code enforcement to be called on a regular basis.”

Devin, used to the fact that I could always back up the strange things I said, looked the question at me and just waited.

“I overheard him telling his son that he was going to make sure that everyone in the neighborhood cleaned up their act so property values would rise.”

Getting a slightly confused look on his face Devin asked, “He does realize this is a rural community with no HOAs?”

I snorted. “No, I don’t think he does. Or if he does his wife doesn’t. Between making all her notes on the voice recorder – like gutting the kitchen to update it even after Vit spent all that time and money on it and who knows what all as I was trying to tune it out – she asks what days the garbage truck runs.”

“What days … are you serious?!” he laughed.

“Dead serious. And when she found out it doesn’t ‘run’ and that they will have to take everything to the dump themselves, and pay by the pound including penalties for not separating out the recyclables, she looked like she was going to faint. She also started having a fit when she found the local ‘country club’ was just some local good ol’ boys getting drunk and hit a few tees to keep them from playing drunk target practice with trees. And she was scandalized to find out the only ‘yachts’ on the river are bass boats with mercury motors. I don’t know where you all found them, but it couldn’t have been from anywhere near here.”

Devin frowned. “Don’t say ‘you all’ because I was never part of this.”

I sighed. “I know you weren’t. And I’m sorry if I lumped you in.”

“I’m really sorry how this turned out Veta. Losing you and Vit is going to hurt.”

I snickered a bit and said, “Not as much as gaining these new neighbors will.”

“Don’t bet on it,” he said shaking his head. “You sure there’s nothing Dylan can do? No strings he can pull?”

Trying to use some grace, since I’d gotten plenty in my life, I answered, “None. And … just let it go. All the doors may have been closed, but we found a window that was cracked open.”

Shaking his head, “You sound like Vit.” After a moment and another head shake he said, “And Vit sounds like Dad. But I can’t even begin to imagine what our Ol’ Man would say about what has gone down.”

“Then stop trying to. Poppa …” Shaking my own head I said, “It is what it is. This is providential and at least Vit and I won’t be separated.”

“But will you come home,” he asked seriously.

I shrugged. “Who knows? I’ve stopped trying to predict the future … and predict people.” Trying to be thankful for what we’d had … and what we still had … I told Devin, “I hope you know Vit and I appreciate all that you and …”

“Hush. Vit earned it every step of the way. He’s a good man Veta. Dad would have liked him. We all feel … dammit … this wasn’t supposed to happen.”

“Yeah,” I said, taping another plastic tub closed. “People keep saying that.”

Giving me a close once over he said, “You’re a lot angrier than you’ve let them know.”

I shrugged. “What good would it do? There’s no changing what happened. And … a solution fell in our lap even if it was at the last possible second. I just hope everyone has learned to think a little further ahead than the end of their nose. Even a few more days would have given Vit and I a chance to sell a few more things and come up with a down payment. And when the Bonds mature, we could have paid the rest off. But no, they kept telling themselves it was for the best, that they were getting a higher price by selling it to a non-family member. Instead, between taxes and closing costs they’re going to be lucky to get fifty cents on the dollar of what they thought they were going to get. Maybe not even that.”

Vit came down the stairs carrying one of our old traveling trunks out of the attic. “Are you sure you will only need one?”

I smiled trying to lighten his mood, “It will be just like old times.”

Refusing to be anything but serious he said, “No. It won’t.” He turned on his heel and headed back up the stairs to see if he could make any of his current wardrobe work as pieces of the “uniform” we would both be required to wear.

“How’s he doing?” Devin asked.

“How do you think? If it wasn’t for you and the …” He gave me a look and I rolled my eyes before changing the words I was going to use. “The neighborhood watch, he would have been hard pressed to find work.”

“I’m sorry the school idea didn’t pan out.”

I gave a sour chuckle. “I don’t think some of them ever meant for it to pan out.”

“Veta …”

“Stop Dev. I’ll eventually get over my anger, but it won’t be today … and it won’t be tomorrow either. I put up with the heavy-duty disbelief in my ability to do the job only because I had so much to do around here. I’ve put up with a lot since coming back home. Everyone encouraged me to go off on my own because it would help me grow up. Well between college and then the overseas work I did, only somehow they decided to move the bar just a little further each time to keep it out of my reach. I will always love all of you but … this finally and forever getting away from the family, if that is what happens, may be for the best. Vit … and I … have earned more respect than many of you guys were willing to give us. Even if you couldn’t or wouldn’t see it in me, Vit definitely didn’t deserve some of the crap he was served up.”

Quietly he said, “I know. So do they. Just not all of them will admit it.”

“Well I’m beyond caring either way now. Even if I could accept what has happened to me, I refuse to tolerate what they’ve done to Vit. Some of them act as bad as the Klukkers do when it comes to immigrants, illegal or otherwise. He’s done everything legal and above board, earned his way, assimilated … everything.”

“Yes, he has,” Devin said. “And most people know it and see it. It … its just the times right now.” I could tell he was ashamed a bit because before he met Vit he’d had a few concerns about me marrying an immigrant. Concerns that included wondering if Vit was just marrying me to get a green card. He’s over it now of course, but that doesn’t mean that others haven’t wondered the same thing. Including the case worker that handles Vit’s paperwork. The woman is a witch on wheels and has caused us endless grief from the very beginning. It wasn’t until she pitched a fit at the hearing and let slip that she’d had a target on Vit’s back for a long time that the Judge removed her from the case and had another case worker assigned. Despite being tougher in some areas, the man has been much easier to work with overall and even expedited Vit’s employment paperwork.

See Vit – and I – accepted the job with Mr. Baird. And since Mr. Baird holds dual citizenship (Scottish and US) he qualifies as a US employer that will keep Vit in good standing with the immigration monitors. And Barney – who remains Mr. Baird’s personal secretary – emailed all the forms and yada yada that the new case worker needed to extend Vit’s status and put it back in good standing. There was a deep sigh of relief in the Dymtrus household that day I tell you.

There were sighs of relief in various Petric households as well, or so they claim, but I wonder if the sighs were because of their own guilt or because they were truly relieved for our sake. Maybe that is being too harsh, but it is how I feel right now. The last couple of years has created schisms in a lot of families, I just didn’t want to believe it would happen in mine.

Devin spent the rest of the day helping us pack and move most of our household items so they could go in storage. The new owners of Pembroke House wanted us out forthwith or they would bring a motion to evict us. We aren’t taking a chance that it could monkey with what we’ve worked so hard to arrange so we accepted Angelia’s offer to store our belongings in one of the unused sheds at the microbrewery and we’ll crash at Derrick’s place for a couple of days to help Christine. Derrick has never been a good patient, but lately he’s been just awful. There’s reasons but still … Christine needs a break from it.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 3 (Part 1)

“I’ll be honest and won’t say you didn’t have to,” Christine said on a tired chuckle as she leaned against the kitchen counter as I did the dinner dishes.

“Any news from Lena’s parents?” I asked.

“Unfortunately yes. The judge in the case has pushed it to the back burner and doesn’t seem to be inclined to reinstitute the conservatorship.”

“Even with her history and once again acting like she is?”

“Thus far, we’re told that her actions haven’t met the criteria. She still only has access to the barest of a percentage of her trust fund, but it is enough to get that sleezebag lawyer interested in taking her case.”

Trying to untangle what I had been told … and what I hadn’t … I said, “But what’s the justification for getting Derrick’s assets frozen? If she has the trust fund …”

“Honey, if we knew what Lena was thinking we might be able to get ahead of her and fight it better, but given her mental state that’s likely to be nearly impossible.”

“But taking anyone to court that won’t support her attempts to force Derrick to reverse the divorce and recognize their marriage and ignore everything else … especially the fact that he has already remarried and been that way for some time … and some of the suits are over the smallest of things … and supposedly with the few friends that stood by her when she got out of the institution. I mean her lawyer even tried to come after Vit and I until he found that we didn’t have pockets, much less deep ones. I mean doesn’t that speak to a disturbed state of mind?”

“It can be seen that way when you are on the receiving end of it,” she said nodding her head. “But taking someone’s rights away, especially when it is due to mental illness, is not as easy as it sounds. And the courts are really backed up because of all the days the buildings were closed due to bomb threats and all the other nonsense that has been going on. That doesn’t even begin to cover the fact that the State had to lay off so many of the judges’ support staff and all those clerks down in records. It is like that all over, not just in Jacksonville. At least there is some hope on the horizon that we can get things unfrozen.”

“Really?” I asked, excited to finally hear some good news.

“We’ve got proof she is refusing to comply with her court-ordered medication regimen. She’s also violated the order of protection that Reggie got when she started stalking him. This last time she came into his college class and made a horrible scene and was taken off by campus police. By rights she should have been Baker Acted … and would have been had there been any beds available.”

“Oh no. How did he handle it?”

“Reggie acts very detached from it all and will matter of factly explain to anyone that asks that his mother caused her own mental illness from the drugs she was taking.”

I winced a bit at how that had to make him feel. I asked, “Did he find a good support group in Gainesville?”

Finally smiling she told me, “Oh Veta, I met the counselor that leads the sessions and it was like meeting an old friend. He’s very good. And there are people of all ages in the group and they’ve already helped Reggie … and us … by giving us some coping mechanisms and even some legal help.”

“I’m glad. Er … what about Benji?”

She turned sad just as fast as she’d turned optimistic. “I’m really worried about him. He’s so angry. He only took it out on us that one time but …” She shook her head. “He scared himself badly. And then cried, scared that he was turning into Lena. I’m glad that my brother encouraged us to get him involved with the dojo where he trains. If nothing else, it gives him someplace to work that gawd awful energy he has off. And there are a lot of Vets and other PTSD sufferers in the various classes so Reggie really fits right in, when he lets himself. I hope I’m not imagining it, but the routine and training seems to be helping him to order his mind and make it less chaotic. He actually laughed at something Derrick said two days ago and you know I can’t even remember when the time before that was.”

After kitchen cleanup she asked, “Are you sure you and Vit won’t take the upstairs guest room?”

I shook my head. “Downstairs and some distance between Derrick and I is better. He keeps trying to get into an argument over the dumbest things, but I just can’t tell him that.”

“Oh Honey …”

“Christine, I don’t blame him. Or you. He was taking those tests in Jacksonville and dealing with the Lena situation and just assumed that Charlie and Dylan had approved everything – and they had – but … just whatever.” I sighed, trying not to get on the hamster wheel my emotions sometimes hop on without my say so. “And … I’m getting closer to being able to forgive everyone for their part in what happened. But … and I’ll admit it to you if none of the others. Their heavy-handed way of trying to put me, and thus Vit, in our place … like they know best and ignore that we might have had everyone’s best interest in mind, not just our own, when we were trying to arrange financing. And they’ve generally been like that from the beginning. Just because Vit’s history is what it is doesn’t mean that his university degree is worth less than mine or theirs. And now they are trying to put Humpty back together so they don’t have to feel so bad for knocking him off the wall to begin with … it just isn’t working. And then they get angry when I … when I just can’t … pretend that …”

Christine had learned that she could butt in when I started blathering and that I didn’t resent it. “Veta, trust me. I get it. And so does Angelia but … you know she’s still grieving Cory and she had her own health scare.”

“Her scare was just that, a scare. The lump was just a deep muscle pull. And I’m not minimizing the scare but she’s starting to do what I used to do which is hang on to the scary stuff and use it as an excuse. As for Cory, I feel bad, but he’s not dead. Okay, his ability to walk is in question but he isn’t dead. And he came out of the coma with his faculties intact which is a heck of a lot better than any of the doctors expected. Instead of being ecstatic about it, she’s refusing to even see there are any positives at all.”

“Veta …”

Bulling on through I continued, “I don’t mean to be harsh. I know what it sounds like. And I also know that in her place … I’d probably be a mess if someone didn’t plant my feet back on the ground. But that’s what I’m talking about. I learned a few harsh realities of my own since Momma and Poppa passed, and particularly the last couple of years. You cannot choose the fear and let it win. Not to mention, I’ll take Cory still amongst the living even if that means living in a wheelchair, than having only a tombstone to visit on his birthday.”

She sighed. “So much potential. Fresh out of basic training.”

Trying not to be irritated that she hadn’t heard a word I’d said I told her, “And he still has potential. Yes, the idiot terrorists took away some of his options, but they didn’t take away his entire life, or his potential.”

“I know but …”

“No buts. Angie needs to stop it. If she would, then Cory would be more likely to climb out of the Well of Despair and start being grateful to be alive.”

“Honey, you’re right. That’s a little harsh.”

I raised my hand, “Sorry, but experience speaking here. Or have you forgotten all the stories the others told on me when I came to live with Momma and Poppa as little more than a blind and deaf lump.”

“Oh Veta. Really? Honey …”

“Yes really. Charlie had Cory smiling that day he took him off to go work on that inventory project. He came back feeling proud of himself, hopeful. But then everyone could only focus on what Cory isn’t any more and not on what he could be. It’s gotta stop. It isn’t helping anyone. Not Angie and certainly not Cory.”

Walking into the kitchen Derrick said, “You were never a ‘lump’ Veta.”

“Next best thing and you know it. At least at first. But Cory isn’t. And he has all his faculties and a lot of potential. And the VA is putting him in that treatment program.”

“No one knows if it will work, its experimental.”

“Well it definitely won’t work if Cory can’t get the right attitude. And you’re looking like green cheese again.”

“Thanks,” Derrick responded sarcastically.

“You’re welcome,” I said deadpan before shaking my head. “You know if we could be, Vit and I would stay for the surgery.”

“It’s a routine procedure.”

“That’s not the point,” I said.

“Yes it is,” he said, kissing the top of my head. “Things will work out. You and Vit will be fine.”

“I know.”

“Then start acting like it,” he said pushing my buttons because that is all I have acted like even when I secretly wondered if after this life would finally let us alone to live. Derrick was the irritating and snarky one, irritated both because of how the medication affected his moods … and because I was going away again. And potentially not coming back because Vit and I need to start our lives, not wait around for people to let us start our lives like they’ve been trying play at doing.

“I am,” I told him carefully, refusing to give him the disagreement he was looking for. Sometimes I wonder if it was a mistake to come back to Pembroke. Yes, it had its positive aspects, but we’ve also had to deal with a lot of what Charlie was fond of calling Crap Sandwiches. I suspect Derrick is carrying his own guilt on what happened but there’s no way to change the past and I’m done laying down on the tracks so the Petric Express can run me over.

I told them both goodnight and went to find Vit who, instead of being asleep as he needed to be, was up studying some papers Barney had emailed us.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 3 (Part 2)

“Anything new?” I asked, admiring my Cossack as I changed into my own night clothes.

“Some good news. Barney says not to be concerned with trying to build a uniform wardrobe. That will save the trip to Jacksonville neither one of us wanted to take. When we arrive in Miami we’ll be met and taken to a local hotel – that part is still being arranged but we should get the details soon – and we’ll go through some Orientation meetings set up by Human Resources. We’ll get our uniforms, be processed, sign some additional paperwork, and receive the itinerary after we take pictures for our security clearance and badges.”

“Badges?” I asked as I sat on the bed beside him. He made room in his personal space … encouraged me to get even closer … and then showed me some of the papers. “Barney has included some things that she suggests we bring with us but at the same time there is a list of prohibited items. The violin and case have been approved but they’ll need to be turned over to the Inspection Team.”

Grateful to have the worry addressed I nevertheless muttered, “So long as they don’t damage it.” Looking at the list I said, “I swear, a lot of this is just how I prepared for the trip with the Marchands. It looks like we can mark shampoo and soap off the list just like last time.”

“Agreed,” he said absentmindedly. “But we must remember, while there are similarities there are some glaring differences as well. This may be a cruise ship, but it has been converted to a diplomatic envoy of sorts … almost like a floating UN. There is going to be a lot of security, areas that we will be prohibited from, many rules that may not on their surface make sense, but with heavy penalties if they are not adhered to.”

Running my hands up and down his back, “We’ve already discussed that part. As well as the school set up for all the diplomats’ kids that will be on the trip with their parents.” A little hesitantly I asked, “Did you find out what happened?”

Vit sighed. “Some of it. Barney is as she always has been, extremely loyal to Baird. And she has never been a gossip.”

“But she gave you some clues.”

He nodded but then shook his head. I was about to ask which it was when he said, “Martina is dead.”

That shocked me. “What?!”

“She and the Donna both. They were killed in London when the Mayfair Hotel was bombed.”

“Oh my Lord,” I whispered. “And … the children?”

“They were in school. Baird was almost too ill to go to the funerals but called the children home and refuses to let them return to their schools. Nearly refuses to let them out of his sight from what Barney said. He feels justified because the boys’ school was likewise attacked during one of the last terrorist sorties before the fatwa was lifted, the one for that deportation ship that was sunk.”

“What is this world coming to? I had no idea. They never released all the names of the victims. But that explains the whole weirdness that was coming through … and why Baird didn’t seem to want to talk about it.”

“That isn’t all. Baird has been very ill for a while now. It started not long after he returned to Scotland.”

“After the attack on the O’Meg.”

“Yes, then. At first his doctors put it down to the stress of what happened and its effect on his blood pressure. But his symptoms became unusual and erratic. He would get well then ill in cycles. Only each time he became more ill and less well.”

“Cancer? Something else?” I asked thinking of Momma.

“Something else.” Obviously troubled Vit nevertheless continued to explain. “After the Donna died her son came to collect her personal effects and her journal was found. What he read caused him to locate her other journals and read them. He called a family conference and then took what they learned to Baird’s doctors. Baird was grieving and it was a while before people were sure he was going to pull through. If it weren’t for the children, he would doubtless have given up. He really had cared about Martina despite it being a marriage of convenience.”

“Drop the other shoe already.”

More practiced in divining the meaning of some of the more colloquial phrases I’ve been using he didn’t have to ask me to explain, he simply did it. And I was quite shocked. In the Donna’s own words and handwriting, it was revealed that as soon as her children’s spouses disappointed her, she began to … dispose … of the errant – and to her, usless drags on her plans … so she could marry her children off to someone that would give her more respect, bring her better connections, ensure her financial security.

It took me a while to understand he wasn’t joking. “You don’t mean …”

“I do. But it is none of our business and we are staying out of it. It is enough to know that Baird found his backbone and his health has improved enough that he has insisted on filling the diplomatic position his cousin has abdicated since becoming the Earl. What he can’t get over is his need to keep the children with him though they aren’t really young children any longer. The boys are now fifteen, nearly sixteen, and Edda only a year younger.”

“And the baby? Or little girl now I guess.”

“Yes, she will come as well but her Nanny … that girl Sofia … will be her primary caregiver.”

“So Sofia remained with the family after all.”

“Such is my understanding,” he muttered as he looked at another piece of paper.

He handed it to me and it turned out to be a packing list of sorts. I mumbled, “Like going away to summer camp.”

“Hmm?”

Explaining I said, “This looks like the same sort of list I would get the few times I went to summer camp. Right down to how many socks and sets of underwear I was allowed to bring.”

He snorted then asked, “They say this is a suggestion. What of your plans?”

“My plan is to try and not be as irritated as their need for secrecy is driving me to be. I have no idea what the weather is going to be. We have 50 lbs each plus our carry on and a personal item. If we don’t need a heavy coat it will save a lot of weight and space.”

“Do not worry about that. Barney says that if such is necessary it will be assigned to us when we get our uniforms. Er … and so will some of our nyzhnyu bilyznu.”

“They’re going to issue us our underwear?!”

“Shhh,” he chuffed in humor at my embarrassed outrage. “Remember this is an international diplomatic envoy. We will be … hmmm … quasi-military personnel. They want our appearance, at least onboard ship, to be standardized so that everyone’s status is obvious to anyone else. Particularly to the media that will be traveling on the ship. I suspect it is also for security purposes. By issuing most of our onboard clothing they can control if any foreign substances, wires, etc are being secreted upon our bodies, at least at embarkation. After that security getting back on the ship will be quite tight.”

I had to let that one go. Security has become a huge issue in our lives the last couple of years. Even to go into many stores you must go through a security checkpoint. It is like it used to be getting into Disney World. If you bring a bag, assuming they allow it, it must be searched and then you have to go through a metal detector as well. I hated going through those things, still do, because my hairpins and barrettes inevitably set them off and then I get asked embarrassing questions, get the wand swept over me, or sometimes even get felt up by a female security guard. Gah! But I put up with it on the Sun, hopefully this will be similar in nature.

“Kokhana …”

“Hmm?” I asked absentmindedly as I was trying to mentally rearrange what I needed to start packing tomorrow.

“Were you able to locate the money belts that Charlie gave us?”

“The ones we used when we disembarked the Sun?” At his nod I said, “They’re in your duffle bag suitcase since they nixed us using the trunk. I put your carry on and backpack in there as well. Are you sure you want to bring all the remaining pirate booty? We were supposed to convert that into a down payment on a house once the gold and silver market comes back up.”

“I am not bringing, as you say, all of it. However, as we have yet to find out exactly what our salary will be, I will not be left at the mercy of whoever is making such decisions. You are making a great sacrifice once again and … Ow! Veta, there is no need to pinch. You will not change my mind on that. I may not be able to provide what I did when we were on the Sun, but we will have some private time together and I want to try and enjoy it. If we must put off our life plans, we should at least try and enjoy the reprieve.”

“Reprieve?” I asked doubtfully. “I … I thought it was mutual that …”

He kissed me. “Reprieve was the wrong word. It is a reprieve from the worry of losing my green card. I am … angry … that due to my immigration status we must once again put off our desire for children.”

We spent a moment consoling each other and then I told him, “Since it doesn’t sound like I’ll have to pack our coats, I’m going to try and squeeze in there an extra, empty duffle bag in case we do come back with anything extra.”

“And Miss Veta’s magic backpack?” he said teasing me.

“She’s not Miss Veta anymore but … yes I pulled out the old thing.”

“Ah, you finally smile,” he said sounding relieved.

“Nostalgia.” Changing the subject I said, “I saw you got an email from Nicholas. How’s he doing?”

“Getting over his disappointment that the league cancelled the season. He’s going to use the time to coach with a local club. He’s also helping Madam administrate the charity foundation she has put together. It is sports-based and he is surprised to enjoy the work a great deal.”

“Madam is sneaky. If she couldn’t draw him in with one thing, she found something else that worked.”

“Perhaps. He mentioned that Frankie won another science award, this one in ornithology.”

“I saw it posted on his blog.”

“You are sad that he no longer writes?”

Thinking it over I said, “Not really. He’s grown up quite a bit since he last saw me. In the pictures he doesn’t even look like the same boy. I hope I made a difference for him and that he remembers our time together with some fondness, but it is unrealistic to have expected him to continue to need me and correspond in the same way. It is almost as if … I belonged to a dream he once had.”

“I am sorry Kokhana. I know the boy meant a great deal to you.”

“He still does. He was a wonderful first student and … let’s be honest, despite the months gone by, I haven’t had any more. I was a companion for Edda but, little more than a facilitator to all three of them.”

“And I am sorry for that as well. I know your love of teaching.”

“But the career field was, and continues, to change. Despite some bumps, the new virtual classroom set ups are really working for most students. There were a lot of teachers with more seniority than I … they’re on the hiring list first.”

“And the Pembroke School?”

I shrugged, trying not to get into all the hurt feelings again. “What’s done is done. Lucky for us I had my languages degree and it has turned out even more useful … at least when I’ve been able to get work it has. I still don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t held my hand while I accepted reality.”

He kissed my cheek and said, “We held each other’s hands. Nothing has turned out quite as expected … except that I grow to love you more each day that passes.”

“Oh … well … there is that,” I responded giving him the come hither look he was angling for.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 4: January 2nd – Pembroke, FL

Vit stood talking to my brats and brats-in-laws, some of them anyway, and it looked like he might need rescuing. They were obviously giving him instructions and he was the last of them that would need such since we seemed to be right back where we had begun. I started to go over to him when from behind me I heard, “I hate that you have to go.”

I was resigned to another one of “those” conversations. “Angie we’ve been through all of this,” I told her as gently as my emotions would allow me. In the back of my head I kept hearing them all saying selling the house was for the best. Why does she and the others suddenly act so regretful, like it wasn’t really their idea, but one forced on them. They had to know one way or the other that it would change things.

She opined, “We see each other every day. What am I going to do without you?”

“The garden and orchard are gone now so that should free up a lot of your time and hopefully, along with the new licensing requirements met, you’ll get the brewery back up and running to full capacity. Besides all the boys have moved home and can help; and if they drive you too crazy, Christine is right across the road and the others are up and down the Lane.”

She sighed doubtfully. “They’re already missing the garden and orchard but not as much as I’m going to miss you. And don’t even mention those other people.” She sighed again, something she had gotten into the habit of and it seemed to punctuate every conversation she had.

Everyone had already had to deal with the new and less than agreeable neighbors. They didn’t fit in in several ways including their completely different worldview and wanting to be the “Joneses” that everyone kept up with. Except, no one around here really cared about stuff like that. And the rest of it? The things they’d already done to the house, and those that were planned, stuck out like a sore thumb on Pembroke Lane. They’d even taken out some of the fruiting trees and destroyed the garden and arbor by pouring concrete and putting in pavers where they can have their outdoor “soirees” and other parties. They tore up another section of the property adding a parking area … only to get notice from the county that the property isn’t zoned for those types of gatherings and they’ll have to apply for a permit exception for each social event. To say they were unhappy is an understatement that little salvo didn’t even begin to cover it. And they kept trying to force everyone else in the community to “come into this century” regardless of whether that is what others wanted or not. They could be found at each and every city and council meeting pushing their agenda. To call them neighbors-from-hell might just be an understatement. Code Enforcement has even put them on ignore which I didn’t think would ever happen. But for now, that is other people’s problem, not mine … or Vit’s. The others made the choice to sell, they can live with their consequences, the same way we must live with ours.

I wasn’t really in as foul a mood as that makes me sound; it is just this wasn’t the time for what they were all trying to pull. It was the wee hours of the morning and I was freezing. The sun hadn’t even come up yet and it was the first truly cold snap that we’d had this winter. We’d survived the holidays couch surfacing here and there, helping out where we could to pay our way. As a result, Vit struggled with his pride, making the holidays just as painful as they used to be for him, though no one but I knew because he could be so painfully stoic in the presence of others.

The envoy had been delayed by a couple of weeks and then delayed again until after the holidays … holidays that Vit and I suffered through as we waited on tenterhooks, trying to secure what we could for the future. We weren’t convinced that the delays wouldn’t adversely impact his visa status. Finally, on Christmas Eve, we got the call we’d been waiting for – with lots of additional restrictions and benefits both, and now it is the 2nd of January and we are waiting on the shuttle that will take us to Miami so we can start the long and drawn out embarkation process. The ship leaves the Port of Miami on the 6th of January and according to Barney we have a lot to do before then. But for now, we are stuck on the side of the road waiting.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 5: January 3rd – Miami, FL

Ugh. Yesterday was … a mess. It felt disorganized and needlessly confining. In contrast today has been painfully organized and constructive. I’m very happy for Vit but I’ve had my own pride get a slap down. I’m dealing with it but … No buts, it is what it is, and I must deal with it.

The transportation was almost two hours late yesterday and I admit we were getting worried, especially as the only phone contact we had was going to voicemail. We had offered to meet at a gas station on the highway, or even make our way to I95 in Jacksonville but the offer was turned down because the driver planned to take the fastest route between pickups on some map he had in his head. Well the GPS punked out, and being unfamiliar with the area, the driver didn’t realize that cell phones didn’t always catch a signal once you got off the main highway. Heck, there are still places on Hwy 90 and I10 that the signal is iffy. Needless to say, by the time the driver arrives he is … less than pleased to be so far behind his schedule. The only thing he didn’t complain about was the fact that our suitcase and duffle were lightweight and Vit was the one that loaded them. “Finally, someone that follows instructions,” we heard him grumbling under his breath.

Since the rest of the family had gone home to prepare for the day, we told Dev to let everyone know when we pulled out. There wasn’t even time for the goodbye to hurt as the door on the small bus was barely closed before the driver was pulling out … Vit and I hadn’t even had a chance to sit down. There were five others already on the bus but none of them seemed inclined to speak. We found out why when the driver said, “Rules are posted at each seat. Read ‘em. Obey ‘em.”

Vit and I looked at each other tensely before reading the sheet of paper glued to the back of the seat in front of us. No electronic devices. No casual conversation. No discussing our placements. No food or water except what was passed out by the driver. When the last passenger was picked up the driver would “explain the additional rules.” If we couldn’t follow those instructions, we could exit at the next stop. Period. Oh, and the “period” was enforced by the fact that two of the five people already onboard were guards with guns. The other three were single passengers that had spaced themselves as far apart as they could manage, and who looked every bit as tense as we felt.

Vit and I arranged ourselves in the converted sixteen-passenger (plus driver) minibus. This one had all the trimmings … solar chargers, multi-fuel including electric, wifi onboard (useless to us of course), and captain seats for every passenger. There was a hook to hang your handbag on and a footrest for those of us of shorter stature (no comments from the peanut gallery please). There was a small cargo area in the rear for luggage as well as a luggage rack above our heads for smaller items. The windows were disconcertingly dark. No one could see in and even during the day it was like looking out into late evening. There were four sets of two seats on either side of the aisle. One seat in the front held a guard. One seat in the rear held a guard. The three singles spread out between them. We were exhausted and Vit signed to me to lay my head over and try and get some sleep until we knew what was going on.

I was jerked out of my nap when the bus came to a sudden halt. If not for Vit’s arm coming across me, and the seatbelt I was wearing, I would have spilled into the floorboard. One of the guards got off and then got back on with a recycled box top with boxes and cups in it.

“Dymtrus!” the guard barked. I wanted to ask which one. Something must have showed on my face because Vit gave me a look with humor hidden behind his stoicism.

He stood up and the guard beckoned him forward and handed him two boxes and two cups. “Tea, right?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

After a brief look of surprise, he called three other names (handing out boxes) before saying, “Next pick up point is a rest area. You can take care of business there.”

And that is the way it went until six o’clock last night. The bus eventually filled as we criss-crossed the state slowly making our way south. We never did get a “rest of the rules” talk as the last person didn’t get on board until 4:30 and from there the driver needed all his concentration to get through rush hour traffic. It took us forty-five of those minutes just to get close to the Florida National Guard installation just north of Miami Beach.

At six we made it through the throngs of reporters and beyond the gates. Our driver took us through to a large warehouse type building and growled, “Grab your gear and get off.” Oh my.

Then we got in line. Strike that. We got into the first line. We had to check in our gear and get them tagged for processing. I handed Vit the stubs from the tags on my backpack and violin case and then we had to go through a more personal screening. TSA had nothing on these people. We were separated by gender, alarming me, but I found out why when we had to undress down to our under clothing as everything, including us, were put through some kind of machine that checked for even the smallest something that wasn’t supposed to be there. And in the process apparently took medical scans as well.

Vit found me frantically waiting for them to finish with my wedding ring. “Yes, I know it's unusual. And valuable. He found it in an antique shop while we were out of the country while we were travelling for one of our previous positions.”

They finally turned it back over and I was more than ready to follow Vit to the next line.

We looked at each other and I know I wasn’t sure what to say. If I told him he looked yummy in uniform it might not have been the most constructive response. On the other hand, I wasn’t happy they’d trimmed his hair the way they had. My “uniform” was basically just scrubs the same color as his uniform. I felt like a sack of potatoes. When I saw him looking at me in relief, I looked the question at him.

“After seeing some of the hair styles the other women have … er …”

“Oh. Well they asked and I said I was keeping my long hair but that I usually wear it in a crown braid and would follow whatever protocol was.”

With more assurance he said, “Up off the collar should be sufficient if what I heard is correct.”

I whispered, “I wonder what else wasn’t in that packet that Barney sent us.” He nodded brusquely as to not show his own misgivings (or so I found out later).

“We will receive the rest of our uniform allotment tomorrow … or perhaps on the ship,” he said, as we both were trying to read the papers that were being shoved into our hands left and right. “It doesn’t sound like they have everything they are supposed to out of storage as of yet.”

The next line was to get a temporary badge, and the one after that was so we could have a five-minute “call home” to let those that cared know we had arrived, and then we were assigned seats where we would eat a meal and wait for room assignments.

And wait. And wait. And wait. It was after midnight before we were bussed to a hotel near the port. Both Vit and I were dragging at that point, and though my mind was in a whirl, I was too tired to write. Five o’clock this morning was our wake-up call and by 5:30 am we were expected to be down in the convention center eating a continental breakfast, picking up our orientation packets, and starting our day.

No one looked bright and chipper. Some of them looked ready to start a fight if I’m being honest. Vit and I avoided those we could until one cranky-gus threw himself down in the chair at the small table we were at, spreading out and taking “his” space while he also spread his awful vibes in every direction by complaining vociferously about how none of it was as it had been explained to him. It was not an auspicious start to the day.

The breakfast was about what you’d find in a cheap hotel that said, “breakfast included.” No matter, it was still more than Vit and I had in the house a few times when we were between harvests and the shelves were empty at the grocery store. I always felt so bad on those days but Vit would hug me and smile the smile he reserved for me and me alone and said the nothing we had was still hundred times better than the something he would get at the orphanage.

During breakfast we were asked to keep it just as quiet as we had been on the bus and a good thing because there were speakers all through the meal and for a while afterwards. Most of them very generalized welcome speeches as well as what to expect throughout the day. We were handed out our schedules and as Vit and I were looking over it, we realized that after a certain point they diverged. Vit was not pleased.

How it worked was that there were too many people to meet all at one time. Too much information that was a waste of time for some people to have. Too much personal information that other people didn’t need to find out in a group setting. It had been decided that the process would be streamlined into small and large groups depending where you belonged on the security hierarchy and what your specific job was going to be. Vit and I were in the first rotation to be introduced to an overview of the ship itself.

The ship is the former 112,894-ton Caribbean Princess, renamed the Bonhoeffer in honor of the mission the envoy has been entrusted with; and apparently the only name that a majority of the countries participating would agree to. A few countries pulled out of the pact because of the name, but it is also suggested that was merely an excuse as they were looking for a way to get out anyway.

Originally built in 2004, the Bonhoeffer – nicknamed the Big B, or just The B – has seen multiple refurbishments, the last one specifically for this mission. It has a top speed, after the latest engine upgrades, of 40 knots. It didn’t sound like a lot to me but Vit gave a silent whistle of surprise. Apparently for a ship its size that was fast, bordering on overstressing the structure. Its length is 950 and beam 159; a decent size but still smaller than some of the mega-cruise ships that were built and put into service during the 2020’s. There are 1,569 passenger cabins and we will top out at 3,766 passengers, not including the crew of 1,200 that have their own quarters. There are 17 decks (1 through 18, skipping the number 13), and 9 of those with cabins. I still hadn’t figured out where we fit in, passenger or crew.

Next, we were split again and our group was herded to Uniforms, or more correctly to our wardrobe fitting. We were measured from our feet up and when they found that I wouldn’t be cutting my hair – something they found odd I suppose given the current fashion trend – they said if a hat was necessary, I could wear a visor with adjustable strap. Since manners don’t cost, I said thank you. I don’t know what it is about people having such low expectations where manners are concerned. Nearly every time that Vit and I use them we get this startled sideway glance.

Our next move was to Job Assignment and it was after that point that we went our separate ways. I suppose it was best to get it over with early as it has allowed me to have my personal adjustment reaction without Vit hovering. Not that he ever hovers exactly, but … I’ll get to that in a moment.

We walked into the office a team. We walked out with Vit nearly cross-eyed from his elevation in status and me … feeling superfluous. Not that I resent Vit, but I feel like perhaps he will do better the less I am around. The man in the office that greeted us actually stood up and came around his desk smiling and shook Vit’s hand energetically. “Thank god Baird was able to get you. Your experience is going to ….” And it went on from there. Vit had continued to do the odd job for Dylan here and there and apparently, that combined with everything else made both the civilians and military sectors happy. Then it came to me.

There had been some jockeying and I wasn’t needed. It was like being hit between the eyes with a boulder. I don’t know what Vit’s expression was, but the man quickly hurried on and said that it wasn’t a problem and I wouldn’t have to ride as kitchen help. I would be considered a member of Baird’s household, doing odd jobs for him and them, and that included acting as chaperone when the diplomats’ kids went ashore. I’d just need to prove that I was qualified. On that I have no idea what they mean, and neither did the assignment officer. I’ll find out tomorrow.

It was at this point that we went our separate ways. Vit went off to join “the club” of upper staff and to meet with Mr. Baird. I went off to learn the correct way to make a bed and scrub a bathroom since there is a good chance that is what I’ll be doing to keep my place on the ship. Vit had lunch and dinner with the Upper Cheeses. I did my best to stay out of the way in the large convention room and eat my stale cardboard sandwich with its lukewarm bottled water, as well as its duplicate for my dinner, before finally being released to return to our temporary room. When I got there, I found Vit’s luggage had been returned, they didn’t know when mine would appear.

I decided to take the chance and shower just in case there wasn’t time in the next couple of days. I had just lathered up when someone decided to jump in and lend a hand. Vit was happily amorous and I decided to stop pouting and be pleased for him. He’d put up with a whole lot to come home to Pembroke with me. We climbed out, dried off, and I listened to him tell me excitedly what his job duties would be. He didn’t question when I borrowed one of his shirts to sleep in but started to clue in when he watched me sponge out some sweat stains from the clothes I’d worn for two days running.

“Veta, where is your suitcase?”

“Still in Inspection Control.”

He then asked, “Did they change your schedule? I went looking to take you to dinner.”

I looked at him and I could see he was fighting being upset with what he was slowly realizing what was happening. “Don’t Vit.”

“Veta …”

“Stop. You deserve this job. You are more than qualified. I am happy that someone is finally recognizing how talented you are.”

“You are my wife,” he said, starting to sound very Cossack-y.

“And you are my husband and so long as we both remember that everything else is just background noise. And don’t give me that look. You do too know what that means.”

He sighed. “This is not how it was meant to be.”

I shrugged. “And how many times have we said that? It doesn’t make any difference Vit. You need … we need … for this to work. And maybe … whatever,” I said refusing to feel sorry for myself since there was so much good coming out of this to offset my other feelings. “At least we aren’t being separated though I get the feeling that maybe it would be better for you if we were.”

“Nii!” he growled.

“Don’t be such a Cossack Vit.”

“Nii. I will speak to Baird.”

“Don’t Vit. This is likely for the best. As for talking to someone, I’ll speak to Barney when there is a chance. Since I’m to work as a member of the Baird household then she is the one that will know what I’m supposed to be doing. This didn’t sound like it was a last-minute change. If it has been in the works, I suspect she’s already addressed it.”

As I spoke I came around and started to massage his shoulders when he’d grown tense. He growled, “Do not try and pacify me. This … is not how it was explained.”

“Maybe not,” I admitted. “But we aren’t going to turn this down whatever it is. It secures your position and gives us options.”

Rather than get into anymore drama since we really didn’t know what the coming days would bring, we set it aside and did what we needed to. Afterall, isn’t that what adults were supposed to do? Even frustrated and disappointed adults?

Vit had paperwork he needed to go over and I pulled out the one dress shirt we’d brought for him as well as a pair of slacks and got them pressed since the meeting would be in a public sector and they had asked that uniforms be left for aboard ship. He’s still at the miniscule hotel desk filling out forms and I think I’ve written myself out. I’m glad Vit insisted on making room for me to bring my journal. I miss being able to type faster on my laptop but until my electronics make it through Inspection Control, I’m thankful for what I have. And I need to apply that principle to all areas of my life.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 6: January 4th – Miami, FL

I hope I didn’t blow anyone’s gasket today. Honestly, didn’t they read my application at all? Yes, I can speak that many languages. Yes, I can read and write that many languages. Yes, my state of Florida teaching license remains active. Yes, I’ve been a traveling tutor before. Yes, I have a CCW. And yes, I have my black belt in krav maga.

It all started when they asked me to prove that my violin was a necessity. Okay, maybe it isn’t your typical necessity, but I play daily, or at least I can count on one hand the number of days that I haven’t played, or at least do a few scales, since we got off of the O’Meg.

I got a few snickers as I warmed up. “You look like you are about to play baseball,” one man said snidely.

I ignored him having heard it too many times before. Then I started Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major Op. 35. I remember the first time I heard the piece. It was a recording of Itzhak Perlman, and I can still see it in my mind, the man was that great a master. And since I hadn’t been asked to stop, I went into Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. When that piece was finished, I looked up to see a lot more people in the room than had been in there when I started. I blinked and put the violin down into the case a little quicker than I normally did while trying to hide how red my face was. A man in dress military blues with a great number of ribbons on his chest said, “Yes Mr. Castle, the violin is a necessity and if you are very good perhaps Mrs. Dymtrus will accept an invitation to play at one of the State Dinners.”

Luckily among the people in the room I spotted Vit and he had a very satisfied look on his face. He said, “My wife plays extraordinarily.”

Mr. Baird – I hadn’t recognized him due to his change in health – said, “Yes, she does.”

I had enough of that and when Vit started getting that possessive look on his face I made sure there was a moment of privacy once I was assured that the violin would be delivered to our room and before I went on to the next “test.”

“Vit …”

“I cannot help it Kokhana. Your playing has always affected me thus. Have they been treating you properly?”

I nearly rolled my eyes but Vit simply wasn’t going to change about some things any more than I was. We’d gotten better at compromising.

“I think I figured out part of what happened.”

“Hmm?” He asked partially distracted as he looked over my schedule making me want to roll my eyes again.

“Vit.” When I had his attention, I told him what I’d heard a couple of the inspection clerks say while I was waiting my turn. “It appears there are a lot of cultural differences causing problems.”

“Cultural differences?”

“You’ve assimilated into American culture and the more liberal treatment of women … no pun intended. But not all the people participating in this envoy have the same worldviews. And rather than just say if the US is picking up the tab for the bathtub then we get to do the picking and interviewing of staff, they did everything by committee. But not all the committees were equally balanced by culture or worldview. When they had my file open I read … you know the upside down reading I can do … the names of the people that had appointed my position. And you can guess what they were ethnically.”

Vit nodded thoughtfully. “Similar problems were discussed within my hearing today. I know you will do the best you can Kokhana, just remember that if anything is … if someone should approach … hmm …”

I let him off the hook and said, “I’m not going to put up with anything inappropriate. And of course I will tell you.” He ran his knuckles down my cheek and then it was time to go our separate ways once again.

Between the languages and teaching certificate issues, plus the musical talent, I guess they’d thought they had put me in the proper niche. Then came the physical part of our testing. When I blocked everything the security guard was throwing at me a woman came over. She reminded me a bit of Vit and then when she spoke her Russian accent was quite pronounced. She was about seven inches taller than me but otherwise we wound up being evenly matched. She sneered at the men who were standing around watching, or should I say gawking, and then made a point of giving me one of the higher grades.

“Can you operate a firearm with accuracy?”

“Handgun? Yes, depending on the caliber. Rifle? Yes. Shotgun? Only a single barrel. Double barrels still spin me around.”

She snorted and then walked me to the next station herself. When she was finished she signed off on my proficiency and asked if I was former military.

“No. I’m current with too many brothers who get hives at the idea of their baby sister being out in the big bad world without being able to protect herself. And a husband who feels the same.”

The corner of her mouth lifted for a microsecond before she handed me a card that looked alarmingly like a paper punch card. Sure enough, I had to insert the punch card into a machine – similar to running the old test scantrons or voting sheets – and the machine made an awful clucking noise before spitting out a new badge. This one hard plastic that had a magnetic strip running down the back like a credit card. I took my new badge to the next table and they attached it to a retractable badge slip clip.

“Sign here.” When I did the man said, “This gets you in anyplace you have clearance for on the ship. You will also sign on and off the ship with it as well as any time security asks you to. Don’t lose it.” I heard the unspoken “or else” and found that Vit had been given an even tougher instruction session since his security clearance was higher. I also received a bracelet that would do the same thing as well as constantly monitor my location while aboard … and it had a GPS tracking chip that would also assist in locating me when I was off the ship. I was issued a communication device that would work both on and off ship but that of course all communication would be monitored for content and had a location chip in it as well. I almost asked if they had my pet collar ready but I have better sense than to actually allow such words to exit my mouth. Usually.

For the moment my handy dandy new toys get me on and off the ship, in our cabin, into the family quarters of the Bairds, into the library and card room, and can be used at the eXchange to get the weekly or monthly supplies that is included with our pay. That was a new one on me. And lucky for me I ran into Barney as I was trying to decide whether I was hungry for another one of the stale cardboard sandwiches for dinner or not.

“Veta?”

“Barney!” Then I stopped and looked around cautiously before saying, “Sorry. I hope I didn’t do anything embarrassing. I’m not sure what the protocol is.”

She snorted. “Them and their interminable protocols. You have a moment? I’m still trying to untangle what the buffleheads did with the paperwork.”

“Of course. At your convenience.”

I followed her to a cubicle where we could have a modicum of privacy. She didn’t bother wasting time and quite plainly said the same thing that I’d surmised from what I’d overheard concerning who had been processing my original job application. When I didn’t act two years old about it, she nodded in relief. “Well don’t let them talk you into something you won’t get paid for. Mr. Baird asked me to look into it, but it is like moving Jupiter to a new orbit. So, what I’ve arranged is this …”

Bottom line is I will be chaperoning Edda primarily, tutoring her and the boys if needed, but also acting as a chaperone at large for the high school group. Since I won’t be teaching in any of the classrooms, in the evenings that I don’t spend with Vit and/or on sea days I’ll be helping with translations and some light correspondence as a “favor” to Barney and then giving Sofia a break when the preschool isn’t available.

“Sorry about that last bit but the girl that I had picked got disqualified when she didn’t get all of the recommended vaccinations in time for the paperwork to go through.”

I chuckled wryly, “What choice do I have? It’s a job and I’m appreciative.”

She blinked and then looked at me more closely. “You are upset.”

Being honest I told her, “I don’t know if I would call it upset, and I certainly don’t expect you or Mr. Baird to take any of the blame over what is obviously an administrative tug ‘o war between cultures, but yes … I’m something. But whatever that something is, I won’t allow it be a problem as long as I have some type of job that doesn’t make me look like I’m expecting Vit to be my Sugar Daddy.”

She snorted in surprise and then started making an odd noise that I realized was her version of a laugh. “We’ll make sure that isn’t a problem,” she said slowly regaining control. She also told me that tomorrow I had a free day and could go on one of the shuttles that was heading into the local shopping district. “I can’t say you’ll find everything you might need but I wouldn’t put it off. Economy has been very bad around here even with such ready access to imports. And don’t worry about the weight limit now that your luggage is here. Yours has already been moved aboard and Vit’s will go there tomorrow night so get everything packed up and tagged with the labels they should have already left in your room today. This year I’m told there was a large increase and Boat People, even more so than after the storm that …” She cleared her throat. “That put the O’Meg in dry dock. So I’d carry whatever kind of protection is available to you. If you have one or two of those reusable grocery bags, take them with you shopping tomorrow, fill them up with comfort items including foods if you can find any, and then stick them into Vit’s bag if they’ll fit to be moved aboard rather than carrying them yourselves. It will make security go faster. I believe they are going to have a ‘with bag’ and ‘without bag’ access line.”

Something suddenly struck me odd. “Er … if all of our gear has already gone through inspection and we’ve basically been TSA’d, will I have to go through that all again?”

“No,” she said succinctly.

“Er … okay?”

“Trust me when I say that isn’t the only security gap I’ve found. Things will tighten up after the ship leaves port and it may be a greater shock for some than they expect.” She shook her head. “Your bags will go through a sniffer coming back in, but once they are packed, if they can make it through a metal detector then that’s it.”

She sent me on my way after that point so she could go hers and I decided the idea of one of those sandwiches had killed my appetite, so I went back to the room. Vit came in a couple of hours later bringing two single-serving size carafes of wine and a box of chocolates.

I smiled and said, “A suspicious woman might wonder what you’ve been up to.”

He saw that I was kidding, and I watched the incipient tension leave his face and shoulders. “I do not like that you are being treated so differently than I. And … I have no use for all of this separation.”

I got up from the bed where I had been sitting cross-legged and gave him a kiss and said, “I have no use for it either but we’re still together so that is all that really matters. How was your day?”

Well about forty-five minutes later he whispered huskily, “I feel much better now.”

I couldn’t help it, I laughed. Most people thought Vit was a stoic and emotionless man, but I knew he was anything but. However, he could still catch me off guard when he let his humor show. We took a quick shower together and then it was his turn to ask me how the remainder of my day had gone. I explained it to him and then told him about crossing paths with Barney and her suggestion that I go shopping tomorrow.

“Do … do you think I should?” That’s when he pulled out one of those government issued EBT cards and gave it to me.

“They haven’t stocked the cabins as we were originally told. It is nearly a month behind and we are going to have to leave port with gaps in the general supplies. Most staff being given stipends told they can purchase items at the Base Exchange but there is also the opportunity to go out into the surrounding community. My understanding is that most of the diplomats and senior ranks have already imported items that started arriving today and will finish up tomorrow … or meet them in or near their home countries. As for you going alone, I have another suggestion. My morning is free, but I need to be back by 1 o’clock for another meeting. Those culture and worldview differences you spoke of are creating some headaches for the people in charge. If you don’t mind my company, I would prefer to take the private vehicle that has been placed at my disposal and avoid the shuttle.”

I told him the idea was more than appealing then asked, “And the EBT card?”

“One week’s salary.” A manila envelope was shoved under the door at the same moment and Vit walked over and carefully picked it up and then relaxed. “And this is from Barney. Baird helped me to … er … liquidate a couple of items and put that and a week of your pay on a debit card. We should start with the EBT card as it isn’t useful outside of the US and then you’ll keep the debit card for use in the ports. You see it carries the gold-backed stamp so it should be accepted in everywhere.”

I stared at that gold emblem for a moment before shrugging and saying, “Some people move in much more rarified circles than I do.”

He kissed me and said, “Do not worry at it. It is a good thing.”

“I’m not worrying at it. I just hope you don’t expect me to spend all my pay. We’re doing this to keep your green card status but I’m hoping that we can at least sock my salary away to have when we are finished with this job.” Rather than give him time to comment I hurriedly asked, “Have you heard yet how long the contract is for?”

“We have a general six-month contract. The exact number of days depends on a few factors that I am not privy to but that I suspect might be due to political issues. Regardless, at the end of the contract I will be less than four months away from being able to apply for US citizenship. Once I take the test, another 180 days and then … then you will have a husband that has legal status and can support you better.”

“We support each other better than fine,” I told him with another kiss. “There are just some ignorant people in the world … including in the US. And unfortunately, a couple in our own family. That someday may find I dump them down a well and forget about them,” I muttered.

He chuckled. “They do not know you as well as they think they do. You have surprised more than a few.”

“Goodie for me,” I said, shrugging. “They wanted me to grow up and become self-sufficient. Now that I have, they can’t seem to wrap their head around it. Next subject please, this one is old and tired.”

As a change in subject we spent a few minutes making a general list of what we need to pick up tomorrow and then Vit needed to prep for meetings tomorrow afternoon. While he did that, I wrote the day out and have tweaked the grocery list. But now Vit and I are both nodding off and if we are to get up as early as he has said, we both need to get some rest.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 7: January 5th – Miami, FL

I woke up early because I did nothing but dream all night in lists. ARGH! I hate when that happens. I should have put a notepad on my side of the bed so that I could jot things down as they woke me up instead of trying to recreate them from memory.

I started with our toiletry bags: toothbrush, toothpaste, tooth floss, shower cap (for me), leave-in conditioner (for me), moisturizer, sunblock, deodorant, Vit’s straight razor and shaving soap. I have my own straight razor these days and the only tricky part is behind my knees and my pits. However, that’s what styptic pencils are for. I’ve tried waxing but it’s like Chinese water torture and doesn’t work all that great on my thick, dark hair no matter what the other females in my family rave about. Gah! On to the list making which is only slightly less painful.

Since Vit knows me so well he’d already asked around and found out where there were a couple of discount stores in the area, and them being located in “ethnically diverse” areas of town bothers me none at all. What also didn’t bother me was having to leave my makeup behind in Pembroke (what little I had left since it wasn’t a need) but what did was having to leave behind my bucket of shea butter and some of my other moisturizers as well as my pumice stone. So, guess what made the cut for things I wanted to buy? I added it to my list and only hoped they wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. I also added more feminine hygiene products despite the fact I probably have enough back home to last a couple of years. Vit, well acquainted with shortages of necessities since it was how he grew up, turned Charlie purple with embarrassment the one time they went shopping together. Vit brought me back a case … seriously an entire grocer’s case … of my favorite brand like he’d struck gold. I thought Angelia and Christine were going to die laughing at Charlie’s expense. He’s refused to go shopping with Vit ever since. I hope other paper products aren’t in short supply on the ship. That would make for some very unhappy people onboard ship.

My first aid kit – which I hope the inspectors didn’t unravel too much – is quite thorough. But I crammed everything down into the smallest container I could because packing was an issue of both weight and space, only taking the minimum I thought prudent. Thus, I wasn’t going to turn my nose up at anything useful if I found it.

Pins I have in plenty … safety pins, bobby pins, straight pins, writing pens. I even have a penlight but that and a head lamp came in handy when I was cruising with the Marchands a few times so if they aren’t expensive, then better safe than sorry and I’ll pick up a spare. But I have found you can never really know if you have too many hair bands so those went on my list as I would need to keep the monster on my head under strict confinement to maintain the dress code.

I’ve weaned myself away from needing a gazillion and one pairs of glasses and I only brought four extra in addition to the pair I wear daily … an extra in each piece of luggage plus one in my back pack and one in Vit’s. I have two extra pairs of sunglasses for him. Then there is the little tool kit for fixing them if they break plus the microfiber rag with each pair for wiping them clean. I think we are set in that area, though I wouldn’t mind a few extra sets of foam earplugs. Better safe than sorry. I’ve had one bad ear infection while Vit and I have been married and it was so awful that for about two weeks I struggled not to walk like the house was leaning at a 45-degree angle.

We are completely set for our electronics including a new … or at least new to us … multi-port charger and extra charging cables as well as waterproof cases for all the above. I’m still using the phone I had when we met; Vit’s is a replacement when his didn’t work with the US phone system. It has been the one luxury that we purchased, and it was at the very beginning. We are (or were) still driving my old tank and it has gone back into storage though I don’t have a lot of confidence that it will still work when we get back. The engine was starting to make a very disturbing noise and Vit said it needed rebuilding. Thank goodness Vit is good with his hands. Keep your mind on business Veta.

Some of the other items that floated to the top of the shopping list were additional bottles of bug spray (no aerosols or cans allowed and I heard in the hallway that was one of the items on backorder), shoe and body powder, personal Nalgene water bottles (instead of recycled soda pop bottles), spray starch for the iron in (hopefully in) the laundry area, room deodorizers, small bottles of detergent that I can use on our hand washables and delicates, shampoo that doubles as body wash in case of shortages on ship, a couple of travel mugs and a couple of wine tumblers would be nice but not a necessity, and you can never have too much hand sanitizer. A large container of Vaseline that is good for everything from dry skin to fire starter to temporary shoeshine; multi-purpose is good. And speaking of, I have a small jar of Noxema cream, but I was hoping to get another; I wash my face with it and it is also good for sun burns. I also wanted to try and find some medical grade cleaner like I had on the Sun for just-in-case since I hadn’t had room for it initially. I didn’t have high hopes, but it went on the list.

Vit had woken up and then gone to shave and shower while I was still working on a list for us. When he came out and looked over my shoulder and said, “It is not so long as I expected.”

“Needs vs. wants,” I answered absentmindedly scratching through another couple of things since I wouldn’t actually be teaching, just the occasional chaperonage.

Vit took the pencil from me and squibbled down “magic backpack snacks.”

“Vit …”

“What?” he asked far too innocently.

I grinned because I knew it was what he wanted but I also stuck to being realistic. “You will be working with Baird or whoever else and won’t be with me. Edda … there will be an entire class of students and I can’t give her something that I can’t give the others … and I’m not even sure what exactly ‘chaperoning’ her will entail except maybe playing duenna in the background. If it becomes a necessity I will speak with Barney.”

“There will be some days we are together. And I know you like those orange and brown squares.”

I chuckled because it seemed to please him and said, “You goof. You know good and well they care called Cheeze-its and Wheat Thins. And yes, I like cheese as well. That doesn’t mean I need it.”

“And if I need you to need them? Need to make sure you have something from all of this …” he threw up his hands and I realized he was more upset than he was trying to let on.

“I don’t mean to be thankless and unappreciative … or a miser with your money. I just don’t want to act like a spoiled child either.”

“Our money. And stop hearing Barbie’s words in your head. Her marriage problems are hers, not ours. And her daughter …” Vit clamped his lips tightly before saying carefully, “The girl is … er … high maintenance.”

I snorted. “That’s more polite than what I called her when I caught her wearing my negligée and going through my jewelry box. We never did find out how she got the keys to get in. Angelia and Charlie had the only other sets. And I’m done bringing the nightmare back up. So, anything else you can think of?”

“An electric kettle and our own supply of tea if it can be found.”

Tea has become one of those luxury items, or at least the non-herbal teas are. Coffee is worse and a couple of the brats have had withdrawals. They were not nice to be around for a few weeks as they adjusted their habits and dependencies. Nevertheless I jotted “tea” down quickly and then took my turn in the bathroom and getting dressed. We didn’t linger over breakfast, or what passed for breakfast, and Vit insisted on writing down some instant oatmeal and a few other things just in case. It was still early when Vit checked the car out and I thought we would wind up having to wait for the stores to open. Not at all. Every store that we went to was open despite being devoid of customers. And boy did they like the color of our money, especially when they found out it wasn’t the scrip that the government issued for entitlements and subsidies.

It has been over a year since the feds and states started issuing those plastic-paper coupons. You can’t make change with them or get change for them except at the State entitlement offices. In other words, say you walk up to the register and your food rings up $10.84. You give them a $10 coupon and then you have to pay the remainder in real US currency. If you don’t have the 84 cents then you have to put an item back or hand over a dollar coupon and lose the 16 cents you would have gotten back from a real dollar. And only licensed grocery stores can accept the coupons and a copy of the receipt must be turned in with the coupons to make sure you are only spending it on food or baby items. No one else can redeem those coupons. Subsidized housing is even tougher. The landlord’s portion is paid directly to the landlord, but the renter’s portion must be paid in US currency and NOT with the entitlement coupons. I understand why they did it, fraud was rampant, but the radical change created a lot of economic chaos that some places are still recovering from.

In addition to the discount stores where we got the items on our list, we stopped at a couple of thrift stores. They were a bust, even the Goodwill Store where normally you can find items that still have the store tags on them. That meant going to the one place I’d been trying to avoid … a super store. Unfortunately, people from the ship had gotten there first and the shelves, already with bare spots simply because the economy is what it is, had even more bare spots. Vit was frustrated because we needed to head back to the ship and then I spotted it and pulled in even before asking him if he minded. It was a Minimus Biz store with a going out of business sign.

“No wonder we couldn’t find it in the directory,” I grumbled.

Vit chuckled before saying playfully, “You hunt discounts like a Siberian bear hunts moose.”

“Youuuuu betcha,” I said breathlessly hurrying out of the car so that I could see if the stop was going to be worth it. Two words: It was.

I left Vit going through the clearance bin for deep discount items from broken cases while I headed toward the food basket aisle to see if they had the boxes of teas like they had a couple of years previously. Not to be repetitious but … youuuuu betcha.

I must have picked up a sampling of every flavor that Bigelow Tea produces, some of them really odd because they were holiday flavors like eggnog, pumpkin spice, salted caramel, and ginger snap. Did the same thing with the Twinnings Tea. I was not happy that they didn’t have any Yerba Mate but I’d grown accustomed to not getting everything on the list anytime I went shopping … and not because of the budget (though it plays a part) but because there simply wasn’t any of some item to be had. Since there wasn’t any Yerba Mate I decided to pick up water flavoring drops as well as some powdered sports drinks. I was set to go when Vit pulled the cart back into the food section and put in a couple sampler packs of hot chocolate.

“Vit …”

“I will not be dissuaded so let us not waste time.”

Okay, so I gave in without a fight. Big whoop. None of the items will go bad, so what we don’t use will come home with us and give us a head start in setting up whatever new living situation we can find, even if that winds up being camping out on someone’s back forty in exchange for some help with manual labor. And yes, I know how much of a come down some people will see it as, but frankly I don’t care. At least not for me. If it keeps Vit and I together then so be it. Pride is nothing compared to my fear of us being separated.

In the breakfast section we could have had all the dry cereal we wanted but it was in individual servings and in bulky packages. Instead we got sampler boxes of Quaker Oats and Quaker Grits. It took a bit for Vit to truly warm up to grits but once he did, he would sometimes just want a bowl of them at night with maybe a little meat crumbled in if we had any. That and a biscuit or muffin held him until breakfast the next morning even after a long day of working in someone’s field or mechanics shed. As a treat we got a variety of granola and breakfast bars that could double as either a meal or a snack.

Then we found the snack type packages that don’t need refrigeration. Cheese spread in individual cups, 2 oz. cheese triangles, food/snack bags where several snacks were all packaged together in one container, squeeze packets of nut butters, hazelnut spread, hummus, and snacks like I would have once been overjoyed to find for the “magic backpack.”

We could have nickeled and dimed ourselves into serious debt if we’d given in to all the temptations, but we focused on needs vs. wants. Plus, we needed to return to the ship or Vit would be late. As it was, we got held up in the security line and I told him to go on while I dealt with the traffic jam at the package scanner. I finally made it through an hour later and it was with real relief to be able to haul the last of the bags across the threshold of the hotel room door and start to figure out how we were going to get our purchases on board the ship.

It took me the afternoon to finally get everything packed in such a way that most of it fit in Vit’s suitcase after I took his day clothes and toiletry bag out and put them in his backpack. I then sealed everything up, put TSA locks on the bags since they’d be sitting in the hallway for who knows how long, and finally put the luggage labels on that had been left in the room the preceding day. My final act of efficiency was to put his duffle and suitcase in the hallway for the early pickup so it could be one of the first to be transferred to the ship.

At that point I decided I was too tired to pretend to find the cardboard sandwiches appealing so fixed myself a cup of tea – or what passed for it in the hotel’s coffee service – and relaxed with this journal. Vit and I have spent most of our waking hours with each other for nearly three years – if you count the Marchand cruise – and knowing our schedules will be quite different from here on out is going to be a real mental adjustment for me. I won’t have Vit, I won’t have a student, and I won’t have family. How on earth am I supposed to keep myself from going slightly insane?

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 8: January 6 – Miami, FL (part 1)

Was surprised this morning to find that Vit and I were expected on one of the port excursions. “Er … we’re from Florida and I think we both remember Miami from that feature presentation known as “Escape From The O’Meg.” What … I mean …?”

“Morale,” Vit muttered as he was shaving a particularly delicate area on the back of my leg for me.

“Morale?”

He sighed and hid a grin. “Kokhana … until I have finished with this superhuman feat of not being … distracted, please do not ask me to make sense.”

Vit was in a good mood. I’m not sure what the meeting was yesterday – he is under some confidentiality strictures – but it ran into the evening. When he came in, for some odd reason he expected me to be upset. Instead he wanted to know why I was smiling.

“Nostalgia.”

“Hmm?”

“Looks like our life is going to be somewhat of a replay of what we lived on the Sun. Or at least some of it.”

He growled playfully. “Nii. This time I do not have to deny us … though I suppose I could torture us a bit from time to time if you really want nostalgia.”

“Nope. Thank you anyway,” I said on a laugh that ended in … about what anyone with any sense would expect. We’ve been without privacy since the Pembroke House was sold and it has been quite nice to finally have some back.

When he finally finished helping me get the difficult to reach spots with the straight razor we got back on topic. Vit’s explanation was that there is a committee that is supposed to see to people’s morale aboard ship which will occasionally spill over to events off ship. There’s been some discussion. As it sets in for the civilians that this is not a cruise vacation, and for everyone the stressors of trying something new in terms of world peace (yes, that is how they view this), that there are going to be issues of psychology that will arise. Think of the ship like a large apartment complex. If all you can do is walk around the apartment complex, or even just certain areas of the complex, and you can’t do anything else … well you are going to wind up with at least some people who find it challenging. And getting off the ship will no longer be the release it once was for sailors as everyone is going to have a microscope on them so all their behavior, attire, and unintended gaffs could create real problems for the mission if, and it likely will be, gets splashed across international news and social media. The psychologists on board are trying to manage things the best they can. I can see their side of it. If this was strictly a military mission things would be different, but there were diplomats, civilians, and even families with children. I’m just not sure they will be able to mitigate or manage everything away. Then again, they may just be trying to minimize it.

Today was our last day of Orientation – which was odd since neither Vit nor I have truly had what I would call an Orientation. The “morale booster” that was instituted before the ship set sail on its mission, were groups being sent out to “have fun.” Whatever. But this also gave time for luggage and supplies to finish being moved aboard and for one last test run of some of the systems. I was worried that it would be some of the stranger “comfort measures” that I saw on campus when I was at university; rooms full of brightly colored plastic balls that students could “swim” around in, coloring books like we were three years old, wads of playdough and infantilized rooms where students could protect their inner child from the psychic assault of ideas that questioned their beliefs, and on and on. As “sensitive” as I was in my university years away from home and family, thank goodness I never fell for some of the mockery of adulthood my fellow students did. What the activities were supposed to be were cultural experiences, a way for staff, crew, and diplomats to learn about the world and populations they are working with and for. The point was to make it personal so that the efforts are more meaningful and less just a job or political agenda.

My first surprise was, because of Vit’s position, we were put into a smaller group tour in a nice twelve-person touring van. I’ll admit I was intimidated. Everyone there seemed to have a job, radiate a self-confidence that I felt slipping away from me and growing out of reach. The personalities ran the gamut from loud and boisterous to stern and stoic. You can guess Vit leaned more on the stoic end of the spectrum. I tried to blend into the upholstered seats in the back corner. Vit kept glancing at me throughout the day, as if he was waiting on something, but since I didn’t know what that was I remained steadfastly invisible.

The excursion itself was interesting even if I was from Florida. The first part was that we took a scenic, narrated wildlife drive where we were given the opportunity to appreciate the beauty and the ecological importance of Everglades National Park. Devin took me there as a mascot on one of his early forays into business which was as an eco-tour guide. After a year he switched from tourism to actual wildlife and survival courses, so I knew most of the information our guide was giving us, but I still enjoyed it vicariously by watching the others in the tour hear it for the first time.

We had a 90-minute nature walk in the National Park and I watched them become immersed in some of the different ecosystems within the Everglades, including a beautiful tropical hardwood hammock with mature trees and beautiful plants and wildlife. It was a dry hike, but we were still able to view alligators and other wildlife up close. Next came a 1-hour air boat ride into the heart of the Everglades. Okay, it was a little crazy because the driver was showing off, but I must admit it was fun and caused me to giggle which in turn seemed to help Vit relax a little. There were no alligators in pens or cages on the tour, it was all authentic; when we saw alligators, it was where they should be spotted - in the wild.

The airboat shenanigans would have been a good ending point, but we had another piece of the excursion to get to before returning to the dock. We visited an historic Miccosukee tree island village out in what is called the River of Grass. The point was to become immersed in their Native American culture, but I must admit that it was a distraction for me to know that they are a tribe with a large gambling presence in south Florida. It made me wonder if they were getting any kickbacks for that part of the tour.

After the air boat tour, we were taken back to the hotel to gather our remaining gear and get in the security line. The first blip was that they wanted Vit to go in the line for executive staff and officers while I was relegated to the long line for housekeeping staff. Oh no. Out pops Mr. Cossack and he point blank refuses to leave me in the other line alone. That he would not accept privileges that I could not join. He was not an elitist and blah, blah, oh there you are Barney, yada, yada, please take her through with the family and I’ll let my hair go out. Whew.

Turning to Barney after Vit had all but stomped away I said, “You know I could have …”

She actually cracked a grin and chuckled. “We all know Vit can be a protective Neanderthal. Because of that the Captain always put him with the guests. At the same time, it was obvious that Vit didn’t … wasn’t … interested in the female guests as they annoyed him.” She chuckled again. “When you came along, and you didn’t annoy him, it must have driven him crazy for a bit.”

“Mmm … a little on both sides. We were both coming off relationships that had soured,” I told her without any additional details.

“Probably wouldn’t have worked otherwise. Give me a few days and I’ll see what can be done about the clearances. Some of these people can’t wrap their heads around working with families in the same context as working with civilians and military. There are still some wrinkles to be worked out.” Glancing over she saw Mr. Baird arriving with some other people. “Especially with the family aspect. Veta … it’s unfair to ask you to go into this blindly so before they arrive …”

Barney was struggling and after getting a better look at who was following Baird I figured out why. “Barney, there’s obviously going to be issues after losing Mrs. Baird, especially the way it happened. I’m sure the rest of it also added a layer of trauma. Mr. Baird’s health is compromised but from what I understand is much better than it was. The children are going to be … a mess?”

She relaxed. “Perhaps not quite that bad. The family had them in counseling so fast even I was surprised. They’ve each learned to cope in their own way … but …”

“They’re teenagers. There is no getting away from the angst. Ask my family.” What she would have said to that I don’t know because the family had arrived.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 8: January 6 – Miami, FL (part 2)

Aiden led with a surprised yelp. “Miss Veta?!”

Putting on my teacher face was easier than I expected given how out of practice I was. “Hello Aiden. And I won’t embarrass anyone by saying the three of you are grown almost beyond recognition. But you have.” I gave a look where Barney and Mr. Baird were conferring. “Look, it appears I am a surprise to you. But just let me say I know the general facts around what happened since I last saw you, but you don’t have to worry about me spreading it around or bugging you about it. If you need to talk I’m here, if not I understand. And I’m not your teacher this time around but I am available for tutoring if you need it. Also, if there is anything else you want me to know just say it. I know its awkward. A position I was supposed to have as my job didn’t materialize so Mr. Baird and Barney have asked me to fill in here and there, mostly helping Barney but I’ll occasionally be a chaperone … but I hope not an intrusive one so no need to be embarrassed.”

It looked like Aiden wanted to say something but couldn’t so in reverse it was Al that protected Aiden. “Da is … is better than he was … most of the time. But the doctors don’t like him to over do things. If … you know … you hear anything like he is getting sick again, you’ll tell us?”

I noted that Al had started calling Mr. Baird father rather than uncle. “I certainly won’t hide anything like that from you if it comes my way. But … I’m not sure I’ll be privileged with that type of information. My position is … not really straightforward, but of course I will never lie to you.”

That was enough for them but then Edda snaps, “I don’t need a mother … or mother figure … or anything else.”

I blinked while the boys moaned, “Edda!”

“Let her speak,” I said as moderately as I could given my surprise. “But I want to assure all of you that I am not here to be a replacement of any sort. Edda, you and I can address your concerns in private if you need more convincing but I don’t want to upset Mr. Baird with …”

“He’s our father,” she said angrily.

“Well he isn’t mine, he’s my employer, and I’m trying to be polite and respectful. He has always been Mr. Baird to me and that is how I will refer to him until asked to do otherwise.”

That took the wind out of her sails and I asked, “Is there luggage you need help with?”

“You’re not my maid.”

I wanted to roll my eyes but decided it wasn’t the best strategy to let her know her tactics were successfully annoying me. “No, so don’t expect me to clean up after you this time around. You are old enough you shouldn’t need the help. However, I am not above common courtesy and helping you to get onboard more quickly and in comfort. Have the three of your eaten yet?”

Edda’s mood changed swiftly – and I haven’t decided if it is a result of age or personality at this point – and she shrugged. “We had breakfast, but lunch sucked. When is dinner?”

“A schedule is apparently waiting in your cabin when you board.”

Mr. Baird took charge at that point and led the way into the security line while Barney and I brought up the rear. From her I heard the family was going to take some time to unpack and unwind and then they’d have dinner together in the diplomats’ dining room. Afterwards the older three would attend some getting-to-know-you activities with their age group and Sofia would take Ellie to the preschool area for some play time to work off energy before bed. I found out that Sofia was processing through the medical wing since Ellie’s vaccination records were getting scanned and put on file.

It took a while to get through security but once we did, I found Vit waiting for me on the other end with a very stoic face. I wanted to ask what was wrong but didn’t have to because Vit said very pointedly to the Bairds, “I will not be at dinner tonight. Until Veta can go with me, we will eat in the dining hall.”

“What the hell?” Mr. Baird said in irritation. “Barney, I thought this was taken care of.”

Barney was also irritated. “I have the paperwork to prove it. Someone just doesn’t like their protocols exempted.” To Vit she said, “Dress for dinner, both of you, I’ll try and get this latest round of idiocy fixed as soon as I get to a phone. Do you have your cabin number?”

He nodded, only slightly less stiff than he had been. “F309. And will be there unpacking.”

As we walked away, Vit taking both my backpack and carry on, I asked, “Am I creating a problem?”

“Nii. Someone else is and it will stop.”

“Uh …”

“I said Nii Veta,” he said slowly relaxing his posture. “And it is not just us. I have heard from others that there are a few in the diplomatic staff that are trying to create … hmmm …”

“Issues of control and power? Cliques that they don’t want anyone else to be able to join?”

“Yes,” he answered with a bite to it. “They believe that doing so makes their employer more important, or are directed by their employer in some cases. This is going to be messier than was first believed. We will need to be careful who we associate with.” He sighed and I saw him rub his stomach, something I hadn’t seen him do in a while. Not even while we were couch-surfing through the holidays.

Trying not to add to his stress I said, “So I’ll keep to myself. It won’t be difficult. And you do your job and the rest of them can jump over the side in the middle of the Gulf if they are going to play stupid. Let’s just get to the cabin so we can see what we have to work with. Tell me you aren’t going to have to put up with both of us in a twin bed again.”

He gave me a glance and said, “It was not so hard. At least we need not deny ourselves these days.”

I chuckled at his underlying tone as it spoke of private things, including the fact that Vit managed to shock the girl on the register at the pharmacy where we stopped this morning. When Vit says he likes to take care of things … well, enough of that. My own shock was to come soon after.

Our cabin number indicated we were on Fiesta, Deck 6, Room 309. But when we stepped off of the elevator we were in the Atrium area, something they called the Piazza. Wow. But there wasn’t time to look around as there were people swarming the area and Vit was pulling me to keep up. We passed an area labeled “Passenger Services” where people were lined up for something; and given the looks on their faces it wasn’t to give a blessing to the clerks behind the desk. Then rather than going down the main corridor Vit took us through a closed door that was in an odd place. When the door closed behind me the quiet made me realize how noisy the rest of the ship had been. I was faced was a hallway that had cabin doors opening off it.

“Go ahead of me and make sure your medallion works.”

I did and when we reached cabin F309 I felt a small thump on my wrist in the identity bracelet and heard a barely audible click on the door. Vit reached around and opened the door and nudged me forward. I walked in and then stopped dead in my tracks. When I looked at him, the wicked grin on his face (and his bags beside the bed) told me he’d already been here.

“Vit?”

Then he laughed and said, “I can finally give you something like you deserve.”

“What?” I asked as the interior of the cabin was nothing like I expected.

“My position as an executive staff member. It does not have a balcony but there are two big windows. Do … do you like it?

“Vit I … this … well goodness. I was expecting … I don’t know what I was expecting exactly but this isn’t … oh for heavens sake where are the words … wow.”

Vit actually laughed at how stupefied I was. The cabin looks like an apartment. It is bigger even than what we’d had on the Sun and O’Meg despite both considered luxury accommodations. This cabin has everything but a kitchen and laundry. I was worried we’d wind up feeling like sardines for six months and instead it felt like there’s more room than there was in my efficiency apartment. It has 341 square feet, a full bath with both a shower and a tub plus dual sinks. The open floor plan has more storage space than the Sun and O’Meg had combined … two closets, a section of shelves, plus an area that has a tall set of drawers and with shelves the rest of the way to the ceiling. There are two drawers in the bathroom and small corners shelves at the side of each sink for toiletries immediately in use. There are two desk areas, a hidden refrigerator, a small shelf under the flat screen tv that holds a CD player and DVD player (with a note that says we have free access to the library’s collection of movies and music), and then there are doors in both the end tables on either side of the sofa. Twin bed? How about a queen size bed. There are two windows … not portholes … but picture windows. And while they don’t open, they do let lots of natural light in that only makes the cabin look even bigger and brighter. Certainly cheerier than I expected.

The flooring in the bathroom is tile … as in tile, not linoleum. The room is carpeted but I think that is more about sound proofing that luxury. There is a safe (larger than your average hotel safe), a phone, and a hair dryer. And then Vit started to tell me about the perks of his position that he is making sure I also have access to. Priority embarkation and debarkation which should alleviate what happened today. Afternoon teatime if that is what we want, either in the cabin or in what is called the Wheelhouse Bar. Complimentary use of the executive laundry room or send-out laundry service. Access to the executive lounge should we so wish. Complimentary corsage and boutonniere on those nights that we are expected to attend what amounts to state dinners. Complimentary room service, housekeeping, and turndown service on those nights we so desire, though there will be some exceptions to this depending on onboard ship activities, security issues, or staffing issues. We are also allowed to keep our liquor in our cabin without having to check it out of security one bottle at a time. Complimentary weekly dry-cleaning service. For breakfast we can choose to dine in one of the dining rooms or we can go to the buffet/cafeteria. Port photos – which will be a thing because they will be used as publicity photos as well – are complimentary should we want a copy. And just like on the Sun there is a complimentary mini bar.

“Vit?”

“Hmm?” he asked as he was opening a bottle of champagne from Mr. Baird to go with a tray of canapes that will hopefully stave off Vit’s hunger since it appeared dinner might be a little chaotic and late as the wrinkles got smoothed out … or new ones found.

Finally deciding to ask I said, “What … er … what exactly is your job?”

“I am a liaison. An engineering liaison. Because I speak the many languages of the engineering chiefs. If I cannot address the problem myself, I will make a recommendation to the ship’s officer in charge. I will also assist Mr. Baird as an interpreter on those days he is in meetings.”

“That is two full-time positions. When do they expect you to sleep and eat?” I asked concerned as what I perceived as him being taken advantage of.

“Nii. I am not the only liaison, nor the only interpreter. It will work out and each of us will find our strengths and how we can assist with the most efficiency … or who listens to us better and who prefers dealing with a different liaison … or is better understood by a different one.”

“However?” I asked as I know that look on Vit’s face.

He grinned. “However, I am the only one with military experience and experience dealing directly with localized threats such as piracy. I am not just an administrator but have the hands-on experience. It will make it easier for me to integrate with the military members of the crew.”

I snorted. “And I’m sure that Mr. Baird knows a bargain when he sees one.”

“Yes,” he agreed on a bigger grin. “He got two Dymtrus for the price of one.” The grin faded. “Are you sure you do not have problem with the way things worked out?”

It had been a long time since Vit’s syntax has slipped which told me he was either tired or excited … or both. I know he wanted me to be excited and it helped with his self-esteem so I did my wifely duty of noticing but I also did my best to make sure he knew I wasn’t with him just for the physical comforts he could afford.

“I know Kokhana but … it brings me pleasure to know that, at least for now, my work is the thing which gives you better.” He looked out the window for a moment before saying, “I do not … am not … it does not help …” I waited him out. “I know you love your family, but it bothers me that they see you as the child that must work to make up for what you were. You have proved it enough.”

“Oh Vit,” I said giving him a hug. “Sometimes being the youngest is just …” I laughed. “I’m always going to be the baby of the family. And I was … what I was … for a while, a long while. And they all did share in supporting me. I don’t mind paying my dues. I just wish they would see that they did not waste their time or money when they spent it on me.”

I hugged him again and he hugged me in return and we both decided to live in the present and enjoy what we have rather than wishing the problems and disappointments away. And in the present, we needed to unpack.

I had expected to have to get creative with space so had brought some of my organizing containers that had survived all the time spent on the Sun. Not all of them had survived or really worked as I had hoped. The over-the-door shoes organizer made things look more cluttered, not less, so were left packed away in Angelia’s barn. On the other hand the cheap pop-up dirty clothes hamper, folding clothes hangers and the specialty hangers like the pants hangers and the metal cascading clothes organizers were very helpful. Plus, flat hangers that take up less room rather than only relying on the few wooden hangers that came in the closet means that our outer wear can go in the closets instead of drawers. Or left in a suitcase under the bed which will mean less ironing or steaming for me.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 8: January 6 – Miami, FL (part 3)

And speaking of unpacking I was in the middle of putting our toiletries away, as well as all the purchases we’d made the preceding day, when with a knock on the door all our uniform pieces were delivered. Luckily they were brought on hangers, however our cascading organizers were immediately put to use. Vit said he’d do it and I was relieved, but then he growled.

I stuck my head out and ran into another blip.

“This is …” was followed by several creative curses in his native language, Portuguese, and a couple of others that I didn’t know he knew.

“Vit!”

“They did this of a purpose. It is either to embarrass you, or me, or to prevent you from accompanying me to dinner. I will not tolerate the disrespect.”

“Vit?”

I’d seen Vit get stiff and Cossack-y but I’d never seen him get quite like this. Trying to figure out what he was upset about I finally took the cellophane-covered uniform from the hand he was waving around with and, after looking for a moment, I realized … they’d given me housekeeping staff uniforms with my name and job clearly emblazoned on an attached name patch. “V. Dymtrus, Sanitation” I must admit it hurt but I’m forever saying I’d dig ditches and be a poop scooper if it kept me with Vit. Apparently, someone took me seriously.

“It’s all right,” I told him.

“Nii.”

“C’mon Vit. I love you but you have to admit that I’m not the caliber people that is needed and …”

He turned on me and growled, “Do not ever say such a thing again.”

I took an involuntary step back and he swore before turning from me and walking a couple of steps in the opposite direction. “Veta, I … did not mean to …” He ran a hand through his hair then his stomach.

“It is just a new and stressful situation,” I told him quietly, finally refusing to let my emotions rule my actions. I closed the gap between us and hugged him from behind and he jumped like he’d been stung. “Easy there my Donsʹkyy zherebetsʹ. We’ll get through this just like all the other crud thrown at us by life.”

He turned towards me a little stiffly and said, “What I did was without excuse. I am …”

“… allowed to be human,” I finished for him. “Really Vit. I know. Okay? Just like you knew those times when I was so hurt by my family’s choices over the house and I kind of exploded in the wrong directions. And who knows, maybe this is a mistake. And if it isn’t? Meh. I’ll be the best sanitation worker they have. There’s nothing inherently shameful about the work.”

“Nii. There is not,” he said calmer than he had been a few minutes earlier. “But what is inherently shameful is that some derʹmo failed to recognize your value and would rather do this than fix the problem that someone else’s failure to read the application or whatever communications breakdown occurred.” Like he was struggling to explain he finally said, “I cannot – will not – let this pass. Whether intentional or not this speaks to something wrong within the system, speaks to a breakdown that must be addressed. Though you are most important in my mind, this is unlikely to be the only breakdown. If they value morale to the degree their actions say they do, then they need to know about this, and it must be addressed and rectified. I … I will give them time even if it isn’t my preference. But my patience isn’t without limit.”

“Okay, from that side of things I can see it your way … just try and avoid making this personal.”

“And if someone else is making this personal?” he asked stiffly.

I sighed. “Well that would be unfortunate, but if that does wind up being the case then we’ll show a united front and deal with it. I just hope it isn’t. And before you say hope is not a plan, I agree with you. But from my side of things there isn’t enough evidence to say either way so … we deal with what is and try to keep the drama to a minimum. And I hope I don’t get struck by lightning for saying that after all of the emoting I’ve been doing the last couple of months.”

I could tell he was still angry but that he had it back under control. He snorted and said, “You are not as bad as you think you are. Nor are you as bad as some of your family think you are. If they think you are emotional then they should meet some of the people that I’ve had to deal with.” He shook his head and shuddered then giving me a troubled look asked, “Did … I ruin the surprise?”

“The cabin and all of the rest? Of course not. You’ve worked hard to get where you are, and you’ve put up with a lot. I’m proud of you Vit Dymtrus, and it’s not about what your title is but who you are.”

“Ah Kokhana.”

He was about to kiss me when someone with perfect timing (not) knocked on the cabin door. Vit shook himself – when he does get emotional he often gets a hungover feeling and upset stomach – and then answered while I went back to unpacking our toiletries.

“What?!” I recognized the voice, but the tone was different.

I stuck my head out and said, “Hello Barney. Want a drink?”

“Want? Yes. Need? Better not. I can’t believe this Veta. Every time I think I have this ridiculous situation under control something else comes up.”

“It’s no big deal.”

Then in stereo they said, “Nii/No. Someone is doing this on purpose.”

Shaking my head I said, “Listen to the two of you. While I agree it is possible so we need to be prepared for it, it could also just be a promulgate of the original error. That wouldn’t be great, it means that people are just putting pegs in holes in an assembly line fashion without oversight and supervision. On the other hand, there may not have been time to fix the flow of what is being rolled out. And I bet when you investigate it each person will ask how they were supposed to know, or something like ‘garbage in garbage out.’ The original error probably came from pretty high up and everything after that point rolled down into areas where, because of security, they couldn’t just stop and change things on their own.” After getting a look at this faces I said, “Or maybe I don’t know what I am talking about.”

Barney looked at Vit and said, “She could be correct but I’m still going to look into this. Mr. Baird is expecting you for dinner. Here is Veta’s new medallion. I took the liberty of putting it in a different holder.” Turning to me she said, “Did you bring dinner wear?”

Vit was going to answer no but I said, “I have something. Hopefully it will be appropriate.”

“Good,” she said. “Now back to once again finding out why this continues to happen despite each and every fix.”

“Fine,” I told her trying to lighten the moment and her frustration. “But how about eating something first. You’ve been at it enough for now. Seriously Barney … days of this stuff gets to even the best of us. I’ll be at your office in the morning, assuming you don’t need me to do something else, and we can start the head banging then.”

She opened her mouth to say something then sighed and nodded. “Come to the office that is next to the family’s suite after breakfast. I’ll forward you the location after I’m sure of Mr. Baird’s schedule.”

Vit saw Barney out then came back to find me pulling his “dress” uniform back out of the closet where he’d hung it. “At least I don’t have to press this.”

“Veta … er …”

“It was supposed to be a surprise,” I told him reaching into the closet that I had put my clothes into. I unzipped the clothes back and despite the surprise being spoiled the look on Vit’s face was still worth it. “I was saving it for our anniversary but …”

“Kokhana …”

It was the “sea-colored” dress that matched my eyes. I even had a pair of heels and a pair of the earrings he had given me that I could wear with it. It had taken up valuable real estate in my suitcase, but now I’m glad that I brought it.

I told him, “Give me a chance to do my hair and we’ll get this show on the road.”

Looking at the schedule Vit said with a particular grin, “We don’t have to rush. We eat with the second shift of diners, with the Bairds.”

A while later and a shared shower – somehow we’d missed the hoopla of the 5 pm sailaway – I was buckling the strap on my heels and looked up to catch Vit straightening his tie. I sighed and he looked. I had to grin a bit in embarrassment. “I am not a hormonal teenager,” I told him while continuing to admire my handsome husband.

“Neither am I,” he said. “But most days that doesn’t change the fact that you make me feel like one.” We both grinned and he helped me to put my wrap on, another gift from him, and we exited the cabin. Him looking handsome as always, and me feeling outwardly as feminine as he made me feel when we were alone.

The dining room in question was just a short walk from our cabin. We didn’t even have to change decks. It is what was once known as the Crowne Grill but was renamed the XO Lounge. Not terribly original. XO as in Executive Officer Lounge. Oy. I’m afraid it is going to be as bad as all the jargon I used to hear from Poppa, Derrick, and the others working in the medical field. In addition to the executive officers, diplomats with families could eat there but it was understood that the children would behave, or they would have to be escorted out.

We arrived there about the same time that Mr. Baird and Barney and another man got there. I knew Sofia and the baby would be in the preschool area; however, I was surprised not to see Aiden, Al, or Edda and Mr. Baird explained before I had to ask. “There’s some welcome aboard party for the teens. Not much scope for trouble with the low student to teacher ratio they’ve arranged. And it won’t go on too late as school starts tomorrow.”

Vit was looking at the other man and grinning, who then said, “Oh aye, go on ahead and laugh.”

Not getting the joke I waited and then caught Barney looking a little rosy cheeked. Vit said, “Congratulations.”

“Well, ye might say it but the truth is she just felt sorry for me. I’d been chasing her so long ye see and she finally …”

“Henry!” Barney said with eyes that promised nothing nice if he didn’t stop the teasing. The man managed to look sorrowful and grin wickedly at the same time which was quite some talent. Vit stuck his hand out the same time as the other man and they shook.

I continued to wait and was eventually rewarded with an introduction. Henry Falkirk. Occasional valet for Mr. Baird and hired to come along as that among other things for the duration. Everyone was jovial but I noticed that Mr. Falkirk seemed to take note of what Mr. Baird ate … and what he didn’t. He ran interference when someone would approach Mr. Baird and would say things like he’d check Mr. Baird’s calendar or some other thing that sounded perfectly appropriate but seemed to serve a double purpose.

But for all the new attention Mr. Baird was still as sharp. “You aren’t saying much Veta.”

“I’m … er … still trying to figure out where I fit in all this. Of course I’ll support Vit and your family but the practical side eludes me I’m afraid. I’d … rather not create a situation with the protocols so I’m trying to be … circumspect I suppose you’d call it.”

He nodded soberly. “Heard about the uniform business. For the sake of politeness we’ll go with your hypothetical possibility … for now. But I’d still like to know how it all started to find out whether it was a paperwork mishap or whether there was malice there. There was some of both early on, but we thought we’d caught it all.”

“So you were in on the beginning of this?”

“Needed some way to pay the buggers back that …” He stopped then shook his head.

Barney said, “We all wanted to do something but …”

Falkirk finally finished for both of them by saying, “It’s the children. We’re trying to set the right example. Isn’t the easiest thing for any of us but we reckon that if we can prove we can do what needs doing for the future, to make it better rather than worse, then others should be able to come along side us and do it as well. Every diplomat, every officer on board, has lost someone. Most of the staff as well. And those that haven’t lost directly, has in their life circumstances that makes them empathetic to what we are trying to do. Take you two for instance.”

I looked at Vit and he looked at Baird before asking, “It wasn’t my skills?”

A little grumpy he said, “Don’t be stupid Dymtrus. Of course it was your skills. But skills aren’t enough to get on this ship. Your life experiences … and yes I’m speaking of your childhood and military experience along with the rest of it … are invaluable. Actually having a university degree in mechanical engineering didn’t hurt either man. The combination gives you a unique perspective and the various languages you speak are a hell of a thing that means you can work from both sides of a problem and communicate with people on their own level at the same time. It also means you’ve got what it takes to play mediator if the problems are of a personal nature and not just professional.”

I grew cold once again at the idea that I might be holding Vit back and something must have shown because under the table I felt his legs move to capture mine, like he was afraid I was moving away.

“Veta has a great deal of experience as well, from her beginnings to her Masters in both education and languages, experience as a traveling tutor, even …” He sighed. “Even fighting pirates and catastrophic weather conditions at sea. And on land if you take into account her residence in Florida. And then there is the international travel with her father and brothers as well as …”

“Yes, yes. And you don’t have to sell her usefulness to me. I was there remember. Which is why I’m not sure why her paperwork fell in the cracks. And since someone was that stupid, we’re going to keep her as our ace in the hole.”

Vit nodded like he understood and with that I asked warily, “Does this have something to do with poker?”

Apparently I surprised them and all three men started laughing like I’d made a joke. I looked at Barney, but she was no help and just shrugged and picked up her coffee cup to finish it off. A minute or so later a waiter brought a note to the table for Mr. Baird who looked up and then beckoned someone over. It was Aiden.

“Sorry to interrupt Da but there’s some paperwork that needs signing.”

“What for?”

“You have to give specific permission for each field trip and for some of the after-hours activities.”

“Thought I did that already.”

“That was pre-board activities. They say this set of papers is for the month of January and all three of us have a set that must be signed. And given the noise I heard from down the hallway even the little kids have to have papers signed so Ellie probably has a set as well.”

The man wiped his mouth and nodded as he stood, “As you can see I need to go take care of some paternal duties. Doubtless see you in the next day or two Vit.” The thing was he didn’t look like he regretted the responsibilities at all, in fact seemed energized by them.

That was pretty much the signal for the dinner to be over, with Barney and Henry … and I’m still wrapping my head around that … going their own way as well. Vit was curious to look around the ship but all we really did was walk up to Deck 7 which was the promenade and walk dinner off. Then it was back to the cabin to finish unpacking. I know it sounds like we had a lot but most of it came from yesterday’s shopping expedition. Mostly what I was trying to do was start organized so we could stay organized. Got a call from Barney a few minutes ago that my correct uniforms would be delivered in the morning and just to keep things smoothed out, wait to come to her office until after they arrived so I wouldn’t get the hairy eyeball for my uniform and my security access not matching.

Vit is finished with his nightly push-ups and sit-ups and is finishing his shower from the sound of things. I need to get back into the habit of doing my own intentional exercise. For a while I expended all of my energy in the garden and house projects but now I don’t have that. Lots of old and new in the coming days. I hope I am up for it.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 9: January 7 & 8 – at sea (Part 1)

Spent most of the 7th helping get Baird’s and Barney’s office set up. And having to stop every twenty minutes or so because someone came by needing something translated. Not that I wanted to suggest myself out of a job, but I asked why they weren’t using something like the translator machines they were testing at Florida universities even before I left school.

Barney snapped, “Good question, ask another.” She sighed. “Sorry, you didn’t deserve that. I’m just so sick of these bastard protocols getting in the way of me doing my job.”

“They do slow things down a bit but hopefully we’ll see the reason for them as time goes by.”

“I know the reason for some of them. To keep a few of the diplomats and their staff from getting butthurt.”

There is nothing quite like cinnamon tea backwashed into the sinuses, but Barney’s way of explaining things can be quite startling out of someone that looks as prim and proper as she does. Her time around sailors has left a mark.

She sighed and then said, “As for your legitimate question as to why they aren’t using more translation machines to get the clerical stuff done, I can hazard a guess.” At my nod, since I was still trying to draw a clear breath and not sound like a lifetime battle with unmedicated allergies, she said, “Machines can breakdown or be compromised and there’s no one you can really blame or hold accountable. People, on the other hand, are easier to control and more satisfying to punish.”

I suppose on some level she is correct but Dylan and people like him, given the right tools, could probably make mincemeat out of any would-be hackers and I know they’d have a thing or three to say about some of the stuff that I have seen on board ship the last couple of days. The most egregious I have seen is people handing their security cards or medallions to someone else so they can go get something or open a door. What that means is the tracking system isn’t really accurate. Yes, it is Bob’s card or medallion opening a secured door or drawer, but it isn’t necessarily Bob using the card or medallion. There is a biometric system that is supposed to support the security ID system but – and I don’t suppose I was supposed to hear this part – it was already hacked before they got it up and running all the way so they’ve taken it off line until such a time as they can either find out who did the hacking or make it hack proof. The phone system is also offline as they found listening devices in some of the more sensitive areas of the ship.

I’d talk to Vit about it, but I have a feeling that he already is aware of the problem. And is likely aware of more beyond that. And we are both likely not supposed to talk about hush-hush things that we know, even accidental knowledge. But it would be nice if I didn’t have to wonder about “likely” and could say definitively yes or no. I think that may be another one of those gaps and goofs that keep coming up.

Last night Vit came in exhausted and sweat-stained because he is walking through (aka, the hands getting dirty approach) a lot of the system bits and pieces that are supposed to be working a certain way but aren’t. Or, that have been taken offline for whatever reason. He came running in and said to give him a chance to shower and we would go to dinner. I said only if he wanted to because I’d gone to get him something to eat since he’d already said he would be late. He slowly exited the bathroom he’d rushed into and looked and I could see the tension go out of his shoulders.

“Thank you,” he said in such a tone that let me know he really was thankful. It was nice just sitting and eating together and because he was so fried I popped in some music, put it on low, and then cleaned up while he slowly melted into the sofa. I got him to finally lean over and put his feet up and not object to me taking the tray back to the buffet area.

I was halfway there when I heard feet rushing to catch up with me. Aiden announced himself with an all too innocent, “Hi Miss Veta!”

I looked and found Al as well as two other young men with him. “Uh huh. And to what do I owe this sudden hearty welcome?”

Aiden wilted a bit but Al had found his stuffing somewhere over the last two years. “We’re hungry. They closed the snack bar in the Youth Center early. So … we need an adult to take us to the buffet.”

“At your age?”

It was one of the others, come to find out his name was Anton, “Finally. Someone who gets it.”

“Let’s just say I’m sympathetic. Just explain so we can decide how to proceed.”

Al explained that the teens pretty much had the run of all the common areas except off-limits like security areas and all food stations.

I chuckled. “Someone knows exactly how much food teenagers can eat.”

Anton started to object and I said, “Teenagers … I did not say teenage boys. Teenage girls can be at least as bad if my sisters and nieces are any proof. What exactly do you want?”

“Just a milkshake,” Aiden said. “We earned credits in class today and we can use them for snacks and stuff.”

Anton rolled his eyes and the boy started to get on my nerves. To Aiden and Al I nodded. “Fine. Consider me the ‘adult’ in this equation but I promise lots of creative retribution if you are yanking my chain.”

“Huh?”

The fourth boy finally grinned and said, “You’re a Yank all right.” To the others he said, “She means that she’ll gut us if we’re telling pork pies.”

Rather dryly Anton said, “That explanation did not help.”

Al shook his head and said, “If we prank, we die. Got it?”

“Ah. Yes. Quite understandable now.”

I nearly laughed. It was like being around my nephews when they would get up to hijinks. So I followed them to the ice cream bar, showed my ID, and stood there while they placed their orders. Before the sugar had even hit their system they were cutting up. I gave a sharp whistle surprising them. “Don’t make a mess. If you do you clean it up. Don’t leave the glass for someone else to put where it belongs. And keep the tomfoolery below a dull roar. Or you can find someone else next time … assuming you can find someone else."

The threat hung in the air and it was Anton who first gave a nod of respect in my direction and they all four said, “Yes ma’am.”

I tried to continue on to take the tray back but the man behind the counter grinned and said he’d take it. I was no sooner closing in on the elevator when someone with a security designation on his epaulettes stopped me and asked me who I was.

I held out my card and the medallion also dangled from a bracelet on that hand. “Veta Dymtrus. And you are?”

He blinked but then said, “Towers ma’am. Gabe Towers. Security. You shouldn’t let those boys take advantage.”

I smiled. “No, I shouldn’t. And didn’t. I work for the Bairds, that lay claim to two of the four you just saw. I know both Aiden and Al from the last time I worked for the family. I will also be a part time chaperone in the education program. Trust me, I got the full story out of them before I agreed to ‘Adult’ for them. They earned credits during class today and … like most teens … were starving but the snack bar in their area was closed.”

He made a call, got the snack bar being closed confirmed, and then said, “They’re not suppose to close early for this reason. We tell the kids one thing and then it is some other way and …”

“You need to fix it or they stop listening to you, thinking you don’t know what you are talking about.”

Towers relaxed and said, “Something like that, yes ma’am.” Then after a small hesitation he asked, “Dymtrus? Connected to Vit Dymtrus?”

I nodded. “My husband.”

He grinned. “Thought so. He’s my Chief’s new favorite person because he got the ammo cabinet locks to work. And when the Chief ain’t happy …”

I finished, “Nobody is happy.”

He laughed, nodded, and then went off to address some raised voices coming from the other side of the Atrium. Finally back to the room I walked in to find Vit just waking up from a doze. “You were gone long.”

“Crowded halls, starving teen boys, and a security guard doing his job.”

He frowned so I told him, “You can’t do anything about the crowds, people are still getting used to the ship and ship hours. The boys were Aiden, Al, and two friends that needed someone to ‘adult’ for them. And the security guard was warning me off being taken advantage of and then when he found out you were my husband was properly thankful for you making his chief less cranky because of some ammo cabinet.”

Vit relaxed as I explained and pulled me to him. “I … do not wish you to think I do not trust you.”

“I get it. It’s not me, it is everyone else. Crowds and strangers you don’t know if you can trust yet. But I have the emergency button on the pager thing we have to carry if I get in trouble.”

He snorted. “The ‘pager thing’ is one of those only-works-part-time items that needs to be addressed.”

“Is there a lot of things like that?”

“Too many. And with too many of what you call they-think-therefore-it-must-be-so type people in charge prior to embarkation complicating things.”

“Not enough of the bugs were worked out.”

“You are correct. No major mechanicals but lots of small things that cause big irritation.”

It wasn’t long after that we both decided bed was the place to be and we slept through until four in the morning when the phone went off. I was closer to the phone and answered, “Hello?”

“Er … is this cabin F309?”

“Yes it is.”

“I’m looking for Mr. Dymtrus … er … ma’am.”

“One moment.”

Vit came up and took the phone … they still used the practically antique corded ones … while I started him some tea. While he spoke with the man on the other end, he motioned for me to get his uniform ready. Apparently there was some kind of emergency that required him to go in early.

Getting off the phone he said, “You should go back to sleep.”

I shook my head. “You know me, I would have started waking up in a few minutes anyway.” After he got his shirt on I stuck a snack bar in his pocket and put a paper cup of tea in his hand. Gave him a kiss and off he rushed.

I honestly thought about crawling back in bed but then decided to use the extra time to start my exercise routine I had promised myself I would find the time to do. I had just finished when there was a sharp knock on the cabin door. No one answered my query about who was there so I cautiously opened the door and jumped to find a certain tall, blonde Russian woman.

“I know you,” I told her grinning.

She didn’t grin back but she wasn’t unfriendly either. She asked, “You have a moment?”

I opened the door and she cautiously came in. I told her, “If you are looking for the male Dymtrus he was called in early. So, how can I help you.”

She looked at me all sweaty and in yoga pants and asked, “I interrupted?”

“Just finished.”

“Ah. Good. You need to sign for these.”

“Tell me they don’t have you playing delivery boy.”

“No. Or, not the way you speak of it.” Then she went on to tell me that with my designation I am required to carry certain protection devices … a collapsing baton, a higher-grade communication device, a taser, and a can of something similar to pepper spray or mace. In some situation I may even be required to carry a handgun but if that became true I would have one signed out to me then.

“And if a situation occurs within your hearing you are required to lend assistance.”

Still processing that I’d be “carrying” I asked, “What if I am chaperoning and am the only adult in the vicinity? I’m not trying to get out of it mind you, I just want to know what conflicts of duty I might run into.”

She nodded in approval that I was thinking ahead and explained that I would have to use my best judgment depending on what the security issue was. Lovely, a baited trap. She handed me the rest of my uniform pieces, got my signature, and then left. I looked them over and then shrugged. I’m not looking to be a fashion plate and a good thing as my uniform consists of a midi length shirt dress in military green, two pockets on the front, stiff shirt collar, and a web built that had snap-closure pieces that held the baton, etc. Name plate pinned on one of the pockets and a couple of other identifying patches on one of the sleeves. The communication device had a blue-tooth ear piece that would make wearing earrings difficult so I put in my smallest studs. My shoes looked like the lace-up Keds that I wore when I was a little girl except these had Velcro closures and their canvas uppers were the same color as the dress. Lowers and the soles were a dark brown rubber color.

In the bag with the uniforms was a picture that explained my alternative outfits. For “dress” I would leave off the extra devices unless I was part of the security detail and add a scarf that could be worn around my neck or as a hijab so long as my face was completely visible from hairline to under my chin. There were two other pairs of shoes; one a duplicate of the canvas shoes and the other low-heeled black flats with a good tread on them. In addition, there were two pairs of slacks, two pairs of capris and two pairs of cargo shorts all in the same green as the dress. And, two wicking t-shirts, one button down short sleeve shirt, and one button down long-sleeve shirt and they too were the green color. The dresses and button-down shirts had epaulettes that were the same color except they had a single black bar with a green stripe set inside it. I know four bars is a captain and three bars a first officer. Vit has two bars on his epaulettes which is his engineering designation. I assume that one bar means something but I’m not sure what. Probably grunt worker and frankly I’m fine with that.

When I opened the other bag I nearly passed out laughing. Even the underclothing was that same green color. But at least there were no bars or stripes I thought, sending me into the giggles again. Barney dressed as she always had, in navy shirt and slacks, and I guess her uniform signified something as well but who knew and I wasn’t going to ask. I hadn’t given it too much thought but Vit’s had been similar to what the cruise ship officers had worn on the Sun and the crew had worn on the O’Meg. That had to mean that he was being identified as an officer on the ship and not a civilian.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 9: January 7 & 8 – at sea (Part 2)

I set his uniform to soak the last night after doing a bit of spot cleaning and I hung it to dry before leaving the cabin – dressed in my crisp new get up – and heading up to the buffet to grab breakfast. I was trying to ignore the stares I was getting while at the same time looking for a free table to sit at.

“Ma’am?”

I turned and there stood the man Towers. “Yes?”

He was about to say something when I heard a growly, “Veta?”

“Hi!” Then I turned and said, “This is Mr. Towers. You made his Chief’s day fixing the ammo cabinet locks.”

Both men looked at me strangely and then Vit unbent and stuck his hand out for a shake. Towers just blinked and then said, “Er, you’re welcome to join our table if … I … er …”

“Thank you,” Vit said speaking for both of us.

We sat down but no one was talking. After a minute I put my fork down and said, “Okay, just what is wrong with what I’m wearing?”

Vit looked and said, “Nothing.”

“Then why is everyone looking at me so … er …”

“Ah, it is your security designation on your civilian uniform.”

“So, I’m not wearing anything wrong?”

“No.”

I relaxed and started eating again. “Whew. I still don’t get the staring though.”

A woman that was sitting beside Towers said, “Ma’am it’s like Mr. Dymtrus said. It is an unusual combination. You’re a civilian but you have a high security designation. And you’re female … and wearing a dress.”

“I like dresses,” said with a shrug. “And I passed the tests. Plus, I get to play chaperone on field trips. So, I guess they needed to give me something that had me fit in their boxes. They did say that the uniforms were so that everyone knew what their job was supposed to be.”

She slowly grinned, “Yes ma’am. That’s what they say.”

Not long afterward Vit’s radio cackled. “Hmmm. Is it going to lay an egg?” I asked.

Vit made a face and said, “It might be better if it did. I must go.”

“Wrap your biscuit in a napkin and eat it on your next break. I’ll take your tray.”

“Thank you. I will try not to be so late as last night.”

“I’m not worried about it, just let me know if you can and I’ll get a tray for you like last night.”

He nodded and then stopped himself from kissing and sighed. That’s when I remembered the rule of no PDA (public displays of affection) while in uniform. I gave a pretend pout and then snickered and he grinned and left. When I caught the others looking I asked, “What?”

“He’s … er .. different with you.”

“Marriage will do that,” I responded. I was finished as well and nodded as I picked up both trays and started to take them to the tray deposit area. But before I could get there a woman came over and took them from me. “Oh, thank you!”

She blinked in surprise then smiled. “You’re welcome.”

I was nearly running by the time I got to Barney’s office and I went in and closed the door and leaned on it. Henry Falkirk startled me when he asked, “Rough morning?”

“Oh, sorry. Not really. I’m just not used to all the staring people are doing. Supposedly my uniform is odd … I mean it is the correct uniform, but the combination of civilian office dress and security epaulettes are kind of striking people as odd.”

“Their problem, not yours,” he said succinctly.

Barney came in at that moment and added, “Too right.”

I worked helping to translate some correspondence until lunch when Edda stormed in. “Explain it.”

I looked at her and she finally said, “Please.”

“I will be happy to, but I need more information than your demand.”

“Are you going to chaperone me everywhere I go? I’m not a baby you know. No one else has a chaperone.”

“And you know this how?”

“They said so.”

“Well I would not assume they are correct. The fact is that I am a chaperone for the entire class … or whatever group I am assigned to. Definitely not just you though I must thank you for helping me to secure a job.”

“Er …”

“I very nearly got sent home and Vit and I would have been separated. So, thank you. In return if you or your brothers … or I suppose I can help your friends … need a bit of help with your lessons here and there I am at your service.”

“Oh.”

“Oh?”

“You mean you won’t just be watching me.”

“No.”

“Fine. Then I guess you can go.”

“Go?”

“On the field trip tomorrow.”

“As to that, whether I go or not is dependent on my work assignment. This is the first I am hearing of a field trip. Barney?”

Over her glasses she looked at me and then pulled a folder out. “Hmmm, go speak with Mr. Cunningham. His office is near the classrooms. He should have your schedule by now. I’ll get it notated for Mr. Baird and we’ll go from there.”

I nodded and stood up to go, ignoring Edda who had to rush to catch up. “You really don’t know?”

I said, “I assume you mean about the field trip.”

“Yes.”

“No, I really don’t know.” She followed me to the Youth Center and then quickly abandoned me rather than be seen with me. I tried not to laugh. She was a lot more transparent than she thought.

Mr. Cunningham was a harried looking man who turned out to be both relieved and thankful to have found a willing chaperone for the high school group. When I asked which uniform pieces protocol required me to wear, he jumped like he was goosed.

“Thank god you mentioned it.” He hurried over to one of the many unpacked boxes in his office and fingered through some manilla envelopes until he pulled out one that had “Dymtrus” written on it. “We’re still finding the box with the rest of everything in it, but this will suffice for the next few days.”

“Er …”

“Your uniform might not send the correct signal. Might look too military-ish. For school field trips we want a more relaxed appearance though I understand you’ll also bring your radio and the baton. Try and keep them inconspicuous. Polina said you’d know what I mean.”

“Polina?”

“Tall, blonde Russian woman in security.”

I nodded finally putting a name to the woman that I’d already met twice. Soon after, school schedule in hand, I returned to Barney only to find that she was in conference and wouldn’t be back until dinner. I made a copy of the field trip schedule for her and then finished translating the stack of correspondence she left on “my” desk. I had to roll my eyes a few times as I would run into a writer that was snippy. If they would be like that in correspondence, I’m not sure I wanted to meet them in person.

Around five o’clock ship’s time I “clocked out” and returned to our cabin. I hadn’t been there two minutes before Vit came in looking tired.

“Want me to go get you a tray and we’ll eat in?”

“You do not mind? I have had enough of people today.”

“Of course not. Take a shower and I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

He nodded. It took me longer than I wanted to because I had to “assist” when a couple of female crew members started pushing each other around in the buffet line. They wanted to mouth off to the other security officers there and I snapped, “There’s one thing in common we are all supposed to have on the B. We’ve all lost someone the last couple of years to terrorism or the infrastructure failure the terrorist caused. Let’s try not descending to their level and having a little more class. And you can start showing some class by picking up the mess you just made.” I took the broom and dustpan from a man who had just walked up. “No one on this ship is your slave,” I said handing them some cleaning implements. “Honestly are you adults or a couple of terrible two-year-olds?”

I was getting some looks but by that time I didn’t care. The military security wouldn’t get involved because the women were civilians. The male civilian security personnel looked uncomfortable dealing with a cat fight. The one female civilian security personnel didn’t have the seniority to deal with them. I wanted to take the protocols and start banging heads with them. This wasn’t an issue of authority in my mind, it was an issue of letting stupid win, or not.

Tapping my foot I said, “Don’t make me call for back up. You won’t like it. And you’re lucky I don’t make you apologize to everyone here for causing a scene and wrecking their peace after a long day of work.”

They finally started cleaning though it wasn’t with good grace. The finally did it because they figured out I wasn’t letting up until they did. “And if you can’t get along sit at opposite ends of the buffet from each other. Honestly, like dealing with little kids,” I muttered angrily thinking that Vit was probably starving and wondering if I was going to have to fill out an incident report.

I had grabbed a tray laden with our dinner and was about to walk out when Polina walks towards me. I wanted to say oh now you show up, but didn’t. Instead I said, “If it is about paperwork, let me take my husband his dinner.”

She said, “I will make note of the incident but since you were not forced into a physical confrontation …”

“I’m off the hook?” She gave me another micro-expression grin and allowed me to pass.

Trust me when I say Vit and I had a rather energetic discussion when he found out why it took me so long to get back. Not because of how long it was but because of why. He wanted the names of the two women – I’d honestly hadn’t thought to ask – and told me next time to call for back up.

“I nearly did. Honestly I thought people were screened before getting assigned to the B. Not a week out and I’ve heard some people are already acting brain damaged.”

Assured of my safety Vit had relaxed. “It is sometimes like that as new crews shake out.”

We ate and then Vit apologized and said he had paperwork to do. I took the trays back, looked to see if the women were gone, and then “adulted” again for a couple of teens looking forlorn … and hungry as the snack bar had once again closed early.

And now I’m back in the cabin and had been too antsy to go to bed so decided to keep up with the journal … and deal with an email from Derrick making sure that Vit and I were alright and a complaint from him that Dylan wasn’t saying anything. I replied, “Probably because he doesn’t know anything.” I didn’t go any further than that because I wasn’t getting pulled into anyone’s schemes to find out exactly what was going on, especially not if Dylan was trying to set me up. And no way was I letting them near Vit until I figured out what was going on.

Vit looks like he is about finished and I know I am. So, time to close up and put away the journal. A long day of adulting tomorrow and I’m not sure I’m looking forward to it or not. Vit is staying on board, trying to arrange supplies for the repairs. G’nite.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 10: January 9 – Cartagena, Colombia

I’m flat out exhausted. But then again you should see the students. Every one of them, so I was told, came in, ate dinner, and then face planted in their cabin after putting their first field trip page up on their personal virtual journal. The “journal” looks very similar to Traveling Marchand except that it is not published off ship, and is only visible by teachers and parents. It is like the folders that students used to keep and portfolios kept on them by their educators. Apparently, I was “ahead of the curve” with my virtual teaching methods. Curve or no curve it didn’t help my resume while I was job hunting. Maybe it will the next time around.

My day with the students didn’t start until 11 am, as the day in Cartagena, Colombia had a late-morning disembarkation. By then the temperature was already pushing 90 degrees and my military green capris were developing a wet mark where the sweat was rolling down my back. My white t-shirt was only slightly cooler due to the ridiculous giant blue “B” on the back that stuck to me like glue through the material. And my feet? Let’s just say those green shoes are not all that comfortable and neither are the scratchy socks that go with them. I actually wound up having to take a couple of naproxen when I got back on board. Next time I pass a pharmacy I’m going to pick up another bottle of them because at this rate I will definitely need it.

Vit wasn’t there to see me off and it was kind of lonesome watching the kids being told goodbye by anxious parents. By kids I mean I was with the high school group today. That isn’t always going to be the case but today it was. I only had to play the heavy once and it wasn’t a student but a member of the press corp trailing us who wouldn’t follow the rules. The kids proved to be surprisingly well-mannered and behaved even with some of the more obnoxious members of the press constantly interfering with their educational outing.

For my own professional (and personal) records I am going to recount the days here on out in similar fashion to the travel journal I kept when I worked with the Marchands. Maybe the hypothetical children and grandchildren that Vit and I plan to have will find my journals interesting.

The fieldtrip today started as a walking tour of Cartagena. First, we had to make our way from the B to the cruise terminal. The terminal itself was rather fun. We had to walk through a small botanical garden exhibit and an aviary with some rather large and colorful parrots. Do not try and pet the parrots as they can and will give a very painful pinch. They also have some baby parrots, I mean chicks, that bore no resemblance to their adult versions. They could have easily been mistaken for gray rubber puppets if not for the noise and smell. We skipped the gift shop leaving the guys relieved and the girls disappointed and then crossed outside to the taxi waiting area that was also where our ride - a small bus - picked us up.

After a brief drive we got off, met our guide, and started our walk at the Plaza de los Coches. The Plaza de los Coches is where the people entered the walled city, it was where the slave trade happened and also acted as a kind of transportation hub. And it is also where the statue of the founder of the city, Pedro de Heredia, is erected. I had to take notes as we went because, for the most part, we were only at each location from five to ten minutes. Just long enough for our guide to point a few things out and for the teachers and chaperones to keep the students together in a relatively tight pack … and keep the media from bogging the entire process down.

Next came the Plaza de la Aduana. In this plaza is where the gold, silver, and produce like tobacco, potatoes, sugar, fruits, and other produce started their exportation trip to Spain in the Galeón Armada. Also all the imports from the metropolis came by here to all the territories in South America. The Casa de La Real Contaduría, the kings accounting offices is here and now is the mayor´s office of Cartagena. And from there we went to Plaza de San Pedro Claver, whether the church of San Pedro Claver is located. It was built in honor of a Jesuit priest that dedicated his service to the wellbeing of the enslave Africans that were brought to the Americas in the port. There are also stories of miracles being performed which is how the priest became sanctified.

Not even an hour and we’d been in three impressive plazas and seen several historical sights. And delighted multiple street hustlers by buying the cold bottles of water they were desperately hawking to any tourist that was too slow to avoid them. And it didn’t stop there. We stood a few minutes at Baluarte San Ignacio to see the Cartagena bay and the Bodeguita dock and we were given a quick overview of how the city defended itself from pirates and enemies of the kingdom of Spain. I could have done without the pirate reference but such is life. Our next location to stop at was the Parque de la Marina, where we learned about the history of the Colombian navy and one of its heroes, Admiral José Padilla, known by his colleagues as Prudencio because of his bravery and how he defeated the Spanish Armada, with very few men and ships. And to go with the Admiral we took half an hour to visit the Museo Naval Del Caribe. At the museum, we covered the geography and nature that made the place a perfect site to build a defensive port and also got a more complete look at the history of Cartagena de Indias from a naval point of view. Some of the students found it interesting, some were merely polite about it. They were all aware there would be a test the next sea day so were taking notes just as I was, simply for a different reason.

From the bastion of Baluarte de San Francisco Javier we saw the coastline, and in the distance Bocagrande where the Spanish military engineers built an underwater jetty to impede navigation and to make ships go by the guarded entrance to the bay, Bocachica. Next came Plaza Bolivar, one of the most important sights in the city. There we saw the Palacio de la Inquisición (aka the Holy Office of Inquisition), the statue of Simón Bolívar (the "Libertador" of 5 countries), and the modern Colombian beauty queens hall of fame.

One of the reporters tried to get in the face of one of the older male students about how he felt about being forced to witness man’s inhumanity to man – or some rot like that – and I closed the door in her face as we entered the Museo del Oro Zenu. Of course I pretended not to notice when her face wound up smooshed against the glass door like a cartoon character. After all I was busy making sure the students were listening to the guide and not just gawping at the gold artifacts made by the Zenú culture that inhabited this area before the Spanish came in the 16th century.

After the gold museum came the beautiful Plaza Santo Domingo. In the plaza we saw Gertrudis, or as it is also known, "La Gorda de Botero"; and the church of Santo Domingo, the first monumental construction at Cartagena. From there we moved on to the Plaza Fernandez Madrid where we saw the Iglesia de Santo Toribio and where we learned historically how the people of Cartagena got their fresh water supply. And right on the heels of that we entered the picturesque Plaza de San Diego, where students from the arts university have made it a very trendy place to visit. The plaza is filled with excellent restaurants and historical buildings like the Santa Clara convent, now a luxury hotel. And thank goodness our guide had called ahead because the kids were getting famished though they were a good sport about it. They refilled their water bottles and got to pick up some street food like arepa de huevo, caribañolas, or empanadas. I was a little hungry myself but I hadn’t discussed spending any money with Vit but it turned out that Aiden and Al … and then Edda refusing to be left out … told jokes about my “magic backpack” and said it was their turn and bought me an empanada with their personal money. I really appreciated it, but I need to plan better.

Starvation held at bay our group headed to the Centro Comercial La Serrezuela, also known in times past as the bullring and multipurpose arena of Cartagena, but it is now a high-end shopping mall and venue for concerts and shows. I caught a couple of reporters trying to corner two of the younger students and I need to mention to the teachers to warn the kids off falling for that sort of thing. And since I have no idea who my security boss is, I need to find Polina and tell her about the stunts being pulled.

Baluarte de San Pedro Martir is the bastion that guarded that part of the walled city. In the distance, we saw the Cerro de La Popa and the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, one of the most impressive military constructions in the Americas. Or at least that is the reputation. The Plaza de La Trinidad was a display of one of the trendiest neighborhoods of Cartagena de Indias, also known as Getsemaní, and we saw some of the finest examples of street art and colorful avenues.

Walking by the Camellón de Los Martires and the Parque Centenario we got to see the modern Convention Center and also the section of the city that connects Getsemaní and what is called the centro. Torre del Reloj was the end of our tour and completed the circuit. Here our guide and the teachers went over some of the talking points at the various sights and then hustled the kids back on the bus to take the kids for a quick tour of the fortress known as the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas.

The fortress sits just outside of the walled city and was built by the Spaniards during the 16th century to protect the city from possible invasions. We had no guide and there was no real signage to tell us what everything was but that was okay. Mostly it was to escape the reporters who were growing irritable and irritating about not having the access to the kids they thought they were going to have. The one particular female reporter that, through all my efforts had refused to back off, followed us in while the remainder waited outside. She was hacked off at me, and though I was sympathetic, I had a job to do and it didn’t include allowing her to do what she viewed as hers.

I finally had had enough and decided to lose her rather than listen to her anymore. There was a section of pitch-black tunnels under the fortress. Even with a bright light it was easy to get separated from your party and/or get turned around. I counted my steps in and then turned off my phone flashlight and stepped into an alcove. She’d made the mistake of trusting I wouldn’t turn my light off and hadn’t turned hers on. It wasn’t a nice prank, but I was no longer amused and just wanted to teach her a lesson. I was out of the tunnels well before she probably figured out what I’d done and then caught up with the students and away we went, back on the bus and back towards the port.

I had been told the plan was to skip the gift shop but since they kept it open just for our group, and because the kids really had been well-behaved, they were given a few minutes to shop and purchase while those not so inclined took pictures of the parrots. Then we got back on the ship by way of security which weeded out “our” reporters from the others that had followed us around. I was just stepping through the metal detector when I caught the less than melodious sounds of a particular reporter haranguing someone about how I had gotten in the way of her doing her job.

I relaxed when I heard one of the officers say, “If your ‘job’ included anything more than quietly following the minor students around while they took an education tour, then she was doing her job.”

The area got quiet as the reporters were marched off for a reminder of what rules they were to follow if they wanted to keep their press pass and ride on the B. I pretended to ignore the drama and then was pleasantly surprised to see Vit who I was relieved to see was trying to hide a smile.

“Change first or food first?”

Looking at my watch I said, “You didn’t have to wait for me.”

“Nor do you, yet you do. Er … perhaps …”

Pulling the sticky t-shirt with the obnoxious blue bee on it away from my back I said, “Change, wash up, then food if you don’t mind.”

And that is how it went though I had company in the shower changing my stress to decompress. I wasn’t able to eat much for dinner – I really had gotten hot – and Vit insisted on skipping the movie that was scheduled (on what used to be called the MUTS screen) so that we could go back to the cabin and relax. That’s all I’ve been doing though I did take a call to confirm how that particular reporter had been acting. They didn’t seem upset until I said she’d grabbed one of the boy’s arms when he turned away from her without answering her question. Apparently touching was a huge “don’t” and she was going to get a warning in her file if there were any other witnesses to it.

Vit just asked me if I minded if he goes for a walk on the promenade deck and I asked him if he wanted company. He most definitely did so that’s where we’re going. G’Nite.

 

[Mr Bill]

Great start

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 11: January 10 – Colon, Panama

Woke up sore. How is it possible that I am so out of practice? I did this for months on end two years ago. And then, when we finally made it back to Pembroke, we worked every day … on the house, on the gardens and groves, picking up odd jobs where we could, helping family do their work as much as time allowed. Okay, so the last couple of months we’ve been couch-surfing, but we still tried to work when we could find anything. Am I really that out of shape?

I managed to get up early and go to breakfast with Vit but it took a shower and two cups of strong, black tea to make my brain feel like it was firing on all pistons. Then we parted to go to our respective jobs. Vit had finally been issued a couple sets of coveralls so his uniforms wouldn’t get so much wear and tear … emphasis on tear. I was helping Barney tabulate some reports through the morning, and in the afternoon I played chaperone again. It was from Barney that I learned I hadn’t made any friends by not letting the reporters have their way.

A little concerned I asked, “Can they cause any blowback?”

“Depends on if you continue to do your job.”

I asked, “Their way, or the way that protects the kids best?”

She snorted. “That’s the question isn’t it? For now, continue with the kids as the priority. Mr. Baird brought the issue up in committee and is framing it around them being minors plus the potential social media issues it could mean for our mission. The educational program needs to be seen just as legitimate as a brick and mortar school … with the same protections for the kids. The people against our mission will pick at anything they perceive as questionable to delegitimize our efforts, up to and including the dependents on board. It was a real toss up – for many reasons – whether we would have the kids on the ship but there were also too many pros to having them along. Yes, they are a risk and at risk, but they also prove the point that this isn’t solely a colonializing military operation … this is about real people, with real families, wanting a real future for everyone.”

That was a deeper conversation than I’d ever had with Barney but it went no further as she was called to attend one of the diplomatic meetings and I needed to grab an early lunch so I could present myself for the disembarkation at noon. We were stopping in Colon, Panama before a full transit of the Panama Canal (bucket list resumed).

The kids weren’t just broken down by age this time but by interest. I was going with the “Science Club” and we were going to explore the Gamboa rainforest by ascending some 280 feet from the forest floor, through the dense undergrowth, and up to the forest canopy. Okay, “club” was a bit of an exaggeration but Mr. Parnell, the teacher in charge, hopes that membership expands as the days go on. Mr. Parnell and I were the adults in charge and there were three students: Edda, Pei Shin Chow Rickles – a girl of Chinese ancestry whose father had been adopted back when such things were allowed, and a South Korean boy named Jae Rickles, Pei Shin’s brother, also adopted. All three were 14 and small for their age. Mr. Parnell told me they had banded together rather quickly.

“Is there a problem with their age and size?”

“You mean bullying?” he asked. “No. Er … let me rephrase that; none that any of the teachers are aware of and they don’t show the classic signs of being bullied. I think they are simply three brilliant minds that have found common ground. And thank you for agreeing to go along with us. The other female teachers and chaperones had already signed up for the other student activities.”

“My pleasure,” I told him, and I meant it. The idea of spending hours and hours on a bus to spend two hours in Panama City did absolutely nothing for me. I suspect the others would also discover how boring such travel was … and stressful with the number of people on the bus as I understand they were combined with some adults also taking the same excursion.

Our bus ride was shorter, much shorter. And we came on a day there were no cruise ships in port, so the gondolas were not busy. Encompassing 55,000 acres on the shores of the Panama Canal, Soberanía National Park was our destination with its Gamboa Rainforest Resort where we started the day’s adventure. We had a six-passenger gondola all to ourselves plus a guide who seemed to enjoy the kids as much as they enjoyed him.

The views from the gondola were stunning and eventually at a bird's-eye level at we ascended into the treetops. The forest was amazing reminding me of similar activities with Frankie. I took lots of pictures of the birds we saw and got a little nostalgic wondering if he would want to see them. There were also colorful butterflies like the Blue Morpho, the Heliconius, and the Eurybia.

We almost got more than we bargained for when a white-faced capuchin monkey lost its balance jumping from one branch to another and had to make a quick grab onto our gondola to keep from free falling to the forest floor. The kids loved it. Me? I grabbed my glasses with one hand and my camera with the other and held onto them. Especially when the mischievous little monster gave me a disconcertingly speculative look. The guide said it was a very rare occurrence and asked that I share the photos I took for his scrapbook and I agreed … just in time to have a frog fall on my head and decide to hang on for dear life. Yes, laughter abounded from all sides. All I asked was that it not be a poison dart frog … a wish granted for which I’m thankful. There were also several sloths (not as non-ticketed passengers thank goodness) that moved every bit as slowly as their comical stereotype portrays them. We heard and saw – but weren’t targeted by – several troops of howler monkeys. Good gracious those things are noisy.

The tram ride took around one hour to reach the Gamboa Observation Tower, and that is where we got some breathtaking views of the Chagres River, Gatun Lake and of course the Panama Canal. As we headed up the fifteen stories to the top of the observation tower, the views we were rewarded with of Soberania National Park and the Panama Canal became even more stunning.

After the gondola ride and observation tower, we visited the orchidarium (orchid house), butterfly house, the freshwater aquarium (basically a frog pond), and the snake house (yuck). All three of the students were fascinated and asked great questions of the guide and of each other and then said they needed to get time on the computers to do further research. Spot on and Mr. Parnell and I wanted to do a high-five for all the self-motivation they were showing.

Next, we took a boat trip to visit the islands that once upon time were mountain tops, that were created when the area was flooded to form the Gatun Lake. Oh my lord … more monkeys. And these were used to stupid humans providing them sustenance and they jumped into the boat to check out if we had anything appetizing. The guide did … what else, bananas … and the only thing I could say is that these examples of their species were semi-well mannered and kept their curious little hands busy feeding their faces and not running off with things that didn’t belong to them.

From there we headed to Miraflores Visitor Center, where the exhibits focus on the famous Panama Canal. There are four exhibition halls that cover just about every aspect of the Panama Canal you can imagine, including its construction and its operation. It made me wish Vit was there as he loves figuring out how mechanical things work. During our visit, we watched vessels cruise the waters and witnessed the lock gates open and close. There is also a 3D movie played on-site that highlights notable events through the Panama Canal's history.

And at the end of that portion of the field trip we returned to the ship barely avoiding becoming an insect smorgasbord despite the amount of insect repellant I was spritzing on everyone. The kids were starving but had to make a detour to check in with their parental units before heading to the buffet. Mr. Parnell took care of that part and I headed to our cabin to wash some of the sticky sweat, mixed with bug spray, off me.

Oh my goodness, Vit must have missed me because he had already run a bath and brought trays for us so I could relax … well sort of after a bit. At least we didn’t slosh all the water out of the tub.

I grinned mischievously as we stuffed our faces and asked, “Did you miss me?”

He growled playfully then clicked on the tv. I thought we were going to relax but I realized they were streaming pictures that must have been taken during the day. I saw what the other groups did and then was surprised to see our group until I remembered Mr. Parnell had said something about keeping the staff on board informed. I was about to point out the names of one of the butterflies when my face filled the tv screen – with the frog passenger clearly attached to my braid and me looking both alarmed and comically surprised at the same time as resigned to my fate. Vit, not normally a boisterous laugher, took a good five minutes to stop guffawing. I think the pillow I used to attack him with didn’t help.

“I have already sent it to Dev,” Vit said still chuckling.

“Great. Knowing him he’ll probably put it in the Christmas newsletter.”

“He did mention the possibility.”

“He better think long and hard unless he wants me to pull out his baby pictures.”

“I’ll warn him,” Vit said finishing his dinner and glass of wine still smiling. “You are enjoying the teaching again?”

“I’m … not really teaching. Not like with Frankie. But I have enjoyed the last two days with the students. Today even more than yesterday. But no chaperoning the next two days. I’ve been asked to play during part of the canal transit instead. Do you mind?”

“Nii. So long as people appreciate it. I will try and see some if you give me the hours, but mostly I will be observing to make sure the ship does not have a problem going through the new locks.” At my lack of understanding he said, “The old locks are too narrow for this ship. They built another set of locks due to traffic but the locks we travel on were finished just last month when it became apparent how vulnerable the original lock system is and that they needed a wider set to truly serve the larger vessels. This ship will not be the first through the newest locks, but we will be one of the widest. And …” He looked troubled.

“What?”

“Kokhana, there may be protests and even if there are not … promise me you will remain situationally aware.”

“Terrorists?” I asked with some anxious concern.

He sighed. “Possibly but the captain is more concerned with sabotage than attack. If … there is an emergency, follow the evacuation procedure and we will meet up as soon as possible. Promise me you will not remain on the ship simply looking for me. Promise.”

“I … promise,” I told him reluctantly. “But let’s pray that nothing like that occurs.”

“Agreed,” he said kissing my hand.

He needed to work on some charts, and I decided to cut my family some slack and post a small note with some pictures at my nearly abandoned blog. They’ll either see it or they won’t. It wasn’t much of a post anyway as we are under some security restrictions. Nothing I wrote or posted broke the rules, so I’m not worried about it being blacked out. While I waited out the little bit of laundry I did today, I wrote everything down but for now I need to do some musical exercises to prepare for tomorrow. Vit does not mind my playing but I may still go into the bathroom so it will at least be a little muffled.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 12: January 11 – Panama Canal, full transit

Bucket list item checked off. Wow. First part of the day was great. I learned a lot. Second part of the day I learned something as well, but not necessarily because I went looking for it. During the first set of locks, from Colon into Gatun Lake, there was a historical guide using the ship’s sound system to give all personnel a great overview of what was happening.

We started through the locks quite early. It was barely dawn and not much was visible at first but that didn’t stop our narrator. Ahead were three sets of locks – Gatun (completed in 1914), Agua Clara (completed in 2016), and the newest set which we were using. As we got closer to the Locks, we saw several tugboats tied up on the port side. We were told these are usually on standby 24 hours per day and are the newest generation of tugs, militarized for obvious reasons. The older ones had ‘bendy’ funnels and the new ones mounted guns. The captains of these tugs are constantly monitored because if they become (or are blackmailed into becoming) terrorists they have a lot of firepower at their disposal and could wreak havoc.

There are also ferries. Because the bridge was badly damaged during a terrorist attack on the expansion, the ACP (Panama Canal Authority) had to implement ferries to transport vehicles across the Canal. Vehicles can still cross the Gatun Locks on a small road bridge that swings across the entrance, but they must go through an enormous amount of security before doing so. Vehicles can drive across the northern-most gate of the Agua Clara Locks, but the ACP prefers that they take the ferries.

The locks we were going to use consist of two lanes (east and west) each containing three chambers. Each chamber will raise your vessel 29 feet, giving a total lift of 87 feet. This is the lift from the Caribbean Sea (minimal tidal range) to the desired level of Lake Gatun. The level of the lake is closely monitored by the ACP and is solely dependent on rainfall to keep the lake full. If excess rain overfills the lake, then the sluice gates at Gatun Dam are opened. If the lake was to flood then water would spill over the inner chamber gates. Conversely if the water level of the lake decreases, due to lack of rain, then draught restrictions are applied to vessels wanting to transit. As amazing as it might sound, there have only been a handful of times that the Canal has been closed down and most of them were an issue of safety rather than economics.

I had wondered where to stand but found out there is no “best” view of the locks operation because there is so much to see. From high up in a forward area you can get an overall view of the lock complex, on the foredeck you are closer to the action as the lines are connected to the mules, and from a balcony you might be on the right side to watch an adjacent ship go through the same process. On a lower deck or out of a low window you can almost touch the lock walls. It pays to move around the ship and check it all out.

As we approached each set of locks, there was a large arrow located at the entrance (on the center ‘island’ between the east and west lanes). These are designed to communicate the status of the locks with the approaching ships. Think of them like the signal flags used by railroads to give status of tracks.

What surprised me was that rowboats were still in use as well. Just prior to entering the first chamber of each lock we saw two men in a rowboat approach the bow of our ship. These men took the “heaving lines” from the bow of our vessel ashore. This allowed the wire ropes from the mules (shore side locomotives I’ll explain next) to be pulled over onto your ship. At one time the rowboats had outboard motors attached, but they regularly fouled the “heaving lines.” Many other methods have been tried including shooting the lines, but it was decided to revert to the most trusted method of rowboats.

From the beginning, it was considered an important safety feature that ships be guided through the lock chambers by electric locomotives running along the lock walls. These became known as mules, named after the animals traditionally used to cross the Isthmus of Panama. Every vessel passes through the locks under its own propulsion while the mules’ function is to keep the vessel centered in the chambers. This was the process that Vit was helping with.

The mules weigh 50 tons each and operate with two traction units of 290 HP each. Traction is by electric power, supplied through a third rail laid below surface level on the land side. The first mules/locomotives cost US$13,217 and were built by General Electric, an American company. The most recent information that is publicly available is that the Japanese company Mitsubishi was one of the most recent manufacturers, though after what happened in Japan last year there is no telling what their manufacturing capacity is. I do know that the cost of the specialized locomotives exceeds US$2.5 million each.

On the east side of the locks, at the bottom of the steps going up to the old visitor center building (now closed), we saw one of the original drive wheels used to operate the gates. The wheel was powered by a 50HP electric motor, to which was attached a connecting rod, which in turn attached to the middle of the gate. These mechanisms were replaced with hydraulic struts beginning in January 1998, after 84 years of service. These now operate with a 15HP motor.

We also saw these strange looking structures at all three sets of locks. They are practice targets for the ACP linehandlers. A heaving line is a lightweight line with a weight at the end, usually a piece of lead wrapped in a knot called a monkey’s fist. The line is tied to a heavier mooring rope or wire, and then the weighted end is thrown between a ship and the shore, or from one ship to another, and used to pull the heavier rope across. The ACP linehandlers hold competitions between teams representing each set of locks and we were told it was a pretty big deal and a matter of pride as well.

Another feature to be seen is that many of the lock gates are doubled. This is a safety measure to prevent damage to any gates allowing Lake Gatun to drain into the ocean.

Recently an old safety feature has come back in use; the chain fender. They stopped using the 12,000-ton chains back in 1980 but due to one of the last attacks on the Canal they were brought back and increased in size and strength. It is to keep a ship from ramming the gates.

After we cleared the last gate and made it into Gatun Lake we could look to the starboard side and see the Gatun Dam. It was constructed between 1907-1913 and is THE secret to the successful construction of the Panama Canal. Amazingly it has never been a target of the terrorists because without the dam the canal would be useless. US engineers realized that they had to somehow control the flooding of the Chagres River in order to prevent landslides during the wet season. By damming the Chagres they created Lake Gatun and were therefore able to control water levels and flooding. A hydro-electric generating station at the dam generates electricity, which is used to operate the locks and other equipment in the Canal. The earthen dam is 1.5 miles in length and is nearly 0.5-mile-wide at its base. It contains 16.9 million cubic meters of rock and clay, equivalent to about one tenth of the entire excavation of the Canal.

Lake Gatun itself extends northwest from Parque Nacional Soberanía to the locks of Gatun, just south of Colón. It now serves as an anchorage for ships waiting for their turn in the locks. Lake Gatun was created in 1913 when the US government dammed the Chagres River, so that ships could cross the isthmus at 85 feet (later 87 feet) above sea level, saving decades of digging that a sea-level canal would have required. At the time of its creation the lake was the largest man-made lake in the world. This was soon to be surpassed by Lake Mead in Nevada, US. The theoretical size of the lake was 436km2. This was increased to 452km2 when more water was required by the construction of the expansion locks (opened in 2016).

Several towns and villages were submerged when the lake was created and now the tall mountains are little more than small islands that break the surface of the lake. The Panama Canal pretty much follows the course of the Chagres River between the Gatun Locks and the town of Gamboa. As we saw during the remainder of our transit, dredging operations are nearly full-time in order to safely satisfy the draught requirements imposed by the ACP.

At one time recreational vessels were allowed on the lake. However, that is no longer the case. We saw some smaller, motorized dinghies closer to Gamboa, but these are operated by tourist operations, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (they who study the monkeys among other things) or local Indian tribes. The lake is home to crocodiles, manatees and peacock bass, a species introduced from South America. We entered the lake while it was still morning and saw quite a few large ships at anchor waiting their turn to descend the Gatun Locks, or to pass through the Culebra Cut and descend into the Pacific.

While we waited our turn to exit onto the Pacific side several entertainment options were provided for people to see and hear while on break or during lunch. The Panama Transit was treated as a pretty big deal, some jumping off point or something along those lines. It wasn’t just the diplomats that were celebrating but regular personnel as well. And as we passed through the locks there were also signs (for and against) that people had paid to advertise.

First came a string quartet, then a concert-quality pianist, and then it was my turn. I felt a little subconscious as I was on the top deck and my picture was also being displayed on the MUTS screen which was 300-square feet and had a 69,000-watt sound system requiring me to wear earplugs or risk hearing myself and losing my timing. I had really given a lot of thought to what to play and decided that I would pick as many violin solos from international composers as I could and just keep playing until they asked me to stop. They had told me that I would be playing an extended time slot while the other musical groups had breaks.

I also decided just to do them in alphabetical order rather than risk offended anyone. Grażyna Bacewicz (polish), Johann Sebastian Bach (German), Gottfried von Einem (Austrian), George Enescu (Romanian), Luboš Fišer (Czech), Benjamin Godard (French Jew), Kenneth Hesketh (British), Gilad Hochman (Israeli), Heinz Holliger (Swiss), Jacques François Antoine Marie Ibert (French), Aram Khachaturian (Soviet Armenia), Yuri Levitin (Soviet Russia), Franz Liszt (Hungarian), Theo Loevendie (Dutch), Donald Martino (American), Nathan Milstein (Ukrainian), Alexander Mullenbach (Luxembourg), Carl Nielsen (Danish), Niccolò Paganini (Italian), Hilda Paredes (Mexico), Astor Piazzolla (Argentine), Zoltan Paulinyi (Brazil), Manuel Quiroga (Galician), Sergei Rachmaninoff (Russian), Joaquín Rodrigo (Spanish), Kaija Saariaho (Finnish), Christian Sinding (Nowegian), Nikos Skalkottas (Greek), Eduard Tubin (Estonian), Henri Vieuxtemps (Belgium), Isang Yun (Korean).

I was at the point that I was ready to drop and was finally rescued by Vit. He covered the mic and then gently whispered against my skin, “Enough Kohkana.”

I was wrung out. With as much dignity as I could muster, I gathered my tablet as Vit put away my violin. It was only then did I look up and … I nearly hid behind Vit. I had drawn a crowd. And when I looked up several people started clapping and then they all did … with several of them standing while doing so. It wasn’t just a polite clap either, some were quite enthusiastic and I could hear them blathering that I’d included a piece from this composer while another woman looked so proud and said that I had included that composer.

I let Vit help me from the stage and once out of sight of the others I almost whimpered, “I want to go back to the cabin.”

“Shhh. Let’s get some air first.”

“Vit …”

“No one is staring. Some air and a drink.” He realized I was in the midst of an anxiety attack, something I didn’t do often.

And that’s what we did. I thought I saw Polina and Barney out of the corner of my eye, but it must have been my imagination. Vit certainly wouldn’t have growled like that at them. He did growl at Towers who ignored him and said, “If you don’t want company, I recommend coming with me and taking the crew hallway to get around the crowd in the Atrium.”

I’d never felt so out of it. It wasn’t until later that I realized I’d been playing over two hours without pause (or water) in the heat. I also felt wringing wet which may have been a sign I was dehydrated.

That last thing of sense I remember, not that Towers was making a lot of sense, was him telling Vit, “I like me some fiddle all right, but that scritchy-scratchy stuff normally puts me to sleep. Not her. I think I could actually listen to her play for a while.”

I woke up some time later with Vit talking to Barney on what I realized was the phone’s intercom. “I do not want such a thing for her again. If she wants to play, fine. But not like she is a toy on stage that only needs to be wound up and displayed. They did not make the others play so long.”

“No clue how it happened Vit. It was a mistake of some kind. I saw the original schedule myself. Everyone would have one set then a break, taking turns so no one was left out or made too much of. Somehow, after the pianist, the schedule changed and Veta was on for several sets and then the pianist was going to find himself in the same position. The quartet got their nose out of joint until they found out it was some kind of computer error. I don’t even know what to call the snit the opera duet was having. With all the press watching it would have been embarrassing as hell for the Envoy to have something like this made public. That’s when Cunningham proved he’s worth his bacon. Got up on stage after you left and explained that ‘Mrs. Petric-Dymtrus would be honoring all of the countries of the Envoy in her future performances, she simply hadn’t wanted to take time away from the other performers and ….’ Away he went stroking egos on both sides so no one was offended. When this mission is over with, I might just hire him away for the Public Relations department. Damn fine job of hiding a problem in plain sight so no one sees it.”

Vit merely grunted. “This will not happen to Veta again.”

There was a brief silence and then Barney said, “Tomorrow is Sunday and I know Mr. Baird is going to take the day off to spend with the kids. You have a day off too if they haven’t changed your schedule. Tell her there’s nothing immediately pressing and that she doesn’t need to come to the office. She’s got chaperone duty three days running after that and if Mr. Baird asks me to check the qualifications of the field trip guides one more time, or to make sure that Veta is included, I might just be forced to say something. He’s cycling up to come unhinged over the kids again.”

Vit grunted and then hung up. I heard ice tinkling in a glass and then felt the bed move. My eyes flew open and Vit sighed. “Good, you are finally awake. You need to drink.”

My throat was parched and my tongue felt like sawdust in a hamster cage … sawdust that had been used by the hamster. I took a sip of the glass he held and then tilted it so I could get more than a sip.

“Better?” he asked.

“Yes,” I croaked. “Great. I sound like a frog on top of everything else. Just how big of a fool did I …”

“Nii,” he said sharply before obviously forcing himself to calm down. “Nii. But they will not do this again. This I vow.”

“Vow?”

“You are my druzhyna, my wife. Mine to protect and serve. Mine to …”

Not that I don’t appreciate when Vit gets dramatically Cossack but I needed to stop him. “Vit, I heard some of the conversation with Barney. It sounds like a computer glitch. That’s all.”

He growled, “That’s what they’re calling it.”

Slightly suspicious I asked, “And what do you call it?”

“Fools in charge.” At my startled look he helped me to sit up and I found that under the sheet I was only in my nightie. “This is another one of those ‘mistakes’ that shouldn’t have gone as far as it did. People are over specialized in their jobs and do not seem to see …”

“Beyond the end of their nose?”

“Or the tablet in their hand. When asked why no one gave you a break from playing they said because the schedule didn’t say to. When asked why they did not find it unusual that the schedule had changed so dramatically they said because it wasn’t their job to do that part.” Vit shook his head. “Personnel are not integrating any better than some of the machinery and programs. And no one wants to be the one that thinks outside their box because they are too afraid they are going to get hammered for it. And the military vs civilian problem exists as well though not as bad as I was led to believe.”

I wasn’t much up for a conversation and all Vit cared about is that I was better and would stay in bed and drink water. He had to go grab some charts and check on some other things he’d been called about. The glitch in the music program isn’t the only thing that was noticed this afternoon.

I’ve gone back and forth between feeling hot and having the chills. I must have really gotten dehydrated. And that is something that shouldn’t have happened had I been using commonsense. Getting wrapped up in the music is no excuse.

And I’m starting to not feel well again. I’m going to put this away and go stick my head in the shower. My hair is sour anyway and needs a rinse.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 13: January 12 (Sunday) – at sea

I’ve felt better today but I’m running out of energy early so I probably won’t make this a long entry. I wanted to sleep in so bad, but I don’t want to wind up with a reputation for being a weakling. This is a job, not a private cruise or a personal vacation. Everyone else is working as well and it seems I may already have a hole I need to dig myself out of.

It’s the whole civilian dependent/high rank security/work for the Bairds/must be from a wealthy background/not good enough for Vit – thing. And no, I’m not imagining it. Polina asked some polite but pointed questions when I was asked to report to Security for a briefing so I could be put into an upcoming rotation.

“Well why am I only hearing about this after the fact?” I asked rhetorically as I filled out some additional paperwork listing yet again all the languages I spoke and/or understood and/or could read.

“You did not know?” she asked.

“Well I figured out something was weird when I got the hairy eyeball …” I glanced her way and she nodded when let me know that she understood the colloquial phrase. “… when apparently while I am wearing the correct uniform, it is an unusual combination. I also figured something was strange the two times I had to ‘assist.’”

“Ah. Yes. One of those being with two female civilians during meals.” She shook her head. “They tried to complain of their treatment at your hands.”

More than a little concerned all I could respond was, “Oh.”

Polina gave me a look like she understood what I wasn’t saying. She confirmed a few details and then added, “They wound up written up. Had they let your handling suffice my superiors would have let it go. But the way they chose to handle it … they showed themselves to be a problem.”

“Should I watch my back?”

She looked at me and then arched her eye before asked, “Are you so naïve that you have ever thought you did not need to?”

All I could do was repeat, “Oh.”

She unbent and then said, “You must take the authority you have more seriously. Not abuse it but … hmmm …”

“Have some self-confidence?”

“Yes. Though I have not seen that you lack it. You have no reason to.”

Trying to be honest I admitted, “I’ve learned the hard way. That said, this is the first time my ‘authority’ is over adults and not minors.”

She nodded. “Understood. But remember, most instances when you are called on to exert your authority will be when adults behave like minors.”

It gave me a different perspective. When she looked over the paper she shook her head. “I am not sure what rotation I will put you in. I prefer you to remain as a chaperone given your experience and abilities but in order to reinforce your position as a security team member you need to be seen performing onboard ship in something more structured than when you simply run into issues.”

“Can I guess?” She looked at me and I continued, “Is this about the reporters in Colombia?”

Her face cleared and she nodded but added, “This is also to prevent any future issues should we need to rely on you during a situation. You need to get to know the other members of the security forces, recognize them … and be able to work with their strengths and sometimes weaknesses. You need to be able to work as a team member, accepted as a team member, and because of your status, you need to be able to act as a team leader if necessary. You act alone well enough, in a team there will be different dynamics. And you should discuss this with Dymtrus … your husband … because there may be times when your responsibility and authority conflicts with his desire for your safety.”

I thought her acknowledgement of what I’d already dealt with a couple of times right after we married was unusual until she made a point of getting my attention with her left-hand ring finger. I looked at her and she cut her eyes to an office door behind her that read Communications. I gave her a slow nod right before a man walked out and ask me in a thick Russian accent if I spoke Mandarin.

I looked at Polina and she said, “It is in your file.”

“I’m out of practice but as long as it isn’t too colloquialized I can.”

He handed me a small communicator and then hit play. It was the voice of a young woman. “She’s asking to speak to her brother in law regarding a family matter. The brother in law must be older as she is using respectful conjugation … the kind you use for elders.” I played it again and heard a slight waiver in her voice when she said family. “I suspect this isn’t good news based on her tone. I’m surprised it isn’t a male calling which leads me to believe that … never mind I am guessing, not interpreting.”

The man looked at Polina then nodded before going back to the other office. Quietly I asked, “Was that a test?”

“Not of you. Yegor likes to check up on the clerks.”

I nodded like I understood but I’m not sure I do. It was after that I returned to the cabin. I gave serious consideration to simply falling face forward on the bed but that would have made Vit concerned. And when he came in two minutes later I am glad I didn’t give in to the temptation.

“You are hungry?” he asked.

I wasn’t but he was so I smiled and he surprised me by taking me to lunch at the XO Lounge. I was also surprised, with it being a Sunday afternoon, that the place wasn’t busy. I had a strawberry pecan chicken green salad. I ate it despite being self-conscious from the sidelong glances it felt like people were giving me.

“Easy Kokhana, it is not just you. Everyone is getting their share of stares. People are affixing names to faces and trying to figure out where they fit in the hierarchy.”

I looked over at the man who knew me too well. “I don’t mean to worry you,” I told him.

“Ya znayu. And I am not. But I do wish there was something I could do to ease your way. I remember the stares caused you pain when we worked for the Marchands.”

There was no use denying it. It is what it is. Or more correctly I should say I am who I am. I will get a handle on it, told Vit so, and tried to prove it by finishing the salad so he wouldn’t worry that I was not eating properly.

Vit was invited by some other XO’s to join them in a jog on the sports deck. I smiled and he knew that I understood that it wasn’t just about exercise but about team building and networking. I was just going to go back to cabin and work but Vit had other ideas. He means well but his “caring” can sometimes seem heavy-handed. There was a yoga class … and he’d signed me up. I decided to give in gracefully and I must admit that I didn’t hate it. I didn’t love it, but definitely didn’t hate it. The instructor was one of those militant types that makes it seem you should be able to do something rather than being encouraging when you are unable to. She looked more like a body builder than any yoga instructor I have ever had. Over half the class dropped out before the end, especially as she kept adding more and more advanced positions.

I was getting mildly disgusted by the instructor but if I’ve learned little else in life, it is that you must make your own enjoyment. And my enjoyment was not to let the others in the class be completely disheartened. The women on either side of me started to see my winks to them and blank face to the instructor as a bit of humor. The instructor however caught on and a few times tried to outlast me. Sorry, not happening. I’ve been doing yoga for years specifically because of the defects I was born with and because it helps with horseback riding. I really enjoy it in most of it forms.

The silliest yoga class I’ve taken is Goat Yoga. You have not experience yoga’s benefits until you try and not giggle when a baby pygmy goat decides your butt is a mountain it is going to climb while you are in the middle of a knee to ear pose. I’ve taken a few Hot Yoga classes but that’s only fun when you have air conditioned space or a spa to hit afterwards. Last couple of years at Pembroke House the AC went out and there was no money (or parts to be had) to fix the old thing that had been around since I was little. Vit and I fixed a few swamp coolers and that had to do for us. The AC in our cabin is actually rather cool and Vit and I wish we could simply have a fan but there are none on the ship so we “suffer” along. What a thing to complain about … having AC. I sound like an idiot.

Anyway, the class finished with just a few of us able to do the Firefly Pose. The instructor was gone rather quickly, I think a little irritated that she hadn’t been able to show everyone up.

I looked around and asked, “Is everyone doing a cool down series?”

It was the women that had been on either side of me that smiled and one of them said, “I’m game. But can we do more sitting poses? I need to work on my balance before I do some of the more advanced poses.”

“Sure. Do you have a series you want to try?”

“You pick,” she said.

So I did and we had more people doing that than had the full class when it started.

One of the girls there said, “Oh for the love of Mike. If she’d explained it the way you do I wouldn’t have given up.”

I shrugged. “Different instructors have different methods,” I said trying not to create a situation. “Maybe they should have beginner, intermediate, and advance series instead of starting at beginning and trying to add the rest until the end of the session.”

“I’d go for that,” and a man said. “I feel like an idiot doing some of those pretzel moves. It was stressing me out and my wife signed me up for the class in order to de-stress.”

Carefully I said, “Next time only do a series while it feels healthy … physically and mentally. I’ve been doing yoga for years because I had a few deficits at birth. I do advanced poses now when I want to stretch myself … and yes I know that is an awful pun. But most of the time I start with beginner poses and move into intermediate that are meaningful for me and address the areas that I am trying to strengthen. I may do one or two advanced poses but I don’t put myself down if I don’t. Yoga is a mind/body type of exercise.”

Another man there snorted. “Well not all of us are as flexible as you lasses. I prefer running to be honest but me knees ain’t what they used to be.”

“Flexibility comes with practice,” I said with a grin. “For me it is more about taking time to get my head on straight after a stressful day or to set myself to have patience for a Day ahead of me. It kinda gives me the same zen feeling you get when you get beyond that initial wall of resistance when you run. My wall was always at two miles … didn’t matter whether I was walking, jogging, or running full out. About two miles my mind wanted to psych me out and I had to ignore the temptation and keep pushing through. You know the feeling.”

“Ya I do,” he said nodding.

We broke up after that because another group wanted to Zumba. I almost stayed for that class and would have if I hadn’t spotted Vit lounging with the men he’d gone running with. I hesitated to go over but wanted to know if I’d kept him waiting.

“Nii,” he said with a grin. “Come meet Lt. Wheeler. You can commiserate with him.”

“Hmm?”

“He had a run in with one of your monkeys in Colon.”

“Those clepto-psychos are not mine,” I said and my face must have been something to behold because everyone laughed which told me Vit had already shared the tale.

We came back to the cabin and … shared our space … and Vit reluctantly agreed that it was not going to kill me to skip dinner and stay in while he went to meet the men from earlier to eat and then hang out at one of the “clubs.”

“I will not be late.”

“Vit. You don’t need …”

“Nii. Tomorrow is a work Day and I need to set the example. Get some rest Kokhana. Just promise me if you do not feel well in the morning you will excuse yourself from chaperoning.”

It was an easy promise to make as I wouldn’t risk the safety of the kids by being less than I needed to be. But I think I am going to put this away and turn on some music and just zone for a while. It is taking more from me than expected to interact with people. It shouldn’t. But yet there it is and it does. I need to practice more. On the Sun I used Frankie as an excuse and on the O’Meg it was simply different and of short duration. Here I need to … maybe if I look at it the way Vit is. I need to set a good example. Let’s see if I can actually convince myself that is true.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 14: January 13 – Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Monkeys. Why is it always monkeys?

The day’s educational tour started by going to a private area where the “cute” (not my word for them) and well-known white-faced monkeys come to play every day. One hopped on my shoulder and started trying to groom me. All I could do was freeze while everyone else went “awwww” or laughed as I tried to not show my true feelings of the incident. Bleck.

After being “enchanted” (again, not my descriptive) by the creatures … read clepto-psycho mini-monsters with a cankered sense of humor … we were taken to the “fruit towns”, an area where the sweetest and best tropical fruits are produced. I could have told anyone that had an ear that kids can eat. And since we had such a diverse group that hesitancy over any new-to-them foods would probably be overcome by peers treating it normal. We got to try a wide variety straight from the hands of smiling farmers proud to share their crops with the visitors. Bananas, mangoes, and pineapples were what I would have called the most common of the fruits available, or perhaps it would be better to say they are the most recognizable to our group. Then there was the carambola, more commonly known in the marketplace as the “star fruit” because when you sliced it the resulting slice looked just like a five-pointed star. The fruit is native to places like the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia but it is now grown in most of the tropics. I had a friend who lived in Tampa, FL that had a grove of carambola trees and did quite well with them every year in local farmer markets.

The Mamon, also known as the Rambutan, is very popular and eaten raw all year. It looks like something from a Dr. Suess story – like a hairy cherry – but rather than eat the skin you have to peel or crack it off to get to the white skinless “grape” that is inside it. It is related to the lychee and longan. Some of the northern European and North American kids looked at it funny … or did until the South East Asian and South American kids showed them the easiest way to eat them and then I worried about stomach aches and unfortunate side effects from too much fruit.

There were two fruits offered that I wasn’t familiar with. The first was Cas, or the Costa Rican guava. It is sour so is mostly used for flavoring of some type, usually drinks. I put it in the same category as Naranja Agria … or sour orange … which is the most common rootstock from grafted orange trees in Florida. Eating either fruit is on par with eating an unripe persimmon, but as a flavoring or marinade it is grand. But I have to say that I’m a little wary of Cas because of the small white worm that each fruit holds. No, I’m not joking. Of course we weren’t told that until after they had presented us with a cup of the tart nectar. Let me just say it … eeewwww! I watched them cut the fruit up and put it in the blender with sugar and water. They didn’t bother taking any worms out. When Vit was asking me why I was brushing my teeth right after coming in I told him and I thought he was going to pass out from laughter. If only people could see him when he gets like this. Angie caught us once and she told me later that the last of her concern about Vit evaporated in that moment. And yes, despite everything I am missing my family. Perhaps distance is the best medicine, and it makes me wonder if it will need to stay like that. Enough thinking about it, I still have a long way to go before any decisions must be made in that direction.

The second fruit that I wasn’t familiar with was barely a fruit. It is called Guaba but is also known as “pacay” or the “ice cream bean.” It’s a weird and delicious legume in Costa Rica. That’s right it is a legume. It tastes like a fruit, but it is actually related to vegetables. Now tell me that didn’t freak some of the kids out. It is related to lentils, snow peas and green beans. On the inside is a white pulp with black seeds. You eat the pulp but have to spit out the seeds. Our guide told us that guaba is only available about half the year, between January and June.

After our fruit and agricultural lessons we headed to what our guide called “the wild side.” We were all fitted with life jackets and given the requisite safety talk. I was a little leery, but our guide demonstrated that the pontoons were safe and once I was seated they were quite comfortable. And after everyone was checked to make sure their life vest fit properly we went gliding on the Tarcoles River. This well-known waterway holds the largest population of American Crocodiles in Central America. Yeah, that made me comfortable … not. But it turns out it was a great tour, especially for our students that considered themselves naturalists, birdwatchers, or photographers.

Some of the birds we saw were herons, egrets, and roseate spoonbills. There were also other wonders like iguanas and basilisks (aka the Jesus Christ lizards for their ability to walk on water). We saw one demonstrate its talent and I have to say it was a little freaky to see the thing run across the top of the water like it did. I got some really great video and just happened for some reason to have my phone on slo-mo and it was hysterical. I promised Edda that I would load it to the B School server so she and the other students could watch it to their hearts content.

After all the excitement, it was time for lunch. We were bused to one of the best local restaurants in the coastal region and while the meal was good, we picked up some of the media types as passengers. Nearly spoiled my appetite but this group had either been warned off getting too close or they were simply a better mannered group than the one we had tagging after us in Colombia.

Our lunch was not only healthy, but it was totally delicious with fresh meats, vegetables and fruits enough to fill the stomachs of even our largest students … we have one that is roughly the size of one of the Southern Border Wall sections. After lunch, the students were encouraged to do some shopping. It wasn’t just about free time however, it was lessons in economics (their own and the host country) and, as I understand it, such lessons in the future will show some good will and spread a little financial incentive to smooth the way for those that might be hesitant to welcome the B.

The products were excellent, and the prices were really good compared to what I had been paying for some things at home. Clean and well-stocked, the stores we were taken to were diverse and the prices affordable. Vit had broached the subject before I could get up the courage to and told me that he would miss shopping with me, but he expected me to do it for both of us. We would deal with how to get it to whatever our next home was once we got closer to the end of our voyage. I honestly didn’t see much that interested me – yes I got some post cards but not much beyond that. I got some banana paper – a local recycling product, a mango wood candle holder to hold my solar charged candle that offered Vit and I a little “atmosphere” when we were in the mood for it, and a jar of local deli sweet jelly.

Our economics lesson/shopping experience ended by going to a real Costa Rican supermarket where we were all encouraged (even the minors) to buy local coffee. Neither Vit nor I are coffee drinkers but the coffee we purchased during our time on the Sun taught us to never turn down a bargain. Bartering that coffee, or giving it as gifts, helped us out of more than one cash-jam. So I bought the coffee in bean form and for now it takes up space in the little apartment sized frig in our cabin.

Before heading back to the ship, and as a way to end the field trip, we were taken through the city of Puntarenas, the first port Costa Rica ever had in history, and learned about its traditions and its particular culture. There was an important holiday coming up in barely two days. Fiestas de Alajuelita is an ancient practice of pilgrimage which is still well-respected in Costa Rica today. In the Days around January 15th each year, many Catholics pack a lunch and make the walk to the Black Christ of Esquipulas in order to ask for a blessing or a miracle. We also learned that all children born in Costa Rica must have the typhoid vaccine. Malaria, rabies, and yellow fever are also on the recommended vaccine list. I had heard there was some grumbling objections to the number of vaccines that were required before boarding the B in Miami but no exemptions had been made. Vit and I had already had most of the required vaccines … rabies was a new one on us and we had to take the booster meds for malaria.

As we stood in line to get back on the ship I had to play “security” as some migrants tried to get a little overzealous selling their wares. They needed reminders that they were approaching minors as well as an area that only passengers could enter. It gave me a chance to use my Spanish and Pachuco (Costa Rican slang). For instance Tico = Costa Rican, Macha = blond woman, and Salado = tough luck. Basically the ticos were being dealt some salado by a macha (Polina) when they wouldn’t just give up gracefully and return back behind the yellow and black painted line. I was polite but firm which I think helped. It didn’t hurt whatever others thought of it.

It was 5:30 pm and all the students were hurried off to their family’s quarters to wash up and change for dinner before it got any later. When I was released I did the same only to run into Vit coming my direction. He took the bag I carried, looked inside it with approval, and then we both headed to the cabin to clean up (aka sharing the shower) so we could get to dinner before it got any later. We opted for the buffet since the XO lounge was packed and then came back to the cabin … Vit to work on some maintenance tables and me to gather up our laundry and take it to the self-service laundry area we had been assigned to use.

Now I’m back, the clothes are put away, and Vit looks like he is in the mood for some relaxing. I keep expecting him to give me a lecture about tomorrow’s port but he hasn’t yet. I’m not sure that is a good sign or not. We shall see.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 15: January 14 – San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua (Part 1)

Last evening a special announcement was made to all those going ashore in Nicaragua. First off, no private property was to be taken off the ship, that included all communication devices, jewelry, backpacks, purses, cash/credit cards, etc. That special little nugget is due to the fact that Nicaragua is known for their arbitrary search of personal phones and computers for supposed anti-government content, and no one wanted a problem with the local military or government types. Chaperones and Security personnel (which I was both) would carry a federally issued EFT gold card and some small amount of cash that the students could borrow against with their parents’ permission.

Secondly, there was to be absolutely zero political displays or commentary of any type. No hand signals that could be misinterpreted. None of those stupid little dances that became so popular to hide in music videos. No speaking in colloquial slang that could be misinterpreted. Nicaragua has always been known for their arbitrary detention of pro-democracy protestors and has, in recent years, significantly stepped up this practice. Their definition of “protestor” also tends to be loose and based on whatever suits their purpose at any given time. They are also known for detaining individuals with unfounded charges of terrorism, money laundering, and organized crime. Some of those they systematically target are human rights advocates, members of the press, and opposition figures including clergy which is another reason that all religious accessories are to be left on board ship. They also have a habit of turning a blind eye to the abduction and ransom of wealthy individuals by local terror groups and cartels. Those with religious, or controversial tattoos were asked to stay aboard as even covering them might not be enough.

You might wonder why the kids would be on a field trip in such an area – I know I certainly did – but as Mr. Parnell explained to me while Polina helped to put a wire and shoulder cam on me, that it was a show of good will.

“That is a bizarre definition of good will.”

He snorted in agreement. “Yes. But it is also a show of strength.”

This time it was Polina who snorted, but more in commentary than agreement.

I said, “So let me get this straight. We’re playing a game of chess … and the kids are the pawns. But we’ve stacked the board with more bishops, castles, and knights to keep their bishop and knights … oh forget it. The kids are pawns and the rest of us are going to be there in case the Nicaraguan government isn’t quite as impressed by us as we are.”

Polina finished plugging me in and then nodded. “Now you understand security.”

Gah I said to myself in disgust. I suppose I do.

I had been a little stressed out from the time I woke up. Vit and I both had to go to work early so breakfast was brief and hurried. I kept expecting Vit to act … well like himself which meant a lecture that he really didn’t mean as a lecture but an expression of his concern for my well-being and safety. Only it didn’t happen. He went his way and I went mine. Polina told me that I was going to be wired. They also changed my uniform up to make it less … er … militant looking. They gave me a black skirt, a plain white blouse, black lace up running shoes (more comfortable than the ones I wore on ship to be honest), as well as a black scarf for my hair. They told me to leave off my make up. And yes, I wound up looking like a version of a novitiate or some type of member of a strict charity group.

I looked at Polina when I was completely dressed and sighed but said nothing. I turned to leave but she put her hand on my arm. “It isn’t meant to be a lie. It is only meant to … make someone think perhaps for a second, to hesitate. A second of hesitation is all that will be needed.”

I shook my head. “I know my history Polina. If these people really are as bad as is worried about, looking like a nun or religious missionary won’t mean anything to them. They shoot nuns, bishops, and missionaries with total disregard. No matter how they play, they have no religion but their own ego. Nothing else matters. Not to them and their followers. Just do me a favor.”

“If I can.”

“Don’t let Vit go nuts … just in case.”

I whirled around when I heard, “Just in case what Khokana?”

My mouth opened and then I closed it slowly. “Okay Vit Dymtrus, what are you up to?”

He tried to look innocent and I just shook my head. “Vit.”

It was Polina that answered. “We have greater flexibility keeping the military out of it. You two are civilians; and your history shows you work well together as a team and have faced dangers to your charges as a team. We are asking you to work together as a team again.”

I had a suspicion that Mr. Baird had a hand in the situation, but I looked at Vit who gave a brief, stoic nod. I did the same and then turned to Polina to wait out any further instructions … or surprises.

Neither were forthcoming so it was on to the day … and suffocating in the heat dressed in black. Unlike me the men at least got to wear a comfortable short-sleeved white t-shirt. Painfully white. Reflecting the sun bright white. It was even wicking to keep them from being sodden in the heat of the day. However, few of the shirts were still completely white by the end of our day on shore.

First, we had to wait to be allowed off the ship. Then there was the wait to get through security. First time I have ever had to go through security to get off; usually it is only when we get back on but the group dealing with the envoy was obviously trying to show who was boss. Then it was getting on the bus and all the rigamarole our hosts tried to pull. First it was separating the adults from the minors. Not happening. Then they tried separating the military from the civilian until they found there weren’t any strictly military adults outside of those accompanying the diplomats on another bus. They then tried to say the buses were too small so we’d need to be split up anyway. The diplomats solved that one by trading buses with the students. Finally, after an hour of standing around in the heat we got the field trip on the road.

First, we were taken on a scenic drive through Southern Nicaragua including climbing to the hilltop statue of Cristo de la Misericordia Lookout where we disembarked the bus for a few minutes to take amazing photos of the breathtaking views of the San Juan del sur bay. I didn’t really pay much attention to the other cars up there with us; I noted them but more as a curiosity than anything else. Next, we headed to Rivas and drove by "La Virgen" beach while looking at the Concepcion and Maderas volcanoes. Our guide seemed surprised by the students’ intelligent questions and interest and as a result he went from robotic to animated, making it a more enjoyable tour for everyone. The drive to Rivas took approximately 40 minutes and it was then that I noticed two of the cars from the Lookout were beside the bus. I couldn’t say “following us,” not then.

Once we arrived in Rivas, we took a short tricycle tour thru the Rivas city. I must admit watching some of the men pedal around on oversized tricycles was giggle-inducing. What was less so was to see military personnel on most street corners, heavily armed. When people made to follow our group they were definitely diverted by the Nicaraguan Army. It confused me. I wasn’t sure what to make of it. But doing as I had seen on television I made good use of my body cam and got pictures of all the faces of the people I thought were involved. Vit and another man in our group noticed my movements and started taking notice as well, and passed the message along to the rest of the chaperone/security personnel.

The next part of the tour was called Mombacho volcano Granada colonial city & Isletas. Here we enjoyed the pre-Columbian statues and ceramics, cobbled streets and numerous churches and monuments of great architectural significance. Included in this portion was a horse-drawn carriage tour of the colonial city including a chocolate factory and cigar shop. The chocolate was divine and frankly so was the smell of the cigar shop. Lucky for us all the students seem to comprehend the cultural importance of cigar making for the area. And since most of the students were European or Asian they accepted smoking with much more equanimity that the majority of US students would. However even the one US high school student seemed fascinated and said his family had grown tobacco and his father told him stories of helping to strip tobacco as a little boy. The old man seemed very gratified at the attention he was paid. Respect is a huge deal in the Hispanic culture, and I think our students sowed their own seeds every bit as much as the adult diplomats and envoys were trying to sow theirs.

Casually looking around I happened to catch the moment when the individuals that had been tracking us our last two stops traded off with two new pairs. Because my hearing was an early deficit I’d learned to listen to my other senses. My eyes were the first things that had been fixed and I use them a lot to avoid situations (or people) I’d rather not deal with. I am also sensitive to being stared at. The two new pairs included women. I suppose it was to make them look less out of place … two couples out on a holiday, or something. They weren’t interacting as one group but two separate pairs. However, both women kept tracking me. One woman was better and more casual about it but the other wasn’t and they both had the feel of a “mean girl” like I had to deal with on occasion growing up, especially if it dealt with some kind of competition such as I did with the horses. That would have been useless to try and explain at the time, but it did help later.

From a horse-drawn carriage we transferred to a fishing boat to explore the islets of Granada; an archipelago of islands formed by the eruption of the Mombacho volcano. We had the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the islands with the panoramic view of Mombacho Volcano and discover some of the 365 small islands, or “Islets,” along with their fauna, flora and the inhabitants which is a community of about 2,000 who live in simple conditions producing through fishing, smallholder agriculture and a growing tourist industry. I was relieved to leave the staring eyes behind and as a result really enjoyed our time on the water, even if our conveyance smelled more than just a little fishy. No pun intended.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 15: January 14 – San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua (Part 2)

We next went from islets to volcano. The Masaya Volcano is a volcanic complex composed of a set of boilers and craters. We got to see the smoking crater and got even more lucky, as the parakeets that strangely inhabit the volcano seemed to go out of their way to make a gorgeous display for us. The Masaya Volcano is also the only volcano in the Western Hemisphere where you can reach the crater rim by vehicle. After the crater we went to the famous Masaya Handicrafts Market, considered the heart of handicrafts in Nicaragua. It was here that I spotted we were once again under surveillance by the two “couples” that had been following us. I tried to not act twitchy about it, but I had a hard time not wanting to stick close to Vit.

Many of the vendors had people exhibiting how the crafts are made. The place was also busy and it became challenging to keep all of the kids together. I did poke Adrian and Al and whispered pointed instructions to keep Edda and the girl with her within arms reach at all times. We saw such items as Nicaraguan hammocks, embroidered blouses, wood carvings, leather goods, ceramics, paintings and hemp fabric. It didn’t take long that I noticed all of the students had started to buddy up. I found out later that all the kids, being either from wealthy and/or well-known families, had been trained from childhood certain skills to avoid becoming a statistic. No, bodyguards weren’t just for show, but the kids were all expected to do their part in staying safe … or in keeping themselves safe if they became separated from their caregivers. I suppose it is one explanation why they all seem to travel in packs. One or two alone are still at risk, a small group could band together for protection.

The market is quite large and offers sundries … or regular goods like you might find at flea markets, dollar stores, and what used to be called five-and-dimes. The Craft Market is located in what used to be the Old Market. It was originally built in 1891, but has been destroyed twice by fire and then rebuilt to more modern codes. Nevertheless, it was very interesting to tour. But my attention was split between my charges and what was going on around us all. There is one kid that I am going to make a suggestion that he have a full-time adult “buddy” assigned to him if he gets off the ship again. He is far too easily distracted, and I caught him wandering away from the group twice toDay. One of the men then had to ride herd on him which shorted our chaperones by an adult.

While at the market the students were allowed to do some shopping but their purchases were combined and we chaperones handled payment. The adults did their fair share of spending money as well. I didn’t catch all of what was bought by other people but Vit purchased Flor de Cana rum (a local favorite that occasionally made it to export, but not often). He also purchased coffee beans, ceramic tiles (that he imagines using to build us an outdoor kitchen with), and a box of the locally rolled cigars. The box held 16 hand-rolled cigars and I have a feeling that some are destined to be shared with the “neighborhood watch.” He also purchased some local pipe tobacco which may make its way the same direction. Once a month they would all get together, go out in the woods, and smoke cigars, pipes, or cigarillos. I wasn’t going to go crazy about them doing it though I heard that some of the other wives were irritated by it.

Our last stop of the Day was in Catarina, a typical Nicaraguan village. The stop allowed us to see views of Lake Nicaragua, the city of Granada, Mombacho Volcano and the Apoyo Lagoon. At this stop we had several social studies lessons on how residents in Catarina live their daily lives, including tending nurseries and raising horses. It was here that one of the reporters made an error and I may have overreacted a bit because of my own tense reaction to once again spotting the two women … now on their own … tailing our group. I wouldn’t have seen them except the one with the stronger personality made a stink when she was stopped by a man who looked to be equal to a SWAT team member.

We were being shown around a paddock and out of the corner of my eye I saw a woman reach through the fence to pet a foal. I had no time to think about it, I jerked her back just in time as the mare rushed in and would have either given her a painful bite or crushed her arm against the fence.

Seeing that the woman was upset and people were staring I apologized without attitude. “Look, I’m sorry but you don’t ever … ever … try and pet a foal like that. The mares are very protective and could have hurt you badly. Not to mention these animals are extremely valuable and provide the families livelihood.”

“Now listen here …”

“Maybe putting it another way will explain it better. You wouldn’t let just anyone touch your cameras would you?” I asked after realizing she was one of the photographers and not a reporter.

“Of course not. They cost …” And it clicked just that fast and she became the contrite one.

As several people came over at the fuss the woman said, “I don’t speak Spanish. Can you tell them I’m sorry, that the foal was just so beautiful and … I didn’t think. I should have. My father raises dogs. I just didn’t.”

It wasn’t as hard to explain things to the horses’ owner as I expected. I played to his pride and pointed out some of the foal’s outstanding features as well as those of the mare. We spoke horse breeds for a moment and then moved back to the bus with the photographer making her own effort to apologize. That went over well so I figured the woman had learned to get herself out of places and situations she wasn’t supposed to be.

I was still anxious about the women that had been following us but no longer saw them in the area. I would have relaxed but one the reporters didn’t want to let the horse incident go and kept trying to egg me on. I let him learn that I still possess the irritating talent of not fighting. Finally noting that others were becoming increasingly uncomfortable I said, “I’m sorry you were disturbed by the incident but I had a job to do. While I’m a student chaperone, I’m also security … and that includes for anyone accompanying us including the press. I did what I did for Miss Thompson’s safety. If you want to suggest that I did what I did for some other purpose, then say it is for the benefit of the B and its goals, and for setting an example for the students of how to handle it when things don’t go 100% right. If you have a bigger gripe than that we can discuss it with our superiors … mine and yours … once we are back on the ship. But for now, let’s just try and get along so we can continue to do our jobs.”

I could tell that Vit wanted to get testy but no one noticed as he had his stoic face firmly in place. Back on the ship he wanted to come to the debriefing with me but Polina said no and shut the door in his face. That more than the interview I was about to have is what worried me.

I was more than surprised that the Editor waited to pass judgment until after he saw the recording from my body cam, apparently the press was not aware that some of us are wired up. It was only then that they really got a view of what the mare did right after I snatched the photog away.

“My god, she would have crushed me,” the photog said with a whistle. “Appears I should thank you for that and for smoothing it over with the old man.”

That required further explanation and by the end all was smoothed over and the Editor even thanked Polina for making sure that his staff got the same kind of security as everyone else. He said it left him easier about sending them “into the field” so to speak.

When they left – the reporter still had her nose in the air but more I think because she is a flaming feminist and had heard that Vit is my husband which made no sense to me whatsoever beyond I guess she thought I was somehow jealous of all the female press members in the party. Polina looked at me and then sighed. “Would the horse really have hurt the woman?”

“At a minimum her arm would have been broken in at least one or two spots. I’ve seen people be crushed by a hacked off mare. One boy lost a finger when the bone became infected. If she had bitten Miss Thompson, the mare could have left permanent damage. You saw the fence rebound from the horse hitting it with her side. Better all around that I was able to avoid letting it happen. This way both humans and horses didn’t have to deal with trouble.”

“Mmm. Perhaps another point to go over in briefings. I would have thought not touching strange animals, particularly any belonging to our hosts, would have been commonsense.”

“I’m nearly 100% certain Miss Thompson didn’t mean any harm but carelessness like that …”

“I will put it in the report. And you need to stop looking so worried. If you knew what you were doing was correct, then have confidence in that. You did your job. Let that be enough.”

As I stood up to leave she asked me to remain seated then added, “Veta, you need to work on your fears. I understand this is all new to you, but you have a responsibility. I must know that you are not going to allow your personal anxieties to interfere with your ability to get your job done. I need to know that if I assign you to a position, that you will fulfill it without regard to personal consequences.”

I nodded. I don’t particularly like that she all but told me I was thinking too much but it isn’t like I haven’t heard it before.

“Now about the people you saw following the student group. Very good.”

I blinked.

“They were subtle I will give them that, but not subtle enough. They might have gotten away with it had they had more teams trading off.” She tapped her pen on her desk and then asked me how I had noticed them. I explained the first ones were accidental because I noticed their cars at the top of the Lookout point but the women caused me to notice them by their attitudes and my sensitivity to being stared at.

She made a face and then shrugged. “Then use that but don’t let it get out of hand. And a good idea to get the students to team up.”

“I only told the Baird boys. They either passed it along to the other kids or those kids are more observant than they are being given credit for. Or some of the other team members encouraged it after …” It was then I explained about the wandering student. She noted it and would discuss the issue would review his file before going deciding who to take it up with next.

When I got back to the cabin Vit was pacing. It took a bit to calm him and to assure him that I would listen to Polina.

“Kokhana, I do not wish you to change who you are.”

“But?”

“No buts. However, you … yes … I must tell you even at risk of hurting your tender heart. You need to have less concern about what others think. If you know you are behaving correctly then let that be enough,” he said strangely echoing what Polina had said.

After dinner, when Vit was certain that my feelings weren’t hurt by what he’d said, he rather sheepishly handed me the box the cigars had been in. “What?”

“I sold some of the cigars already, or traded them is more correct. There are few enough remaining they will fit into the drawer beside the coffee. So now … you can use this for your picture cards.”

“Oh Vit,” I said, giving him a hug.

“It is little enough,” he said with a shrug. And it turns out he’d bought a couple of post cards for me when he’d bought the other things today. So now I have something to look forward to in port. Vit says he likes to see me shuffling through and organizing them at the end of the Day. I suppose for both of us it is a memory of our earliest time together on the Sun. I’ve put the cigar box and cards on one of the shelves. Perhaps I’ll decorate it with stickers and such. It would make it unique.

And now it is time for both of us to get some sleep. He is a little restless because he will not be with me tomorrow and Guatemala is only slightly recovered from its latest brush with civil war. I have promised I will be careful. But Puerto Quetzal is someplace Vit and I have been before so I’m not going to be totally unfamiliar with the area. I am going to ask Polina – or perhaps Mr. Parnell – if it is possible to get more detail on our itinerary further in advance so that I can plan appropriately. Maybe I am not a teacher, but I can at least stand ready in case I need stories or facts to distract the students with should they become bored and restless.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 16: January 15 – Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala

Last time I was in Guatemala it was Day 118 of my job with the Marchands. It would perhaps be crazy to think about why I remember the exact Day except it was so extraordinary to walk the trail to Pacaya Volcano. Today was nothing like that but it will hold a place in my memory anyway.

We wouldn’t be in port until 1 pm but the translations were piling up for Barney and I decided to do what I could to shorten the stack. Vit had to be in early because his day acting as security had put him behind as well. I had been in Barney’s office perhaps two hours – it was about 10 am ship’s time – when Vit came in.

“Veta, we need to speak.”

I saw the look on his face, remembered that look from when Poppa had decided it was past time to explain Momma’s condition to me.

“No.”

“Do not jump to conclusions Kokhana. Just … come to our cabin and we will talk.”

I was so cold by the time I got to the cabin I as too frozen to speak. I didn’t have to.

Vit held my cold hands in his. “Lena has been taken into custody. She was caught yesterday trying to break into Derrick’s home. There was a struggle. Christine and her daughter were … injured. They will heal, but it will take time. Derrick was injured as well but not seriously. Benji ….”

When he stopped I thought the worst. “Oh. Oh no …”

“Nii. But they have placed him in a residential facility. He is very broken right now. When he saw what Lena had done … had tried to do … he became hysterical. His words were he refuses to be like his mother, that he would rather be dead. He nearly succeeded. Nearly succeeded in taking Lena with him.”

By this point I am shaking so bad I would have fallen to the floor if Vit hadn’t picked me up and set me on the sofa.

“Dev and Tal are the ones that … found them.”

“Wait, I’m … I’m not understanding.”

He scrubbed his face, obviously struggling with his own strong emotions. “I am putting things out of order. What happened was Lena came to the house while Derrick had gone to pick up Benji from some after-school activity. Derrick walked into the house and saw Christine and Chrissy. Then he saw Lena and attacked her while telling Benji to run for help. Instead of running Benji screamed. Angelia said that she could hear him all the way to her house and she immediately called Tal and Dev who were out back. Derrick went down with a knife wound. Derrick says that Benji … picked up a broken lamp and attacked his mother. She tried to run, succeeded, but the two of them didn’t get far – yes I mean that Benji was chasing her – and he stabbed her with the broken lamp … or she stabbed herself as she ran to attack him in turn … and when he saw what he’d done he shouted he would never be like her and … and sliced one of his arms before Dev and Tal could wrestle it away from him.”

“Oh God, are they bringing him up on charges?”

“Nii. He is so young, and there were too many witnesses to what happened … including those cameras that Charlie had mounted in the woods. They didn’t record everything, but it was enough to convince a judge that it was self-defense. Lena is in custody, but it is doubtful that she will ever stand trial. She is unlikely to survive that long.”

“So … so it is bad.”

“Not due to Benji. The bloodwork from where she was being treated and to see if she was under the influence came back abnormal. Kokhana … the cancer is back and has spread. They suspect that it may even be in her brain.”

All I could do for a while was shake and finally Vit’s body warmth penetrated the cold that had encapsulated me. I had to go to the Communication Office to apply for permission but was allowed to make a call home, got the number to Christine’s hospital room and then was surprised when Chrissy demanded to speak to me.

“Aunt Veta, Mom’s sleeping but she made me promise special to let you know that we don’t blame the family, Poppa [what she wound up choosing to call Derrick], or anyone else. Especially not Benji. They let me talk to him, I’m the only one he would talk to and he mostly cried but he said he was sorry too and I told him that that proved he wasn’t like his mother and that I’d be his sister forever no matter what, even if it means being his little sister since he is two days older than me. He cried some more but it was different crying and the nurse said he’d finally be able to sleep. Do … do you think he believes me?”

I was so choked up and it took me a moment to answer. “Sweetheart we may need to tell him several times before he can hear it long enough to believe it forever.”

“That’s what Reggie said.”

“Is Reggie around?”

She handed him the phone and Reggie has turned into a surprisingly stable and strong young man. “Aunt Veta, I’ll keep you informed. I understand if no one else does that it is the not knowing that is the worst. Dad is okay, they just gave him something that helped him to rest. Christine is really hurt but nothing vital or permanent. They took out her appendix but only because it looks like she was on her way to appendicitis anyway. Chrissy took some lumps and has her collarbone taped up and really needs to get back in bed and get some rest [I could hear the big brother tone, so he was talking to her as much as to me]. And Benji … may have finally broken enough that he can get fixed all the way.”

“And … um …”

“Aunt Veta,” he said on a sigh. “Mom … died … to me a long time ago. She suicided on her own ego. That woman that came after my family yesterday wears her body but, nothing else as far as I’m concerned. I care what becomes of her … compassion and all that … but I’m not going to feel guilty when she dies. It will be a sad ending after a tragic series of events she made of her own choosing. And that’s all I’ve got right now and … would rather not talk about her anymore. Right now all my brain power needs to go towards figuring out things for the family.”

“You sound so much like your dad,” I told him in a broken whisper. “Just do me a favor and not try to carry the entire load yourself. Let the rest of us help.”

“That’s what Uncle Charlie said right before he went to deal with the hospital bill office. Aunt Angie and some of the others have already been over to clean up after the cops took all the pictures they needed. Uncle Dev and his friends are keeping the Nutty Neighbors out of family business … and warning them off trying to make anything of it if they want to stay in the area. My professors are giving me some slack and letting me work online until I can get everyone out of the hospital and back home. My job is toast but that was coming anyway. And … and I might be moving back home and just doing online classes for a semester or two to … kinda get my head on straight. And I’ll need to help Benji deal with the grandparents as they feel so guilty that … that they can be hard to take sometimes.”

“Sounds … sounds like you have a plan. Just if you need me …”

“Thanks Aunt Veta. Er … I might write … a lot sometimes maybe … if you can just you know not say what I write …”

“You write to me anything or nothing. It is up to you and I’ll be here for you either way.”

“Er … um … Uncle Vit …”

“Had some suckage when he wasn’t much older than you that he had to deal with and will understand.”

“Yeah. His sister. Um … so I wouldn’t mind if you talk to him but … don’t blab to the rest of the family. I kinda need someone that … that … but that won’t … um …”

“Vit and I know what privacy is Reg. Maybe some people might be challenged in that area … even with the best of intentions … but he and I get it.”

“Yeah. Kinda know it but … needed to say it anyway.”

I made sure that he has multiple ways to reach me and then I made sure that all of Reggie’s phone number and personal email were on the allowed list for my correspondence. Vit and I were on our way back to our cabin when Polina met us coming from the other direction.

“I am looking for a replacement for you.”

I looked at her blankly and then shook my head. “No. I’ll be fine. Just tell me what time the meet up is and I’ll be there.”

She gave me blank face then looked at Vit before looking back at me. “You can do this?”

“I’ve done what I can for my family. Made sure that my nephew can reach me when he needs to. Now I need to continue with my responsibilities here. I’m familiar with the port – at least the port as it was three years ago – and I speak Spanish. I’m getting familiar with the quirks each student has and I’m a familiar figure to them. They know I’m serious about my job. The press also know me … and know I’m serious about my job … and about their safety as well even if I have to do it at the cost of their job. And there are other chaperones and teachers … we can utilize each other for the kids’ protection.”

She looked at me, then at Vit again, who to his credit did not say a thing, letting me decide.

Polina then nodded. “Very good. Be ready to disembark at one o’clock. Can you attach the body cam?”

“Yes. I figured it out when I had to disentangle myself yesterday. Those glue patches can take off skin.”

“So the men have complained about after showing off some interesting bald patches,” she responded trying not to grin at how red the top of Vit’s ears had grown. He looked like an octopus had wrapped a few tentacles around him in places. “We are working on a uniform shirt that can be worn off-ship, or at least a disposable gauze undershirt.”

Vit did not say anything until we got back to the cabin. “You are sure Veta? Guatemala is …”

“I’m sure. I wouldn’t put anyone else at risk for my pride.”

He relaxed. “I love you. And will show you better this night.”

“It will be after 8 o’clock before we are back on the ship.”

“I do not care. Tonight we will make time for us.”

I put the thought away because I wasn’t sure if I was ready or wanted any comforting. I was afraid it would break me and that I couldn’t allow.

Guatemala is in bad shape, every year that passes is marked by some kind of incident, or near incident, that prevents them from advancing as far as they could/should. They haven’t been able to export their excess population for several years. And when the remittances coming in from other countries started falling dramatically, their economy severely contracted. I think the only thing that has kept the country from completely falling to the Chinese is their lack of anything China wants and because all the rebel activity uses an inordinate number of young men as cannon fodder. Guatemala’s mining never has gotten much footprint internationally although they continue to mine nickel … but that isn’t the metal that China is looking for and they can get it elsewhere through what amounts to slave labor. They do produce a lot of cereals, but China also already gets that in other areas and the small market share that Guatemala has isn’t worth the trouble. Any tropical fruits they already get in Venezuela and Cuba. So Guatemala basically isn’t worth anyone’s trouble.

But the people can be sweet. I know that sounds absurd, but it is true. When we got off the ship we were met by several guides, and just like I remembered they were all publicly armed. They are also terribly chauvinistic. The male teachers and chaperones were greeted by the guards, but the female teachers and I were overlooked. I decided to let them go right on underestimating me as it gave me an advantage that I might not otherwise have.

We wandered the cobblestone streets of Old Guatemala City – now known as Antigua. We enjoyed a traditional Guatemalan lunch – probably a little more than most had to eat – of Chicken Pepian. It is Chicken in spicy pumpkin and sesame sauce and is the national dish of Guatemala. We were given the opportunity to marvel at the Spanish colonial architecture and old-world charm of the town.

Antigua, Guatemala is the best-preserved colonial city in Latin America, or so claimed our guides. Despite the fighting in other areas of the country, tourists from around the world continue visit every year to enjoy its natural beauty and historic monuments. The Spanish Colonial-style permeates every part of the town: its houses, churches, squares, parks and ruins of which there are more every year from both battle incursions and economic neglect. Its traditions and folklore reflect the same. Antigua is a city of charm and color, but it is not without its safety issues. Tourists can be the target of petty thieves as they gaze at the overwhelming variety of attractive, handmade products that try and honor the traditions of generations of artisans.

We started with a 3–hour walking tour that included a visit to La Merced Church, one of the most important churches in Antigua. We also explored one of the most distinguishable landmarks in Antigua, the Santa Catalina Arch. Built in the 17th century, it was originally connected to the convent of Santa Catalina, allowing the cloistered nuns to pass from one building to the other without going out on the street. It took me explaining to some of the students what “cloistered” meant which was an education in and of itself since some of them came from countries that demanded a secular life for their citizenry … or else.

We walked through what locals call “Central Park” to appreciate the famous Cathedral of San Jose. The original church was built around 1541 and has suffered several earthquakes throughout its history. The first church building was demolished in 1669 but was rebuilt and consecrated in 1680. By 1743, with continuous additions and repairs, the cathedral was one of the largest in Central America.

Our last stop was at a Jade Factory where we were taught to appreciate the various grades and quality of the sacred stone of the Mayan civilization. The items were more than a little pricey but there were enough adults in there buying that no one complained. From there we returned to Puerto Quetzal by way of the Duty-Free area. I was standing in the entrance to keep the students from going back out into the town … accidentally or on purpose … and it was there that Vit found me.

No one looking at us would have had a thing to complain of. We stood side by side, not touching, with stoic faces on that belied our inner thoughts.

“You look tired. Did everything go the way it should?” he asked quietly.

“The kids were great. The one that had the wandering problem wasn’t here today so I assume they kept him aboard until they can find a permanent buddy for him. The press corp were few … I think they were focused on the diplomats this time. I didn’t see any people tracking us but haven’t conferred with the other chaperones. And I missed you.”

He backed off his obvious concern and said, “I missed you as well Kokhana. Do you have a short break?”

“Not until the kids are going into security check.”

“Remain behind when they do.”

I wasn’t the only chaperone that did this, but we didn’t really end our job until we saw all the students make it to the top of the gangway ramp.

It was then I discovered that today had been the last day of the Flores Fiesta, a local flower festival. Vit insisted on buying me some paper flowers since we couldn’t take live ones back on the ship. It was sweet but he’d rather suffer torture than have anyone hear me call him that. When I saw him eyeing the rum that was on display I told him that he knew he wanted to so to go ahead.

“You do not mind?”

“You like that Ron something-or-other rum as well as the local hooch.”

“It is not ‘hooch.’ It is rum.”

“It is closer to moonshine than rum and don’t deny it,” I said with a chuckle. “It is strong enough that it even made Charlie blink in appreciation.”

He grinned like I’d given him permission do something truly extravagant – as if he needs my permission in the first place – and purchased several bottles of each. Vit has eclectic tastes and enjoys experimenting. I don’t mind now that he doesn’t do it out of stress like he once did with vodka. We still have several bottles left from our journey on the Sun as well as the O’Meg. Wherever we finally light, I hope there is room for his collection of bottles. They are all shapes, sizes, and colorful labels.

We both agreed on buying several pounds of Guatemalan coffee beans and then we headed back to the ship. We had to go through another layer of security once we were on the ship. Polina pulled both Vit and I to the side and said, “Are you sure these are the only things you purchased today?”

After we both nodded and told her they were from the duty-free shop she said, “Something set the detector off before the students came back aboard. We found a listening device. It was so small it was at first taken for food trash at the bottom of a tray that went through the xray machine. No one claims to know where it came from and since we were not cleaning out the trays each time they were used, we cannot challenge her story.”

“Her?”

“One of the reporters. The reporter that you … er … dealt with in Cartagena. She is complaining that we are targeting her, and she has some support from friends in the diplomatic administrative staff. We are also looking into them, but it is yet one more thing and it will slow security in and out. Be wary of any purchases or anyone trying to give you a gift from here on out.”

It is a lot to consider. When Vit and I were so eager to get these jobs we had no idea what we were getting into. I wonder if any of us did.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 17: January 16 – At Sea

Despite it being at sea, it was a long and busy workday for both Vit and I. Because of the security issues that have been discovered and discussed, those in charge want those “concurrent security” items to get online. Now. Exclamation point. End of discussion. That has Vit under the gun, and in some countries that might have been literally, but on the B I suspect I am being fed information, accidentally on purpose perhaps, to give to Vit that might make his job a little easier. Maybe. Though the fact “they” want something fixed yet withhold information that could make the fix better seems both suspect and inefficient. Maybe like the systems, or his job, was designed to fail. Vit says I am overthinking it. Again maybe. I think things are simply getting to me a bit.

It all started this morning. I worked from eight until ten alone, translating documents and I had just reached the bottom of the stack when Barney sails in. For such a petite woman she can have the presence of Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas … 1188 feet long, 228,000 gross tonnage, and as tall as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Only at that moment I would have placed a bet that Barney could have scared the Tower straight. It wasn’t until she accidentally sent the teapot flying – which I caught and managed to turn upright before the morning’s tea colored all the paperwork on my desk – that she stopped her forward motion.

After making a face she said, “Explain to me later how you managed to do that but for now just come here so I can make sure you didn’t burn your hands.”

Not inclined to get within arm’s reach of someone that angry I simply held up my hands and said, “No damage. Too fast. Would you like a cuppa?”

“Better not. I nearly decapitated Henry with my clipboard in the elevator.”

She flopped into her chair and I asked, “Accidentally or on purpose?”

She snorted and said, “Both. The man has no sense of self-preservation when I get like this.”

“Must be love.”

“Gawd it must be. That’s the only explanation for experiencing this level of insanity at our age.”

“I’ll help you chuck whoever upset you this much overboard, but I suggest we wait until after dark.”

She barked a surprised laugh before saying, “Daft yank. Devil take you.”

I wasn’t quite sure how to take that but turned to pick up papers that had taken flight in fright at her initial entrance then went back to filing the translation hard copies. About ten minutes later she said, “Tell me what you’ve heard about your family.”

She’d surprised me but I told her and added, “I received an email from my nephew early this morning. My sister in law and her daughter are improving. My brother is being a hard head. And it is now signed and notarized that the younger nephew will not be brought up on charges, but he is not getting out of the residential setting until his doctors are sure he is stable. As for the doctors, they don’t think he needs to be medicated but he definitely needs more intensive therapy after this episode. But no one is saying whether that is in a residential setting or if he can get it while still living at home.”

She sighed. “Had a brother that came back from skirmishing in the middle east when he was little more than a boy with medical trauma and PTSD. He never recovered. Mostly ‘cause he didn’t want to recover. Survivor’s guilt. I hope your nephew …” She shook her head. “None of my damn fool business.”

“Actually I made it your business by being open to telling you. And thank you. For caring enough to … to be blunt and just ask. I guess word got around. Gossip is just like that on a ship I suppose. People keep giving me sidelong glances, hoping I won’t notice.”

“Any of them being ugly about it?”

“No. I think …”

“You think?”

“It’s a bit like what happened when my parents died. I lost a couple of good friends even before I took off for college. They didn’t really mean to, but we were all … just young. And they acted like what I was going through was somehow contagious. If it could happen to me, it could happen to them. A death in the family. Becoming an orphan and in my case an orphan the second time over.”

“Hmm. Met a few people like that. I was pretty young when I lost my mum. And my Da … he coulda farmed me out to his sisters but he kept me home. Leaves its mark.” She sighed. “I’ve known Henry my entire life. Both of us had a bad first marriage, mine barely long enough for the ink to dry on the certificate, and we became friends over the tavern table because of it. Was years before it was friends with benefits. Longer still before I would even consider …” She shook her head. “Now damn me anyway for getting him mixed up in this load of jobby.”

The man himself stuck his head around the door into what I knew to be their cabin; he must have come through the other entrance to the suite. “Aw, don’t be worrying at it woman. We’ll get that fud that’s a wallaper. She’d no place saying such to you. Now have a cup of tea. You barely touched your breakfast and I don’t aim to lose you to a sudden breeze.”

I turned away, feeling like I was seeing something too intimate despite not having a clue what they were saying. It took a moment, but she got up and went into their cabin and Henry sidled over to me and said quietly. “She’s got reason.”

“If you mean her unusual display of temper? It’s fine. I have a sister similar in temperament, but it takes a lot to bring it on. It seems to me the same is true for Barney.”

“’Tis. But I bet no one has to tell you what’s up if you’ll keep your ears open.” He winked and then followed Barney who I heard abusing what I suspected was another tea kettle.

I learned a lot from Poppa’s way of handling people. I learned a lot from Dylan as well. But most of my lessons come from being the baby of the family. If I was quiet and didn’t get noticed I would hear all manner of things from my older siblings and parents as they spoke to each other. But as soon as I asked a question they would shut up and say irritating things like “little pitchers have big ears” or “you’re too young” or any number of other things that may have been true but weren’t necessarily as true as they thought they were as I grew up. But I’d learned to stop asking questions and to just listen and to ask my questions at some other time or go research the answer for myself.

I put the thoughts away until after lunch when Mr. Baird and some others came in and asked me to do my work in Henry’s small office space.

“Yes Mr. Baird. Just call if you want me to get some tea or file or something.”

He gave a distracted nod and a wave of his hand. So, when I went into Henry’s office, the fact that I didn’t close the door all the way would have been covered by my offer. What I heard when the men started talking was worth the risk.

“They found three more devices. None of the three seem to be operational, but that may have been because they hadn’t been turned on yet.”

“What I don’t like is where they were found.”

“What I don’t like is we haven’t started to clear people’s personal quarters yet. You know once we start that the questions will start as well and our hand will be shown.”

A third man said leaving me to wonder if there was anything they did like, “What I don’t like is not knowing whether they are being planted by opponents to our mission, someone looking for intel regardless of our mission, or it is one of those damn reporters.”

“Baird, you’ve had your quarters swept. You’re sure there is no one listening in. And that your people are clean.”

“If my people were anymore clean they would fooking squeak. And it isn’t my kids either so get that look off your face or we can discuss your family.”

“Don’t be daft man. This is bigger than anything a kid could pull off. And easy there Jeffers, we all know your opinion. I’m not saying a kid might not be part of it, but they’re not going to know much if anything of what they’re doing. To them it would be a lark.”

The man – I presume it was Jeffers said, “Fine, I’ll go with that until we’ve proof otherwise. And I’ll say it because I went back over all the psych evals. That boy with autism who was off his meds is a concern, but more for his own safety than anyone being able to use him. None of the kids, not even the older ones, could have gotten through security to place two of those devices.”

“And that’s the other thing. Those devices weren’t ‘placed’ so much as tossed. It makes me think whoever is doing, for whatever reason, it isn’t a professional. A lone wolf can make an even bigger mess than a professional.”

“Look Ronnie, I’m gonna ask one more time … ‘cause its my job. Just don’t climb into the rafters. What about that couple you brought on at the last minute. Dymtrus … Vit and Veta. You sure they’re clean?” Mr. Baird answered with alacrity. “I’ve trusted Vit Dymtrus with my life more than once over the years. And I trusted my children’s lives to Veta.”

“What about the fact that I’m just hearing that her brother is some toff with a private contracting firm.”

“What about it? Not my fault you didn’t read her file.”

“Her file had been scrubbed. Nothing in there about her skills, her brother, or the part she played when the O’Meg was attacked.”

“It was there when it was discussed in committee. No reason to hide it after that unless someone is screwing with us,” one of the other men said.

“You sure about this Tom?”

“I was there. We put a unanimous stamp of approval on her being one of the teachers. Then poof, it’s like the dog ate our homework. And there’s a couple on that committee that have pretty damn convenient memories, and you know exactly who I’m talking about.”

The man Jeffers sighed and said, “I suppose I do. Damn. That scunner and his dobbers better not be trying that crap on this ship. We’ve got a 35% female staff. Those kinds of problems we do not need, especially with some of them. Security Chief Ivanov is not someone I want to get on the bad side of.”

They must mean Polina because she was the only female security chief that I am aware of.

“I want the press corp members’ references checked again … this time by a hand-picked few that can keep their mouth shut. We’ll move out from there. You three going to the show tonight?”

One of the other men said, “Or else, according to my wife.”

The men finally laughed and then I heard, “Veta?” I stepped out with the tablet I was recording translations on and taking a head set off.

“Did you say something Mr. Baird?”

“Want to introduce you to these men. They’ll be coming to the office often enough. You may need to deal with them if Barney isn’t available. Er … you seen her today?”

Carefully I answered, “Yes Sir.”

“Hmmm, that good a mood was she.” He sighed. “Don’t take it personally. She and … a woman from the press room … aren’t seeing eye to eye about access. You’ll need to watch for that yourself. She’s pushing to have one on one interviews with the kids and …”

“That would be a terrible idea,” I finished for him. “I’ve witnessed how a couple of them ‘interview’ and it is more like instigate and antagonize. They haven’t been as bad as they were in Cartagena but I still wouldn’t give them that much leash until they – and the kids – can keep in mind what the mission is really about.”

He nodded, but before he could carry through with the introductions another man walks in … stomps in … and says, “Two more. One of them was in a laundry that only housekeeping has access to.”

I pretended to be dealing with a volume glitch in my headphones and then looked confused as they left the office in a scramble. I shrugged and went back to translating, acting as if nothing had happened. Dylan once told me, to have failed drama I was certainly too good at playing deaf and dumb. Derrick had been outraged at the time but to me it had been a high compliment and he knew it and let the statement stand even with Derrick bearing down on him pretty hard. I didn’t get as much translating done as I should have because my thoughts were split between the work in front of me and the thoughts in my head, primarily that if with all of the security protocols they were just now finding listening devices where there shouldn’t be any, what else hadn’t they found yet.

With that in mind I finally punched out at seven o’clock when Vit called letting me know he was on his way back to the cabin and asking if I minded eating in. He was full up of everyone and everything. I called ahead to the café to order sandwiches and cartons of milk (for Vit’s stomach) and picked them up on the way “home.”

When I came in I heard the shower running and since the bathroom door wasn’t locked went in and undressed and climbed in with him. Unusual for him, Vit said loudly, “God yes! You know exactly what I need Kokhana!”

That was just too much, and I started giggling. His dignity was affronted for a moment until he figured out that my hand over his mouth and my finger across my giggling lips meant something. I started water in the tub and even though it hurt my ears I turned the whirlpool on. Vit remained standing in the shower looking as hacked off as a wet cat until I whispered in his ear, “How likely is it that there is a listening device in our cabin? Or even some other type of monitor like a camera?”

Well that took an explanation that was long enough to turn us both to prunes. He wouldn’t let me out of the bathroom until I was fully dressed which told me all I needed as an answer. When I came out, he said, “Next time you should not leave your ring by the sink.”

“You’re right,” I said obediently.

He walked into the bathroom and five minutes later I jumped a mile when the light bulbs in both lamps and one of the LED bulbs in the ceiling gave a loud pop. Not five minutes passed and Polina came in with Mr. Towers on her heals. They shut the door and looked where Vit pointed. It was Mr. Towers that said, “Houston, we have a problem.”

They’ve been at it for hours all over the ship. I’m exhausted and simply must get some sleep. It is after midnight and I have to play chaperone in just a couple of hours. What a mess.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 18: January 17 – Zihuantanejo, Mexico

Thank goodness we didn’t get off the ship until 11 am. While I had to be up at dawn to get my morning routine taken care of, the later disembarkation meant there was time enough for me to answer their questions once again. Them being Security … with a capital S that were way above my immediate supervisors who were the Bairds and then Polina when the Bairds “loaned me out” for chaperone and security details.

The story Vit and I told was basically this … I came in, realized Vit was in the shower and joined him. [Smile, lots of knowing looks from those interviewing me.] Made the mistake of leaving my ring on the sink and then thinking it had gone down the drain. He took his tools into the bathroom to try and fish the ring out. When he didn’t find the ring in the pipes but on the floor beneath the sink he got aggravated and put the wrench back into his tool bag a little harder than he had meant to. [He had a “sweeper tool” in his bag from where he’d been checking some of the “concurrent security” items and he’d accidentally set it off.] He heard me give a startled shriek and ran in to discover that all three bulbs had shattered loudly at the same time. Given his experience and some small wires that were left dangling from the ceiling light fixture he suspected something but didn’t tell me. I didn’t figure out the problem until the security detail started grousing because they’d already worked all day and had just gone to dinner. The End.

It didn’t hurt that I kept my mouth closed and out of the way except when called on, and addressed those that held a rank properly and with manners. Like I’ve always said, watching Poppa and Derrick while they were working with the Medical Mission Board as well as learning to assist with Foundation functions taught me a certain amount of my own diplomatic skills. The year working for the Marchand family only polished those skills.

But they didn’t completely ignore me either. Polina said, “How do you Americans say it? The tiger is out of the bag?”

“Close enough,” I told her realizing she’d mixed two idioms. “Er … can I ask a question?”

“Of course. Though I may not be able to answer it.”

“Were they … listening only or …”

“Ah. I understand. They were only listening devices. Your privacy was not invaded. They had not been activated.”

My face gave something away and she beckoned me away from the others. “You know something.”

“I heard the security personnel that came last night talking to each other. I guess they assumed since Vit and I hold security designations that it was no secret. They shut up anytime non-security personnel were in the room.”

She sighed. “Too many assumptions are being made. This mix of civilian and military personnel is too loose. But every time I try and make things stricter my superiors change the rules.”

“You have my sympathies. I would have probably done something regrettable by now. Look, Vit and I don’t and won’t talk. But, if there is something I can do just tell me.”

“Have you not been warned that volunteering can be a bad thing?”

Not the least offended I answered, “I’ve heard it a few times.”

“Ah. Which tells me you ignore the advice,” she said with one of her micro-expressions of a grin. “I may need to accept your offer. But what I do wish is for you to keep track of who is talking. Shut down gossip when you can. Remind those under your authority to not assume that those they speak around have the clearance for what is being spoken of.”

I nodded and then had to rush to tell Vit goodbye, wend my way through all that was going on in the hallways as individual cabins were now being gone over, and then rush into the student area only realizing at the last moment that I had put on the white shirt and black skirt rather than my other uniform. I was just about to zip back when Mr. Parnell said, “I have your spares in the office. You’ll need to at least change into the – whatever you call those pants that come down to your knees – as our first activity is horseback riding.”

“Capris and … are you serious?! Horseback riding?!” I asked in surprised delight.

“You ride?” he asked with what I understood to be relief.

“Since I was a child.”

“Thank god. Because none of the others do. They’re willing, but I feel better that there is more than just me. I haven’t ridden in almost five years so …”

I grinned in sympathy and he finally laughed. “We have a hand full of advanced riders that are going to have a separate guide. I’ll place you with them.”

“Do I know them?”

“The three Baird siblings who you know, and then their friend Anton and Anton’s sister Raina whom you may not.” He looked around and then said, “The boys all get along but Raina is rather … er …” He shook his head. “To put it baldly she is rather full of herself and trying to get Aiden’s attention without success. She’s been a little unkind towards the kids in the Science club so a personality conflict may arise between she and Edda.”

I snorted. “High maintenance or not, there will not be a cat fight on my watch Mr. Parnell.”

“Good lord I hope not,” she said with a relieved smile. “I never know how chaperones will take my warnings. Thank you for being understanding.”

I smiled to let him know that all was fine, but it did make me a little wary of being open with the other teachers and chaperones until I had their measure. I prefer blunt speech despite being sensitive in my own way, it gave me firmer ground to stand on. It also saved a lot of wasted time and misunderstandings. I remember how many of my classmates expected that all their feelings were going to be catered to and were then unprepared for what Charlie called all the dope slaps that life gives us.

I figuratively girded my loins, changed into the other uniform, and then joined everyone as they made their way through security. All personal belongings were once again to be left onboard – and whether the students knew it or not – everything was being rechecked by security and it would be easier with the kids off the ship and out from under foot for a few hours.

The first part of our day started as our guides picked us up at the dock and we went on a Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo horseback-riding adventure. Ixtapa is a government-planned tourist resort constructed in the 1970s on what was once a coconut plantation and mangrove estuary. A little-known fact is that the famous Mexican soap opera (Telenovela) ‘Marimar’ was filmed there between 1994 and 1995. Because of that Mexicans from all over the nation began a love affair with Ixtapa which was presented as a chic and fashionable neighborhood with affluent residents. The reality doesn’t quite live up to the legend, but it was still beautiful. When we got there we were paired with a horse that suited our riding ability. Designed for both beginners and experienced riders, it proved to be an exciting and fun activity for all the students … and adults.

Edda was experienced but she wasn’t as practiced as the others and it showed in how tightly she held the reins. Going over to her I was giving her pointers and she began to relax and then Raina, a blond beauty with icy blue eyes, started showing off. I knew what was coming having noticed the horse had a naughty look to it. Sure enough, the horse had had enough and dumped her in the water we had been riding through. She came up spluttering and Anton, after seeing that his sister was unhurt, told her coldly in Romanian to get back on the horse and stop being a twit.

She started to say something back but I interrupted. “Raina, fă-o așa cum a instruit fratele tău. Asta se întâmplă atunci când nu acordați o atenție adecvată semnalelor pe care le trimite dvs.” [Raina, do as your brother instructed. This is what happens when you don’t pay adequate attention to the signals your mount is sending you.]

To say they were both shocked that I understood their language might be a tad of an understatement. To make myself more employable I had been learning as many languages as I could, particularly Asian and Eastern European ones because of Jacksonville’s port and the university and its students. All the hospitals were also potential employers. Despite leaving no rock unturned, the only work I got was some contract pieces from Dylan.

At least the additional languages were putting students on notice that there were some things they would not be able to use against me. To Raina’s credit she took my admonition in stride and settled down after that. Edda offered her a handkerchief to wipe her face with. Raina was surprised at the courtesy and smiled and said thank you. It was in that moment that I said, “Look out to sea.”

They all sort of rolled their eyes in the “teacher is trying to distract us” kind of way until they realized I really had meant for them to see something.

“Oh!!!!!!”

A pod of humpback whales was putting on a show some meters from shore near a boat that was giving a whale watching tour. I took some photos with my phone of the students with the whales in the background as well as some close-up shots of the whales as they frolicked. I even managed a reasonable selfie to show Vit. After the whale show we had to head back to catch the bus to the next part of the exhibit. Mr. Parnell, looking a tad sore already, asked if I would take a picture of each student with their mount. I happily obliged, allowing them to pose how they liked, and it gave everyone something to do until the bus arrived. The horses only took two hours, but the remainder took until we had to leave port at 8 pm. We went to Las Gatas Beach.

We were picked up from the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Pier and taken by boat to beautiful Playa Las Gatas, which is accessible only from the water. I must admit that the best part was the ride to and from the beach as the beach there was very crowded. It made me nervous. I was lucky and was paired with the group that had signed up for snorkeling; not as many students as I expected. Aiden and Al and Anton were part of the group but Edda and Raina were not, they preferred sunbathing.

Las Gatas is a protected beach with a coral reef. As I said, the beach was very picturesque but crowded. The snorkeling was fun by comparison. My waterproof phone case allowed me to take photos of the students as they explored their surroundings. About 30 feet out there is an underwater statue of Jesus. There was a good variety of fish and better coral outside of the stone breaker. We also saw some nice eels and angel fish. There were lots of small puffer fish that would occasionally blow up when startled. What was nice is that the water was quite calm which kept the sand on the bottom and allowed us to have clear rather than having to deal with a lot of “sand cloud.”

Despite my best efforts several of the students got a little too much sun. The lotion I have is supposed to be waterproof but apparently not for as long as advertised. I will need to remedy that if we continue to have these types of fieldtrips. Even I wound up more than a little rosy but Vit’s concerned lecture was mild and accompanied by a little interpersonal communication as he put aloe on me after my shower.

Overall I think the student group is a healthy one with the diversity not being as problematic as it could be given the stress they probably experience as a result of their parents’ jobs aboard ship. But they are still teens and they did not appreciate their belongings “being ransacked” while they were away. I heard rumors that some contraband was found, but mostly in the middle schoolers’ belongings. Of course, the adults on board also got caught with contraband and other embarrassing items such as “marital aids” and such things. Vit had been helping and now he swears we need to add eye-bleach to our supplies. He really had no desire to know certain things about certain people.

“You do not want to know Veta. You just do not.”

He reminded me of Eeyore when he said it causing me to giggle which resulted in a tussle until I hit my burnt shoulder on the sofa cushion zipper. Needless to say that killed the mood, and I went to tend to the scratch and Vit regretfully turned to the paperwork that he needed to finish. But now I’m tired and ready for bed. Hopefully I can convince him to put the reports away. As it is, I have poor Reggie’s email floating through my brain. It is a poem and quite telling of his feelings about Lena. He’s angrier than he wants to reveal but he admitted he has returned to scheduling his counseling sessions to weekly. I have already prayed over them all. I wish I knew what I can do beyond that.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 19: January 18 – At sea

Finally convinced Mr. Parnell that it made sense for me to have an advanced copy of the student field trip schedule and that I wouldn’t share it with anyone. At lunch, which we took in our cabin, while I was going over it with Vit I nearly came off the sofa, leaving him laughing at my surprise. Before the end of the month I will finally get to see Hawaii … three of the islands to be more specific. We have one more Day in Mexico – not thrilled with the destination to be honest – but the Mexican government is trying to prove that they’ve cleaned up Cabo San Lucas. I’ll believe that when I see it. Three Days in California and then comes a stretch of five sea Days before arriving in Oahu. Glory, glory.

However, during our discussion I also found out that Vit has every Sunday off and if it is a Port Day he will be allowed to accompany me.

“Don’t you need a day off?”

“I could ask the same of you moya lyubov. But, I will not. We did this with the Marchand brothers, we can do this for the time we will be on this mission. I do not like all the separation we suffer through. But it is for a finite time and the pay is good.”

I thought him using the word “suffer” was telling and that perhaps he is not nearly as immune to the pressures of our positions as he’d been acting. I told him, “Yes it is. But will it be enough to tide us over until we can find jobs to replace these?”

My question had been rhetorical but Vit took me literally. “The bonds are come due and I have moved the money into a short-term guaranteed CD. The inflation made for a good percentage rate. And there is a chance I wish to discuss with you.”

I paid attention because I recognized the signs. He tries so very hard to make us partners in all things, but the money is still hard for him to co-mingle. Not because he does not trust me but because he is desperate to prove himself plus he worries that the risks he takes could leave me destitute so he insists I keep “my” money while he invests “his” money and yet he considers his money my money as well. I stopped trying to figure it out over a year ago, it gave me a headache too often. For him to want to talk about it had to mean something, and it did.

“What would you say if I took both of our paychecks and invested them in a project Baird has going in the States?”

I nodded. “I trust you and you know it but what kind of project are we talking about?”

“He is redeveloping some agricultural land he inherited from his mother, but he is also buying similar properties in the southern US. The recession is over and while prices are still depressed, they won’t stay that way for long the way inflation is taking off. Even if the recession boomerangs and comes back it will still be a good thing to have the land. As Charlie has said, land is the one thing they are not making more of. If we can get in on the ground floor … and he already has managers picked out that will manage the grow operations … it may give us enough for a down payment on our own home. One we own and that cannot be sold from under us.”

Suddenly more than mildly interested. “Really? Oh Vit. Then maybe … maybe …”

“Yes, as we promised Kokhana. We will start a family.”

“Then I say yes. Yes!” He laughed a little at my enthusiasm but not unkindly as we’ve both struggled to come to terms with a life path that has been decidedly different than we expected. Not long after that we both had to return to our jobs and did so … Vit to figure out why the fingerprint locks are not working in Communications again and me to the endless pile of translations.

It is exciting to think we’ll get something tangible out of this besides a paycheck. Vit explained that he would take a portion of every paycheck and add it to the investment and that he’d already done the same with some of the pirate booty as it did nothing just sitting in the trunk collecting dust. It was a little frightening to know we wouldn’t have all of that to fall back on just in case, but not have a secure place to live and call our own has been eating at both of us.

“If such a place was not on Pembroke Lane … could you live with that?” he finally asked.

Without hesitation I answered, “Yes. We need our own place … and I begin to believe our own space as well. It would be … challenging to start a family far from everyone but that may be the way it needs to be.”

“Hmm. Let us not decide right this moment. But knowing it does not have to be your parents’ home eases my concern.”

I shook my head. “That ship has sailed Vit. I’m not really sad that it has either. The house needed a lot more work than any of us expected. We’d fix one thing and then something else would break. It was turning into a money pit and my sibs didn’t want to put the money into it to fix it properly and I’m glad we didn’t. As it is we put enough of our own money into it and it took me doing the math for Angelia before anyone realized just how much of our money we had spent and deserved to get back out before they split the leftover profit amongst themselves.”

He kissed me. “Do not become angry again. It is water under the bridge. But it will be good to start on our own future unencumbered.”

Beside that discussion all I’ve done today is play secretary in Baird’s office. The amount of paperwork – even if most of it is digital – that they create on this ship is mind boggling. The digital copies still must be filed correctly so they can be found again. Everything must be encrypted as well. And then the encryption gets encrypted or something along those lines. It seems more work than necessary, but they won’t streamline it any more than it already is in order to make it more difficult for hackers. Hacking one system versus three at least gives a little more firewall against intrusion by people or groups that have no business doing what they are trying to do. Part of me is tempted to talk to Dylan to see if he can give me any pointers but one, I don’t know that would be allowed, and two, I’m still a little hacked off at him for being so oblivious. If I let myself think about it, it still feels like my sibs were willing to throw Vit and I under the bus just because we “were young and have plenty of time to start over.”

And I believe that is enough of that. Vit wants to have dinner with some of the personnel he works with, and since they are not all executive level, or officers, we are going to meet up in the buffet so everyone can feel comfortable. That being said I still want to give a good showing as Vit’s wife. There is nothing I can do about the uniform but I’m still going to take a little more trouble with my hair and make up than I normally do so I’d best get to it.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 20: January 19 – Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (Sunday)

Ugh, it feels like I’ve been on my feet all day today. I mean it was nice to have Vit along, very nice … and very much needed.

Some of the kids were just this side of rabid monkeys this morning. I have no idea what they had for breakfast, but I am going to make a suggestion that from here on out they limit the sugar and caffeine at breakfast as much as possible. What irritated me more than the kids was that the chaperones weren’t doing anything about it.

Vit and I decided to divide and conquer and started with the Bairds. Anton and Raina quickly fell in with the groups we were forming. Then Edda called over Pei Shin and Jae, both of whom seemed to be happy to get away from the worst of the noise makers. Vit and I quickly divided about two-thirds of the kids into our two groups. The group that Vit was creating were “shepherd.” He did it by appealing to their egos as well as their size and maturity. The group forming around Edda were “sheep.” I don’t mean that in a derogatory way simply that they were more manageable and better followers. The remaining third I mentally labeled “monkeys.” It took twice as many chaperones and teachers to manage “the monkeys” than it did the other two groups combined. The group structure lasted most of the day.

We were docked in Marina Cabo San Lucas and that is where we started our fast-paced field trip. Getting through security was not fun. Several items were confiscated before we even got off the ship … several phones, a couple of microcameras, some makeup and other liquids, some wallets containing charge cards. It all came from “the monkeys” and while they tried to make it a joke I could tell a couple were embarrassed and one or two were quite angry that it would be their parents signing for them from security and not them. Five minutes after the last student finally made it through and we were finally being guided for our boat trip on the Bay of Cabo San Lucas. The boat ride lasted a couple of hours and we passed by such landmarks as Pedregal de Cabo San Lucas, the most exclusive living community in Cabo San Lucas: Pedregal; Cannery Beaches, where the first tuna packaging factory of Mexico was located before Los Cabos became a tourism destination; Medano Beach, where you can find most of the Cabo San Lucas hotels and resorts; and, Mt. Solmar, from which you will have an amazing view at its top from both the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean.

We stopped for about five minutes at Pelican Rock, to see the beautiful rock formations and the colorful fish from a boat. This time we had a couple of photographers with us and they handled taking photos of the kids posing in front of the various landmarks as well as many casual photos. Next, we passed by the Playa del Amor, also known as Lovers´ Beach with its Magical Cave of San Andres. However, there was nothing “magical” about it. Locals have turned the beach and the cave into a toilet … and I mean that literally. From afar it was pretty, but our guide explained that because of what the locals were doing it was changing the biology of the area. When we asked if the conditions were brought on by the recent world economic crisis we were told no, that it had been like that for several decades despite Cabo being a favorite tourist spot.

The cave itself is large enough to park a couple of city buses inside it and is only safely accessible if dropped there from the water side. We actually watched a couple of idiots climb a couple of rock outcrops from what our guide told us was called Divorce Beach. We should have moved on but the boat captain said he had to wait until the two young men made their way back where they came from. Sure enough near disaster struck. They were both grabbed by the surge, pulled out to the water a dozen yards and then slammed back against the rocks by an incoming wave. One young man, though injured managed to secure himself before being pulled out again but his companion did not and got pulled back out. He was too disoriented to find the ring he was thrown and Vit jumped out and swam over. Another swell was coming and I yelled, “Pull!” Two of the crew, Aiden, Anton, Al and I successfully pulled both Vit and the young man out of the water – which hadn’t wanted to give them up the surge was so strong – and the boat rocked a bit as the captain backed out of the waves.

A small tender craft was already leaving the beach and met us. We turned over the young man to them and then went on our way. It wasn’t until later the young man was gone that I noticed that the photographers had been taking pictures the entire time. Gah. I hesitated to tell Vit. His reaction was to have as little to do with them as he could for the remainder of the field trip. I will say it pulled a couple more away from “the monkeys” which I still think was a good thing.

It was then that our guide explained that the cave is very dangerous because of the waves which are open ocean swells that have been traveling unimpeded across the Pacific for thousands of miles. They are long low frequency waves with up to several hundred feet between the troughs. It's a huge mass of water up to 8 feet tall, or even taller. If they grab you, you're simply going where they go, out to sea or back in against the shore. There is no fighting them; the power they contain is nothing short of immense. It is why it took so many to pull Vit and the young man he rescued free of the surge. Several people a year die because of those waves because people forget to keep track of the next surge and even inside the cave can be pulled out to sea if they are in there as the tide is changing. It is also why none of the crew jumped in to save the young man, only Vit.

I was struggling with my anxiety and Vit recognized the signs. He sat beside me and by the time we made the Sea of Cortez I had gotten it under control. Some of the highlights included the Cannery Beaches, Medano Beach, Mt. Solmar, Pelican Rock, Playa del Amor, Neptune´s Finger, and El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, the world famous arch, with the photographers clicking away at the beautiful rock formations with the kids in the foreground. We also got a glimpse of Divorce beach, with its own cave called San Bruno; and, Puerto Paraiso Mall which the most exclusive shopping mall of Los Cabos.

We left the boat not long after that and stopped at The Glass Factory, where we enjoyed a demonstration of the art of blowing the glass and also had a few minutes of free time for shopping. Vit wanted me to look around but I insisted on helping him disrobe in the shops back area so we could shake the sand out of his clothes. When it became apparent it was a lost cause, we did the best we could and I stepped into a clothing store next door and got him a dry shirt even if I couldn’t get him anything else.

Back on the bus we passed by the Cabo del Sol Golf Club, Santa Maria Beach, Chileno Bay and Beach. At Playa El Tule, we crossed over the big dry riverbed which runs down from the mountain range La Sierra La Laguna the beach which is located along the Sea of Cortez. Sierra La Laguna, is the mountain that is one of only two sources of potable water in Los Cabos. We also saw Cabo Real Golf Course, Playa Palmilla (Palmilla Beach), and Playa Acapulquito (Little Acapulco).

We made another quick stop at Costa Azul to visit El Mirador (aka The Viewing Point of San José del Cabo). Our photographers took pictures of the students with the beautiful views of Costa Azul, Playa Palmilla, Playa Acapulquito and Playa Hotelera on the background. They also did it for the teachers and chaperones.

From there we passed by Playa Hotelera and San Jose's Estuary and Bird Sanctuary (El Estero). Afterwards we made a series of quick stops. San Jose del Cabo main square, (Plaza Mijares) with its gazebo and the former mission church. Parroquia de San Jose (the former mission church of San José del Cabo). And then our final stop at Plaza Artesanos, for shopping and Mexican candy tasting.

Despite the day’s heat – close to 80 degrees F – I noticed that Vit would occasionally have goosebumps on his arms and involuntarily shiver. It worried me. We got back to the marina a little before two and the students were hustled onto the ship for lunch. Vit asked if I minded staying behind until the ruckus was over.

“Of course I don’t mind, but are you sure you are all right?”

“I am having what you call a reaction. I will be fine I just need away from the stares.”

Knowing exactly what he was feeling I got us away from people we knew and into the flea market that was just adjacent to the marina. We didn’t buy anything despite all the temptations, we just walked and held hands. We had to hurry to the tender at 3:15 and then stood in line to go through the additional security.

“No purchases XO?” a young man asked.

“Nii … I mean no.”

He turned and before they could close the next tender, “Save room for Chief Dymtrus.” Turning back the young man said, “Chief Ivanov asks for you to call her when you are back onboard Sir.”

“Thank you.”

We didn’t have to hunt Polina up as she was waiting for us. Essentially the Chief Medical Officer requested Vit’s appearance and Polina wanted a statement for her report on the incident. It was dinner time before we got free only to find that Mr. Baird wanted a word as well.

“Barney? Can it wait until after Vit eats?”

“Bad off is he?”

“Not … really. I think it was just the unexpected attention that was being paid to him by the photographers. He’s not a fan of being the center of attention.”

“That’s nothing new,” she said with a snort. “Tell you what, let me have something sent to your cabin and I’ll get with Mr. Baird and see if it can’t be put off until breakfast in the morning. You two can join us since it is a sea day.”

So we have that to look forward to and I think Vit finally found all the sand in all his crevices. I think I’ll be able to save his uniform but it will take sending the pieces out to the large washers to do it. Hopefully they’ll be able to get all the salt stains out. Vit went to sleep not too long after we finished our meal and I’m going to join him now that my own “reaction” has come and gone. And here’s praying I don’t have nightmares of the hurricane and those we lost who were washed overboard.

 

[Lake Lili]

Thanks Kathy!

Lili

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 21: January 20 – At Sea

The Day did not start the way Vit had hoped it would. By the time we got to the XO lounge for breakfast he was already growling, “Proklyatyy ne toy heroy, nonsens znovu.” Basically he was cursing that people were bringing up the “hero nonsense” again. It was difficult for me to balance my very real pride in him and still stay as low-key as he obviously wished the incident to be considered.

Several times breakfast was interrupted by someone coming over and getting nosey. And when the daily “newspaper” the ship is putting out arrived, Vit nearly got up and stomped off. I admit he looked quite handsome in a wet-t shirt kind of way but to have the picture splayed across the front page didn’t do a lot for my blood pressure either. Especially when I kept seeing women give him a sideways look.

Breakfast over and we were making a quick pitstop at our cabin before we both had to head out for the Day. “You are imagining it.”

“I am not,” I told him. “And it isn’t like I’m jealous – even though I know I am being ridiculous – because I trust you. But maybe … for my sake … you could try just a bit to be less handsome?”

He turned to me about to show off some male outrage when he caught the grin I was trying to hide. “Kokhana this is not a good day for your teasing. I will have to hide in the bilge or I will get no peace.”

“Ew. Don’t do that,” I told him wrinkling my nose. More seriously I said, “Vit, sometimes people need to see other people doing good things. You don’t see what you did as heroic, but the guy would have died if you hadn’t. And, no one else was stepping up. That IS heroic to some people.” He made a face.

“Vit … you were brave. It was a bravery that comes naturally for you where it might not for other people. But what I’m really trying to say is … people need heroes. They need them to set the standard, be an example. It’s a good thing you did on multiple levels. And you didn’t do it for recognition but that doesn’t mean people shouldn’t recognize it or take it for granted. And I know you aren’t a person that will allow it to go to your head. So, try and take it in stride. Be stoic if you need to. But just keep being yourself. You are a good man Vit Dymtrus and I am very proud of you.”

I don’t pretend that my words will change Vit, that’s the last thing I want to do, but he’s helped me get more comfortable in my own skin and I want to do the same for him. He sets a good example. I couldn’t ask for a better partner in this life. And perhaps he is making me see – even if he isn’t thinking of it like that, that I need to set a better example as well … at least in terms of my own family.

I will admit that I’ve been holding a grudge … multiple grudges. Perhaps it is time that I just deal with reality. I set my family, and the individual members in it, up on a pedestal. Some of that they deserve. But if I’m going to do that, I shouldn’t hold it against them when they fall off. They didn’t ask to be put on the pedestal. They are allowed to be human, make mistakes. And they hurt my feelings. On the other hand, hurt feelings are relatively easy to get over but the practical side of what they did to both Vit and I is harder to ignore. I resent it and it is that that is hard to get beyond.

Maybe if I can’t do this for me, I can do it for Reggie. Maybe I can help him … give him an example … to not let other people’s choices rule your life … or ruin your life. Gah! Headache inducing and I think I am over thinking things. Just do what is right Veta whether other people do or not, whether they even recognize how difficult it is on some days. I will spend some time sending out emails instead of keeping intentionally silent. Just small ones that say nothing to not void my confidentiality agreement, but maybe starting small is for the best.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 22: January 21 – San Diego, CA (Part 1)

Well today has been different. For most of the day I feel like I’ve been chaperoning a troop of monkeys. Good lord. Talk about shell shocked. Now I know why I prefer to teach tweens and older students. You would think being one of so many, all my training, and all my nieces and nephews I would have a better handle on teaching younger students. But my word.

A saving grace of the day was that we are back in the US. Today is San Diego, then a sea day, then two in San Francisco before going on the transpacific portion of our mission. I also learned a few things today, some of them after I had an informative conversation with Mrs. Loper – the teacher in charge of the elementary aged students. She has been part of mission planning nearly since the beginning. I didn’t realize how difficult getting the calendar set and agreed upon has been. There was a much different transpacific crossing planned than what we wound up with. We were supposed to continue up the West Coast stopping in places like Portland and Seattle, a multi-Day stop in Vancouver, several stops in Alaska, and then we were going to cross over and then cut across to Dutch Harbor and Kamchatka and then make several stops in an Asian leg of the mission. But the Russians and Chinese got an attitude as, at the time, they were trying to copy the envoy-style of our mission. Theirs ultimately fell through but by then the calendar had been finalized. And they pouted about that when logistically they were the cause of the problems to start with. On a personal level I would have loved to visit the places she mentioned but since I’m not driving the ship or paying the bills, I better just stick to appreciating what I am getting and not bemoan the fact there is more I want. I could still be back in Pembroke, couch-surfing, and no job in sight.

It has been a long day. In fact, it is nearly tomorrow. We got off the ship at 10 am and I didn’t return until right before 10 pm. Looong Day. Though I will admit not all of it unpleasant.

Breakfast was in the buffet and filling, and then Vit had to get to his job and I hurried off to mine. Instead of being with the high school level like I expected I was requested as a chaperone for the elementary kids. The woman who had been the lead was transferred off the ship and her replacement was not arriving until San Francisco. One of the other things that I learned from Mrs. Loper was that some of the diplomats (or at least the governments from their point of origin) were horrified at the number of female teachers. Complaints are being managed but it is still problematic and was finally too much for some and requests for transfers are abnormally high considering this is a “plum job” and perhaps “career-making” for some.

As a temporary replacement, I was suggested as a good fit. Er … I fit but I don’t know how good I was. It was like playing whack-a-mole … with the kids and with the reporters who seemed to think it was fun getting the children wound up. I could have wound up a couple of those reporters and sent them out to sea. Honestly, they only cared about their photos, not about how it was affecting the big picture.

Just getting the kids onto the bus was like herding cats. I had to play tough before we even left the pier. I gave the whistle I’d learned from my brats as a little girl – the eardrum piercing sound of a steam whistle – and said, “Pick your buddy. Now. The two of you are stuck like glue for the remainder of the field trip. I catch buddies not sticking together and I’ll separate you and assign you to an adult, including during free time. If someone creates a problem, then you’ll be my buddy. I won’t be playing today, I’m working. So unless you want to lose your free time, don’t misbehave.”

I even got a few disgruntled looks from teachers and other adults, but I didn’t care. I assume because I was being “too tough” on the little kids. Sorry, not sorry. A fourth grader knows how to behave appropriately. I wasn’t asking for manners to meet the Queen, but I did expect them to listen and follow instructions. I was head security whosiwhatsit for this trip and I was finished being run over.

“Next, adults you will pick a set of buddies … looks like three sets per adult, single gender please … and you will stick like glue to them. If we have some brother/sister buddies, we’ll work it out. What is important is that those six children will be your responsibility for the day. If a situation arises where you need a moment, then you come to me and I will temporarily take charge of your group. You will not be relieved from this responsibility until the students are returned to their classroom and their parents pick them up.” I arched an eyebrow and added, “And sorry, you reporters don’t count as adults; you’re benched.” I got a couple of snickers for that one. “You are free range grown-ups. However, if there is an incident, you will be called into play.” I gave everyone – adults, children, and reporters – the look I’d learned from Momma and finished, “You were told what the rules are several times already. I know for a fact you heard them before you left the ship. Do not make me have to repeat the rules because what comes after that will be something you won’t like.” To the children I added, “Now sit with your buddy, keep it to a church-volume conversation, and allow our bus drivers to do their job without going deaf. You will remain seated in your chair, with your seatbelt on, until we park, and the bus engine is turned off. At that time, your adult will stand up and you will follow them off the bus. Give your adult a problem and I will become your adult.”

It still took a moment to get everyone seated. I wound up having to threaten to separate a couple of kids and it finally started sinking in that it wasn’t going to be their way. Five minutes after we took off I walked the aisle again and started taking names of those who had unbuckled. One boy actually had the gumption to try and mouth off and I said, “That’s two demerits instead of just one. Not keeping your seatbelt buckled and now mouthing off to an adult. One more and you are mine for the day. And I have a conversation with your parents when we get back on the ship.” I looked around. “Since it appears that some of you don’t understand. You see this stripe on my shoulder? That makes me senior security staff. Don’t believe me? I can have Chief Ivanov explain it to you … and your parents. Don’t make me be a hardcase because a few of you can’t follow the rules. I do have the authority to stop the field trip and return everyone to the ship.”

Then a kid tried to sass me in his home language saying women wouldn’t be telling him what to do, “I turned around and told him in his own language that he was to come with me and I would be telling him what to do for the remainder of the trip.” To say he was shocked was an understatement. The adult he thought would be on his side and “rescue” him … wasn’t. The man gave me the same blank look I gave him. He wasn’t daring me; he was sizing me up. He left the playing field when he saw me type something into my security tablet.

The boy’s name is Cyrus and he pouted the entire way to the zoo. When he tried to embarrass me with some cursing in his tongue I said, “You dishonor your father with such language. He will not be pleased when I discuss this with him.” He continued to leave his bottom lip hanging out, but it stopped his mouth.

A couple of the students didn’t believe me about the rules, and I caught them fifteen minutes later when I walked the aisle again. And since they didn’t know when I was going to walk the aisle, it cut their game off at the ankles. I would have taken away toys and other things had any made it through security.

Between my “security checks” Mrs. Loper explained in more detail what we would be doing for the day – and apparently some of the adults hadn’t known and got a little cross-eyed – and then put a short video on the tablet monitors to keep the kids busy. When we got to the zoo I stood up and said, “I hope you all were paying attention, there will be a test. This is an educational opportunity, not a chance for you to play hooky. Okay, let’s go.”

I called out an adult’s name, they then took their students and then I gave them a group number, a sticker, and used a barcode reader to check their attendance from their ship ID that was affixed to their uniform shirt. Cyrus was fretful when he realized he wouldn’t be returning to his friends or even another group, he was indeed stuck with me. It shocked the other students and I found out that Cyrus pretty much got his way at all times even if it was disruptive. Basically his father’s secretary made noise when Cyrus complained – and I did get some blowback from that tonight – but I also held my own, and weren’t a few people surprised. From the bus we headed to the zoo's visitor center to pick up maps and meet our guides for our behind the scenes tour. There was a lot to see.

The animals at San Diego zoo all live in spacious and beautifully designed enclosures that replicate their natural habitats. Some of the more popular stops we made were the koala and giant panda exhibits, the orangutans and siamangs that climb around in lush forest settings, the Tiger River exhibit which features a realistic Asian rainforest environment, and the Gorilla Tropics which recreates a lush African rainforest. Then there was the animal nursery, where we got to see some of the zoo’s newest arrivals.

Cyrus finally started thawing at the animal nursery when I made some of the other students make room so that he could take his turn at one of the viewing windows. I wasn’t giving him special privileges, just making sure that as “his” adult he got his turn like the other students; no more, no less. From that time onward he kept giving me looks like he wasn’t sure what to make of me. I didn’t hold it against him, there are some cultural differences after all. So long as he behaved respectfully I made sure that he had the opportunity to do the same things as the other students. I didn’t ask him to adore me, just use reasonable manners.

Our behind the scenes tour included some special treats. The Kangaroo Bus was a 35-minute tour of the park from a double-decker bus. The Skyfari Aerial Tram allowed us to ride in an enclosed tram that took us over the trees from one end of the park to the other so that we had spectacular views of the animals and gardens, and surrounding Balboa Park. The 4D movie theater had a short, kid-friendly nature documentary that had not only 3D film effects but also other sensory effects such as sound, smell, and feel. I got the first honest laugh out of Cyrus when he saw me blanch when some “monkeys” climbed up our backs. He laughed even harder when, after he asked, I explained about the little clepto-monster that had stolen my glasses.

Lunch wasn’t nearly as chaotic as I half-expected it to be. Because of the cultural and religious diversity of the student body (and some of the adults) there were several dietary restrictions. There were also some allergies to work around. The zoo’s catering service proved to be world-class and the food was really good as well. And California has very strict recycling laws so I turned it into a lesson on courtesy, following the laws of the lands that we will visit, and how the recycling is used. I left out the politics and refused to be drawn in on it by a couple of the reporters.

After our meal we had some free time at the zoo though we still had to remain in a large group. Thankfully the zoo had been willing to provide some very good docents to act as guides. They gave lessons on various animals but done in such a way that the students all had fun resulting in a very good information retention rate. It didn’t hurt that Mrs. Loper and I took the time to reinforce the lessons throughout the field trip.

One of the interesting parts was getting to “meet” several of the animals in the zoo. We “met” several exotic cats, hand-fed giraffes, had a chance to feed flamingoes, and got a rare behind-the-scenes look at the endangered red panda who tolerated us more than he did other groups despite the time of day as they are nominally nocturnal animals.

I herded the cats back onto the bus – tripping over reporters who were asking the kids questions and distracting them from following directions. Once back on the bus we did a quick recap of the lessons and then I surprised the reporters by allowing them to stand up – one at a time – and asking the kids questions. When one of them mentioned they’d never been allowed that kind of access I said, “Follow the rules and you get to have fun.” The look on the reporter’s face was classic and even some of the kids laughed at his deer-in-the-headlights reaction.

Someone must have been keeping tabs and sharing information because we weren’t even onto the ship before Cyrus’ father’s secretary was trying to publicly embarrass me.

“Excuse me. If this is about Cyrus’ access to activities today, I assure you he had exactly the same access as the other students. All the students were treated equally. They followed the same rules, they received the same consequences or rewards depending upon how successfully they followed the rules. Cyrus was not singled out … and certainly not because of who his father is. There were other students that had to be separated and/or put with an adult as their buddy. Now, if this is about security concerns, you’ve answered your own questions. Everyone – student, teacher, chaperone, media people – knew what the rules were before even leaving the ship. Excuse me, you made some statements now it is my turn,” I told him as he tried to interrupt me or talk over me. “The rules were there for the safety of Cyrus and the other students. Also for the adults. As I am sure you are aware, failure to follow rules leads to security lapses that can endanger members of the onshore groups which can then flow all the way back onto the ship and further can also endanger the mission we are all committed to. Instead of always complaining to the educational staff, I suggest you take the time to explain to the people under the authority of Cyrus’ father that we are all in this together. A failure by one is seen as a failure by all … and that includes the children. There are no special privileges beyond that which our ranks offer … but those privileges come with more responsibilities as the rank goes up. Security of this group that went ashore was my responsibility and my privilege. My authority required that I perform my duties as the head of security regardless of connections aboard ship. If you have a complaint about security, please take it up with Chief Ivanov and we can discuss it in that context. Otherwise, have a good day, I still have work to do even if you do not. And if you need further proof, please ask to see if Cyrus’ father has the authority to view the body cam recording. I’m always wired for sound and video.”

I turned and left, and the man was stunned that I had the temerity to do so. And something else as well. I’m wondering if people are aware that those security cameras are on at all times. Oh well, his ego is not my problem.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 22: January 21 – San Diego, CA (Part 2)

I was heading back to the cabin for a shower when Vit catches me. “Hi!”

“Kokhana,” he said in reply. And before I could worry at how stoic his face was I saw something in his eyes and his lips were twitching. “Are you still wired?”

“Er … no. I turned it off when my shift was over.”

He hurries us into the cabin which we were by then standing right beside and he walks over and turns the tv on. I expected to see another series of embarrassing photos like before but instead he turns up the volume and then flops on the bed and starts laughing. It looked painful and I later found out it was because he’d been holding it in since right before I returned on board.

“Vit?!”

After a little interpersonal communication where he was trying to show me some appreciation, he finally explained with words. He’d been following up to make sure repairs were still working … in the Video room of the security offices. The body cam video feeds are continuously monitored. He heard my voice and looked over in time to not only hear what I told Cyrus’ … whatever you want to call the man … and see his reaction which apparently was much funnier than I remember them being.

“The man is a known trouble creator Kokhana. He gives everyone the ulcer, especially women assuming he will even deal with them. The diplomat he works for not so much but it is because he uses his secretary to do his dirty work so he can still be looked on as better, more open minded and modern. I have my doubts.”

“You doubt the diplomat is a good man?”

“Nii. I mean I doubt either man is exactly what he portrays himself to be. It is unnecessary nonsense, but it is what we must work with.” He kissed me. “But you will do as I ask and not have dealings with them that you do not need to?”

Vit’s syntax is getting to be all over the place. Sometimes as good as it had gotten before we left Pembroke, and sometimes worse than before we first met. I suspect that he is under a lot of stress and has to watch himself so much that when he relaxes around me things “go to pot” as Poppa would have termed it. To avoid adding to the stress I told him, “It hadn’t been my expectation to socialize with the diplomats – not even Mr. Baird – or their staff, but I’ll do my best to avoid the secretary as much as I can.”

“Good,” he said. Then he asked, “Do you have the energy for getting off the ship? We do not leave until 10 pm and …”

“… you’re getting a little stir crazy?”

“Nii. Not exactly. I would just like it to be us. And away from …” He gestured around and I understood him to mean all the stuff going on on ship.

So we changed into civilian clothes and tried to evac off the ship pronto. We were almost caught by some of the other XOs who wanted to crash our “date night” but they were waylaid by another couple that wanted the same thing from them; we just moved faster. And that’s when I found out why Vit was being so “anti-social” … he had a surprise for me.

“Vit!” I laughed.

A food, wine, and chocolate tour. “Last time we were here … the memories are good yes?”

“Very good yes,” I told him, adding a hug as reinforcement.

“Let us make some more such memories.”

I agreed and we both laughed some more, simply at the joy of being together. We climbed into one of the new fully electric cars that were designed to look like an old Model T and away we went. Our first stop was at Cicciotti's Trattoria Italiana & Seafood, a casual Italian eatery that was by a Chef Gaetano Cicciotti. Apparently the man was quite famous in his time but I didn’t know who he was. However I didn’t let on to the staff and hurt their feelings. Our tastings were Bruschetta, Gorgonzola Gnocchi, a cannoli, and a sip of lemoncello. We weren’t there long, maybe 20 minutes, before we were off to the next stop. Caldo Pomodoro, or in English the “Hot Tomato." Apparently the place has been around for a while because it is considered one of the best in the area. Baked Artichokes, meatballs, and their famous garlic bread were the specialties that we tried at that location.

Barrel Republic is the Mecca for craft beer & wine lovers to come for the freedom to choose, or so we were told. Neither Vit nor I are beer drinkers, it is too much like drinking soda pop which neither of us does, so we opted for the wine tasting instead. It was paired with a small fresh salad so at least I can record that at least a little something was healthy. Vit picked up a couple bottles of wine that he liked. We’re going to need a wine wrack at this rate. My guess is one of the bottles will make its way to Mr. Baird. Next came this place called The Good Artisanal, a bakery, where we tasted Strawberry Cheesecake, Smores, Bear Claws and Butter donuts. Oh my. And that was quickly followed by a stop at the Village Drive for a taste of their popular watermelon mimosa and a few bites from a Smoked Meat Platter that had chicken, brisket, and tri-tip on it.

If I wasn’t stuffed by that point, it was getting close. Next came this place called the Humble Olive Oil which is a family owned and operated olive oil store. I’ll admit it now, for me it is a bit of a vice. I love olive oil. I particularly like garlic olive oil that I can dip bread into. Over the last couple of years, during lean weeks that is all Vit and I would eat for dinner so long as we had a decent lunch. We picked out our favorite and Vit bought several large bottles of it. I love my husband.

Next it was his turn at a favorite. GelatoLove is a shop that prepares gelato in small batches every Day, using only authentic Italian recipes and to be honest it did remind me of the Gelato we had in Venice. While there we tried four unique flavors: Mascarpone Fig, Walnut Honey, Fresh Mint Stracciatella, and Blood Orange Sorbet. Oh my, they were so delicious and made with allulose, a low glycemic sugar made from fruit. No sugar/carb drop after the tasting which was a nice change for me. I would try a bite and then give the rest of mine to Vit. He didn’t turn it down which should tell you just how much he loves the stuff. I wish I knew how to make it at home. He only got it when we had to make the trek to Jacksonville and that not very often.

At the Carlsbad Mineral Water Spa we stopped for a little local history and also at the Land & Water Company. Both of those gave us time to drink some water and clear our palate. Then it was off to our last stop, The Carlsbad Chocolate Bar. Good grief, they had an extensive variety of chocolates, full coffee and expresso bar, and retail wines, ports, and champagne. The tasting started with a delicious Sea Salt Carmel Chocolate and I haven’t a clue how many others I taste tested. I do know that we bought a huge variety box and it is up in the top of Vit’s closet so I am less tempted to snitch pieces.

We were far from the last people to return to the ship, but I have to say that I am glad that tomorrow is a sea day. I’ll still be working with Barney, but I won’t be running all over creation trying to herd the next group of cats.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 23: January 22 – At Sea

Since I am unsure whether there will be time over the next two days, I called home to check on Christine, Chrissy, and Derrick, and the boys as well. I am glad my rank affords the privilege of unlimited communication minutes (so long as I don’t abuse it). I spoke to all of them and they are all in various stages of healing; physically and emotionally. Benji is doing much better. He is seeing a new counselor that also sees Vets with PTSD, someone from his Dojo came by to check on him. An adult from his “team” who then referred one of his own doctors to Derrick who took it from there. Benji is like everyone’s little brother and they are anxious to help him. Dr. Simmons told Derrick that helping Benji is actually helping the men. Derrick is thinking about going with Benji and asked Benji what he thought and surprise, surprise he didn’t object at all but went on about how it might help his father get in shape and be healthy. Perhaps a hidden fear coming to the surface. Either way my nephew, both of them, have a lot of healing to do.

Chrissy is a doll. A caregiver, like her mother, she told me that she would send emails on “Mom and Poppa’s progress.” Something tells me if Derrick and Christine try and hide something from me that she’ll rat them out. I won’t take advantage of her and make her a spy but I won’t object to the information either. If they need help I’ll get the others over there to do it, even if it means blackmailing them or guilting them.

Spoke to Angelia and she bemoans me being MIA as she called it because she has no one to help. Everyone seems to be struggling in their own little world. I’d like to say something about that, but I kept my mouth shut. I am not sure if that is the way it really is, the way she sees it, or if she is stroking my ego for some reason. I suspect she is swamped but there is nothing I can do beyond encourage her to ask the nieces if their mothers don’t have time to help. Enough of them are home schooled that she could give them credit for a home ec course or something along those lines.

Charlie and Dylan both sent emails after finding out that I had called Derrick and Angelia and wanted to know why I hadn’t called them. I said because there is only so much time in the day and that I wasn’t on a pleasure cruise and had to earn my keep. Apparently the picture of me with the frog on my head has made it to the local news. Oh my lord. I had to write them both back to not take the publicity pictures as anything other than that … publicity pictures. I wasn’t playing, I was working as a chaperone and the frog just sort of happened. What they make of my response and non-answer to their other questions I have no idea.

I talked to Vit about my brothers and what he thought.

“Veta I … I will not say anything that could …” He said a curse.

“I’m not asking you to pick sides Vit. Nor am I asking you to play referee. I’m just asking for your opinion. I’m too close. I let my feelings get hurt and maybe expected too much of the two of them. I’m not asking you to do my thinking for me … just help me to figure out where the boundaries need to be.”

He sighed and was silent for a bit. “I am perhaps not the best person for this.”

“You are the only one I trust enough to even ask.”

“I have told you of the mess I made with my sister.”

“What I heard was that the two of you were too young for what life was throwing at you. You were struggling, but holding your own and trying … and with love for someone you felt some responsibility for. She … for whatever the reasons … fell in a hole of her own digging and the rest of it just happened because she kept digging. You were never going to be able to fix her any more than you are the one that broke her in the first place. And for me … that responsibility streak you have is a godsend. It lets me know I’m not alone.”

“Kokhana …” He sighed again and then said, “I do not wish to see you hurt. I do not wish to see your family hurt.”

“They are your family too.”

He nodded. “Let me just say, perhaps it is … wise … that we try and do things without their … hmm … support … but that is not exactly what I am saying. We need to make our own way then sink or swim we have no one to blame but ourselves. When we are on firmer footing … more equal in some respects … then there can be less wall or boundaries or some word I cannot think of right now. But …”

“But?”

“Do not shut them out Kokhana. Such a thing hurts a man. I believe that Charlie and Dylan only want the best for you, but they have many irons in the fire and … this time they made a mistake. They were trying to do the best thing for the whole family and while they knew it might cause us some inconvenience, they did not know the extent or consequences that would come our way because of the choice they made.”

“You aren’t saying they feel guilty, are you? Because they’ve both said they’d make the same choice again.”

Vit nodded. “I heard. Which angers me some but at the same time I think they are simply being honest. Perhaps they would have tried to add safeguards had they known what it would cost everyone but …”

“Yeah, if they’d realized how little money they’d realize from the sale.”

“Veta …”

“I know, I know. I don’t know why I can’t get control of my anger over the situation. But what I’m asking is if you think I should … I don’t know … be a little more … er … forthcoming about our lives right now.”

“If you wish to speak with ease with them then I say yes. But I ask you not to discuss our finances with them. We will figure a way ourselves.” And I saw it. Vit was angry, he was just better at dealing with it.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 24: January 23 – San Francisco, CA (Part 1)

What a Day. I’m not shaking but only because Vit plied me with some wine when I refused to take anything the ship’s doctors were offering. I wouldn’t say that I’m perfectly fine, but I am feeling a little more mellow than most people would in my shoes. At least I think so.

We arrived so that we could disembark at 8 am sharp. Diplomats had some big something or other on ship with lots of important who-ha’s. Okay, enough wine, that didn’t come out exactly like I meant it and doesn’t sound very nice. What I mean is that onboard security wanted the kids off the ship. We were supposed to be a distraction for the public. Enough of the media peeled off to join us that it gave ship’s security more room to work with the incoming media following the important people coming on board for the meeting. Poor Polina. I know it is her job, but I certainly don’t envy her.

I worked with the Middle School program today. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it a joy, but I did enjoy it. I mean I don’t wish to sound harsh, I certainly sound like a reverse snob, but some of those kids behave way too privileged. I met Cyrus’ older brother and it would have been my pleasure to knock him tip over tail. The problem is the kid is brilliant. Seriously smart. He’s socially adroit as well. I couldn’t even fault his behavior or manners exactly. But there is an underlying smugness, a superiority, that managed to burrow under my skin. And the fact that he didn’t back off until he learned that my father and brother were doctors – and apparently not “lowly farmers” as had been explained to him (by whom he did not reveal) – just annoyed me further. I could see the boy reevaluating me. He has a year before he starts high school and I can already see that between his ego, his connections, and his looks there will be trouble if they don’t keep him close to home where fathers and uncles are used to dealing with that type of young man and keep the females well protected. Gah! What am I saying?! A female should definitely use commonsense, and men should definitely act as protectors, but we females shouldn’t have to hide away or walk around with bodyguards to protect ourselves from the men of the world. Bah! I am just way too irritated to make the correct kind of sense. Maybe I’ll write that part out of my system at some other time.

For today, barring a few issues here and there, the start of the day went as planned. We met our bus at Fisherman's Wharf and got comfortable as our driver took us across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods. The drive wasn’t a short one but our guide kept it interesting by sharing the history of the isolated canyon and its coastal redwood trees, which can reach as high as 260 feet (79 meters) and grow for hundreds of years. Our first stop gave us time to walk through the woods and soak in the atmosphere. And yes, despite the other tourists there, and our bevy of reporters, it was definitely atmospheric. Hiking around Mt. Tamalpais among the redwoods that practically blocked the sky from view made it seem like the hustle and bustle of San Francisco was a million miles away. I really wished Vit could have been there with me as he needed to get away from all of that. And back home he loved walking in the woods … only it isn’t our home any longer and wherever we move next I hope it is someplace with some land on it or near it. Even a bike trail will do.

Next, we drove through the town of Sausalito. It sits on the shores of the bay with great views across the water to San Francisco. After a couple of photo stops we returned to San Francisco where we joined a hop-on hop-off bus tour near Fisherman's Wharf. Now they have about 20 stops we could use but Mr. Jergen – the leader of the middle school program – had already planned out a city tour and we stuck to it … like religion. Oh my.

We started where we had been dropped off, at Fisherman’s Wharf, where we first headed towards the direction of downtown. We saw the Barbary Coast, Embarcadero, Ferry Building before arriving at Union Square for some of what some of my sisters call retail therapy. The tour continued through historic Van Ness avenue to the Palace of Fine Arts and then another pass on the Golden Gate Bridge.

Our first “Hop-off” was at North Vista Point to take a picture of the most photographed bridge in the world. From there we walked the 1.7-mile span of the famous suspension bridge and took a stroll through the historic military base and visitor center at Fort Point or Crissy Fields. The tour continued through the San Francisco Presidio where we saw more of the historic military homes as well as the exclusive Presidio Cemetery.

Next stop was the Golden Gate Park, home to many museums and attractions including the Conservatory of Flowers, deYoung Museum, California Academy of Sciences, and the Japanese Tea Gardens, as of which we got a look at if not a look in. I was also tempted by the miles of hiking trails, bike paths, lakes, waterfalls, and windmills but my job was not to gawk but to chaperone. From there we hopped on and drove back in time to the Haight District and the "Summer of Love". We might have been visiting the well preserved 1960's theme with a new age touch at Haight and Ashbury, but the modern mess made by the transients that all but infested much of the city kept the area from being what it could have been. It also kept us on the bus. Even the murals and art dedicated to the San Francisco hippie culture and the beginning of psychedelic rock music from such artists as The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Jimmy Hendrix, and Jefferson Airplane to name a few were vandalized. And under the mess of bleach and freshly sprayed sidewalks was a rank and sick odor that even the kids noticed. It was a smell that spoke of decay that went beyond the physical into the emotional and spiritual. Brrr. Shudder.


I was happy to leave the area and move on to the Painted Ladies Victorian homes and nearby and famous "Postcard Row", with a row of homes features on postcards nonetheless as well as Movies and television shows such as "Full House" and "Mrs. Doubtfire". We got off there for a short photo opportunity and a history lesson on what had happened to the area during the Great San Francisco earthquakes of 1906 and 1989.

From there we continued towards the Civic Center with great views of San Francisco's City Hall, Opera House and Symphony Hall and further the tour took us through Chinatown with photo opportunities of Portsmouth Square, known as the "Heart of Chinatown" but made famous by the raising of the American flag by Captain Montgomery of the USS Portsmouth. We only got off long enough for the next bus to come to pick us up. Mr. Jergen was a hard taskmaster and wielded authority like Teddy Roosevelt’s “big stick.”

From Chinatown we made our way towards the bay and back to Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 where the kids were finally broken down into smaller groups for some exploration. The area is chock full of shopping, attractions, entertainment, people and food! The kids had been starving for some time and I had begun to think that they wouldn’t be allowed to eat until back aboard. The kids had voted ahead of time and various groups went different directions. Some to the Aquarium of the Bay and some to an attraction call the 7D Experience. I was assigned to the “science nerds” who checked out the famous Sea Lions located towards the back of Pier 39. However, I was called away to chaperone a smaller set of combined middle schoolers and high schoolers that had a surfing lesson pending.

I was trying to figure out how I was going to pull that off in my current uniform when a bag was tossed at me by a highly irritated Mr. Jergen who didn’t like his schedule and plans to be “interfered” with. Mr. Jergen reminds me rather strongly of a German Clockwork Soldier that I had once seen in a toyshop window on a trip with Poppa. Poppa made up hilarious stories about that soldier for a number of years. It took me just as long to realize the stories were allegorical in nature and that I was supposed to learn something from each one.

I changed once we got to the “beach” which wasn’t really a beach but near the Golden Gate Bridge. The bathing suit was a one piece – and Lord help me in the same green as my ship uniform – and fit too tight in some areas and too loose in others but it wasn’t really meant for anything other than a layer between the wet suit and my skin. Which was really kind – or so I told myself – when I realized just how cold the water was.

This clinic was designed with the beginner in mind. I wasn’t sad about that; it had been a number of years since I had done any surfing. In other words, I knew the basics but was very rusty. They say it is like riding a bike, once you learn it is just a matter of practice. Whoever “they” is has absolutely no clue what they are talking about. We walked through all the basics to get started thank goodness.

The participants in the class learned about ocean awareness, wave breaks, ocean conditions, safety in and out of the water, wave etiquette, paddling, push up and pop up techniques, as well as riding waves and balancing. We started out in shallow areas riding the whitewater until everyone was comfortable with venturing further out. Our instructors were all CPR/First-Aid and lifeguard certified, which while it should have been a comfort, it certainly made a couple of the kids look at each other and wonder just why we needed people like that on hand.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 24: January 23 – San Francisco, CA (Part 2)

By the time the two-and-a-half-hour class was over with, you could tell everyone was tired and ready to get out of the water. I mean everyone had fun, but surfing is not for wimps. You learn you have muscles you didn’t know you had.

As we were all changing back into our dry clothes and turning in our borrowed equipment, I thought about what I had heard the high school kids had done during their Day. It is the kind of thing I would have found fun at their age. They visited the old Facebook "Like" sign that was still standing despite all the changes. They not only got a photo opportunity, but learned about the company, its expansion, the long and involved court case where it was finally ruled they were a public utility and could be regulated, and how bits and pieces of it had been sold off in recent years to combat the loss of revenue when they were no longer allowed to sell the private information of its users.

They also visited the old Google campus, now a west coast extension of MIT. Some of the kids couldn’t remember how the original Google had been subject to monopoly breaking by the government after they were caught – or at least several of their controlling board members were caught – using unfair and illegal practices to quell competition and installing hidden programs controlling what end users had access to. It was the quelling of competition in the marketplace that finally did them in. They also were hiding international profits and contracts with foreign governments that got access to users’ private data. Some of their top people barely escaped jail at the time and some of them eventually fled the country when it was found they hadn’t exactly been reporting their personal income properly either.

Other destinations included the Apple Visitors Center, Intel Museum, Computer History Museum, NASA, Steve Jobs childhood home, and the Hewlett Packard garage. For some of the kids – and I would have had to raise my own hand if not for Dylan drilling it into my head – all of the Silicon Valley stuff might as well have been ancient history. Since the group had been so cooperative their guides also took them on a walking tour of Stanford University, where they enjoyed the Cantor Museum, the Memorial Church, the Science and Engineering Quad, and the bookstore.

The other thing I learned when I was changing was that I had been drafted to go on the high school night tour of China town. This is important later in the story. I was one more chaperone than had been expected.

I had to leave Vit a message on our cabin phone to let him know I wouldn’t be back on the ship until later. We were supposed to go to dinner with one of the other XOs and his wife. I told him I’d be back as soon as possible, but he’d have to go to dinner without me and that I was sorry. I was a little nervous about his reaction but had to put it in the back of my mind as promptly at 6 pm we headed out.

We met our guide at the gated entrance to Chinatown (Bush & Grant Streets). The high school tour of Chinatown was much better than Mr. Jergen’s version for the Middle School. We walked through Chinatown learning about Chinese culture and mysticism. I ate some of the best dim sum I had ever tasted from one of the oldest bakeries in the area. We strolled past the district's interesting sculptures and listened as our guide pointed out some remarkable architecture. Next, we headed for North Beach, where we learned about the history and culture of the historically Italian neighborhood. Our guide let us in on some of the little-known hidden gems that serve authentic Italian coffee and other treats. Then it was back to Chinatown to search out authentic Chinese crafts and other items. And this is where things got way too interesting for comfort.

We had just finished making one storekeeper extremely happy when a man and woman up the street created a diversion by starting a rather loud and physical “lover’s quarrel.” It was so out of place and the language so graphic that my instincts started screeching. It isn’t that I expected what came next, but it made me so uncomfortable that I was looking at a way to get the kids out of there quickly. And that looking around is what saved the day … or night depending on how you look at it.

Three men had come up fast and were in the process of trying to kidnap the two Chinese students, a brother and sister duo I didn’t know all that well beyond knowing they had an intimidating mother who was the stereotype of the tiger mom with high expectations for her kids to be overachievers. I must have yelled but I don’t remember doing it. All my visual focus was on intervening in the kidnapping. I do know that I had no mercy on two of the men, the third ran out of my reach.

My yell had alerted the other students and staff. The students themselves (all of them) have obviously been trained on how to prevent being kidnapped. Aiden, Al and some of the older students were every bit as ruthless in their actions as I was, though their primary goals seemed to be to protect their classmates who were under attack, and the teachers and guards who were taken down in an attack at the same time as the kidnapping was attempted. One of the reporters was also injured and two of the students with medical training helped him.

The kidnappers were newbs. They were trained in some kind of martial arts and I took my own licks but Krav Maga to the rescue. You see, I didn’t care whether they were permanently injured or maimed and it took them rather by surprise is my understanding. Who knows how long the confrontation and subsequent stand off would have continued if not for the cops being there almost immediately. I backed down but my nerves were still twanging like they were attached to fire alarms. I registered that envoy personnel were mixed in with the cops but just barely. That’s when the third guy that I had let go in favor of staying with the kids showed back up and tried to finish the job … by first taking me out.

I hadn’t realized at the time why there were so many envoy personnel. Apparently several had decided to make a party of it and go get Chinese food instead of eating on the ship. One of those personnel was Vit who had been in a nearby bar with a couple of fellow XOs … kind of as a surprise for me. When Vit saw my blood he was determined that the attacker was going to spill ten times as much. I know Vit is strong. I know he has military training. I know he is fast. I’ve just never seen him use all three at the same time. He’s blowing his stack and when the guy gets in a sucker punch that I was just barely able to block, but which still managed to sting quite a bit, Vit was on him fast and painfully. What scared me a little was that our envoy people – and the cops – left him to it. I’m not sure what would it have come to except Vit has an amazing amount of self-control and despite being volcanically furious, he didn’t do nearly as much to the guy as he could have; or wanted to.

It immediately became a federal issue – because of the envoy – and when the Feds showed up it got shut down and cleaned up frighteningly fast. I was a few hours giving statements and signing forms, but it was all happening back on the B. Polina said I growled when some of the reporters got too close to the kids.

I remember grabbing a voice recorder from one of them and shouting, “Do you want this back?! Do want to stay on the B?! Do you ever want to have access to any of the students?! Because I personally guarantee I will do everything in my power to thwart you from here on out if you do not back up and back away from these kids. They need to get to their parents and their parents need to reach them. How they feel and what they saw is none of your freaking business until an official statement has been made. Now BACK … UP so this door can be closed and some privacy can be given to the families!!” I then managed to slam the door in their faces and turn the locking wheel; no small feat from what I have been told considering it was a watertight door.

Barney, who was there to support Mr. Baird, said I looked like I might have been thinking of sticking my tongue out. I may have been, I don’t remember. I just know my temper – which I rarely unleash – was still looking for a target. What I do remember is the growl that issued forth from Vit’s mouth. He’d just spotted the bruise that was forming on the back of my arm where my lousy block had kept #3 from taking my head off.

From there things were a blur for a couple of hours. Medical exam. Statements. More statements. Questions and still statements to check my other statements. Then news that the men were members of some kind of Asian mafia that had been hired to take some retribution against the Chinese diplomats on board for bucking their instructions from certain members of their government and actually helping things to work rather than interfering in outcomes. And that would have been a stink except about two hours after the kidnapping was attempted, both the “branch office” and “headquarters” of this particular mafia unit was hit by people with lots of fire power and as far as can be determined, no one was left standing. There were some pretty big bosses that were caught in the crossfire back in China and whoever originally paid for the debacle, it is unlikely to be known for quite some time, if ever.

After that Vit determined that I had had enough and the heads of security on the ship determined that certain personnel didn’t need to know anymore than what they’d already heard. Most of us were packed off for one last medical exam and then were ordered back to our cabins. And no, I have no problem with that. There are things I don’t need to know to do my job. It might satisfy a certain curiosity on my part, but on the other hand I have no desire to play a plot in a spy novel. Vit was relieved to hear it. I’ll let that one slide as it is mostly his early life experience and concern for me that was driving him. He got burned badly and has no desire for me to experience anything like that.

He had an emergency XO meeting he had to attend and he asked me (nicely) to stay in the cabin. I had no desire to do anything but. He’s in the shower now and after that we are both climbing in bed. Polina called me while Vit was on his way back to warn me that he might be a little hot and bothered. It appears that in some respects things are changing but in others it is going to be business as usual. I get it. We can’t appear to be intimidated. I’ll see how that plays out tomorrow.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 25: January 24 – San Francisco, CA

Sigh. Eye-roll. Shrug. The language that is apparently common to all teenagers regardless of nationality and language. Good heavens there were parts of today that made me feel old not the least of which because I was stiff and sore. There was no hiding all the bruise on the back of my arm. The sleeve of my uniform t-shirt only covered part of it.

Fieldtrips for Middle School and Elementary School were cancelled but they had pool parties and games onboard. I kind of get where they are going with this “prove we were unaffected” but at the same time I wonder if it is the wisest course of action. The evals the counselors-on-board did seem to make it seem like it was a good idea. Personally, I don’t know.

The high school program students were allowed to go on their field trip as they are already looking at 5 sea Days in a row and it was thought to be better for them psychologically to continue their itinerary. In other words, the adults in charge did not want hyperactive, hormonally challenged teens on their hands getting bored. I don’t either but I wouldn’t have minded staying on board, or at least at first glance. I just wanted to stay in my cabin and wanted everyone to stop watching me. Most of the time it was just side-long glances but there have been a few full-on stares that make me want to crawl under or in the nearest hiding spot. But, that’s not my job. My job is when the kids go on shore I go on shore. At least this time there were a few armed adults around, including me. Vit personally vouched for me, as did Polina, when the issue came up in committee, however he struggled not to go all he-man protector. But maybe the gun, and him positive that I knew how (and would) use it was part of that.

I will say our armed guards looked slightly ridiculous following us around on Segways. The only thing that made them look a little less ridiculous is that the rest of us were on Segways as well

We had a combo tour and it lasted about seven hours. Interesting enough to keep the students’ attention and long enough to wear them out. We covered more ground on a Segway than we could would on a walking tour, a lot more ground. It also afforded us plenty of fresh air. Relatively fresh anyway, so long as we could avoid the regular appearance of human waste in our way, as if it was being done on purpose.

We met our experienced guide at Fisherman’s Wharf. There were safety instructions and a little practicing, and when everyone was comfortable, we took off with our guide who personalized the tour route based on our group’s overall skill level. First, we cruised down the waterfront, admiring views of Aquatic Park and the old ships and piers that make up San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. We got a different perspective of the bay and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge before we began climbing the slopes of Russian Hill, one of the city’s most beautiful residential neighborhoods.

We saw the Bay Bridge, Coit Tower, and stopped for photo ops of steep stairways and hidden lanes. During one of our breaks we watched the cable cars go by and listened to the history of the city and how invaluable the cable cars had once been. We also visited the top of Lombard Street, the famous crooked street that appears on so many San Francisco postcards. For some reason I wanted Vit to be there to see it with me and I had to blink away tears. Because everyone had been accident free and followed the rules, our guide gave us a special treat and we rode our Segways down the street’s many tight turns. I did not realize it but there was someone at the bottom of the hill taking videos. When I spotted him I nearly became a statistic. It was Vit and he was on a Segway as well causing me to giggle.

“Yes, yes,” he said with a grin. “I know. Do not show any pictures you take to your brothers.”

That made me snicker, but we were off. He pulled up near the Bairds and I realized Mr. Baird must have made the arrangements. We glided toward North Beach, also known as Little Italy, and took a look at Washington Square Park, a popular local gathering spot. We saw Saints Peter and Paul Church, and made our way to Pier 39 to see its many sea lions. Some of the students had not had a chance to see them yet so Vit acted as guard as I made sure everyone’s equipment was turned in, checked off the list, and got the tickets for our next activity.

For the Alcatraz portion of this tour we met our guide at Pier 33 to board the ferry to Alcatraz Island. When the kids started up with their larks, I was not the only adult that got them back in line. The ferry ride across San Francisco Bay was nice and we got a great a great photo op looking back towards the city. When we arrived on the island, we were turned loose to begin an independent tour of the former prison with a provided headset. I did not like that and neither did most of the other adults. It made keeping track of the kids and other security issues more difficult, but it was run by the national park service and they are the kind of organization where there is only one way to do something … their way.

Via the self-guided audio tour, the students learned about Alcatraz’ history, including the notorious inmates, the staff and some escape attempts. We had a lot of time to walk through the cellblock and around the grounds, trying to imagine prison life. Finally, all the students were full up of all things Alcatraz and we reboarded the next ferry. The ferries run every 30-40 minutes.

I was all set to go back to the ship with them but instead Vit held me back when the bus, with the students, was reloading. Then Security Chief Blakley came over and gave me the all clear as he’d gotten his orders already. I was the only one out of the loop. No one wanted to hurt my feelings – which I thought was a little strange but as the kids say whatever – but they wanted me out of the way until some of the chaos could be brought back under control. By chaos I mean that I found out there was a large number of national media personalities onboard and the staff and students that were in the incident the night before are being made unavailable to the reporters.

What the students did not know is that they were in for a lecture when they got back to the ship. What was the lecture on? The correct use of their social media accounts. I had been filmed and it was posted in an open social forum which quickly made it into the hands of the media. They were able to squash most of it because the kid taking the picture had been smart enough to at least fuzz out the faces of everyone involved but it definitely hadn’t helped calm things down and it was against the rules, fuzzed out faces or no.

Instead of going directly back to the ship we met two other couples, the people I would have gotten to meet last night, and had dinner at a sidewalk café just outside China town. It was a little cool but not too bad as we ate inside at a corner table that looked out onto the street while an unexpected rain came down, driving a lot of the lingering media back to their hotels early.

Vit was also elected to tell me that Dylan flipped out. As in he got on the horn and pulled every string he could and every favor he had. To say that my brat was furious didn’t even come close. He was so mad that he said he’d work pro bono to hunt down whoever was behind the attack. The powers that be and the head of Dylan’s company came to a compromise … if Dylan agreed to work with Vit finding out why the “fixes” kept getting broken on the security side of the B’s equipment then those funding the Envoy would and keep it on the down-low, then they would toss him some extracurricular work that would prove lucrative. They already knew who created the problem and they were on it so Dylan wasn’t to interfere. I hate that spy stuff.

“Dylan, I don’t want anyone in the family worried. Understand?”

“You think I want to add to what is going on around here?” he asked, finally done with his lecture and freak out on the fact that his baby sister had taken on a member of a transnational crime syndicate and it had been splashed all over the social media sphere, albeit with a fuzzed out face and a grainy video where I only appeared a couple of seconds. Dylan said if he recognized me, eventually someone else would. He was scrubbing all the copies where he found them.

Ignoring his earlier words I was caught on the idea that something was wrong. “And what exactly does that mean? Is something going on with Derrick that no one is telling me?”

I could hear the regret through his silence. “Dylan?”

“Relax Kiddo. Derrick, Christine, and the kids are okay … or as well as can be expected. It’s Barbie’s kid … the daughter. She got beat the crap up by a boyfriend they didn’t know she had. In turn some other stuff is coming out. Looks like a lot of the Petric off-spring will be homeschooled from here on out. And … they want to know when you are coming home because some of them must still believe in unicorns, pots of gold, and fairies ‘cause they think you’ll start the Petric school.”

“No.”

“Er … that was pretty definite.”

“Dylan, after all the crap they dished out when I tried to do that when Vit and I first came home there is no way I am going to go through that again. And I’m certainly not going to do it for free like they probably expect. First off Vit and I still have to find a place to live.”

“And here it comes,” he muttered.

“You want to continue this conversation, or would you like me to hang up? Because I will.”

“Er …”

“I’m trying my best to … just let it go. But there is no denying the facts. Vit and I must find a place to live and it isn’t going to be couch-surfing or sleeping in people’s guest room for as long as we are convenient to them. Vit and I are done with all the financial uncertainty we’ve been living with. And we are done having to postpone having a family of our own once again because the rest of our family seems to consider us some type of indentured servants just because I was a screwy kid for a while. I may owe all of you something, but it isn’t the last flaming drop of blood in my veins.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. Oh. I tried to warn everyone that some of the kids needed a little more insight and time than their stressed-out parents were giving them. I tried to talk to Barbie about her kid breaking and entering and wearing my flipping negligée for pity sake. But oh no, she acted like I was treating it like a crime against nature or something which wasn’t the case at all. I was concerned at the changes in the girl’s personality … changes that apparently started happening before Vit and I came home and that should have been addressed then. Barbie’s husband …” I stopped and tried to tread lightly. “Barbie’s husband is an okay guy, but he has his own issues and one of them is he doesn’t like confrontations, even mild ones, and won’t see what he doesn’t want to see. And Barbie, to maintain peace in their household, has picked up his bad habits. I love them both, but you know Momma and Poppa were always strict about appropriate communication. I had my own bad habits and I’m not ashamed to admit it, but I’ve outgrown them. I tried being as kind as I could, but Barbie intentionally tuned me out as soon as she learned I wasn’t the puppet wanting to be a real girl anymore.”

“Little harsh there.”

A little sadly I said, “No. Just honest. I hid from things a long time Dylan. I love all of you … and I do mean ALL of you, spouses and kids included … but you and Derrick and Angelia and Charlie and Devin taught me too well. I can’t go back to being the needy little girl anymore. And I have a husband and he wasn’t getting the respect that he’s earned. I’m not saying this just because he is good for me but because he is a good man and tried his best to be good for the family. Some of what went on was just mean and you know it.”

“Vit never made a fuss like you are.”

“Vit has some idealized definition of what our family is. Some of that is due to his own past and some of it is my fault. When the hits came, for a while he thought he deserved it because he wasn’t good enough for me. I never should have let some of that stuff pass and I’m certainly not going to let that go any longer. Got it?”

“Got it. And for the record? I get it more than you think. Devin … pretty much laid into a few of us. I didn’t know about all his work with the neighborhood watch group.”

“That’s not all of what I’m talking about.”

“Devin pointed that out too. Well we’re being paid back in spades. How the heck three people can be such pains in the backsides as those people that bought the house are not even I can figure.”

“You must be talking about the neighbors from hell, and sure you can. Square pegs forcing themselves into a round hole that is Pembroke Lane. And in the process, they want everyone to be square pegs just like them. Let me guess, the son is being a problem with some of the nieces and nephews.”

“He’s the craphead that introduced Barbie’s kid to the guy who beat on her.”

“Did he rape her?”

“Geez Kid. You’re blunt.”

“Realistic. I’ve seen a lot and you know Momma and Poppa never liked euphemisms.”

“True dat.” After a pause he said, “No, it wasn’t rape but it was close. But they are both minors so the cops can’t touch it. But that’s one of the things I mean is complicating things … those neighbors are now looking for every little thing to report all of us on because the boy in question is the son of one of their best friends.”

“Good fences make great neighbors. And that door they opened swings both ways.”

“That they do,” he agreed. “So, are we square? Can we move on? I don’t know if I can do my job for your bosses if we keep getting stuck in the past.”

I wanted to reach through the phone and slap him. Some of the things he has learned to do on-the-job are now part of his way of communicating with everyone and I haven’t liked it for a long time and drew a line in the sand even he could see. “Don’t pull your guilt crap with me Dylan. I said I’m dealing with things on my end. You deal with yours on your end. Life is made of compromises. They are also made of boundaries.”

I heard something that was hard to believe. Dylan sounded like he was wheezing then I realized he was trying not to snicker but it got away from him and he gave a loud laugh. “Yeah Kiddo they are. And I have feeling that Barbie and some of the others really need to rethink their positions or invest in flame retardant long johns. Baby dragon has now grown teeth and probably can shoot fire.”

“Of course. What do you think my cast iron stomach is for?”

That made him laugh again and then he said, “Missed you Kiddo.”

“You’ll get over that fast enough,” I told him with some sass. “Just … be careful Dylan. I mean it.”

“Don’t plan to do anything but,” he answered, sounding like he and Charlie had been spending a little too much time in each other’s company. “You just be careful. And stop getting into fights.”

“I’m doing my job Dylan. And … I’m good at it.”

I heard a little regret when he responded, “Yeah. Yeah you are. I wish you didn’t have to be. I’d prefer you to be safe here at home.”

I was silent for a moment then told him, “I think I’m right where I’m supposed to be doing what I’m supposed to do. It may not be anything close to what I expected my life was going to be … but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

He gave his own silent pause before saying, “Maybe. But if you have to, I’m going to do my best to make it so you don’t have to work quite that hard anymore.”

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 26: January 25 thru 29– at sea (5 Days)

All things considered all these sea days have been, for the most part, a quiet reprieve. But I admit that I am glad I do not have to be a teacher 24/7 as I was with Frankie. I look back and wonder how I managed it. I also look back and see the personal mistakes I made back then. And I feel like I’ve aged a century since then as well. Okay, maybe not a century, but my time on the Sun certainly helped me to grow up and the time since then has only reinforced those lessons. And I am so glad I gave into temptation and Vit and I got to know one another, fall in love, and are living out our version of happily ever after.

How corny that sounds, but I am grateful beyond words for having Vit in my life … then and now. Last night I told him, “I feel like an old married lady.”

He looked up from the desk where he was going over some nightly reports and replied, “Is that what your brothers would call a ‘man trap’?”

The concerned look on his face caused me to want to giggle but instead I got up and went over and gave him a hug and kiss. “No. And for your information I like the feeling. It just hits me every once in a while how lousy my life would be without you and how happy I am in our marriage.”

He pushed his chair back and pulled me into his lap, a position we both enjoyed due to its benefits. “Is something on your mind?”

“Nothing particularly. I just wonder sometimes if I let you know adequately how much I love you and what you mean to me.”

“A man would be a fool not to appreciate the ways you let me know that on a daily basis.”

I could tell Vit was not so stressed out because his syntax had once again improved, and I hoped I wasn’t stressing him out in my neediness. I kissed him again and said, “I love you. And I didn’t mean to interrupt your work.”

“This kind of interruption is good. Now tell me what is bothering you.”

“Nothing really.” When he gave me a knowing looked I added, “I don’t know, I just have the heebies a bit.”

“Is the continued attention bothering you.”

I gave it a thought and said, “Maybe. Even Polina is treating me differently. I’m pretty sure I don’t like it.”

“They have been forced to reevaluate you. While they see on paper what you are capable of, have even witnessed it during orientation, they now see that it is coupled with initiative and dedication.”

“Er …”

“What I mean is they do not have to motivate you, you are quite capable and willing to be self-motivated. And the fact you have no desire for any type of notoriety or extra privileges speaks volumes to people who exist in a world where that is not the norm. It is quite a package in one your age.”

“I am no longer the child you first met Vit, I’m over a quarter of a century old.”

He snorted. “You were not a child then thank god. Naïve, yes but that is no crime. And as Charlie would say, life has taken care of the rest.” He looked sad for a moment before hiding it. “I wonder if I’ve done you a disservice by dragging you from … er … pillar to post.”

“You didn’t drag me. I followed willingly. I’ll do whatever it takes to not be separated from you.”

“Kokhana …”

“I mean it Vit. Forget about sending me back to Pembroke. And don’t bother denying it, I can see it on your face. I won’t go even if you try and send me. My home is where you are, it isn’t really in Pembroke any longer.”

He frowned. “More fighting?”

“No,” I assured him. “I’m speaking to them … or at least the ones that have made an effort to speak to me. It won’t ever quite go back to the way it was but that’s more on my end than on theirs. However, I’m putting more effort into not turning ‘growing up’ into ‘growing apart’ any more than it naturally does.”

I felt him relax. “That is good. But what are the heebies from?”

I sighed. “I’m not sure but maybe some of it is excitement about tomorrow but at the same time being worried that …”

“That more such incidences as what happened in San Francisco will occur?”

Embarrassed I said, “Said out loud like that I sound like a wuss.”

“Nii. You sound like someone who is trying to use commonsense.” He sighed and I could see how tired he was getting. “I trust you Kokhana. I know you are capable. But it still bothers me that I cannot be there.”

Another kiss and I said, “I miss you too. And you are there when I need you to be, even if it is just in my head. You help me have a secure calmness I didn’t have before you came along. I pretended pretty well but, I was still very insecure. My family did a lot for me, maybe too much at some points. But it wasn’t until you came along and started to believe in me that I started to really believe in myself.”

“I made some errors,” he said, obviously thinking of some of the discord early on.

“We. We made some errors. But we grew passed them. And … I don’t know … maybe it needed to happen so we could come to a better understanding of each other. But that’s in the past. Please don’t go back there and worry at it.”

“Niiii Kokhana. It is not your capability I doubt. Never think it. I worry at the capabilities of those with you and some of those on this ship. There are a few … they do not belong here.”

“Uh oh,” I said, having questioned the same thing on a few occasions.

He picked up the reports he was going over. “I must report on them. They are … weak. I’m not even sure how they made it through the selection process after some of the things I’ve seen. I wish to ask Dylan to investigate but I am not sure he will be given access. But I need more than my irritation if I am going to recommend these particular staff members be moved off of the ship. It takes a great deal of time and effort to get replacements. And I am not the only Chief that is finding … gaps … in staff knowledge and experience. Or in behavior.”

Hesitantly I asked, “Could it be an issue that many of you are military or former military? And the ones in question are perhaps strictly civilian personnel?”

“I have given it some thought and discussed that issue with others yes, and that may be part of it as you made a good guess in one of the major differences. Unfortunately for them, being a civilian cannot be used as an excuse not to fit in, not to have military-like discipline, not to perform adequately. I am concerned they were political appointees or diversity appointees rather than strictly chosen for their skill level.”

“Oh dear. And you are concerned asking for them to be replaced will either net the same kind of person or make an enemy that will only make your job more difficult. And that both will waste your time and make your job more difficult rather than less.”

“In some cases yes. That’s why I want Dylan to see if he can find anything in the selection process, or the person’s past, that can be used as a rationale … or even as a stick to get them to perform better. But I don’t want to wait much longer because we are nearly a month into the mission and attrition is already an issue regardless of the contracts that were signed. And training someone will take resources and time away from what we already have to do.”

It was a conundrum and remains one. It makes me glad I am not on the management side of things. As it is, the additional “confidence” I am receiving from certain areas is making my life more interesting than I want it to be.

For instance, now when people come by Barney’s office they don’t automatically have to see her. I don’t mind that so much as I am a little disgusted by how some of them are trying to “cultivate” me. What their purpose might be I don’t really want to know. I want to be left alone to do my jobs, take care of my responsibilities. One day in particular I became irritated enough that I let it show and when the man walked out of the office I literally thumbed my nose as the closed door. However I hadn’t reckoned with Henry coming in from his and Barney’s cabin and catching the face I was making.

I had all but been sticking my tongue out. As it was, it was enough that Henry nearly fell over laughing before catching his breath and saying, “Well that answers that question.”

Embarrassed enough I felt like taking a dive over the railing I asked, “What question?”

“We’ve been wondering if any of it was turning your head, or whether we’d need to explain things.”

“Hmph. They better hope they don’t make me so mad my head starts turning in 360-degree rotations. How can people stand themselves?!”

Still smiling he said, “Eh, for some it is a way of life and for others it is a matter of underestimating you. It’s those you need to watch out for most. Now have a cuppa and forget about them. Mr. Baird needs those translations before lunch because he needs to comb through them before his afternoon meetings.”

A “cuppa” is Henry’s panacea. I must admit it works most of the time, even if only because it forces a person to slow down and calm down or risk burning the hair off their tongue. I think I’ll fix me a cuppa right now, but of the herbal variety. Tomorrow we dock for two Days in Oahu. Hawaii has been on my personal bucket list forever but I’m praying there is no repeat of San Fran in the future. My family and Vit aren’t the only ones who don’t like me being put in the position of having to fight … I’m not real fond of it myself. Nor of the bruises that are left behind and take so blasted long to heal.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 27: January 30 – Honolulu, Oahu, HI

All things said and done, today was good. The kids were excited but also kept it in check. My understanding is they were getting daily reminders about the fact their social media is under observation … and some that thought they were slick enough to hide it found out the hard way they were wrong. The threat now hangs in the air that if one more student from either the Middle School or High School program breaks the rules, everyone will suffer the consequences and that means losing internet access for the duration. Their parents – most of them diplomats – would suffer along with them and from what I heard, that threat alone has already reaped some pretty draconian results. The students now only have access to off-ship communication for one hour per Day and some have been forced by their parents to turn their social media accounts off … or allow their parents or staff to be the one to post on their behalf. The horror of that happening spread and now all the students have threatened to leave any of the peers on a deserted island with only Algebra textbooks and old Barney the Dinosaur videos for company who so much as thinks of breaking the social media rules from here on out. In the words of Chief Ivanov … “Whatever it takes.” Bwahahahaha.

I shouldn’t be so gleeful but I’m still more than a little irritated after finding out how many times my likeness made it around the world, and some of the memes that they created from it. I did not choose the uniform or the position I hold. But enough of that, Dylan says he is scrubbing that too … but for every one or two he scrubs one or two are duplicated on a different server. It may never go away completely.

Hawaii is stunning. We pulled in, docked, and disembarked at 8 o’clock in the morning. Some of the kids tried to act teenager-ish about all the early mornings but they couldn’t keep it up for long. There is just something about a South Pacific island that scrubs the mullygrubs away.

Today was a true island tour. It feels like we’ve covered the entire coast as well as much of the inland areas here on Oahu. Our first stop was the USS Arizona Memorial and Pearl Harbor museums, built to honor those who sacrificed their lives so future generations of the world would have the freedom today. Pearl Harbor was the site of an event that changed not only the US, but the entire world. On December 7th, 1941 is the Day the Japanese military launched a surprise attack on the island of Oahu. The shocking attack left 2,403 dead and over 1,000 wounded. I know that is less that the 9/11 attacks, last year’s border riots, and the terrorist attack a couple of years ago in DC, but the Japanese onslaught also forced America out of its politics of isolation and into WW2 as an active participant, eventually shifting the tide of history in favor of The Allies.

The Arizona Memorial is quite frankly so emotion-inducing that those of us who knew the history were brought to tears. There’s not a single soldier from WW2 alive today … but their memories are, and the war still is. So many borders that were created back then play a real role in the politics of today. As a bonus we also saw the battleship Missouri. The ship was a maze of documents and dioramas, thrilling and overwhelming even those of us who are history buffs. The two hours we had there was too short for me, but the students were all overwhelmed and on information overload before we left. We did wind up being forced to separate a couple of students when it seems there was some ethnic and religious arguments. I was thankful that the US students stayed out of it as that really could have been a mess. And maybe I’m wearing my aluminum chapeau too tight, but the near brawl seemed … contrived. Like some of the students were being egged on but the purpose and result just seemed counterproductive. It looks like some of the kids might be more politically savvy than they seem. To what purpose is the question.

Our next stop was the Dole Plantation in Wahiawa. Currently what Poppa would call a tourist trap, the Plantation was once a working operation that was started in early 1900's. Our main purpose there was to learn about the commercial agriculture of Hawaii, but the pineapple whips we got before we left weren’t bad either. I’ve had strawberry whips at the Plant City Strawberry Festival, Orange whips at the Florida state fair, and even a lemon whip at from a food vendor on campus, but the pineapple whip was oo-la-la and I would have given anything to be able to take some back to Vit. I did get some pineapple taffy and a few pieces of pineapple candy to take back to him while I waited for four of the girls to get out of the bathroom. I caught a glimpse of some covered lunches being put in the back of the bus and then had to suffer the delicious aroma of the plate lunches almost made me nauseous hungry.

On the way to our picnic lunch we passed the Haleiwa Town Center, Haleiwa Beach Park, and Waimea Valley (site of an old Historical Hawaiian Village), then finally stopped at Sunset Beach Park in Haleiwa, known for its colorful sunset and surfing contests. I was so sad that Vit wasn’t with me that I lost my appetite. I didn’t mean to seem unappreciative or pick at my food and I certainly didn’t mean to get noticed.

“Missus Dymtrus? Are you okay?”

She was looking at me with such understanding that I couldn’t lie. “Thank you for asking Pei Shin. I guess I … miss my husband. I am used to sharing everything with him. This … is challenging for me to get used to.”

She nodded. “My sister misses her husband when he is not there. But you see him at night. I hope if I marry it will be to a man I like to be with all the time too.”

I wasn’t quite sure how to respond to such an unusual statement. Then she added, “My father doesn’t like when I say that. He thinks that I am too young to date.”

“My Poppa was the same way. Back then I didn’t share his opinion even though I also wasn’t interested in dating. Now I’m glad I waited until I was older to … to experience the challenges that come from getting to know someone that personally.” (I nearly said intimately but didn’t think it was a word I should bandy about.) “Boys are challenging enough without all of the extra that goes with dating and beyond.”

I picked up my chopsticks and started eating and she smiled and then praised me for knowing how to use the chopsticks properly. That turned into a conversation about the history of utensils. How the knife is likely the oldest type of eating utensil, the spoon probably a close second. While knives and spoons have in use for millennia, the fork has only been in use as an eating utensil for about a thousand years. The first recorded use of a fork was in 1004 AD during the Byzantine era, but it took a few hundred more years before it really caught on during the Renaissance. Chopsticks came in use about 5000 years ago in Asia, most think China. Sure enough however there are so many chopsticks used daily in Asia that they have had a significant impact on China’s environment and on their wood industry. Don’t laugh, it’s true. They use over 70 billion chopsticks a year. Many are throwaway items like the old plastic utensils that were once commonplace in the US. Now most everyone carries around their personal spork or follows the recycling laws with their fast food refuse.

After lunch – which some of the students (and associated adults) felt was too short – we returned to the bus and passed by the Laie Hawaii Temple before stopping at the Polynesian Cultural Center, to visit the 7 villages and canoe pageant show. It is a living museum with everyone in authentic costume. The “islands” that is part of the circle tour are: Samoa, Aotearoa, Fiji, Hawaii, Tahiti, and Tonga. Each “island” cultural presentations, arts and crafts on display. My two favorites was the show in Tonga that got the audience participating … dancing and drum playing and the results were hilarious; and, Samoa with their prowess at climbing coconut trees and displaying all the ways that they used the coconut. Having climbed (and fallen from) a few palm trees in my time – much to some of my siblings’ horror – I can attest to how skillful the young men were. I think the last time I fell Poppa threatened to dump Devin on his head if he encouraged me to do it again. And I didn’t … at least not that they found out about. (Naughty Veta)

As we waited for a few girls to get out of the bathroom (again) I picked up some clips for my hair. They looked like the live flowers that many Hawaiian women wore in their hair or as a lei about their necks only they were some kind of foam rather than fabric. They weren’t expensive and I bought several before my sense could catch up with me. I mean they were on sale – if you bought three you got two free – but that is no excuse. Lucky for me Vit seemed enthralled with them and said he wished I had a bikini to change into so we could use our imaginations. Hmmm. Sounded to me like someone was already using his imagination, but that was later.

We spent nearly three hours at the cultural center before getting back on the road. During our travels today we saw many other things: Statue of Duke Kahanamoku, Kapiolani Park, Waikiki Aquarium, we made a short stop at the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium, another short photo stop at Kaimana Beach and Diamond Head Beach Park, the Diamond Head Crater, Kahala Beach, the King Kamehameha Statue, the Ala Moana Beach Park. And then as a surprise I had only just found out about, we ended the Day’s tour at Ala Moana Center which is the biggest Outdoor Shopping Mall in the USA. As our guide said, if you don't find what you're looking for here, it probably doesn't exist.

The other surprise is that the students were turned over to their parents for some family time. The kids seemed to be both surprised and happy about that. I know Edda, Al, and Aiden acted like drunk monkeys for a few minutes after seeing Mr. Baird there. And he seemed rather happy about it as well. And that’s when the next part came about.

“Veta, poor Sofia hasn’t had a break since we got on the ship. Could you take Ellie for a while so she can have a bit of time off?”

What was I supposed to say without sounding churlish? Ellie was not thrilled. At all. But I’d dealt with cranky kids before and soon had her distracted. Sofia was so relieved she nearly ran off but then calmed down and, rather professionally, made arrangements for us to meet back up in front of one of the many ABC tourist stores. Those ABC stores were … interesting. It was also interesting to see who was shopping there.

“Boo,” I said quietly.

Vit turned quickly and it did my heart and mood good to see him light up. “Kokhana,” he whispered quietly with a smile. Then I got a look at the store basket he had in his hand and couldn’t help but laugh.

“Vit!” And when I laughed Ellie laughed and Vit blinked in surprise.

“This is the child.”

“Ellie. And yes. Sofia hasn’t had a Day off since embarkation and Mr. Baird … well, it is part of my job description.”

“You … do not mind?”

“No. Not really. She’s no worse or better than that pack of hoodlums back in Pembroke.”

He nodded and then just went with the flow which I was grateful for. “Thank you,” I said.

“Why?”

I bounced Ellie causing her to giggle and letting Vit know what I was talking about.

What surprised me is when he nodded and said, “Practice. She is not afraid of me?”

“Nope but she’s teething so I wouldn’t put anything vital near her mouth.” She picked that moment to try and go after my collar bone and I quickly shoved her stuffie in the way and she relaxed and started chewing on it instead.

Curious I looked in the basket again and told him, “I picked up some of that pineapple candy at the Dole Plantation today.”

He returned the package he had picked up back to the shelf. But everything else was new. Chocolate macadamias, dried mango, Hawaiian coffee, dried banana chips, Hawaiian seasonings, chocolate covered pineapple, dried pineapple, and some Hawaiian flavored teas – guava ginseng, hibiscus honey lemon, mango maui, passionfruit, and pineapple. And that was just what could qualify as food.

I needed something casual that I could wear in the cabin when I was off duty, something besides my yoga pants which were already losing their elasticity in places and I was worried they wouldn’t last the tour if I continued to wear them as often as I did. I got two sundresses that looked (and are) comfortable and they’ll also continue to be useful once we get back stateside which I am told should be sometime in July. I thanked Vit and tried to get him to get a Hawaiian shirt but I think the idea pretty well horrified him though he tried to be a good sport. I’ll have to find him something for lounging in another time.

I put in a bar of plumeria scented glycerin soap and then Vit reached over and put in a few more.

“Vit …”

“Veta, I will do this. If it does not get used up on the ship, we shall have it for home.” He reached over me and put another bar in, this one pineapple scented.

“Vit! We’re … we’re supposed to be … you know … saving.” I was treading on dangerous ground. Vit’s love language was still gifts … giving, not receiving … and he gained pleasure from doing such things. But we had said we were going to try and save for our own home.

He bent and kissed me – a rare display of PDA from him. “You are a good wife my Kokhana. You watch our pennies.”

“That’s not pennies in that basket.”

He looked and nodded. “You are correct. But neither of us have spent much since the buying spree before embarkation. And our bills are much less than I expected. Our investments are going well. And …”

“And?”

“I know both of us. It will be used frugally. There is nothing wrong with having some luxuries so long as they are not wasted.”

I sighed. “I don’t mean to sound like Scrooge.”

It took him a moment to place the reference then he shook his head. “You are not Scrooge; you are a good wife. And your worry is not misplaced … but sometimes it should be placed aside. This is one such Day. Hmm?”

I could have continued to make an issue of it but decided to listen to him and let him be the head of the house. We were partners but sometimes there could only be one chef in life’s kitchen and tonight I let Vit be that instead of fussing. He does have a point. Not having to pay for the money pit Pembroke House had become, not having to pay rent or other associated living expenses certainly meant our bank account was returning to health. I suppose if we don’t do this too often it isn’t a bad thing.

He put some gardenia, jasmine, and plumeria perfume in the basket … more for his pleasure than mine if truth be told. I love flowers but Vit enjoys me wearing light floral scents because his sense of smell is pretty acute. He truly dislikes some of the loud or heavy perfumes that are in fashion right now.

Because the cabin didn’t have any, he grabbed a set of bamboo coasters that wouldn’t slide as well as a corkscrew and bottle opener because he dislikes having to wait for the room steward to uncork anything. We both would have liked some candles to make things homier … and to dissipate the occasional mustiness of the cabin … but that is something we couldn’t use as flames and most appliances were on the forbidden list due to fire safety. He surprised me by buying a set of plumeria slips so that I could start my own plumeria plants once we had a place of our own. I had a greenhouse full of plants at Pembroke House and it nearly broke my heart having to find them all new homes when it became obvious I wouldn’t be able to keep them. I think that was one of the few times that Vit came close to showing his anger about the sale of the house. From that point forward I chose to keep my own emotions under control so that Vit wouldn’t feed off them. Not his fault, he is simply protective and had just as much right to be angry as I did, maybe more so. But I’m not going there anymore than I can help. We’ve moved on, and now we are moving forward.

There were some more little things he put in like folding bamboo fans, a deck of playing cards (which made me wonder if he was again playing poker), and strangest of all for him was an Hawaiian themed Christmas ornament. He wouldn’t really meet my eyes when I noticed it but I wasn’t going to twit him on it. The first year of our marriage was a little awkward for him but he didn’t object to any of it. Last year he was fascinated but still reserved. However, we were living with Angie at the time. He certainly helped with the cookie tasting. Maybe by next Christmas we’ll have a place of our own.

Ellie was asleep on my shoulder while Vit checked out. I thought we had a lot of stuff but there were many other people – mostly tourists – in the store buying as much if not more. We looked around the mall some but to be honest if you’ve seen one mall you’ve seen them all. Some of the stores warranted a closer look but we didn’t buy anything. That couldn’t be said for most other people we saw that we knew were from the ship. I saw Sofia as she walked up and I gratefully handed Ellie back over as she’d been a dead weight. While Sofia may have been anxious for a break she was equally as anxious to take Ellie back. The smart aleck in me wanted to say I only dropped her twice after catching her going over the baby for any dings, bumps, or bruises but I didn’t. Sofia has grown up and seems to be very serious about her responsibility. And oddly preoccupied giving the other three kids a once-over as well after they showed up. She then tended to Mr. Baird as well who seemed more amused than anything else at her Mary Poppin-esque behavior.

The Bairds left without even offering us a ride which I thought was rude until I made myself remember that he was my employer not my friend. I still asked Vit, “Is that … normal? Or …”

“Yes, it is normal for Baird. What you saw on the O’Meg was … not. I believe I am more comfortable with this man than I was with the other. The other I was too expected to follow him into what Angelia calls shenanigans. The poker tournament as an example.”

“Well I could have done without that worry, but you came out a winner. However, now we need to figure out how to get back to the ship ourselves.”

“The same way I got here. The scooter rentals.”

And though I felt a little silly riding one back to the ship, like I was perhaps too old for such a thing, it was the fastest and least expensive method. Vit took one bag and I took the other and away we went.

I didn’t even get the first bag put away before Vit wanted to “show me some appreciation.” He’s snoring and I need to get to bed myself. We’re overnighting in Honolulu and I have to be up early for a photo excursion that starts at 5:30 in the morning. Vit grumbled a bit as it would mean we wouldn’t get breakfast together, but a job is a job and I agreed to this one. Besides it is only a small group … the science club once again and Mr. Parnell. Looking at the clock I need to stop typing and get to bed pronto. The alarm clock is going to go off before you know it.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 28: January 31 – Honolulu, Oahu, HI

Waking up wasn’t a problem this morning, it was the getting-out-of-bed-to-start-the-day part that was challenging. Then it was the getting-out-of-the-shared-shower that became the sticking point.

“Vit,” I said still laughing. “What is with you this morning?”

“I wish for you to remember me during your day,” he said with another kiss.

Done playing nice I kissed him deeply and passionately and then stepped back and said, “I wish for you to remember me during your day as well.” He groaned but laughed and we both finally got down to the business of getting our uniform-of-the-day on and getting where we were supposed to be going, albeit a little preoccupied. When I got to the ramp after going through security, I found Mr. Parnell investing his own attention to a sign at the bottom of the gangway that said where the nearest coffee shop was. I followed him and got a large, black tea while he got his coffee.

“Veta,” he said with a smile. “I see both of us are in need of … fortitude today.”

I laughed and asked, “How many students?”

“Just the science club regulars plus a few that have their own photo equipment. The others are with … ugh, I didn’t grab the rest of my schedules but yes, the other students are on a different trek. You are certain you do not mind being our security? You have the authority to act solo while we would have to take at least two more people if you opt to …”

I interrupted him and said, “Small groups are good.”

He smiled in relief and we finally got underway which was excellent as our 5:30 am ride chose that moment to pull in. First, we went to the Kaiwi Shoreline Trail. From Waikiki we took Kalakaua Avenue to Diamond Head Road. Then we followed the signs for H1 freeway going east. The H1 quickly turned into Kalanianaole Highway. We drove passed Hawaii Kai, Hanauma Bay, Sandy Beach and Hawaii Kai Golf Course. About a mile beyond the golf course, we turned right onto Makapu’u Lighthouse Road, entering an open gate marked by a sign that reads “Ka Iwi Scenic Shoreline.” I was surprised there were already several cars parked along the road but was told it is a popular sunrise destination. The trail itself is only 2.5 miles roundtrip but starting it in the dark was a bit of a challenge. As we walked our guide pointed out volcanic features and wildlife as we made our way to the sunrise point. It was a great vantage point for the Halona Blow and the sun lighting up the morning sky. We managed to make Sandy Beach Park to enjoy the sunrise as it came over the Pacific Ocean.

It wasn’t just geography and geology we were learning about from our guide but about the in-season flowers and fruits. Some of the flowers were red and white ginger flowers, heliconia, bromeliads, orchids bloom year-round, bridal bouquet plumeria, lobster claw, shrub hibiscus, and African tulip. The fruits included limes, rambutan, strawberries, carambolas, avocados, bananas, oranges, papayas, pineapples, and tangerines. It was a feast for all the senses.

We stopped at a few more of the turn outs at Makapu'u Point, the best vantage-point to the East side of Oahu, and took in some spectacular panoramic views and rainbows. We took another hike, this one 4 miles round trip, and really had to push to keep up with our guide who though teenagers and their chaperones should be in great shape. It was a great short uphill trail along sea cliffs to an observation deck and lighthouse with fantastic views. Whole way was paved, which was nice, but there is no shade which meant it was very warm, even early in the morning. Our guide provided bottled water for which I was most grateful. We were blessed with multiple whale sightings and it was even dry enough that we could climb down a path and get right next to the lighthouse.

After that we stopped at Waimanalo Beach to walk the longest white sand beach on Oahu. I was amazed how deserted the beach was but the guide laughed and said most people sleep the morning away so they can party through the night. We took some nice “footprints in the sand” type pictures with the early morning light as reflection and the background.

And then it was a stop at Waimanalo Country Farms to enjoy views of the Ko'olau Mountian range for about twenty minutes before heading to Kalapawai Historic Market to sit down with locals and enjoy a spot of coffee and the best breakfast burrito on the island at this 85-year-old market. And the guide wasn’t exaggerating about the food. Yum, yum. We were there 45 minutes and we then had to hustle and get back on the road. Lucky for us we had a small group and all the kids got along together.

We next stopped at Nu’uanu Pali to take in the spectacular views at this historic location and we all managed some good shots. Some I would say were even great despite only stopping twenty minutes. That was quickly followed by Tantalus Lookout Puu Ualakaa State Park where we ended the morning with the best views of Honolulu. The 360-view of Oahu was a great place to use the panoramic feature on my phone camera.

We switched guides at that point and kept going. First came the Byodo-In Temple in Kaneohe. It was built to commemorate the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. Then came Kualoa Regional Park where we checked out Chinaman’s Hat, a locally famous geographic feature that appears in many postcards and selfies. This island has been used in countless films. We passed by Kahana Bay Beach Park and took a drive up the coast looking for sleeping monk seals on the beach. We spotted one and made sure to get some photos of this rare marine mammal.

Laie Point State Wayside Park was a great location to see how powerful the ocean can be. We watched the waves crash upon the sea cliffs while our guide told us of the destruction of the 1946 Tsunami that hit Hawaii. It was on to Kahuku Farms to grab a locally grown snack. Pineapples, Mango, Coconut and Banana Lupia were must tries at this side road stop on the North Shore. The boys got a little silly at Kawela Bay – a “secret” bay with the largest Banyan tree on Oahu – as they played Tarzan on the vines of the magnificent tree. Then came the Banzai Pipeline, where we watched the most dangerous waves in the world and got some great action photographs of the surfers risking their lives trying to tame this beast.

From one water “beast” to the next one. Sharks Cove, which our guide assured us has many different faces depending on the time of year. And we managed to get more than one of the “faces” on film; massive waves crashing on its cliffs to seeing clear into the water and thinking you could touch the reef below. At another beach – this one Laniakea Beach – we saw sea turtles!!! And our last stop of the Day was another pit stop at the Dole Plantation for another famous Dole Whip. The guide was a man after my own heart and he asked the students trivia questions about the Day, and if the student answered correctly, they got their Dole Whip for free. They all answered correctly and the guide said he reached a bench mark as it was the first time everyone had known all the answers. He seemed quite pleased.

I missed the same kind of stunts that Vit and I would pull with Frankie and Nicholas. There was no time to be sad however as it was a rush in traffic to get back to the ship on time and make it through security with our camera equipment. The other high schoolers had a beach party type Day but our group didn’t seem to regret missing it. I heard through the grapevine that a couple of the students had to visit the infirmary after getting too much sun. I hope they rest up and can deal with it because tomorrow is Maui. But I’m gladder than ever that I insisted everyone reapply sunscreen often today. Even with that Vit said I’m fairly pink. I should have left my hat on but it kept getting in the way of taking pictures. A lesson I shouldn’t have had to relearn after all my previous experience.

I’ll just lay here a while until Vit finishes ….

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 29: February 1 – Maui, HI (Part 1)

I fell asleep last night as I was writing. I barely woke up when Vit came to bed. This morning he let me sleep far too long, something that I do not normally do.

“Vit! I’m late!!”

“You dress very quickly and it is better that you get some extra sleep. You had too much sun yesterday. But if you are still very tired, I will speak with Derrick. You may need some iron.”

That drew me up short and then I turned and gave him a kiss despite the toothpaste still around my mouth. “Thank you. I didn’t even realize I must be acting off.”

“Nii. Not to others but I have come to know the signs. Are you well otherwise?”

Hopping around trying to get dressed, do my hair, and find my Day pack – all at the same time – I told him, “I’m fine Vit. It may just be one of those months. Not something we need. Please don’t let me start crying or whatever it turns out to be this time.” My voice slowly changed into a self-lecture and then I nearly cursed at not getting everything laid out last night as I normally did just in case something like this occurred. “Gah! I don’t even have time to grab a tea!”

Chuckling a little as he finally insisted on me sitting while he did my shoes while I finished my hair. “Room service is a wonderful thing. Your pack has a fruit and yogurt in it. I also had them bring a roll with some meat and cheese in case the yogurt is insufficient. There is a tea for you on the desk.”

When we were both finished dressing me and I no longer bore a strong resemblance to Medusa, I threw my arms around Vit and said, “Remind me to ravish you later my stubborn Cossack.”

He grinned and said, “Oh I will. So it is a promise. Yes?”

“It is most definitely a promise yes,” I said teasing then snagging both the tea and my day pack before I hauled my still exhausted self to catch up with the class fieldtrip. I got very lucky and was able to join the students as they started the security procedure which gave me time to finish my tea and take a look at today’s itinerary. Holy smokes! I wound up glad that Vit had let me sleep in even if it had made me have to dash around like a mad woman at first.

It seemed like some of the high schoolers were determined to turn this into another play day rather than the educational field trip it was supposed to be. Getting them on the bus, quiet, and ready to listen to the guide was like herding lemmings. When one went to go jump off the cliff several others tried to follow suit. It was like being on the brink of a “situation” all day long. Ugh.

At least our first stop worked some of the excess energy out of a few of them. We stopped at Kapalua Coastal Trail in Lahaina to explore beaches, lava rock zones and tide-pools. We were there an hour and a half and from there it was an easy stroll to pass an ancient burial site to the legendary Dragons Teeth and labyrinth off the seashore. It sounds wilder than it was as all three sites were surrounded by expensive resorts. It was still very cool as my sibs used to say, but it was also difficult to ignore the pricey surroundings and focus solely what we were there to see.

Next we stopped at Kapalua Plantation Course where some of the kids showed they were huge golfing aficionados. The gorgeous and legendary golf course is where many Championships have taken place, or so I was informed like I had to be half-baked to have never heard of the course, the competitions, or very many of the apparently famous competitors. Well excuse me. Golfing has never been my game though Derrick and a couple of the others played on occasion. My understanding it is more of a networking tool than anything else. And since I’ve never been all that interested in networking … but each to their own.

From there we headed into an area of more mainstream hotels and resorts to stop at the famous Nakalele Blowhole. I love the Hawaiian language that I am learning. The words are so fun. Nakalele is pronounced Knock-a-lay-lay and it just rolls off your tongue. A lot of the words make me smile if not outright laugh.

We drove around West Maui Mountains loop and hiked down to the blowhole, where the eruptions are active 90% of the time and can often reach heights of 100 ft! And it was most definitely active when we got there. Some of the tourists explained that it was because of the tide. Our guide was feeling adventurous and led us on a hike through lava rock zones that look like another planet. There was also time to view the blowhole from above vs hiking down to it. I made sure that our guide didn’t get too adventurous and lead us beyond the safety signs because there are stories of people getting too close to the blowhole and getting sucked in and out to sea and drowned before rescue can occur.

The kids being kids were starved after all of the hiking and walking and as there were tasty Hawaiian snacks for sale, some of our group spent their free time to do that until I had to round some of them up and tell them to get back on the bus so we could get going.

The Olivine Pools were next on the itinerary. We hiked down a crumbly trail – there was one turned ankle as a result – and swam in the most amazing tide-pools – and I even took a bet from one of the other teachers and dove into the largest one. Hey, I’m a Florida girl and have done plenty of my share of diving into open water … just usually from a boat rather than lava boulders.

The woman was a little snippy afterwards and asked me what I was laughing at and I showed her that Vit had packed an extra towel. “My husband knows me quite well it seems. If there was water in the itinerary I will rarely hesitate to participate.”

I lost my smile when she said, “We have some students from alternative social customs as you are aware. What their parents are going to think … and we’ll all get a bad reputation because of you.”

“What they should have had explained is that if I was uncomfortable participating in any of the high adventure activities then none of the students would have been participating in them either. And neither will the adult chaperones.”

Several of the students caught our conversation and it was Aiden who said, “Yeah, Da said that you’d give it a try and set the rules. And if you wouldn’t, we couldn’t … meaning Al and Etta. Thanks for being willing Miss Veta … er … Mrs. Dymtrus. Da said you fought off a shark for one of your students.”

I blanched and shook my head but wasn’t able to get out of telling the story, but I kept it sober and succinct and told them it was not as dangerous as it sounded and at the time I was much less pleased about who started the mischief. “Now enough. If you don’t get back in the water you’ll have wasted all your time.”

I’m going to have to speak to Barney and ask her to try and head off any more of the tall tales that seem to be building for no good reason. I’m doing my job, not looking for notoriety.

From the Pools we headed straight to Iao Valley. Yes, the one that appears on the post cards … of which I managed to acquire several today. I am trying not to have duplicates but I love postcards. At the old house Vit turned an old microfiche filing cabinet – that looked similar to an old library card drawer cabinet – into something I could store all of my postcard collection in. It is even on caster wheels. I’m glad we kept it despite having to sell so much when the house was sold. Sometimes I wonder if we’ll ever have a permanent place of our own at this rate. But back to transcribing my day’s notes into this journal.

We bathed in the Iao Stream, otherwise known as the largest river on the island. We also did a little sightseeing at the deepest valley in West Maui Mountains (the western and oldest volcano, Kakalawai - House of Water), making the Iao River the largest watershed from the wet slopes. Our guide dated the last eruption as happening 320,000 years ago, and since then, significant erosion has carved out the beautifully shaped mountains and deep valleys. We even made our way to the base of the Iao needle, a 1200 ft Basalt tower that was once used as a watch tower during battles between the Polynesians.

Next stop … Maui Tropical Plantation. The plantation isn’t at all what I expected but it was still nice in its way. Where I expected it to be green, overgrown, and jungle-like, it was the opposite … very touristy and landscaped. There were however stunning views, local coffees (yes I did buy some), Hawaiian fruits and vegetables (which I bought some in their dried form), gift shops and an upscale restaurant called Mill House which is where some of the students opted to eat lunch. The rest of us – or should I say those of us with more limited means – enjoyed the tram ride through the plantation grounds. I noticed we were very welcome customers and overheard Mr. Parnell speaking with one of the onsite managers about economic issues.

The world being how it’s been has really taken a chunk out of the tourist industry in the Pacific. Not even the Californians and the Japanese and other Asian tourist markets were able to offset the loss of visitors from Europe and the rest of the continental US. I need to be more aware of these things. I don’t want Vit to carry the entire burden of that part of our lives on his shoulders alone. And coincidentally I had found a note in my Daypack as I was drying off in Iao.

Kokhana, I have given it some thought and I am going to ask you to keep your eyes out for deals and luxuries as we did when we were on the Sun. I know we’ve spoken lightly of this, but I am become more serious. Just like we did before we should sit down and consider what worked best when we planned before. No fussing. You are a good wife but there is no shame in having some luxuries for comfort. There is room in the budget for such efforts and we will speak more on it tomorrow when I join you on land. Until then, keep your eyes open and most of all stay safe. Vit

I am not sure what Vit is considering a luxury beyond the coffees and teas that have grown prohibitively expensive back home, but I agree we need to “speak on it.” Besides the financial part of the equation, I’m just not sure where we will store what we acquire when these jobs come to an end. Lots of thoughts and few of them comfortable so I will once again return to the Day’s itinerary.

After the plantation our next stop was at Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm. After being at sea level for so long the 3000-4000 ft elevation at the farm seemed quite high. The gardens were stunning and so were the panoramic views. I gave into the request of several of the female students and teachers and went with them to visit the Lavender store where all products including scones and ice-cream are made from different types of lavender. Taking Vit at his word – and hoping he agreed with my choices – I purchased some lavender-flavored coffee, lavender honey, some culinary grade lavender, and some organic lavender essential oil. I quickly slid my purchases into my backpack. Out of sight, out of mind. I did not want people to start noticing what Vit and I do as I don’t want them attributing any ulterior motive to it. I also picked up some free cards that had recipes (edible and not) on them including an interesting one called Lavender Honey BBQ Sauce. The Lavender Moon Milk seemed right up my alley as well. Then there were the directions for making Lavender Fabric Spritz that I thought Angelia and Christine would like. But then it was time for me to hurry the slow pokes back onto the bus.

Another snack stop at Kula Country Farms fortified those students and teachers that were hungry. The rest of us feasted on the incredible panoramic views. I must admit that the local produce and products looked scrumptious. I did accept when Mr. Parnell bought each of the adults in our group a drink of choice and mine was a berry lemonade in a bottle that I could bring back to the ship to share with Vit.

I suppose the next place on the agenda reflected the affluence that most of the students lived in. It was the Tedeschi Winery. There is a Tedeschi Winery in Napa Valley in CA but the one we visited was on Ulapalakua Ranch in the upcountry (slopes of Haleakala volcano) of Maui. Yes, I bought a bottle of wine but was not out of place as most of the adults did. The students mostly milled around the picnic area that overlooked the vineyard. While some of the adults did sample a wine or two (or three or four in a couple of cases) I was on duty and definitely did not. And a good thing too because for the first time I got a nasty comment from a young man that either worked there or was a tourist, I honestly couldn’t decide which and am still not one hundred percent sure. My sidearm was in evidence and apparently it offended him or triggered him or whatever the latest mental health jargon is.

A woman hurried over and tried to hustle him off, but he was determined to create a scene. I sighed rather loudly and then said, “It’s okay ma’am. It isn’t him that I am here to protect the students from. As you’ve no doubt seen on the news there have been international ne’er do wells …”

The man/boy laughed, “Ne’er do wells?! Ne’er do wells?!!”

“ … that have tried to do them harm. It is my job to see that if another such event occurs they are not successful. While the young man is being rather rude, in this country everyone is free to have an opinion. Should he put the students in my care at risk then I will have to change our interaction. It is up to him.”

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 29: February 1 – Maui, HI (Part 2)

I began to once again ignore the boy/man and the longer I ignored him, the more he continued to spout off, and the more uncomfortable he made other customers who began to leave without purchasing anything. My mistake was in ignoring the media people that invariably followed us around like symbionts.

“Mrs. Dymtrus do you truly believe what you told that woman?”

“Beg your pardon?” I asked turning to the man who sought my attention after my final head count on the bus.

“That everyone is entitled to their own opinion.”

“Of course.”

“But?”

“But nothing.”

“The gentleman said some …” He cleared his throat rather than repeat it in the mixed company that were now listening in. He had some slight accent that I couldn’t place but I gave him the benefit of the doubt of not being familiar with the legal freedoms in the US and its Territories.

“Mr. … Reid isn’t it?” At his nod I said, “In the USA we have freedom of speech and freedom of thought. We just need to be responsible for both and the intent with which we use them. The most common example of that is yelling ‘fire’ in a crowded theater. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. For the most part they are even entitled to speak their opinion … even if they sound like a braying mule while they do it. However, if their intent is to cause a specific action, then while they still have the right to their opinion, they can be … hmmm … redirected how they express their opinions, especially if they are invading the personal space or attempting to create some kind of violence or battery. In other words, they are not allowed to stir up a riot or similar. Luckily for the person back there that their intent to cause what ultimately would have created a danger for the students and for the adults did not bear fruit. At least this time people seem to have had enough of the rigamarole of that kind of display and its consequences. Next time we may not be so lucky and I will be forced into a position of taking action to … redirect … their attention into more constructive behavior.”

“An interesting way of putting it Mrs. Dymtrus,” he said trying to egg me into an unwise conversation.

Instead I said, “Actually, what I found interesting was how the business lost more than a few customers because of his display. If he was an employee, I do not think that would be looked on with particular favor, especially in the challenging economic times we are living in.”

“And if he was an owner or family member of the owner?”

“Then they can deal with him in the family or not, it is none of our business.”

“But since we all are entitled to our opinion, what is yours?”

“My opinion doesn’t count on the subject as I have no position in that equation.”

Check and mate, thank you very much. If Mr. Reid wants to stick his nose in it he is free to do so. He is also free to get his nose snapped off. I, on the other hand, prefer my nose intact so I found my seat, buckled up, and filled out the endless safety check forms now required since the San Francisco incident. The bruise on the back of my arm was now barely visible unless you looked closely but I must admit my pride still prickled a bit and the boy/man had poked the bear almost one too many times. I wanted a “cuppa” at that point but it wasn’t happening so I had to calm myself through the drudgery of paperwork and the mathematics of building a budget for the luxuries that Vit seemed to think we were entitled to.

Finally we reached the next destination which was Ho'okipa Beach Park where the students were thoroughly entertained by checking out world class surfing and keeping an eye out for giant green sea turtles. Some of them only reluctantly left the beach so we could go on to Honolua Bay for a stroll through a beautiful lush forest to the snorkeling bay. No snorkeling but there were fresh fruit smoothies and other local snacks the kids could purchase with what my mother used to call their “pin money” or allowance or however it is termed.

Our last stop was a bit of a buzzkill for the students, but the adults found it interesting, myself included. At the Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and Distillery we took a tour of a unique family owned distillery that makes vodka from sugar cane. I skipped the taste testing once again but I did buy a small bottle as a way of showing my thanks for the effort the owners went to to arrange the tour for the underage drinkers that made up the majority of our party. Our guide focused more on the sugarcane portion of the process and by the end most of the students were at least somewhat drawn in and participated in licking small pieces of the cane to taste the natural sugar it contained.

I was done and done in by the time I managed to herd everyone back through security and onto the ship. Vit was waiting for me and I would have run into his arms if not for everyone watching. He took my pack, and after feeling the weight, smiled.

“It needs to go through security.”

“Hmm?”

“A bottle of wine and one of vodka.”

That’s when I heard Polina say, “This way. I’ll take your report at the same time.”

At that point I didn’t care, it got me away from Mr. Reid who was beginning to get on my last nerve as he tried to bring up the subject of the boy/man again. However I had a feeling about something.

“I take it someone did not like my performance at the winery?”

She looked at me and gave a small grin. “Net. No. It is not something to be concerned about. Two of my people were there on a port break and witnessed the incident.”

“I didn’t see anyone I recognized.”

“They remained to the side in case they were needed. I understand we should thank you for not allowing an incident to be made despite the attempt.”

I grimaced. “He was better than I at first gave him credit for being. He’s either a natural or he’s had practice or training. On the other hand, the field wasn’t fertile for what he was trying to plant. Most of the customers avoided him and left rather than deal with him. The store probably lost a significant amount of tourist income as a result.”

“It will be noted and we may make some adjustments if such incidences begin to happen more openly. We expected to run into it more but perhaps they have been taking it slowly after the San Fran incident.”

“Strange thing to be grateful for,” I said with a snort.

“Indeed,” she said nodding. “Just run the bottles through the scanner and put them in the tote. And let me know if the vodka is any good. The stuff they have at the XO is barely acceptable.”

Vit handed her the bottle and said, “To your health.”

She looked at him a moment then asked, “You are certain?”

“Tell Yegor his help with that technician was appreciated.” She nodded though she obviously had not heard about the incident in question.

Once we were half-way back to our cabin Vit asked, “You do not mind?”

“Why should I mind?”

“Since you do not drink vodka I assume it was meant for me. I do not wish you to think that I give your gifts away lightly.”

“I know you,” I told him. “You have a good reason and I am satisfied for it to be that way.”

No one else would have noticed that he relaxed as he walked but I did. “There is a communication technician that I suspect has been tampering with some of the equipment. I have no proof, but I’ve narrowed it down to her as the primary suspect. Yegor can be a difficult man to deal with, territorial of his job and his woman. And he is Russian. And so is she, but he accepted my reasoning when I explained it to him.” After a slight pause he said, “He distrusts my history.” Before I could say something rude and in poor taste Vit added, “But we are coming to an understanding. The vodka will be something that perhaps makes him less difficult to work with. And I do owe him.”

“But will it make him keep his nose out of your history? It isn’t any of his business.”

“Ah Kokhana,” he said kissing the nape of my neck once we were in our cabin. “Not everyone is so understanding as you.”

“What’s there to understand? You were doing your job. Others were not. They wanted to blame you for their failures. Your injuries made that easier than it should have been if the inspectors had really been interested in the truth. It’s their loss. You would have made an excellent officer in their navy.”

There was some Ukrainian nonsense for a bit as Vit lavished some appreciation on me for my appreciation of him, but we were both hungry and had been invited to the XO Lounge and then to join some other couples at one of the “clubs” on board. I didn’t mind despite the day, but I am a little sick of the uniform I have to wear all the time. It makes me self-conscious. However the food was good, the company nice, and the show entertaining.

The night did not go as late as I expected. Everyone must work tomorrow in some way, shape, or fashion; even Vit and I. I’ll be chaperoning/security for the high school group and Vit will fill one of the empty slots that usually is filled by rotation. It gives us time to spend together even if it isn’t a traditional Day off.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Chapter 30: February 2 – Hilo, Hawaii, HI (Sunday)

I had a wonderful time today. Vit and I were together. That would have been enough for me … and he said the same thing … but what we did was also nice. Beyond nice despite having to ride herd on the cats, otherwise known as the high schoolers. It was another “circle-the-island” tour and it was so grand to have him beside me that I occasionally had to remind myself that I was working. We road in an air-conditioned super-van rather than in a full-sized bus. How did we manage that you ask? Because we managed to leave much of the paparazzi behind as they were covering the adults whom they could film with impunity. Apparently Chief Polina Ivanov had put a boot down … or to someone’s backside. She is known for giving people enough rope to hang themselves with from my understanding. Mr. Reid must have hit a nerve somewhere along the way.

It was nice not to have all of the media attention and during the full-day tour we covered a great deal … tropical rain forests, a waterfall, a dry lava desert, fertile coffee farm regions, indulged in locally made chocolates, visited Hilo and Kailua-Kona and many more things. Essentially our guide took us across 7 different climate zones and around the tallest Hawaiian mountain and the most massive active volcano in the world. Wow. And on top of that we got an authentic lunch with the locals. Vit and I gave the famous Loco Moco a try. Mmmmm.

Later in the day part of the tour included a visit to the infamous Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Kilauea, the youngest volcano on the island, and one of the most active volcanoes in the world. I say infamous because it has yet to fully open since the 2018 eruption sequence as it presaged an era of renewed activity level that has yet to abate despite the years passing. We were lucky that the volcano was only spewing lava at the water’s edge while we visited. The Royal Gardens area and the Leilani Estates and that part of the peninsula have never recovered and the roads into and out of them have been permanently shut down. New vents regularly open up and swallow the land above it while at the same time forming new land to replace it. I saw 3D drone shots of the area and anything green no sooner tries to take hold in an area than it gets recovered with new lava flows. The amount of new land that has been created since 2018 is bigger than some of the smaller Hawaiian Islands in the chain. All new coastal maps must be drawn and even they are inaccurate within a few months of publication. There’s worry that a collapse of a caldera is coming but though it has been predicted for years, it still hasn’t occurred.

During all our stops we learned about Hawaiian history, culture, religion, botany, fragile ecosystems, and the role of the ali’i (royals) from Hawaii Island and their influence in today’s Hawaiian Renaissance. Our guide really was good; not just professional but very enthusiastic and knowledgeable which made it very interesting for all the students.

One of the many highlights of the tour was Pu’ukohola National Historic Site (gave me another stamp for the National Park Service booklet) which was a temple of Kamehameha the Great … a refuge of sorts if you were in trouble. We also went to Waimea and Parker Ranch though we didn’t really stop. We did hear about paniolos (Hawaiian cowboys that are a lot like the gauchos of South America) and their history that was as unexpected as it was interesting. Waimea itself was once the home to a large community of farmers, feather-gatherers, hunters and other people who made their living from the land and animals in that area. As the village grew into a town, Waimea expanded along with the Ranch–adding schools, shops, restaurants and businesses to enhance the paniolo lifestyle and attract new villagers from around the world. We did briefly stop at the Parker Ranch Store. They made some money off of group, but I don’t suppose it is a bad thing as the purpose of the store is to sustain and perpetuate the unique paniolo lifestyle that is still led by many in the area. I left the purchases up to Vit as I tried to ride herd some of the more rambunctious students.

Then there was the Waipio Valley Overlook. Waipio Valley is the boyhood home of King Kamehameha I. The valley is about one mile across and over five-miles deep and surrounded by cliffs up to 2000-feet high. Waipio Valley was once the home of thousands of Native Hawaiians. Today there are less than 100 residents living amongst the waterfalls, taro fields and rivers in the valley. The island of Hawaii's tallest waterfall, Hiilawe Falls cascades down 1,300 feet in the back of Waipio. I cannot even find the descriptive words necessary to express how gorgeous that place is. You can go down into the valley, but not many people do as it is very, very steep and takes a very long Day to go down and back. Thus, we stayed at the top. The overlook was enough.

We made a brief stop at Rainbow Falls Waterfall which is one of the most easily accessible waterfalls I’ve ever seen. On sunny Days – and we were lucky that was the weather of the Day – rainbows appear in the mist of the 80-foot falls. The broad waterfall — nearly 100 feet in diameter — plunges over a natural lava cave and into the river below.

We drove passed the Liliuokalani Gardens but didn’t stop. I’m not sure I would have wanted to as the perennial problem of the homeless was much in evidence and a couple of them were having a brawl which had drawn the local PD. We did make a brief stop for lunch where everyone picked up a “plate lunch” special or something spam-flavored. I like Spam myself, but I understand it is an acquired taste for most people. Vit and I split a plate lunch with a side of spam musubi (a slice of spam, on top of rice, wrapped in seaweed). Yum. What was also yum was the stop we made at the Big Island Candies flagship store. Oh my goodness. I had a lemon brownie and Vit nearly laughed at the look on my face. Heavenly … fattening and unhealthy, but still heavenly tasting.

There were a few other items that we drove by during the Day but didn’t stop. The Captain Cook statue, the Kona Coffee Belt farming area, and Kealakekua which is a gorgeous bay. Speaking of coffee, we did stop at several stands to taste the different brands and even the kids bought their fair share as many of them are coffee drinkers by culture. At the same time, we stopped at a large macadamia farm that operated under the brand name Mauna Loa. I’m not a huge macadamia nut fan but Vit enjoyed himself immensely and bought a couple of cans to bring back onto the ship.

We took a break at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, the most famous black sand beach of the Big Island. We also saw endangered Hawksbill turtles and green sea turtles basking in the sun on the beach at this location. The sand nearly scorched my feet, but I was wearing the requisite “rubbah slippahs” … better known to me as flip flops. I don’t think I could have walked on the sand without them. Later in the Day several people were complaining that their feet were blistered. When they tried to complain at me I merely looked at them. I’d warned everyone to keep their shoes on but some didn’t listen. I’m done taking the blame for people not listening; they can lump their consequences whether they like it or not.

Our final stop of the Day was at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park where we stopped at the Visitor Center, the Kilauea Iki Overlook and Kilauea Caldera Overlook, and were lucky enough that the area around the Hot Steam Vents were also open. The sulfur smell around the steam vents was quite nauseating and some of the male students allowed their humor to revert to a more childish level. I could see Vit giving serious consideration to popping some of them in the back of the head … something my brats called a dope slap.

But all good things must come to an end and so too does this day. We returned to the ship and no sooner had Vit and I put our feet on deck than we were both called away to meetings. His was about parts or people or parts of people or something. Mine was with Barney so we could go over what could be accomplished over the next four sea Days.

Oh my goodness. Vit just asked if I wanted to go get some ice cream. You know, I think I will. G’nite.