catching up

In the Red Sea on the way to Jordan:
When Sandy and I decided that we would do a round the world cruise well over a year ago grandson Clayton was just beginning his freshman year at UNC. Last summer he visited and studied in Turkey and wrote a paper on tourism in Turkey. His paper was submitted and he was invited to present his paper and findings at a symposium in Jordan. To pull the circle together: Clayton arrives in Jordan this afternoon and we arrive in Jordan tomorrow. We will be in Jordan at the same time! We’re probably not going to see each as we are in separate parts of the country but will talk on the phone. How is that for coincidence? Keeping with Clayton for just a moment longer – he applied with the State department for an immersion course in Turkey and although a sophomore when usually seniors are chosen Clayton will be living and studying in Turkey again this summer.
It has been an unusual couple of weeks since the last blog.
We had been told continuously about a very, very special dinner just for round the world cruisers that was to be held in Singapore. Just before Singapore Sandy came down with a touch cough, fever for a second time and visited the doctor on board down in the lower ring of infirmary inferno and was given a second antibiotic (Z pack first time and keflex second) for healing. Unfortunately, she couldn’t make the dinner but insisted that I go and take pictures. New friends brought back the beautiful rose and orchid centerpiece for Sandy and I brought back a lovely wrist flower braceIet. I’ll bring you up to date in the Singapore notes in a bit. After Singapore we headed for Phuket, Thailand then India and then Dubai. More to follow..
I of course then came down with the coughing but not the fever and headed down, down, down to the ping-pong cough waiting room and was also given the Z-pack for cure. We had several days of quietness and lots of reading and tomato soup and wonderful entrees from room service. Now just about this time but not related to our sickness we received the notice: “PRECAUTIONARY HEALTH ADVISORY NOROVIRUS” . A highly contagious and easily passed gastrointestinal illness was on board! I thought of the few times at home that I had read about this virus on cruise ships and felt sorry for the cruisers and now here we are in the middle of it. The symptom surfaces as you are merrily walking along feeling fine and dandy when you begin spouting from one end or the other. You contact the lower level and you are then quarantined to your room where bland chicken based food is sent to you every so often. There is no medication for the virus.
The ship goes on high alert and hand washing is stressed and buffet food is closed off and the staff passes you your choices. Salt and pepper shakers are removed from the tables. Shopping areas are closed on board and great attention is given to who goes missing from tables and statements such as “He’ll be out of quarantine tomorrow” become standard conversational remarks. The library closes for several days as every book is rubbed down with disinfectant. The pools and hot tubs are closed and the 24 hour ice cream is roped off. Cocktail parties, Captains receptions and other events are rescheduled. Truly the ship and the staff do a great job of preventative care but we are now in our second week of high alert. Fortunately, Sandy and I have managed to avoid this virus and life is pleasantly going along.
Last night we did star gazing with a noted astronomer and earlier yesterday we attended a lecture by Carol Thatcher the former Prime Ministers daughter. A bit like listening to Maureen Reagan I guess and we were a bit turned off by her.

Till next time