Cruise-aments!!
This has nothing to do with poker, but thought since this trip is so refreshing and relaxing, it would be refreshing to blog about something other than poker for once. I left on Sunday for an 8 day Cruise on Carnival. We left out of Ft. Lauderdale, FL around 5pm. First things first. They lost my suitcase. I’m not sure how they can lose a suitcase from the base of the boat, to the inside, but they did. What a bummer. I would say the total value of that suitcase was somewhere around $2000, but they decided it would be fair to give me $300. LOL. That seems fair, for NOT having any of my stuff the whole cruise, on top of them losing everything in it. (OBV being sarcastic) O well though. I really didn’t want this to ruin our trip, so whatever, there are worse things that can happen I suppose.
So anyway our boat is nice. Our cabin reminds me of like a college dorm. There are 10 deck loaded with pools, bars, V and B ball courts, gym, golf, Casino and of course food. Yum! 
There are some small $100 tournaments and 1-2 NL, but I am not playing one single hand of poker while I am out here. Also the internet is only $1 per minute, so I won’t be playing online either.
Monday we arrived in Cozumel, MX. Beautiful place. We took a taxi about 2 miles into town, but for some reason it took 20 minutes to get there. We walked through the village and checked out all the little shops and stands. We decided to walk back, which for someone who hasn’t done a work out in CENTURIES, was a mistake. (the next day I swear I had shin splints and I pulled a muscle) LOL. I didn’t really buy anything in Cozumel, pretty much because I have purchased every type of thing there is to purchase in former trips like these. I have no clue where any of that stuff is.
Tuesday we were on sea the whole time. Ericka and I pretty much just lounged out by the pool and did some major relaxing. WOW. It was honestly SO nice. My skin hasn’t been in contact with this much sunshine in a long time. It’s amazing. I read through a whole book! (I know) called the Secret Life of Bee’s. Very good book.
Wednesday we arrived in Costa Rica. What a BEAUTIFUL place. Now Carnival tries to rape you and make you book everything you want to do on the island through them, but this guy told us that it so much better if you just find good deals on the island. So the moment we got off, this guy named Ricky came right up to us, and we teamed up with a newly wed couple and he would give us a tour for $40 each. Great deal it seemed like, so we got in his car and away we went. First he took us to an amazing sight seeing spot. Then we went to look at all these monkeys in these trees. Then we got to actually hold a baby monkey. THAT was amazing. Then we went to a Banana plantation and got a little education. These people work their ASSES off and make on average $1000 a month. Incredible how blessed we are, and how most of the time aren’t thankful enough for it. (we’ll talk about this later) After that we spent time at a beautiful beach where we ate lunch. Then he dropped us off for shopping back around where the boat dock was. Pretty incredible day for $40! Loved it.
So today we arrived in Colon, Panama. We got off the boat and we really didn’t know what we were going to do. We decided, let’s just start walking and go exploring. Well…..I don’t even know where to begin. I have been in 3rd world countries before, (last year I was in Ecuador and saw poverty that was unfathomable), but here…. O my god. It was unbelievable the poverty, the destruction, the oppression there is in this town. We walked down the streets and it was exactly like walking thought the 9th ward of New Orleans RIGHT after the destruction. But this is what their world has ALWAYS been, and there is nothing in place to make it better. I know I joke a lot and whatever, but I am real serious when I say my heart literally hurt for these people. We have it SO EASY. Especially as poker players, and I would hope that I can remember this on a DAILY basis. Poker is such a selfish career and I hope that we can ALL remember to be thankful and give back in our own ways to encourage the spirit of generosity and healing.
Ok enough lecture. We are now back on the boat, and we are heading to Florida which will take all of Friday and Saturday. Sunday I will be back on US land at 8am, and I will be back to work on Sunday Majors. I will let you know about the end of the trip next time.
Peace and good luck!