Phyllis Journal

*Tuesday, January 18
Had breakfast and then went to Global class. It is very windy and whitecaps today. Hard to walk on ship. I have had to take elevator today because it is too hard to walk. Went on bike for 30 minutes today. Had group meeting today at 4:30 then dinner. Also had a drink at Fred & Pat’s room. Finished my book “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson. Good book! I have had a cold so went back to room early and read.

Wednesday, January 19
Today it is not windy so I am walking the steps again. Had breakfast and then walked 4th floor halls for some exercise. Also it is time to take malarone starting tonight 1-20 to 2-18 (malaria pills) Sat outside this afternoon. It was a nice day. A professional photographer stopped to talk with me. She has dread locks. Tight little braid and other things weaved in her hair. She has had this one in her hair for three years – on her it looks cute. When she washes her hair it takes all day to dry. When she decides to take them out she will have to cut it out and be bald till it grows back. She is from CA between SF & LA. Her family lives there and she goes home occasionally to visit. She interviewed me about what I think of going on the Amazon River. I have no idea as I have never been cruising before. Joe and Chris had us over for drinks and then we went to dinner. Then Carol and I walked the halls for some exercise. About 9:00 PM they announced we might be going thru rough waters so to make sure our cabins were ready for rough weather. It did not happen but we were ready.

Thursday, January 20
Went to breakfast and met up with our group to order money for upcoming trip. Had a meeting this morning of globalization. It is an interesting class. Hair appointment at 10:00 AM. Girl from South Africa did my hair. I was very pleased with her. Then went on bike for 30 minutes. Now it is time for lunch. This afternoon I sat outside and read my book. Both Jean and Carol sat outside for a while with me. Then our 4:30 meeting. I talked with some interesting people. We are getting to know each other. Reading a good book by Nicholas Sparks, “The Guardian”. We are now on the Amazon River. Saw some ships and towns – also fishing boats and birds and Big flies. They look like horse flies and boy do they bite. Had drinks in our room tonight – then went to dinner. We have nice window in our room so we can see the water. Very good food on this ship so far. Jean Bender’s BD today so we all sang HB in our meeting.


January 21, 2011
Today had breakfast and then rode the bike. Read my book and finished it – one by Nicholas Sparks “The Guardian”. Meeting at 4:30 that we have every day. Then dinner. After dinner went to “open mike” show put on by the students. It was really fun to see. Some of the students in the audience were really dressed up. Girls with really short skirts and 6” high heels. The guys - some suits and dress shirts and good shoes and did they have fun jumping and clapping, etc. Then they had dancing till 11:00 PM – quite a day for them and us too. It was fun to see.

Saturday, January 22
Had breakfast this morning. Then rode the bike 30 minutes. Read new book for a while. At 2:00 this afternoon we all gathered together for games. At 4:00 we had meeting explaining our trip to Manaus on the Amazon River. Tonight we have meeting explaining the city. Tomorrow we will go there. Tonight at cocktail hour we all (15 of us) had our picture taken by John Bender including John himself. It should be a fun day tomorrow.

Sunday, January 23, 2011
Today we went on a tour of the city of Manaus, Brazil. First we went to the fish market. There were fish in every form imaginable. Big, small, little, large fish, water all over the floor. It was interesting. Also saw them cutting up beef. Then walked outside and saw men getting haircuts on the sidewalk. There was a line of people to get haircuts. People that live in area bring bags and pick up fruit, vegetables of every kind. Sunday is a busy market day. Then we toured the opera house – very interesting. Got back at 2:00 for lunch. Did a lot of walking. We were warm when we got back.

Monday and Tuesday, January 24 and 25
We are leaving for our trip on the Amazon River – Beautiful day. Went to where the Amazon, Rio Negro and Soloman rivers meet. When they meet it’s coffee colored like cream in it. It’s from the acid in the water. It takes a few miles for it to mix together and look the same. We then went to a small village for watching them make rubber. Then from there went to some fields and walked about 40 minutes to another village where we had a very nice lunch. Then on to the hotel called Tiwia Echo Resort. Got to our room (like a small cabin) on stilts. This island was flooded out in 2009. It was the highest flood waters they have ever had. It flooded the swimming pool( which is very nice) and part of the dining room and other parts. It all had to be replaced and they built a higher wall to prevent floods from coming again. Then we got in small boats and went to a rubber plant museum. One Englishman had built a nice house there in about 1900. He had everything shipped over from Portugal and when they needed laundry done they shipped it back across to Portugal to have it washed, dried and ironed. It took three months to get it back. The house has beautiful silver, dishes, glassware and antiques. It was fun to see it. Then back for lunch and pack for our trip back. Got to ship about 6:00 PM and had dinner. Went to bed early as I was exhausted. It is interesting to see how they always seem to rip the natives off.

PS I am taking malaria pills now and sometimes they make you dream. I had one the night we stayed in the cabin at Echo Resort. I dreamt there were people dancing across the lake from our cabin in fancy, bright dresses and men in shirts. It seemed very real to me but in the morning I saw it was just another cabin like ours – no dance hall.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Today at 9:00 AM we went by bus on a service visit to Raio do sol (like a nursing home) and to the zoo. We went into where they house them. They have been abandoned by families and they are special needs people. For many it will be their only home. They are from babies to 38 years. They went to the zoo on their own bus and we went on ours. We brought balloons to greet them and served them hot dogs and pop. Then they visited the zoo with us – Many of the people had never done this and they seemed delighted. It was interesting and I think we all enjoyed it. People here speak Portuguese.

Thursday, January 27, 2011
Today after breakfast Carol and I walked into Manaus to buy snacks with the rest of our Portuguese money. We did not get much and our money has run out. We then walked back to the ship to get some American dollars and bought a few postcards. After lunch we talked with Dick and Linda and Laura about their trip to Rio. Right now it is pouring rain and thunder and lightning. We are lucky we had nice weather till now as this is the rainy season. We are leaving port today at 5:00 PM. Then we will head to Ghana. We will be at sea for ten days.

Friday, January 28, 2011
Had global class this morning – three speakers all very interesting. Then on exercise bike for 30 minutes. At lunch time we visited with our group that went to Rio and all said it is a beautiful city. Had our life long learner group meeting at 4:30. Got our time and date for adopting students to be part of our extended families. I meet with mine tomorrow in room 9 at 5:30 PM for dinner. Tonight we had a birthday party and dinner to celebrate our January birthdays – Linda, Carol B – Jean and Sue – very nice dinner – champagne, horderves, wonderful soup, bread and rolls, sorbet then our table split fish, tenderloin steak, mashed potatoes, vegetables, dessert (cherries jubilee) and ice cream and coffee. Very good meal and lots of fun. You get too full with so much food. Carol and I walked the halls afterwards to get some exercise.

Saturday, January 29, 2011
Went for coffee at 7:00 AM. Bike at 9:00 AM. Going to meet couple Boyd and Betty from Edina, MN for coffee at 11:00 AM in lunchroom. We are going to be extended family for 5 students on the ship. We will meet for dinner today at 5:30 PM to meet them. Should be interesting and fun. Will let you know the results.

My extended family:

Carter Amaral Brett Forrester
Home – Lake Tahoe Home – Los Gatos, CA
School – Penn State School – Boulder, CO

Laura Knoblauch Moriah Childers
Home – Colorado Home – Washington DC
School – Colorado State School – Indiana University

Sarah Bunker
Home – Boston, MA Hungary
School – Buchnell, PA

They are really a nice bunch of kids. It was fun to meet and I think we all enjoyed. Next week I think we will plan an ice cream social with them. Boyd, Betty and I will be at 7:15 breakfast to decide. They think the food here tastes like dorm food. We are going to have a tour of the kitchen in the near future. Will be interesting.

Sunday, January 30, 2011
Today we had our global meeting at 9:20 AM. Three good speakers. This class has been very interesting. Then at 11:30 on the bike for 30 minutes. After that, lunch and then back to my room for a little snooze. Reading a good book by John Grisham. A series of short stories. They take place in Ford County, Mississippi. He is such a good author. Had meeting today at 4:30 and discussed the Olympics coming up. We need to make a banner. We are now sailing on the Atlantic Ocean. It is very blue.

*Monday, January 31, 2011
Met with Boyd and Betty and we decided to have ice cream tomorrow with our extended family at 6:30, Feb. 1 up on 7th floor – our treat. I have 10:00 appointment for the bike, 3:30 meeting for the banner and 4:30 meeting for lifelong learners. We had a very interesting speaker. We are planning for the Olympics. We will be singing songs, doing lots of games. I am going to be in a rope pulling contest. We are all making banners and singing and chanting. Everyone from the “Old Geezer” group is doing their share. We all need to wear white shirts and head bands and arm bands. Some are doing relay races, hula hoop contest and building a tower out of cards. It will be a fun evening and day for everyone. We had to change the ice cream date to a different day as our kids (extended family) had other commitments for tomorrow. Went for dinner and came home and showered, finishing my John Grisham book. Was a busy day and I am glad to be done for day. Last day of January.