I've always had personal misgivings about this activity. My assumption is that the dolphins are kept against their will, and probably don't want to pull a group of humans around like cargo. Further, many people say they love playing with people--and that it makes them happy. But, my guess is that humans assume that dolphins are happy because dolphins have a face in the shape of a happy human face---we look at them, and it looks like they are smiling, so therefore, they must be happy.
THe other objection I had was that I wasn't interested in swimming in a pool filled with dolphin excrement, but then I realized, that in any body of water, that issue exists if I really think about it.
So, Amy and I got over our minor concerns and went to meet the dolphins in Ixtapa. It was honestly, really fun. The dolphins lifted us up into the sky by pushing on the bottom of our feet. Then the dolphins swam in and around us while we were allowed to stroke their flanks and fins (no fingers in blowholes or genitals). Then, we each got to go up and establish a relationship with the dolphin. In reality, it was like dolphin speed-dating---the trainers would yell "shake hands with the dolphins" (really their flippers), "Hug the dolphin" (the dolphin would oblige) and then, they got really pushy "Kiss the dolphin" (Amy had said early on that she would NOT kiss the dolphin, but she gave in to the trainer's pressure). After that, we then had our picture taken where the dolphin is halfway out of the water, and holding out the flippers--and we grab on and sort of pull out like we are a delighted couple who just finished the best dance of their life. Except, this couple is dolphin and human, and it feels like both sides were phoning it in a bit.
At the end of the day, I was standing outside of the bus and another passenger was discussing the program, and I said I wasn't sure how I felt about the dolphins being in captivity. She said "Dolphins are very social creatures. They love it!" I started to argue "Social with humans or social with other dolphins?!?" and then she looked at me like I was crazy. "They have a good life, they get every meal taken care of, blah blah blah". I could have argued some more, but I am hopelessly misinformed about the nature of dolphin encounters, who runs them and whether they are "good" or "Bad" plus, what's the point of arguing with this lady who is on vacation?
So, I murmured something neutral and pretended to look for something in my backpack and then asked her about her home in Vancouver.
Anyone know if dolphins are into making out with humans in a tank with no view of the ocean, but withing 500 yards? Anyone?
I feel judgey.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Middling Middle
I had hit a patch of doldrums almost exactly in the middle of this cruise contract. Everything seemed boring, flat and the same.
Thankfuly, Amy P came onboard for a cruise visit last cruise, and it was great. In short, we swam with dolphins, went to the beach, went zip-gliding, laid around and watched 30-rock, movies and ate out.
It was all very chill and lovely....and so great to have her here. There's always a ramped-up intensity of emotions in this ship-life, so having a visitor who isn't in the cast and doesn't care about any of the stuff that seems SO important helps give a great deal of perspective.
As an added bonus, we got to see Jeremy on the first day of Amy's arrival---and that was thrilling. I really dig that Jeremy, and he's always so kind and curious about everything--and seems to really listen. He's good people.
Also, the day that Amy left I got some news from my family that put everything into perspective.
So, this cruise, I've been hiding in my room, trying to watch more movies, read more books and just enjoy the things I love the most....reading outside, walking and playing scrabble.
Yesterday in Acapulco, we FINALLY got to enjoy the hot sun and play in water---at a local water park. Murray, the magician onboard organized a big outing with some of the other entertainers, and we camped out in a VIP area, had beers, and rode on some kick-ass waterslides. Towards the end of the day, I was out on the wave pool, just floating alone, and the rest of the cast all hopped in and we rode the waves together. The water flowing all around, the pool full of local families and singing along to the "I wanna know if you'll be my girl" song that is the constant soundtrack to our cruise life---it was wonderful.
Then I napped, and headed out to have beers on a nearby restaurant with a terrace. I was joined by one of the acrobats, and sat and watched the moon rise over Acapulco Bay.
A lovely, unexpected, charming day.
Thankfuly, Amy P came onboard for a cruise visit last cruise, and it was great. In short, we swam with dolphins, went to the beach, went zip-gliding, laid around and watched 30-rock, movies and ate out.
It was all very chill and lovely....and so great to have her here. There's always a ramped-up intensity of emotions in this ship-life, so having a visitor who isn't in the cast and doesn't care about any of the stuff that seems SO important helps give a great deal of perspective.
As an added bonus, we got to see Jeremy on the first day of Amy's arrival---and that was thrilling. I really dig that Jeremy, and he's always so kind and curious about everything--and seems to really listen. He's good people.
Also, the day that Amy left I got some news from my family that put everything into perspective.
So, this cruise, I've been hiding in my room, trying to watch more movies, read more books and just enjoy the things I love the most....reading outside, walking and playing scrabble.
Yesterday in Acapulco, we FINALLY got to enjoy the hot sun and play in water---at a local water park. Murray, the magician onboard organized a big outing with some of the other entertainers, and we camped out in a VIP area, had beers, and rode on some kick-ass waterslides. Towards the end of the day, I was out on the wave pool, just floating alone, and the rest of the cast all hopped in and we rode the waves together. The water flowing all around, the pool full of local families and singing along to the "I wanna know if you'll be my girl" song that is the constant soundtrack to our cruise life---it was wonderful.
Then I napped, and headed out to have beers on a nearby restaurant with a terrace. I was joined by one of the acrobats, and sat and watched the moon rise over Acapulco Bay.
A lovely, unexpected, charming day.
Friday, March 7, 2008
San Pedro Days
In addition to sea days, and port days, every 8 days, we touch land in the US and get to run around, make phone calls and just exist.
Our ship docks in San Pedro, a ship town, just south of LA that plays host to the LA Harbor.
San Pedro is a lovely, real town, with a great independent coffee shop called Sacred Grounds, which has delicious sandwiches, and free internet.
I usually start my day early, get off the ship as soon as possible, head up to check our PO Box at the Post Office, and then come to Sacred Grounds as soon as possible.
We sit at a giant community table, and try to quietly make phone calls, catch up on email and interneting and indulge in a nice delish sandwich.
On the way up to the coffee shop, we pass a couple cute stores and maybe pop into one of those for a few things.
Last week's cruise felt really long--we were re-routed due to trouble with the isopode (typical!) and instead of going to Acapulco and Zihua, we went to Mazaltan and Manzanillo. I guess Manzanillo was a "really crap port" and so we were playing to an angry, hostile crowd. Thank god they liked us, because they could have very easily hated us and turned against us. Instead, they laughed and laughed and got to shake the crap port off of them.
The other re-routed port was Mazaltan, and it was really great--we walked around the old downtown, went through a mercado, with lots of meat and pig heads for sale, ate at a restaurant on the second floor of the mercado, overlooking the streets and then headed to a beach bar. This place, Joe's Oyster Bar, is what I want and imagine a beach bar to be---thatch roof bar, a menu of seafood, and a great, swimmable beach. We've been hitting a lot of resorts---with their unending oval pools that spill into one another, their delicious Americanized food and their lack of connection to anything remotely local. So, Joe's, overlooking the bay, and the laid-back vibe, was much more my scene.
So, anyway, coming into San Pedro, being able to text and make some calls and email---it's a welcome respite from the week.
Plus, I'm beginning to make plans for my west coast month of May road trip---and that's really fun. If anyone has any recommendations on places to go---please pass them on.
Signing off from Sacred Grounds---
Me
Our ship docks in San Pedro, a ship town, just south of LA that plays host to the LA Harbor.
San Pedro is a lovely, real town, with a great independent coffee shop called Sacred Grounds, which has delicious sandwiches, and free internet.
I usually start my day early, get off the ship as soon as possible, head up to check our PO Box at the Post Office, and then come to Sacred Grounds as soon as possible.
We sit at a giant community table, and try to quietly make phone calls, catch up on email and interneting and indulge in a nice delish sandwich.
On the way up to the coffee shop, we pass a couple cute stores and maybe pop into one of those for a few things.
Last week's cruise felt really long--we were re-routed due to trouble with the isopode (typical!) and instead of going to Acapulco and Zihua, we went to Mazaltan and Manzanillo. I guess Manzanillo was a "really crap port" and so we were playing to an angry, hostile crowd. Thank god they liked us, because they could have very easily hated us and turned against us. Instead, they laughed and laughed and got to shake the crap port off of them.
The other re-routed port was Mazaltan, and it was really great--we walked around the old downtown, went through a mercado, with lots of meat and pig heads for sale, ate at a restaurant on the second floor of the mercado, overlooking the streets and then headed to a beach bar. This place, Joe's Oyster Bar, is what I want and imagine a beach bar to be---thatch roof bar, a menu of seafood, and a great, swimmable beach. We've been hitting a lot of resorts---with their unending oval pools that spill into one another, their delicious Americanized food and their lack of connection to anything remotely local. So, Joe's, overlooking the bay, and the laid-back vibe, was much more my scene.
So, anyway, coming into San Pedro, being able to text and make some calls and email---it's a welcome respite from the week.
Plus, I'm beginning to make plans for my west coast month of May road trip---and that's really fun. If anyone has any recommendations on places to go---please pass them on.
Signing off from Sacred Grounds---
Me
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