The wife and I have never left this country. We have never gone anywhere where we needed a passport. Over the past twenty two years all of our vacations have consisted of a weekend trip here and there or a few days camping at the lake. Only once in my adult life have I had a real week long vacation away from Texas.
Being a homesteader makes it where we really don't have the time to leave anyway. On top of that, I really don't feel comfortable leaving the house for any period of time. I guess you can say my comfort zone is at home.
One of the reasons we had children at such an early age was so we could still have fun before we couldn't and being that we have really never done anything we decided it was time to do something, so we booked a cruise. I am sure many of you have been on them and think it's no big deal, but we haven't and all this is a big learning experience for us.
First off we need to get out passports. I never had one before so I had to get schooled on getting one. Before you get one of those you need a certified birth certificate. We have never needed one of those either so now we had to get schooled on that as well. Something that sounds so easy right? I thought I had mine, it was the one my parents got from the hospital, but it was not good enough. I had to pay thirty bucks and get the one they want. How much more original can you get other than the one given to you at birth? I don't understand it. The wife had to spend thirty bucks and get hers from Austin because after a wasted trip into Dallas she found out by being born before 1982 the records are sent to Austin. I wish they would have told her that over the phone.
Now waiting on the correct birth certificates to arrive will put us over the time to get the passports back so now we have to spend an extra sixty bucks for hers to get here quicker, Unbelievable.
To make matters worse, the same cruise, the same boat we booked caught fire and is being towed back to shore, Unbelievable.
It's all my fault, if we would not have booked it then it would not have caught fire, that is how my life goes. I thought about changing and flying somewhere but I would not want something to happen to the plane.
It's so easy for others to have fun and go places, but for us it's always a pain in the butt. Maybe it's a sign?
I would take it as a sign. I would rent a houseboat on one of the fine Texas lakes and enjoy fresh air and sunshine for a few days without chores. That would be a great vacation, no passport required!
ReplyDeleteQueen, good idea but have you priced the rental on one of those? A week worth of that and I could go to almost anywhere. Plus that sounds like most of the mini vacations I already have done.
DeleteWe had exactly the same trouble when we went to Italy for the birth of our grand son. Had to get birth certificates, expedited passports, our plane left Las Vegas late so we missed the one flight out of Memphis that flew overseas so had to wait a day for the next one, got there in time for a nap, and to go see a baby be born. So, it does turn out okay in the end! :)
ReplyDeleteWow, Robin, Italy! Would love to venture there.
DeleteI'm glad you got there in time. I would not have wanted to miss that.
If you really want to experience cruising on a ship, then go for it. Don't take what has happened as a sign, things just happen.
ReplyDeleteI know Sandy but it seems that way. Every time we try and do something it is always a hassle. And yes, I do want that experience. It is on my bucket list.
DeleteYou could go on an awesome kayaking expedition instead!
ReplyDeleteBard, I want to that down the Colorado
DeleteI agree with Queenacres!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelly, I am just looking for something I have not done and things I have not seen.
DeleteIn the movie The World According to Garp, he purchased the house that the plane flew in because the odds were in his favor that it would never happen again! Go, enjoy, and come back refreshed!
ReplyDeleteThais is just what I have been saying UK. All the parts will be new so there is not any worries.
DeleteI'm for the house boat. I wouldn't want to be on that ship with all of those people anyway. I'll take a secluded lake any day. But, if it's something that you want to do, go for it. If the engines break down, you might be able to help them. Or, if the boat springs a leak, you might be able to fix it with duct tape. Or, if people start getting sick because of tainted food, you can always fashion a fishing rod out of a curtain rod and dental floss and catch everyone fresh fish. I could keep going, but I'll quit for now. lol
ReplyDeleteSFG, Being I don't like crowds, I am shocked that I want to do this.
DeleteAnd your are right, I will be the one that they air lift off because I will still be having fun when everyone is in a panic.
The rules are always changing it seems. Where we use to live they decided that you needed the state issued birth certificate to renew your driver's license! Didn't matter that we had the state issued driver's license for over 35 years and the hospital birth certificate. Aaaargh. More hoops to jump through.
ReplyDeleteJMD, I think it's all about the money. They have to create problems so they can justify their jobs and fix them. Just like in the Engineering field I am in. If you are not fixing problems then you are not needed so all the engineers create problems to keep their jobs. Stupid!
DeleteI am so sorry about your cruise. At least you aren't ON that ship right now. It sounds very difficult there at the moment. I highly recommend Atlantic Canada for vacations. Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island and Labrador are interesting places for those who like the outdoors and water. Nothing is that crowded. Everyone speaks English if you need them to, and some things, like a rental car, are more reasonable. I am finished with international travel other than to Canada now.
ReplyDeleteJane if I go to Canada I will stay with Kymber and Jam at "Framboise Manor". If not they would hunt me down.
DeletePlus I don't know if I would come back. I may just like it too much.
Modern Day Redneck, now you KNOW that if you HAD been on that ship when it did catch fire that you'd be one of those families who knows best how to make it work during hard circumstances. We've take Carnival cruises from Galveston and had the TIME OF OUR LIVES!!! Of course, life is not immune from bad stuff happening just because we're on vacation, so I say, GO ON VACATION and let God do his job! You never know, maybe you're being taken away from the homestead for a good reason during that time-period.
ReplyDeleteHeck, if my husband were on that ship, I guarantee that he'd be finding a nice spot near the railing to add some "black water" over the edge instead of worrying about a plastic baggie. But, those who have roughed it a time or two in life will likely be the ones finding such challenges an actual amusing situation. You have to find humor in it. They didn't hit an iceberg. Things aren't great, but it COULD be worse.
Plan the vacation and start to get pumped up about it! Being away from all the "normal" stuff will rejuvenate you in many areas. It might give you a new perspective and some GREAT PHOTOS! Take the wife away from it all and enjoy floating around!
Lana
I know Lana, I would still be having fun. Pooping in a bag, heck that is almost like my composting toilet. Only water to drink, my carry bag has enough flavors for everyone. Sleeping in a tent on the deck, holy crap that sounds like a great time. What are they complaining about? The problem is they are too high kept.
DeleteNow sinking, that is different story, I don't think I would have much fun with that.
What are you stop offs? We've been on a couple and might be able to make a recommendation or two. I loved it!
ReplyDeleteIzzy, I believe they are Progreso and Cozumel. We plan to do the horseback ride through the jungle and the Mayan Temples in Cozumel but other then that I am not sure. Any suggestions?
DeleteI agree with Lana. The problems with your passports kept you off the ship that caught fire.
ReplyDeleteI hope if you do go, you have a wonderful time.
*hugs* and God bless. ♥
Thanks LindaG
DeleteWhen I heard about this ship and the problems, I made a mental not: take food, bucket and plastic bags, and a sleeping bag. I was thinking preppers would not be bothered by all the problems. A listing ship does bother me! Have a good time.
ReplyDeletePP, I had already started making a list of what to pack and yes, MREs made the list before all this happen.
DeleteMDR - you are right - if you ever came to Atlantic Canada and didn't come to the Manor - well yer darn tootin's we would hunt you and your wife down and buddy you need to remember that i got your address - bahahahahahah! i think it's wonderful that you and your wife are going to go on a cruise ship - i know that you will have the time of your lives! you will get to see and do a bunch of exciting things! i have never been on a cruise ship but i have friends who have been and they love it so there must be something good about them! i can't wait to hear about your trip...and take tons of pics!!!
ReplyDeleteoh, one last thing....ahem...now you got your....cough....passport. you better be planning a trip up here in the next few years!
your friend,
kymber
It is so good to hear from you Kymber,
DeleteDon't worry, it is planned.
Oh Dear!! -I'm sorry but you made me chuckle! (not at you, but the way circumstances were phrased was pretty funny, one thing right after another, and boy is that the way it goes sometimes :) -It seemed to me that the circumstances aboard that ship didn't seem worth all the drama the news channels attached to it, I wouldn't have been bothered as long as I got a refund since my cruise was cut short! Hope you have a blast on your vacation and take tons of pictures to share on here when you get back!
ReplyDeleteMsmall, Will do. Everything so far has changed. Now we are driving to New Orleans to board a ship and now we are going to Jamaica. In the end I think it will be good.
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