Arrrrruuuuuuuuuba!

Yesterday was such an awesome day. We were in Bonaire, and I got off the ship with some guys in the band (Karl, Manuel, and Pierre) and we took a watertaxi to a small island called Klein Bonaire right off the coast of the main island. I have been wanting to go there ever since I arrived and yesterday we finally got the chance. The snorkling there was amazing! I was out swimming for over an hour totally absorbed in everything I was seeing. I saw my favorite fish again! It is called a baby yellowtail damselfish, although when its a baby there is nothing yellow about its tail or any other part of it. I saw many other amazing fish, too, that I hope to look up and identify online. The quest to see a sea turtle is still unsatisfied, though. We all had a good time there - snorkling, tanning, talking, smoking cigars (not me!), collecting shells and ambushing big sand crabs.

On the taxi ride we met a nice family from New York, with two young boys who kept saying the funniest things in their thick New York accents and making us laugh. About half the folks in our water taxi turned up for our set that night, which was really neat. I think they had a hard time reconciling the black-suited musicians with the sand-covered vagabonds with whom they had shared a watertaxi.

The set itself was really fun. We only had one set, and it was dixieland again, for the second time since I've been here. It was all new music though, that Andy had brought from home. So we set up in the Cova Cafe onboard and sightread. I love gigs like that. And dixie is so fun because you can embellish and make things up - you can play what you feel like playing a lot of the time. I played an 8 measure solo in "Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans", and the audience went crazy for me. They all clapped even though it was just a little solo in the middle of the tune - it wasn't even a feature. Andy teased me later that it was just because I'm a girl and a novelty. But it was actually a really rewarding experience to be heard and appreciated personally. I was walking on air the rest of the night. The Cova was packed with people who were listening, and they were so enthusiastic after every tune. The rest of the night I relaxed a bit, and got to take a look at the eclipse from the ship, which was a cool end to a great day.

Today I got off the ship early in the morning so I would have some time to use the internet here at the Dunkin' Donuts before I need to be back on board for some extra boat drill trainings. The coast guard is doing their big inspection on Saturday, so everyone is very worked up about it. We have two extra trainings just today, after which I have to go straight to rehearsal for the Broadway show tonight. I am going to crash hard when today is finally over, and it is going to feel really good. :-)

One more thing before I go - if you get a chance please pray for me as I have a big decision to make regarding my next contract. Andy is impressed with me and wants to bring me with him when he returns to Norwegian Cruise Line in July. It would be HUGE pay raise and I love working with him, but the itinerary isn't quite as good as the Century, and I wouldn't be with my good friend Marie, which we were both looking forward to. I will be praying as well that God will lead me in the direction he wants me to go and give me wisdom. I appreciate your prayers and advice!