Barcelona!

We arrived in Barcelona today, and the warm mediterranean weather is perfect!  I am enjoying it already.  Lets see - let me catch you up on the end of last cruise:  In Lisbon I went on a tour in the morning just to see the main sights around the city.  Then I stayed on my own in the city center armed with my map and explored a bit.  I visited the main shopping street, saw a famous viewpoint elevator, and eventually hiked up to the Castello St. Jorge - an old castle on a hill overlooking the city.  I had a really nice day there, and wish we were going back!  I keep saying that about all these great ports...but its true.  Anyway the last port of the cruise was Tangier, Morocco, and I didn't get off the ship.  We will be including that port in our Med itinerary, so no rush.  Plus I hear its better to take a tour there because its a bit wild.  Instead I relaxed on the ship after months of constant touring, which was awesome!  Marie, Liam, Stephan and I ate breakfast outside on the back deck and enjoyed the sunshine.  And today in Barcelona I had one goal alone: to find internet and get caught up with emails and blogging.  I had 5 requirements: 1) good wireless signal 2) comfy chairs 3) an outlet 4) a bathroom 5) coffee and pastries.  And those five conditions could only mean one place: Starbucks. :-)  I wish I could find somewhere else but I looked around and nowhere else had wireless.  Oh well.  So here I am again. All Starbucks feel the same, so its a bit like being at home, strangely enough.  

This cruise will be our first Mediterranean cruise, and I am really looking forward to it.  I'm looking forward to tagging along with Marie in France to make use of her french and enthusiasm for the country, and seeing Florence and Pisa soon!!  What else...oh last cruise I met two really great couples on board and had some fun with them the last couple of days in the cruise.  They met me after I played a jazz set in the Cova Café.  I wish they were staying on for another one!  I really enjoy meeting cool guests who are fun and easy to connect with!  So here's a shout out to the "exceptional" Donna, Dick, Wayne, and Brenda!!  (I had to say something nice cause they said they're going to check my blog) ;-)  If you're reading this, I miss you guys already and hope you're enjoying your few days in Barcelona!!

On the way to warmer weather!

Well.....at least we will be in warmer weather soon.  Today it is freezing and pouring rain in Cherbourg, France, and I went on a tour that was less than ideal for that reason.  But it was still nice to see some countryside.  

Chelsea left me a couple days ago and I've just heard that she's made it safely home!  We had a lot of fun together and sure saw a lot of places - she didn't want to leave yet.  But she starts school in a day or two so no getting around it.  Now I'm a bit lonlier without her, but hopefully will start getting more connected with the culture on the ship, especially with my fellow musicians.  

Yesterday we began our repositioning cruise with a stop in Brugge, Blegium, which is fairly close to Brussels.  Unfortunately I couldn't get on the tour to Brussels, but the tour I did take was really amazing.  We visited Brugge and Ghent, both very beautiful cities.  In Ghent we visited the cathedral where Van Eyck's Adoration of the Mystic Lamb painting is, which was quite impressive.  But Brugge was my favorite - the whole town is impressive and medeival.  It was very fascinating, and huge.  All the buildings were incredible - there wasn't an eyesore or anything modern among them.  Wow.   To complete my experience I bought some family-made chocolate and also tried a Belgian waffle - they are sold at every street corner.  I got one with chocolate on it just cause I could.  It was yummy!!

I'm looking forward to a day at sea tomorrow before we arrive in Vigo, Spain.  Lots of sleep for me....I know as soon as we finish this cruise I'll crash - but I want to see as much as possible since we only do these ports once.  So, onward!!!