Finally! We had just 2.5 days in Seattle, but that was plenty. Don’t get me wrong, I like Seattle, but I don’t feel ‘connected’ to it like I do in my favourite cities. Copenhagen? I’ll stay as long as I can. Vienna? Singapore? Cape Town? Reykjavik? Same. But Seattle feels like a place I like to visit briefly, then move on…. and that’s exactly what we’re doing.

One thing I’ve also noticed so far on this trip, is that for the first time in my life, being in the US feels like being in a foreign country. I was born in the US and lived there for the first 49 years of my life, so whenever I’d come back here, it felt more like coming to my ‘other home.’

Last year, my friend Annie and I drove down to Idaho to ride some coasters and after crossing the border, she remarked how American everything looked and I didn’t really get it then. I do now. In fact, I said those same words to Rob in the cab between the airport and the hotel.

Granted, it’s a subtle difference, but now I notice it. I’m not even sure I can explain the details, but the feeling is there.

Checked out of the hotel, got on the shuttle, then arrived at pier 91 for Embarkation.

Full disclosure: we have been absolutely spoiled by Viking. The ships are all identical, so we already know where everything is on board when we arrive. Ceilings are higher and the ship is smaller, so it doesn’t feel as claustrophobic as on board other ships with less headroom and more people. Also, it was really jarring for me to see kids on board (Viking is adults only). I’m trying not to dampen my fun by comparing everything to what we’re used to, but it’s impossible not to do that a little bit, especially at first.

Not long after getting on board, we found our Calgary friends who are also going to be ringing.

All three of our rooms are next to each other - this might be dangerous, depending on how many gin & tonics happen.

Had a quick lunch before heading to the room to unpack. The bulgogi was really good, the sushi was so-so… but so-so sushi is better than no sushi!

Had a bit of time to kill before we could pick up our bell stuff, so Annie and I explored the ship. She somehow got me to shoot a few hoops. I made one in (out of maybe 8 throws)

Down to deck three to get our handbell goodies…

Fun stuff in the packet - the music we’ll need, a little polishing cloth, some copies of the schedule, a few stickers, pencils, etc etc. Everything we should need. Even a couple of CDs by the Bells of the Cascades, the group who is putting on this cruise.

By this time, our doors had been tagged as well…

At 4 o’clock, there was a ‘sail away party’ where we played ice breaker games and got to meet other ringers from other places. It was packed!

The two clinicians were there, too. Alex (on the left) and Matt (on the right). Both are very well-respected handbell composers, even though they look like they’re sixteen years old.

Some of you might find this hard to believe, but I’m an introvert at heart. I learned to be outgoing during my 30 years as a UPS driver, but that’s an act. One of my all-time least favourite things is a party, especially when it’s full of people I don’t know. Being “on” in situations like that is exhausting - as is evidenced by this pic that Annie took of me after the party.

After a bit of social time at the Ocean Bar, it was time for dinner. We had an assigned time and table for this first night, but we changed to ‘open dining’ for the rest of the cruise, so we aren’t forced to eat at the same time/place every day. The dining room is quite large and occupies two decks.

…and now, it’s time to collapse into bed. Early start tomorrow - we have rehearsal at 8am!

Click to go back to this trip’s main page
Click to go back to the travelogue page