A New Orleans Angel

We were arriving in New Orleans in the rain after a Caribbean cruise . I always feel anxious disembarking from the cruise.  It's not so much leaving a pampered life style behind as it is being in long lines of grumpy people who are worried about their flights home, finding their luggage, getting someone to help them get the luggage to the curb or they just need another cup of coffee.  I have more anxiety than most because I feel like it is all up to me---getting the luggage and managing my husband Dave in a wheel chair, navigating the whole process.

I had left Dave in a wheel chair on the curb with our  small travel umbrella and our luggage, as I scampered over the railroad tracks to get our van on the cruise parking lot in a light rain.  I had a pretty good idea where our car was, having spotted our silver mini-van from the cruise ship and taken a photo—wow, was I wrong.  I wandered up and down the aisles searching for our van getting wetter.  My anxiety was building as I thought of Dave just sitting there in the rain with our luggage AND I had at least a 30 minute drive from the parking lot to where he was since the street was one-way in a giant loop with lots of traffic and stop lights.  

I started praying, “Please, God, help me find our van” as I continued searching up and down the endless aisles.  After a few minutes an elderly man in a golf cart approached and asked, "Do you need help."  I started crying, “I can’t find our van my husband is in a wheel chair on the curb getting wet and it’s going to take me at least 30 minutes to get him because I can’t wheel him over the railroad tracks.”  “Ma’am, let’s first find your van and then we’ll get your husband.”  

We found the van which wasn’t even close to the area I was searching in.  Then, he said, “Let’s go get your husband.”  He took us over the tracks, loaded the luggage, Dave, and the wheelchair into the cart and took us back to the van.  He put the suitcases and wheel chair in the van while I helped Dave get in. I could feel that weight of anxiety slowly slipping away.

Before he left, I tipped my rescuer $20 and said, “Thank you for  rescuing me—you are like an angel answering my prayers.” He looked at me with tears and said with a catch in his voice, “That means more to me than the tip.  Thank you.”  I often tell people, “my guardian angel is an elderly man in New Orlean riding on a golf cart." I try to remember that moment anytime I feel weighted down with anxieties and worries.  If God could send that man to rescue us in New Orleans, he will be there for this crisis too.

Disney Wonder 4: Nassau

 Dec. 11 Nassau was cloudy and a cool 60 degrees.  We stayed on the ship while the Warrens were determined to get a beach day! They had a great time at the beach letting the waves hit them while lying in the warm sand.  Then, we were off for two more days at sea!

See Grandpa looking on in reflection?

 That evening we had Mardi Gras in Tiana's Place.  We had beads, a parade, jazz music and delicious New Orleans inspired food.  The children's menus were shaped like instruments which the kids loved.

Mississippi River to Gulf,

Last year while on the Serenade of the Seas cruising down the Mississippi River, I said, "I'd love to do this during the day" since most of the journey was after the sunset until midnight. Click here for last year's journey.  I got my wish this year---not quite how I'd thought it would happen.

We got a text message to delay boarding since a pipe had broken on the ship damaging the electrical panels in the front of the ship (cabins, health center, theater, on board television).  We arrived at 11:30 expecting to board shortly after noon, but we didn't board until 4 PM.  We were among the fortunate ones because we were allowed to wait inside out of the chilling rain.  We also had hotdogs, pizza and lemonade in our waiting area.  Some spent the whole time outside and didn't board until 7 PM.  Part of the problem was 1/4 of the passengers had to stay behind because their rooms were in the front of the ship.

Around 3 AM, I could feel the ship moving, but the next morning showed we hadn't gone far---about a mile down the river to allow other ships at the dock.  The Coast Guard gave us the go ahead to leave at noon.  We sat on our balcony as we sailed down the Mississippi for 8 hours.

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Where we were docked----across from Navy Yards but still on Government property.  On our way. . .most of the trip was industrial and river traffic, but we did pass a few houses and at least one school.

Eventually, the sun went down, but we could see that we had reached the delta---wonderful experience, although not many other passengers agreed.

New Orleans in January

 In January, we went on another cruise out of New Orleans, but this time stayed at a Hampton Inn by the Convention Center. (Click here for last year's cruise on the same ship) It was in a converted industrial building but our room was very nice.  There were several restaurants close and a small park with art---some of which was dedicated to the victims of Katrina.  It was also the beginning of Mardi Gras so decorations were up.

Taken from the park---entrance to the hotel across the street

Some sidewalk restoration that made it difficult with a wheelchair

 The views below are from our hotel room which was a corner room.  The building below was the convention center and the dock with the ship was behind it.  We were able to park our car there and take a shuttle bus to the ship terminal.

What I loved about the cruise. . .

 I loved the elegance of the ship with its beautiful art like the mural in the dining room above and the stage curtain below.

 

 I love this new port in Jamaica---Falmouth.  It was warm, sunny and I definitely feel more safe here than in other parts of Jamaica (Click here for our last trip here)

 I loved sitting in the sun and watching things like the life boat drills or the thrill of going up and down the Mississippi (Click here).  It was such a nice sized ship with so much going on right outside our door---concerts, aerial acts, cooking demonstrations and dance classes

 I loved our over-sized handicapped accessible room and balcony

But what made this a very special trip were the people we met and shared meals with.  Mike (originally from CT) and Fay (originally from MO) felt like family by the end of the trip (or maybe it was that CT and MO combo!)

 Then our breakfasts and lunches were often with two other wonderful couples.  Marilee and Bill from Iowa who had been English as Second Language teachers and Pat and Allen from England.  We genuinely had a great time with all of our new acquaintances.  Each of us had one spouse in a wheel chair.  Dave said he felt like a real slacker when we heard of the travels and adventures they had been on.