I had planned on writing a daily summary like I did before with the Florida vacation, but it really takes out so much energy. And unlike the Universal trip, there were low points. Like getting burned. It was a really fun trip! I had never been on a cruise before, so this was something new and exciting all at once. Really the only great excitement on the ship (called a ship, because anytime I referred to it as a boat, I received many weird looks) was on the top deck front or back. I preferred back, although, on the front I felt like Dwight steering the ship on the Office. On the back, I stared down at the water and the vast waves produced by tank sized propellers. Just the thought of jumping off and in seconds being completely alone in darkness with the unknown below thrilled be beyond description. On the glass bottom boat, I had similar feelings. These were mainly pertaining to just jumping off the boat so I could tread in the crystal blue water and the emerald green colored shore water. This might come off a little weird, but I felt like Dexter on the glass bottom boat in the middle of the ocean. It was truly relaxing. I forgot about everything bothering me. There was no ticket in my mind at that minute. It was as if I'd become absorbed into an environment beyond my control, and after losing the fight, I finally gave into a state of complete relaxation.
It's truly eye-opening to go into another country different from your own. Not only is it just that, but also culturally liberating. In the Bahamas, there is no tax, but with everything I bought, I asked them to keep whatever was left, as my contribution to the city. They have socialized medicine, but pay five dollars a gallon for gas. That proves the various ups and downs of society. But they're not tempted by humongous Wal-Marts and pointless materialistic goods. There does exist a Starbucks and a McDonalds, but that's only on the port areas, mainly due to the rapid numbers of tourism received each day, which also generates revenue towards the country. Most of the port areas are controlled by corporations from America. Atlantis itself is controlled by corporations, but excluding the rich areas, Nassau has a beautiful environment with a rich smell of happiness. I truly do hate what I termed as "Tourist Zones." These are set up by agreements with city officials and American corporations to supposedly generate revenue to the island itself, but in my opinion goes right back into the pockets of the rich executives shaking the hands of the Bahamians. The real island shopping is done in the heart of Nassau, where if you even show a hint of interest in anything, the vendor will chase you down saying, "You like? You buy?" And then go on describing the detailed features about it. The Tourist Zones are located either right where you get off on the port, or where the Carnival-chained excursion drops you off. I hated the Tourist Zone shops. You know what they are because it resembles something like Panama City or Cancun or even Orlando. Small shops with tropical-like souvenirs hand crafted by the fabulous slaves of industry. I did cave in and buy a shirt because it aroused my interest. It says "Got Rum?" and at the bottom "Nassau, Bahamas." I thought it was a funny shirt, so I bought it, only to realize the shirt was made in Mexico. And so the shirt was probably made into a shirt for three cents by a Mexican sweatshop worker, sold to the USA for five cents, the USA probably sold it to the Bahamas for 20 bucks (including tax), and then sold to me for $9.99 (without tax). Yes, this part pessemized me, but you can't help what you don't know, and certain Bahamians just don't know.
On the way home, I could see parts of the Islands of Cuba, and really wanted to go. Drew and I ventured off into the deep city of Nassau and got to a point where people on the street were offering us marijuana and also Cuban Cigars. I really almost bought on just so I could try and sneak it into the country and be able to say that I personally have broken the embargo with Cuba and have supported a Communist country. But the penalty for being caught with a Cuban Cigar in customs is a prison sentence, so I decided that martyr didn't sound too appealing after all.
I do at least want some portion of my life to have bought or stolen a boat and just ride to various Islands and explore. Also, just turn it off and let the tides bring me somewhere. While on the glass bottom boat, the captain turned off the engine to look around himself. When he did so, the boat had been given to the tides. And boy was that a fun roller coater on its own. I literally was swung back and forth in a thrilling dizziness that no drug could produce. The sea in fact is a drug. It's addictive and I had to fight every urge just to "get my feet wet" and try it. Having a boat would be so nice though. Maybe I should purchase or steal a really shitty boat and clean it up like in Captain Ron. I would have to say, "Hey Boss!" all the time though. Everything from being out on the ocean and in on the Mummy Ride has truly given me thrills beyond anything imaginable. I don't know. I have a lot more to live and I want to live it more.
I have included some of my trip photographs. There are too many to upload them all, but I am including a link at the bottom for access to my Flickr account.
It's truly eye-opening to go into another country different from your own. Not only is it just that, but also culturally liberating. In the Bahamas, there is no tax, but with everything I bought, I asked them to keep whatever was left, as my contribution to the city. They have socialized medicine, but pay five dollars a gallon for gas. That proves the various ups and downs of society. But they're not tempted by humongous Wal-Marts and pointless materialistic goods. There does exist a Starbucks and a McDonalds, but that's only on the port areas, mainly due to the rapid numbers of tourism received each day, which also generates revenue towards the country. Most of the port areas are controlled by corporations from America. Atlantis itself is controlled by corporations, but excluding the rich areas, Nassau has a beautiful environment with a rich smell of happiness. I truly do hate what I termed as "Tourist Zones." These are set up by agreements with city officials and American corporations to supposedly generate revenue to the island itself, but in my opinion goes right back into the pockets of the rich executives shaking the hands of the Bahamians. The real island shopping is done in the heart of Nassau, where if you even show a hint of interest in anything, the vendor will chase you down saying, "You like? You buy?" And then go on describing the detailed features about it. The Tourist Zones are located either right where you get off on the port, or where the Carnival-chained excursion drops you off. I hated the Tourist Zone shops. You know what they are because it resembles something like Panama City or Cancun or even Orlando. Small shops with tropical-like souvenirs hand crafted by the fabulous slaves of industry. I did cave in and buy a shirt because it aroused my interest. It says "Got Rum?" and at the bottom "Nassau, Bahamas." I thought it was a funny shirt, so I bought it, only to realize the shirt was made in Mexico. And so the shirt was probably made into a shirt for three cents by a Mexican sweatshop worker, sold to the USA for five cents, the USA probably sold it to the Bahamas for 20 bucks (including tax), and then sold to me for $9.99 (without tax). Yes, this part pessemized me, but you can't help what you don't know, and certain Bahamians just don't know.
On the way home, I could see parts of the Islands of Cuba, and really wanted to go. Drew and I ventured off into the deep city of Nassau and got to a point where people on the street were offering us marijuana and also Cuban Cigars. I really almost bought on just so I could try and sneak it into the country and be able to say that I personally have broken the embargo with Cuba and have supported a Communist country. But the penalty for being caught with a Cuban Cigar in customs is a prison sentence, so I decided that martyr didn't sound too appealing after all.
I do at least want some portion of my life to have bought or stolen a boat and just ride to various Islands and explore. Also, just turn it off and let the tides bring me somewhere. While on the glass bottom boat, the captain turned off the engine to look around himself. When he did so, the boat had been given to the tides. And boy was that a fun roller coater on its own. I literally was swung back and forth in a thrilling dizziness that no drug could produce. The sea in fact is a drug. It's addictive and I had to fight every urge just to "get my feet wet" and try it. Having a boat would be so nice though. Maybe I should purchase or steal a really shitty boat and clean it up like in Captain Ron. I would have to say, "Hey Boss!" all the time though. Everything from being out on the ocean and in on the Mummy Ride has truly given me thrills beyond anything imaginable. I don't know. I have a lot more to live and I want to live it more.
I have included some of my trip photographs. There are too many to upload them all, but I am including a link at the bottom for access to my Flickr account.
The Boat.... I mean Ship.
I love the contrast of the green and black.
This shark is for you, Amy!!!
Me on the glass bottom boat.
Part of the city in Nassau.
The middle of the cruise ship.
I just love this picture so much!
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