Fourth Day- Miami

I woke up this morning to a loud clang that felt like it was right outside my cabin.  I knew that we were coming into port today but hoped I could sleep for a while.  I felt like I was in the Titanic movie for a quick second (by the way, there is a picture of the sinking titanic from the movie outside on our cabin door.  I thought it was funny.  That’s how I remember which cabin is mine).  I knew that we had to do Immigration at 10 today but I didn’t know how long it would take.  It’s weird doing that kind of thing because I guess technically I never left the country.  We all sat in the theatre and waited for our name to be called so we could get our passport then we would head down to the customs office for paperwork.  I followed everyone else and did what I was supposed to do but when I passed the customs official’s line they told me to go back to the ship.  I don’t really know why they told me to do this because technically I was cleared into the US.  I really wanted to go to port today but I guess I wouldn’t get a chance to do so.  I guess I wasn’t going to port after all.  I headed back to my room to change into my uniform so I could go into public areas.  On my way up the room I saw a huge line with everyone in common clothes with ID badges and a gangway.  Ah ha! I ran upstairs and changed out of my uniform grabbed my computer, charger, and phone and ran back downstairs to the line.  By this time it had doubled in length but I waited patiently so I could leave the ship.  Return time was 3 pm.  I had no idea where I was going but knew that I needed to go into town to pick up some laundry detergent and a mesh bag.  The gangway was on the lower level which dropped us off on the loading dock.  There were 4 large forklifts that were shuttling various cargo to and from the ship.  I tried to stick to the sides as not to get run over by one of them because I doubt they would stop for me.  I didn’t really know where to go but followed everyone else down the loading dock and to a fence that was apparently the crew exit.  Apparently there isn’t much of shopping near the port, or anything else for that matter.  I noticed that everyone else was getting into multiple cargo vans that, I guess, took them to whatever market that they needed to go.  Another thing about cruise ships, there are at least four different languages being spoken at a time wherever you are so English may or may not help you understand where you are going.  Looking back on it, getting into the cargo van was probably not a good idea but the rest of these people had Carnival ID badges so I figured that they had to get back to the ship sometime.  The driver packed us all in and drove to, what I now know as, downtown Miami.  When we stopped everyone started ruffling through their wallets and purses for some money to give him.  Thank God I had cash.  I wadded up about two dollars and gave it to the man as I stepped off and walked quickly away hoping that would be a sufficient amount of money.  I kept strict mental notes as to my location in case I needed to get back there to catch the van again.  As I was walking down the street I noticed that most of the shops were like shops in a third world country.  All of them had advertisements for cell phones, calling cards, Western Union, and occasionally post offices.  I walked down the street until it joined with another one and as I turned the corner I saw it.  The Siren.  The green circle and Siren of the Starbucks logo.  Never have I been so happy to see the Starbucks logo.  I dashed in and saw that it was pretty full of customers, most of them speaking different languages and knew that this place would be ok to hang around in.  I ordered my ususal: Half Caff Venti Iced Mocha and claimed a chair while waiting for the drink.  I took the time to call some friends and check in with people to let them know that I had arrived safely.  I even managed to call Professor X because I knew that he was in Florida in grad school and maybe we could meet up for lunch but sadly he is in Orlando not Miami, and that’s too much of a drive for lunch.  I hijacked Starbuck’s internet to update Starcraft (it never fully updated) and took to Facebook for some much needed contact to the outside world.  I also set up this blog that you’re currently reading.  I spent about an hour on the phone with Justin updating him on my life this far when I realized I had about 35 percent battery remaining.  Damn Droid.  I also took the Liberty (no pun intended) to order a Kindle off Amazon so hopefully it will arrive the next time I’m in Miami.  The time was 1:30.  I really didn’t want to risk getting back to the ship late so I decided to find an ATM and head back to the ship.  I used a good portion of the battery on my phone to locate a BB&T ATM.  There wasn’t any.  I debated ditching the ATM for another week but decided that since most transactions that take place on ship are in cash, thought it might be better to have some cash.  Apparently there is a Chase bank but I never keep a lot of cash in that account.  I just used the Bank of America ATM and forgo the $3 fee.  I headed back to the spot where the vans dropped me off and discovered Sasha, the dance captain, walking my way as well.  We chatted a bit and I asked her if this was the exact point where the vans picked people up.  Thankfully she said yes and we parted ways so she could go hunt down another bra.  I texted a few other people just to get as much phone time as I could before I was dark for another week.  I found the sketchy cargo van and hopped in like I knew what I was doing.  I knew it was the same cargo van because it had the same logo as the one that I rode in over to the market in.  I saw people with CVS bags and Walgreens bags and almost hit myself for not going there to get a 12 pack of coke to carry back (Coke is a rarity onboard).  I noticed the driver was the same one who drove me to the market and he didn’t seem to notice me so I guess I paid him enough as a fare to the market.  He dropped me off at the same exit that I took to get in the van and saw the impressive Liberty docked at port.  Such a beautiful sight.  Then I noticed a few people getting off so I thought I best do what they do.  Almost immediately after I looked up at the Liberty I heard a crash and looked back down to the ground.  One of the crew member’s bottle of wine that he had carried from the market broke free of its plastic bag and smashed on the floor.  I had to look away to keep from laughing.  Apparently he was cursing in some other language that I didn’t understand and I made my way back onto the ship.  I basically retraced my steps back through the burly customs agent and past the forklifts to the gangway.  It is a wonderful feeling to walk across the gangway back to where you know you’re supposed to be.  I looked at my watch and it read 2 o’clock.  I had a whole hour to kill before I was to be back onboard.  I dodged the theatre (David was doing moving light repairs) and took the back way to my cabin.  I changed into my uniform and headed to the fourth deck where I could get access to the bow of the ship and the outside world.  I knew if I had my phone and USB cord I could sit outside and tether internet from my phone to my computer (Did I mention I love my phone?)  I called up Justin and we ended up chatting for most of the time.  I looked at my watch and it was about three and I had to head back to my cabin.  Right before doing so I overheard a conversation about people working the theatre and the different cruises that went on.  I noticed that it was one of the performers talking to the crew members.  I decided to stay and chat for a while and I learned a lot about what the different boats are like and how we change schedules every week. What? We’re not going back to St. Thomas?  Damn.  Sure enough, we were taking an Eastern Caribbean cruise which consisted of Cocoa Cay, Jamaica, and Cozumel.  Crap. I hate Cozumel. Lots of drunk college kids go there for their spring break.  Not to mention there would be no place to catch up on phone calls and wireless internet.  So I texted my friends to let them know that I wouldn’t be able to contact them mid week this week and that I would probably be back in Miami on Saturday.  Right after that Brian excused himself because he had to get to boat drill.  Yet another thing that I forgot about.  I ran back to my cabin and checked in with Daniel and made sure I knew where I was going for boat drill.  As soon as I got finished talking to him about it the PA system pinged seven times followed by a long flatline.  Yup, it was time for boat drill.  I grabbed my huge fluorescent orange vest and headed for my assigned position.  Thank God Daniel had the same spot because I don’t think I could have made it there by myself.  How was I supposed to tell guests where to go if I didn’t even know myself??  I just played along and ushered people down into columns and rows as they had done to me when I was on boat drill on my cruise.  Apparently this was the correct thing to do.  Daniel told me that one of us had to demonstrate how to put on a life jacket.  Guess who did that?  Yup. I felt like a flight attendant. “Place the life jacket over your head with the reflectors facing out…” said a voice through the PA system.  I motioned to the reflectors.  “Take the strap and place it around your back…” Yup. Check. “Fasten the buckle by fitting it into the strap…” Got it.  “Fasten the ties around the neck…”  OK. “Each life vest comes equipped with a white flashing light, and a whistle…” motions to light and whistle. Easy.  The instructions went on and on and I followed each of them as they were given.  I looked up and saw about fifty eyes staring at me.  I immediately looked back down to pretend to button up the vest.  I glanced over to Daniel who fifty feet was doing the same thing.  He had already started removing his vest so naturally I followed.  Apparently we didn’t need them anymore.  After we crammed everyone through boat drill we got the order to let them leave.  I felt like I was ushering cattle to slaughter.  It was nice being one of the ushers and not the cattle for once.  After boat drill we had an entertainment meeting in the theatre.  Basically it was there to show the old people off, usher new people in (including myself) and introduce the hotel director and the cruise director.  Yippee.  By that time it was about 5:40 and almost ready for dinner.  At this point I realized that I hadn’t had anything to eat all day.  I threw the orange construction worker vest down in my cabin, grabbed my room key and headed down to the crew mess.  The food was good, but it tasted delicious since I hadn’t had anything to eat all day.  I sat down and talked some more to Brad (the person that I chatted outside with) and arranged the next time we were in Miami a trip to the local mall.  I talked with Diane and scheduled the next time that they needed me for a “load in.”  Since the other events were going and I was not scheduled to work, the next time was around 8:45.  I took the time to go back up to my room and update some journal entries.