A few more days

Monday, Jan 5. Our second day at sea. Silly me, thinking that yesterday, our first sea day would be one of rest and relaxation. Both today and yesterday were filled with lectures, seminars, bridge, and other things to keep us busy.
But first, our dining experience. We were scheduled for the first seating but after day one decided that 5:30 was just too early so we requested the second seating at 8 pm. At 7:55 on Saturday we arrived in the dining to claim our places at our newly assigned table. As we walked toward the table for eight we spied 6 people and one empty chair. Back to the dining room manager who then lead us to table 154. By the time our appetizers had arrived we were still the only two people at an eight seater. Our waiter then asked if we would like to join the two people at another eight seater behind us. We did and enjoyed the company of a couple from Pennsylvania.
After dinner it was off to the Queen's Lounge for the musical comedy of the Taylors,
a husband and wife who combine dance, singing, comedy and acrobatic adagio.
The third night, last night, we arrived at the dining room and were lead to a table for eight. Again we were the only ones at the table so once again it was back to the dining room manager. The third time's a charm. We have found a home at a table for eight with a couple of from Canada, a single lady from we don't know where yet, a couple from Cleveland and a single gentleman from Toronto. All are very pleasant, interesting and cruising enthusiasts.
It was the first formal night, and interestingly about 90% of the women were in black.
Instead of the usual long lines to meet the captain we were able to say hello immediately upon entering the Queen's Lounge after dinner. Captain Halle Thon Gundersen introduced a few of the ship's officers and after a champagne toast left the stage to the evening's entertainment, Bettine Clemen a flutist.
Yesterday was very busy. After the first meet and greet of the Cruise Critic group at 10 am immediately followed by a cocktail party with the Cruise Specialists group at 11, we barely had time for lunch before it was time for David' Smith's first lecture. We were happy to see David and his wife Anna on board. Last year on the Amsterdam, David gave lectures on digital photography and Anna talks on fabrics.
Today Monday, started off with breakfast, followed by a "morning show" by the cruise director during which he imparts tidbits of advice and interviews the ship's entertainers. Next came Kate Ross, with her first Explorations Speaker Series talk, The Geography & People of South America, an excellent introduction (and refresher for those of us out of school for many years) to Latin America.
There wasn't even time for a quick cup of coffee before the port lecturer's talk on Bridgetown, Barbados, tomorrow's port of call. Frank Buckingham is very British, very humorous and a wealth of knowledge on all subjects.
Here are a few quickie facts about Barbados. The island which gained independence from England in 1966 is known as a little England of eternal sunshine. It is one of the windward islands, and consists of 168 square miles. The name is believed to have come from the vines on the fig trees which looked like beards to the early explorers. The island is moderately tropical, has few streams but many underground waterways which flow through the limestone.
There are about 280,000 people, 91% of whom are black. Life expectancy is higher than on most Caribbean Island--71 years for men and 74 for women. 40% of the inhabitants practice the Anglican religion of England.
In the early years of the island fortunes were made from sugar with the work force being mostly slaves from Africa or people from Ireland. Many of the workers lived in what were called chattel houses. When work on one plantation was finished the small houses could easily be broken down and reassembled on another plantation. A forerunner of the trailers of today's migrant workers?
Organized activities we didn't do today included the morning walk-a-mile, aerobics class, mass, tai chi, interdenominational devotional, yoga, the art of collecting seminar, ping pong tournament, gambling in the casino, a younger looking skin seminar, sit and knit, team trivia, dance lessons on the mambo, crazy golf in the atrium, slot tournament, teeth whitening clinic, wine tasting, art auction, movie goers get together, digital photography lessons, arts and crafts (quilling), croquet target shoot, afternoon tea, watercolor class, culinary lessons, bingo, Friends of Bill, and happy hour. Anyone who is bored on a cruise ship has only him or herself to blame. (Friends of Bill and Happy hour are scheduled at the same time....no conflict there)
Tonight's entertainment will be a comedian, Jimmy Carroll, followed by a 50s and 60s sock hop. I think we’ll probably skip the sock hop. Maybe we’ll take in the late movie, the newest batman one.