Last Sea Day

Nov 17th
At sea

Today was our last of 6 sea days crossing the Atlantic, and was about as eventful as all the others. We had a farewell show to play that night, just like any other cruise we do, and the instead of the jazz set with the singers as we usually do, we did a big band jazz set with a improv emphasis. Following that, most of the band made it upstairs to the SOB to wish the singers and dancers farewell. I said a few goodbyes, and then went out on the bow to reflect a bit before actually getting to America. And following that long reflection, decided to come back to the room and write out my post right now. So, to reflect…
I’ve been on the ship 4 months now, pretty much to the day. Tomorrow is technically the 4 month anniversary, but I first arrived in Barcelona on the 17th of July. It’s unbelievable when I think back to the four months I just spent traveling Europe. In a mere 4 months, I’ve probably been to more countries than virtually everyone I know at home. And the best part is that I’ve been getting paid to do it, and paid to play music a couple hours a night. It seems too good to be true, but it is true and you’ve seen some of the pictures to prove it. It was strange being able to look out over the bow and see lights from what must be Florida, it gives a really interesting “going home” feeling. Being American and returning to America is a position I’ve never been in before, and returning by boat that just sailed across the Atlantic only emphasizes this feeling. It’s a strange culmination, a closing of a chapter under a star filled sky, watching as the city lights grow in intensity. I’ve concluded 4 months of being on the other side of the world, and it’s as if I’m about to embark on a completely different journey, which in many ways, I am.
The dancers and skaters are all signing off tomorrow, which is going to be hard for many of us the next few days. I think it’ll be especially hard for me because they’ve been my first ship family. For 4 months, I’ve lived with them and worked with them, and so many of them are now great friends that I hate to see go. I now have friends in Finland, Australia, Italy, England, Argentina, and so many other places that I can’t get in my car and drive to. It makes for a real strange goodbye too, cause unlike graduation, you know everyone will most likely stay close, or it’ll be relatively easy to get in touch, especially in the following days. With these friends, they all fly out to all over the world, and I can’t believe that this group will ever be together again in such away that we just were. Tomorrow I’ll be letting go of a lot of friends who have meant a lot to me in these first 4 months of ship life, and I have no doubt that it’ll be odd next week getting to know a new cast, but I guess that’s the life I signed up for. But hey, I’m a better person for knowing these people, even if it was for a short while, and I’ve been able to experience people in a way Chicago just can’t offer. It’s like, I know a lot of people at home who are Italian, but having Italian friends on the ship like Sonia and Gianni, is a completely different experience, and I couldn’t be more grateful for these relationships.
It’s sad to know everyone is leaving for other things, but also invigorating because it reminds me of all the other things still in front of me. Between the next two months in the Caribbean, time at home to catch up, and two months in Hong Kong, I know my journey is just beginning. I can only hope that my path continues to remind me of the friends I’ve made along the way. Also, I hope to never lose sight of this great chance to see the world, and that this has been made a reality through something I love, music. Like I said, tomorrow isn’t going to be easy, but it’s the first of many departures that will separate me from some of the best friends someone could ask for. But I’m better for knowing them than if I stayed in Chicago, and thanks to the magic of facebook (an online social community), I can keep in contact with everyone with just a few simple clicks. So I guess it’s by no means over if I don’t want it to be, but that doesn’t make it any easier knowing that they all will be flying to everywhere in the world but Chicago.
But I’m here on a beautiful ship in a beautiful part of the world I’ve yet to experience, I’ve still got good friends around and a great new opportunity to make some more, and 2 months to keep living a lifestyle that I don’t believe can be beat. Onward to the next chapter of my cruise experience, sure to be filled with more great stories and journeys, along with extraordinary people.