CAYAMO!
I haven’t written about anything for awhile but I want to send my thanks to Laura for getting us a room on this cruise. I haven’t had so much fun in years!

Top of the list:

• Snorkeling
• Great musicians!
• Blue water (so blue that I couldn’t get over it)
• A giant boat with 10 restaurants
• Snorkeling!

I have never seen coral in the ocean – live, up close and personal. I didn’t know that it came in brain versions and purple fan versions. Because I love flower photography, because the color is both extreme and natural at the same time, I was mezmorized by the coral and the fish that had every stripe of the rainbow in them.

There were several memorable moments snorkeling: One was seeing a live octopus, another was being followed by a school of striped fish for the entire time we were in the water, and lastly was watching a school of silver shimmers float ahead of me while the tide pushed them around into strange and elegant formations.

Each day we arrived back to the boat to see, not only music, but some favorite musicians. Our lineup of number ones was the Indigo Girls, Brandi Carlile and Patty Griffin. We luckily managed to see all of them several times in the seven days at sea which was truely ‘totally awesome’.

Then we caught a few acts late at night, like everyone else, joining the exhilarated crowds looking for an opportunity to witness performers inviting favorite performers onstage with them. My heart is still sitting on the floor with a cheap camera shooting video of Vienna Teng and Brandi Carlile doing a lovely rendition of ‘Let It Be’.

I was a little overwhelmed by the experience of this cruise. I guess that is why I have to apologize to Brandi Carlile. As everyone was heading off the boat and dragging they’re luggage behind them, Laura and I happened to be hoping for an elevator. She was waiting nearby for one or two of four doors to open, I was at door number four. At that moment it opened and there stood Brandi Carlile and entourage heading to the exit with luggage. I sincerely wanted to thank her – for her music, her shows and her love of singing and supporting other musicians.

So, of course I said, ‘Hey Brittany – thanks…’ – for everything.

She kind of scowled at me.

The elevator doors closed and I realized I had called her Brittany too late to take it back. I have been tortured by that moment for two weeks now. I have also laughed about it in the parking lot of an Everglades overlook with Laura to the point of physical disability and tears. We couldn’t drive our rental out of the lot.

So, sorry Brandi Carlile. I called you Brittany. I was nervous. Sorry.