Barcelona, Spain

Transatlantic cruise, check!  We finally reached the destination of "The Trans."  Finally time for some new guests. For the rest of the summer, Barcelona was our new home port.  I didn't explore it as much as I could have for many reasons.

YUM.  No, I did not color enhance this photo.

1. Embark/Debark day = POSSIBILITY TO SLEEP IN!  No work until our company meeting at 3:30.
2. "We're here every cruise.  I'll explore next embark day." (Tip: you eventually run out of 'next times')
3. A day for business: Post office, WiFi, Shopping, etc. (well, maybe not all business)

Anyway, I saw the things I wanted to see and I am satisfied.  Obviously, I didn't experience the famous Barcelona night-life since we sailed away every afternoon, but that doesn't disappoint me that deeply.  From the port, the bus let us off on Las Ramblas, and from there we took our pick.  

Just another Gothic cathedral in Spain

The Farmer's Market! It's crowded...watch your purse!

An early walk down Las Ramblas with Kaila for a day of wifi. Before the crowds. Sometimes you just need a day to get business done.

Tapas! Buffet style. Price per "stick."

The famous La Segrada Famiglia.

 

Begun by Antonio Gaudi in 1882. Expected completion: 2041

The Apostle's Creed in La Segrada Famiglia

Park Güell. Another creation of Antonio Gaudi.

Don't feel the need to watch this video in it's entirety.  I enjoyed sitting and listening in the shade for a break from the intense heat at Park Güell. My favorite is around 9.40, when they thank everyone in all different languages.

Gibraltar

Our second stop in the Mediterranean. Both Madeira and Gibraltar were one-time stops on our summer itinerary, so we tried our hardest to see the sights.

Gibraltar is a British territory on the southern tip of a peninsula extending from Spain.  The famous Straight of Gibraltar is the narrow straight between Europe and Africa.  From The Rock of Gibraltar, you can see both Spain and Morocco; two countries, two continents.  It's pretty amazing to think about when you're there!

Carissa (my roommate) and I got off the ship together, here in Gibraltar.  We walked through the town and managed to find the cable cars to the top.  The view was spectacular.  On one side of The Rock it looked as though you could see half of the sea.  On the other side, we were standing in the UK, but looking at Spain and Morocco.  Three countries at once! (Well, one territory and two countries, but still!)  We decided to hike down The Rock and pick up the cable car at the half-way stop instead of taking it all the way from top to bottom...We were still enjoying the fact that we were on land after a week at sea.  Upon reaching the mid-point cable car stop, we found that it only stops there during high tourist season, which it was not.  So back up The Rock we went. We didn't know where the path would let out if we hiked to the bottom.  So basically, in walking half-way down and then back up again, we hiked the entire height of The Rock. Steps, and steps, and steps and more steps.  The results?  A sore butt!

You can almost visualize the globe in this photo!

Later that day, we headed back to the ship.  We hadn't noticed just how far we'd walked that morning and realized we better step it up to make it back in time.  Then we took a wrong turn.  Then we back tracked.  Then we were RUNNING to the ship to make it back in time for work!  Just the first of many experiences like this one.  It's unavoidable.  The life of a crew-member.

After that brief work meeting, I got off the ship to return to a nearby wi-fi location I had spotted while running.  It was at a place called the Seafarer's Mission, but, for a reason I don't remember, it was closed.  I was almost in tears upon discovering this.  I sat on the stoop and managed to get a weak signal and literally cried tears of joy when Victoria connected to Skype.  What can I say?  The number of life adjustments I'd encountered were overwhelming and, well, she's my person!
 

So. Many. Stairs.

A little too close for comfort.  They were vicious!

Carissa makes the encounter look sweet and not scary at all.

And all I could sing all day was Waka Waka.  Carissa will tell you!

Funchal, Madeira

Land Ho!

Where is the island of Madeira?

After seven days at sea, we arrived at our first European port of the summer: Funchal, Madeira.  Madeira is a Portuguese island that is basically in the middle of nowhere.

Land Ho!

Since we were still in the middle of "crossover" (the rehearsal period transitioning from the Magic 29 cast to Magic 30), we had very little time to debark the ship. Kristine, Kaila, Diego, Kevin and I made a run for it to experience the tourist attractions.  We rode a cable car high above the city from Funchal to Monte, with beautiful scenic views.  Once we reached the top, we rode down on a toboggan basket, steered by two men standing on the back.

From the Cable Car.  The Disney Magic in the distance.

Myself, Diego, Kaila and Kev in Funchal

With Kaila, Kristine and our "tobaggan-eers"

How To Entertain Yourself on a Saturday Night

Here's a little comic relief for you while you wait for my next post.  My friend Bria came from California, to visit me in North Carolina, before I moved to Toronto to begin rehearsing for Disney Cruise Line.  This is how we chose to entertain ourselves...making a lip synced music video.  Victoria had just walked in the door after a month away, and a roadtrip home all the way from Florida.  We welcomed her with a purple sequined leotard from the dress-up box and began our recording at 10:30 pm.  Because what else do you do on a Saturday night in Winterville, North Carolina?

March 2013, Wannabe by The Spicegirls Bria, Victoria and Caroline

Just to refresh your memories (or in case you are a new reader), this is Winterville.  Cotton field suburbia.

Sailing Away! The Transatlantic

Goodbye USA!  After flying from our two-month rehearsal home in Toronto, Ontario, we arrived in Galveston, Texas.  After two days in Traditions, a class on the background of the Disney Company, we finally boarded the Disney Magic.  Emotions were high on every level; excitement, nerves, exhaustion.

Sailing away for the first time!

We set sail from Galveston and commenced "crossover" - the rehearsal process of taking over the shows, sets and other duties of the previous cast, Magic 29.  Two sea-days later, we stopped at Disney's island, Castaway Cay, for the guests, but also for final supplies before sailing across The Atlantic.  Seven long day's at sea.  It was one heck of a way to be initiated into ship life.  Below are some of my very first photos onboard from Magic 30 Embark Day.

Watching the ship sail out of Galveston, TX from the Crew Deck, Deck 5 Forward. You can see the guests watching from above the bridge, on deck 10.

With Kaila, sailing away!

A view of the ship from Castaway Cay, before "The Trans."

Kaleigh and I visiting "Pinocch" and Jimminy.  They are "friends with" the Magic 29 cast.

Around the World and Back Again

I have been living life and living it to the fullest during my absence from Attraversiamo.  I have sailed across the Atlantic...twice; visited Greek temples, olympic stadiums and islands; jumped from cliffs in Croatia; meandered the streets of Venice until sunrise; climbed The Rock of Gibraltar; driven the countryside of Ireland; visited the cathedrals of Spain and Italy; and so so so much more.  I have friends in countries I had never even heard of.  I have had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.  I have changed as a person.  I have discovered personal strengths and weaknesses and come out on top.

Over the next few weeks, I'll post by city or by port so you can get a glimpse of what each one was like.  Even though we visited these ports multiple times, you'll get a little peak, whether it's photos, a video, a little story, or all three!

Just One More Canadian Week

Here's my new address for the time being.  Spain!

Disney Magic: Port of Barcelona
Perez Y Cia
Attn: Disney Cruise Line Operations
Caroline Dennis, Entertainment, #00787713
Via Laietana 33, 3-2       08003
Barcelona       SPAIN

I was talking to a friend on Skype and she pointed out the ridiculous number of mailing addresses I've had since she met me in college.  So let's check it out (including my new Spain address).

If you've known me since January of 2013 - 3 addresses
If you've known me since January of 2012 - 6 addresses
If you've known me since January of 2011 - 7 addresses
If you've known me since January of 2010 - 8 addresses

Pretty crazy.  I suppose you could say I get around.  

I leave for Texas, where we board, one week from today!  

Countdown until shipboard life - 9 days

Beatrix Potter anyone?

Emma, Carissa and I visited the Toronto Islands this week and enjoyed a beautiful escape from the city.  The weather was perfect and the surroundings serene.

With my current roommat, Emma.  Keeping those faces white and those tan lines away!

Yes, there is a "Clothing Optional Beach" on the Toronto Islands

Here's my fall itinerary as promised:

3-5 Week Dry Dock (Ship Maintenance)

5 Day Bahamas, October 20^th - October 25^th

October 20 - Miami

21^st – Castaway Cay

22^nd – Sea Day

23^rd – Nassau

24^th – Castaway Cay

25^th – Sea Day

2 Day Cruise, October 25^th – October 27^th

October 25^th – Miami

26^th – Sea Day

27^th – Miami

5 Day Cruise, Western Caribbean, October 27^th – November 1^st

October 27^th – Miami

28^th – Sea Day

29^th – Cozumel, Mexico

30^th – Sea Day

31^st – Castaway Cay

Nov 1^st – Sea Day

5 Day Cruise, Cayman, November 1^st – November 6^th

November 1^st – Miami

2^nd – Sea Day

3^rd – Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

4^th – Cozumel, Mexico

5^th – Sea Day

6^th – Miami

4 Day Cruise, Key West, November 6^th – November 10^th

November 6^th – Miami

7^th – Castaway Cay

8^th – Sea Day

9^th – Key West

10^th – Miami

5 Day Cruise, November 10^th – November 15^th

November 10^th – Miami

11^th – Sea Day

12^th – Cozumel, Mexico

13^th – Sea Day

14^th – Castaway Cay

15^th – Sea Day

5 Day Cruise, Cayman, November 15^th – November 20^th

November 15^th – Miami

16^th – Sea Day

17^th – Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

18^th – Cozumel, Mexico

19^th – Sea Day

20^th – Miami

4 Day Cruise, Key West, November 20^th – November 24^th

November 20^th – Miami

21^st – Castaway Cay

22^nd – Sea Day

23^rd – Key West

24^th – Miami

5 Day Cruise, Western Caribbean, November 24^th – November 29^th

November 24^th – Miami

25^th – Sea Day

26^th – Cozumel, Mexico

27^th – Sea Day

28^th – Castaway Cay

29^th – Sea Day

5 Day Cruise, Cayman, November 29^th – December 4^th

29^th – Miami

30^th – Sea Day

December 1^st – Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

2^nd – Cozumel, Mexico

3^rd – Sea Day

4^th – Miami

4 Day Cruise, Key West, December 4^th – December 8^th

4^th – Miami

5^th – Castaway Cay

6^th – Sea Day

7^th – Key West

8^th – Miami

5 Day Cruise, Western Caribbean, December 8^th – December 13^th

December 8^th – Miami

9^th – Sea Day

10^th – Cozumel, Mexico

11^th – Sea Day

12^th – Castaway Cay

13^th – Sea Day

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