River Cruising--the Ins and the Outs

Have you ever wanted to do something so badly that you always think about it? Well, this is my story on our River Cruise. We finally did it. We went on a European River Cruise on the Rhine River for eight days and seven nights. It's been on my bucket list for the last twenty years. My husband always said they were for old people and just plain wasn't interested. And then, our hair turned gray, and we became old. Also, since we were celebrating our 50th anniversary--I had leverage! Let the planning begin! 

How did we like it? Did it meet our expectations? Was it full of old people—walkers, canes, and wheelchairs? Was the food good? I promise to answer these questions and more. And even though, by nature, I am an optimist, I'll tell you the truth. I promise. Remember, though--it's my viewpoint, not necessarily how others feel--at all. 

I admit I do see things through rose-colored glasses. It's a massive part of who I am. So, going on a river cruise was highly anticipated. I couldn't wait. I did tons of research and planning. I wanted the best cruise line and was ready to spare no expense. Europe is our favorite travel destination, so we chose to cruise the Rhine. We went through 4 countries--The Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland. Although we had visited them before, we looked forward to seeing some ports we'd never visited. Unfortunately, we sailed right past some that looked inviting. Hmmm, who's steering this boat anyway? 

We decided to spend a couple of days in Amsterdam before joining our fellow shipmates on our adventure. Our hotel room had a canal view, so from my perspective, things were already going great before we even embarked. Also, at the end of the cruise, we stayed a few extra days in Switzerland and took a train to Colmar, France, for a day of much-needed shopping. What a city! It was my favorite day of the entire trip. Beauty overload. We will return to Comar and most likely stay for a while! 

Back to the boat--once we arrived at the dock, our bags were whisked away, and we were introduced to Andre. He showed us to our room, told us how everything worked, and answered our questions. I'll now do my best to describe the room. However, I will admit to being a complete hotel snob and highly picky, so consider that. Our room was pretty small, and the bathroom was tiny, I mean little! The shower was minuscule. There were nice bath sheets, though, and excellent hair care products. The room was spotless and had a lovely balcony for 2 people; it was wonderful for having early morning coffee, a late-night glass of wine, or just enjoying the fresh air. The ship had great a/c (which is the most important thing to me), plenty of storage with a small dresser, and a nice closet. I tend to be claustrophobic, but I did okay with this room. We weren't in it for a two or three-week trip, which made a difference. 

On our first night in, I noticed a few things. I could hear and feel the engine of the longboat running. It didn't really bother me, but it might bother some. Our Wi-Fi on the boat was excellent; we never had any issues. Every evening, while at dinner, our room steward straightened our room up and left an itinerary for the next day. Having a hard copy and the info on our phone's onboard app was excellent. And I loved the housekeeping staff. Everyone was so friendly, and they kept our room tidy, which I absolutely loved. I am a neat freak, I'm a little OCD, but it's something I accept about myself.

The beds in the staterooms are not king-sized; they are bigger than a queen, though, and can be separated upon request. The mattresses are hard and should be pillow-topped for those older folks with arthritis issues. My hips were killing me. And speaking of pillows--not good. I would be tempted to bring my own in the future. Also, the bathroom floor light does not turn off at night. I had to cover it with a towel and shut the door, and I could still see a faint glow. It drove me nuts. Not having a make-up mirror is one of my biggest pet peeves in any hotel room. No make-up mirror, really? Half of your quests are women! Install a small make-up mirror! I brought my own, but it's a sticking point. As an experienced female traveler, I have expectations. Especially when I have spent money on something like a river cruise. Picky? Yes, very. I warned you. 

Our first dinner on the ship was good. The dining room can accommodate all the guests, which is really nice. We met some incredible people and made good friends while traveling. One thing that I do need to address is the food. It was good, with local cuisine and some American dishes for the less adventurous. Is the food 5-star? No. It's more 4-star, but it was fine. The crew's service was great, and they tried their hardest to accommodate our every whim. I really appreciated the quality of the service. However, I missed visiting restaurants, eating with locals, trying new foods, and people-watching. It seemed that we were eating on the boat in the morning, noon, and night. I felt compelled to eat on board, especially since we had already paid for the meals. However, after the first couple of days, I was getting tired of that. I wanted the Europeans around me, not my fellow Americans! I was in Europe, surrounded by Americans. It kept messing with my brain. We did sneak out a couple of times for coffee, lunch here and there, and dinner out one evening. That helped me. I really needed my Europeans. 

Oh, and one of my favorite items on the ship was the coffee bar on the upper deck. Oh my. I do love a good coffee bar! My husband brought me a cappuccino every morning, and I loved it. The coffee bar was open throughout the day and evening, serving pastries and cookies—a lovely addition to our stay. However, I missed the sense of coffee/cafe culture; it is an essential part of traveling for us—sitting, drinking coffee, watching people, and listening to them talk. 

As you can tell--some things for us could have been better, right? And that's okay. What's not so good for some might be fine for others. Keep that in mind while reading this, and remember—I'm picky. 

So, what were the guests' ages? Most were in their 50s, 60s, and 70s, with a few in their 40s and 80s. One woman had a walker, and one man had a cane. The excursions also included a leisurely walking group, which was awesome. There was no pressure for the slower crowd. I loved the way all the guests on the cruise were cared for. Everyone was treated with care and respect. We had those on the boat who were mother/daughter or father/son, we had various age groups, etc., and everyone was extremely accommodating. 

So, bottom line: Would I do a river cruise again? The answer is maybe. 

However, I would do more research and find a European cruise line rather than an American one because I want to be immersed in the culture of the countries I visit. I missed the cafe culture and had to try to find time for that, which was hard to do because the scheduling of the excursions and docking times for walking tours of the port cities were very limiting for me. They usually took place before the shops opened, and the streets were empty. I looked forward to shopping and coffee with the Europeans, not a history lesson and a quick walk through town. I needed more time. 

One of my favorite days was cruising the river to see the castles. They were beyond amazing, and the weather couldn't have been better. It was magical. We sat on the top deck in the sunshine, breezes blowing, and castles floating by—what's not to love? I decided right then and there that I needed a castle to renovate. I'm going to have to work on that one. My husband might disagree. 

As I thought long and hard about this trip, I realized something. I enjoy planning our adventures. I love researching cities, looking for train routes, finding suitable hotels, and scouting nearby restaurants. Are there trams, trains, and buses that we can take? Should we rent a car? Planning is so much fun, and cruising takes that out of your hands. You show up and follow their itinerary. I will likely plan another river cruise when I'm older and want someone to "do the planning" for me. However, while I enjoy good health, I will plan my own land excursions, walk the towns, shop the shops, and visit all the cafes I can while I still have my health. While I genuinely enjoyed the cruise, it wasn't a perfect fit for me. I am happy that we went. And one day, we most likely will go again. 

We discovered a long ago that we aren't truly vacationers. We like adventures. We don't lay around on beaches, reading the days away or relaxing. Nope, not us. We get up early, drink loads of coffee, and hit the streets. We shop, eat, drink even more coffee, walk some more, shop some more, stop for snacks, and repeat. We love to take side excursions (scenic boat rides, water taxis), look for out-of-the-way places, and discover open-air markets. And finding a trinket or two is right up my alley. 

So, there you have it—my perception of the ins and outs of river cruising. It was a beautiful, fun, and genuinely fantastic trip. We have many memories, incredible photos, and new friends. 

Easter

I sometimes wonder why Easter isn't my favorite holiday. As a Christian, it signifies the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It's a day of celebration. And as a child, we went to church in new little dresses and sometimes even new shoes. We got Easter baskets full of candy, and after church, we had a wonderful ham dinner with all the trimmings. We did our annual Easter egg hunt with the cousins, and then, well, then, I grew up. Things changed.

I wanted the same idealized version for my own children—church, Easter egg hunts, and baskets. I sewed little dresses with tons of lace for my daughter and bought new little suits for my sons. And then, they grew up. 

And now, we are left alone. Sometimes, memories have to suffice, and I don't like that. We've all spread out. Sometimes we travel to see each other, and sometimes we travel away from each other. Business trips, spring break, and vacations to different places separate us. I didn't realize that was going to happen. I've lost control, as it should be. 

That's why Easter isn't my favorite holiday. It comes in last behind Christmas, Thanksgiving, and most birthdays. We get together for those, as well as Memorial Day and Labor Day—long weekends are enticing. But not Easter. We don't seem to plan for it.

So, no, it's not my favorite holiday. It's down quite far on my list. Today will be fine; some of our family is coming, and I've got some Easter candy ready for them. However, a sadness has settled on me. I went to church, set the table, and made the dinner. Grandkids are due any minute, and yet...

I wonder if this is how it will be from now on. I also wonder if my parents and in-laws felt the same way. It's too late to ask them now, so I'll write all this here. That way, my kids will eventually know that this is how I felt, and it might ease their sadness one day—when it happens to them. 

Princess Room

When we retired and downsized (because that's what you do when you retire), we bought a smaller 3 bed, 2 bath home. It's a cute little house, a cottage style, with some features that really stood out. One was a bay window in the dining room, and the other was a large brick fireplace in the family room. I'm all about warm, cozy, intimate spaces. However, with those small spaces come small rooms and closets. And so begins my story about a small master bedroom closet and my vast collection of goods.

I decided that I wanted an extra large closet. One that housed everything. Shoes, coats, makeup, an actual giant closet. A princess room. A room just for me. I guess it would be similar to a "man cave," only for women. I thought long and hard about what I wanted it to look and feel like. After all, I would be spending a lot of time there. It had to reflect my personality and meet my high expectations. 

Since we had a 3 bedroom house and only needed one guest room, I took over the room closest to the master bedroom. First, I had to decide on color. I painted it a beautiful blue and found an antique desk with many small drawers to accommodate my makeup and hair brushes. I painted it magenta and found a floral rug for the floor that incorporated both colors. I bought a blue stool--to sit on and put on my shoes. I purchased white wicker shelves and roll-around carts and hung six racks for all my hang-up clothes. 

My husband caught the bug--and helped me with the remodel job. He hung a chandelier and all the clothing racks for me. He removed the sliding doors from the closet in the bedroom and put up shoe and boot racks. By the time we were finished, it had looked amazing. Everything about that room reflected me. I can now get ready each morning--hair, makeup, get dressed, put on my shoes, etc, all in one room.

It is a princess room; the best part is that it's all mine. 

I love that when my granddaughters are over visiting, they love my princess room. They'll sit on the floor, looking through my jewelry or waiting for me to give them makeup samples I won't use. We try on shoes, chatter away, and just enjoy being together. 

My little princess room is more than a closet. It's a means to spend time with my daughter and my granddaughters. We talk, have fun, try on things, and laugh. And what could be better than that? 

Man cave vs princess room--I know what I'd choose. 

This is Why I share

I amaze myself when I think about all that goes into my Christmas planning. I begin by shopping. I shop for my three grown children and their spouses and grandchildren. That doesn't include friends, other family members, or any parties I might need a gift for. That's just my family--14 people. I begin early, shopping for just the right gifts, and when they open them, it feels like the best thing that's ever happened to me. I am more excited than they are. Their expressions and their joy are so wonderful to watch. Oh, and the wrapping! Boxes and bags must be just right, matching the age and personality of the right person. My husband thinks I'm crazy to put so much effort into wrapping. However, for me, it's part of the gift. How it's presented is very important to me. 

I also clean my house from top to bottom, scrubbing and decorating each room so they feel like they did as children on Christmas morning. Tow large Christmas trees--one for the living room, which is full of ornaments from our world travels, and one for the family room, which is full of a little bit of everything. Homemade ones, coffee, photos, and trinkets of all kinds. Looking at this tree, one sees family, hobbies, and kids. Wonder, delight, joy. All the emotions. I feel them all. 

And then I cook. I buy the best of the best. A feast. Prime rib, roasted veggies, fresh warm bread. I set the table with Christmas dishes, presenting them with a bountiful setting and making memories as we go through each moment. 

Why? Because I love them. I love my family so much and want them to feel that love deeply. 

So, why do I share my life with you? I feel that love for you also. I love my children and grandchildren, my friends and neighbors. I love the people I see on the street and the people in the grocery stores. I care for you. I want you to know what I have and tell you you can also have it. Why wouldn't I share? Why wouldn't I tell you about my most incredible gift ever? Why would I be selfish and keep it to myself? 

I want you to experience Christmas at my house--metaphorically. I want you to feel that excitement brewing. Because my life began with just that feeling. It was the day I met Jesus. It was Christmas for me that day. And it had all that comes with it. The forethought, the presentation, and the excitement.

It was the most incredible day of my life. Everything changed. Words can barely describe what happened in my home. I was just 6 years old, yet "Christmas" happened before my eyes. Jesus moved in, and fear, loneliness, and hunger moved out. I've written much about my childhood in this blog, but I've tried not to push Jesus down your throats. I've shared in modest, simple terms, just little bits here and there. But what if time is running short? What if I'm not here later to share more? And there is more. There's so much more. 

I know that God loves me more than I love others. I know that. But, wow, I sure do love God. I love the changes he brought into my home as a child. It's something that I can never ever repay. The peace alone is priceless. Then, add safety, joy, acceptance, forgiveness, and love. I can rest in God's arms and know all is well with me. 

So, I share. I share my faith. A little at a time, some a little more than others. I want those around me to know that Christmas isn't a day. Christmas is a way of life. It's the prep that God does. It's the gifts that God gives. It's the joy that God brings to my heart. I'll keep sharing as long as you'll keep listening.

You might never want what I have, but then again, you might. So, if you ever do, if you'd ever like me to share--I will. Just ask. I'm always praying for you, always waiting for you to experience what I have. Always willing to share my faith with you--without any pressure. This is why I share. I am hopeful.