I slept like a log until 10:30.  As I was rummaging through my suitcase, looking for clothing to wear after I showered,  I was rudely interrupted by this random person that I gave the money to the other day.  I still don’t know who he is.  He told me I had five minutes to get out of the apartment.  So in close to five minutes I got dressed in the first thing I could find, put a hat on my head to cover my hair, jammed everything in my suitcases, and was appalled at the idea of managing them on my own.

However, my guardian angel was still with me.  Italian men in Rome are NOT gallant like they are in Florence.  Somehow, I dragged everything down the street in the rain and then faced the train station.  David had told me to take a taxi to the dock, but by the time I dragged everything down two flights of stairs and then back up again on the other side of the traintracks, I decided I’d tough it out and bought a ticket.  It was only 5 euros!!  However, I had to drag my bags back down the stairs and up on the other side of the tracks.  The train came almost immediately.  The ride to the docks was an hour long, so it’s a very good thing  I didn’t take a taxi which would have been over 100 euros for sure.

When I dragged my bags off the train, my whole life changed.  They were whisked into a waiting taxi bus (5 euros to go from the train about 1/2 mile to the pier).  The ship crew unloaded them, I went through a brief registration, and then entered paradise.  My body ached from head to toe and I hadn’t eaten anything but trail mix in 24 hours.  I consumed the chocolate covered strawberries sent by my travel agent as I awaited my lasagna from room service.  (no charge for room service!)  Then I booked a massage.  I don’t know what she did but it involved smearing me with seaweed, wrapping me in foil, giving me a shower, then wrapping me in foil again, then massaging my feet and my back.  She drew me some kind of diagram about toxins, etc.  but I was feeling too blissful to take it in.  By the time I got to my cabin (I had previously unpacked fortunately) it was time for dinner.  It turned out that I had the best table on the boat,  Right against the windows at the stern.  Dinner was superb, and I managed to stick to my diet.  Hooray for me,

The Crazy Ladies are going to love this cruise.  However, one of then is sure to be a gambler.  What am I going to do about that?  Scheduled to meet up with David in Cannes at about noon.  Am going to see if I can find a church there.  The film festival is going on, so there are bound to be celebs.  Been there..  Done that.  I mean, I know Rachel Ann Nunnes and Heather Moore.  Nothing can top that!