Even though I’ve done it once before, sailing as girlfriend onboard still feels strange. This morning I was on duty, in uniform ,still teaching. This afternoon I locked the classroom door, put the keys in the office mailslot, hung my uniform in the closet (I may or may not have glared at it and told it to think about what it’s done ,I will not confirm or deny this) and …I was on vacation.
It’s only a two week break, and yes, I did have the option of going home for it. But to be honest, being on the ship and not working? That is sometimes a better vacation than being away – especially when it’s for such a short period of time. Our lives on board are rather tightly regimented (and if you love the job – which I absolutely do – you accept those restrictions) and freedom from that for a few weeks? That’s pretty awesome.
So this evening I started my vacation by bring my parents on board to have dinner (after all, it is Father’s Day, and this is something I could actually manage to do). Which was nice ,and it’s own kind of relaxing on a multitude of levels.
And then tomorrow I have to go to one immigration interview (because I’m considered a passenger and I’m arriving from a foreign port) and one drill, and that’s it, I’m done for two weeks. No uniforms, no stress, no drills – I can sleep in, I can go on tours…I can do absolutely nothing. I can get off the ship whenever I like!
Ha! I am officially on vacation…
Life is good.
I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing vacation.