Heading out

After all the disruption, drama, and general suckiness of the last couple of months, I decided to go ahead and brave traveling.  The cruise that I will be catching in Malaga has been planned for well over a year.  Similar to 2024, this was to be a trip with Miriam, our youngest. Last year we sailed from Southampton to Miami on NCL. This year? It was to be Malaga to Miami on the maiden voyage of Windstar’s Star Seeker. New, yacht type 225 passenger ship. 

And then the world happen. First, I lost my hearing thanks to middle ear damage on my return flights from Miami in Oct. It has taken me until this past week to have any ability to hear something that isn’t directly in front of me. Headphones have really helped in terms of at least escaping into audio books without drowning out everyone else’s hearing. Second – Miriam’s guy was sideswiped by a car running a red light and making an illegal turn right before Thanksgiving. If he hadn’t been an experienced rider, I don’t know that he would have survived. But wearing full protective gear helped keep him alive. But there was time in surgery, time in the ICU, time on the ward, and some time in what was supposed to be “rehab.” He is still in the neck brace, still has to have a knee reconstruction, etc but he is home. Obviously he can’t drive, go to work, or live alone. Miriam is obviously not making this winter’s cruise. 

All in all, the last couple of months haven’t been all that fun. I thought seriously about not going, but everything here seems to have stabilized for the moment.  There will still be challenges, as I can’t count on my hearing staying through the two flights it will take me to get to Malaga. I will be asking the airline for assistance, just in case, I also will just plan on taking a cab from airport to hotel on Sat eve and from the hotel to the ship on Sunday. 

I have essential clothes packed. Electronics organized and more than enough cross stitch to keep me happy. I will keep you posted….