Bridge = Work

The first day of a new cruise means a lot of work because we need to unpack the two heavy and huge boxes that were sent to us at the hotel and assess the equipment, get familiar with the room, and plan for an unknown amount of students.  We also have to unpack bags in our room because if we didn't do it right away, there was no room to walk around with 4 large suitcases and carry-on bags as we only have 216 sq. ft.   And I have to get my sea legs back.  I am not ashamed to admit to a bit of mal de mer this first night as the seas were a bit lumpy.  Plus, I was exhausted from the past week of packing and traveling.  We fell into bed and morning came around too soon.

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Bridge Around the World with Michael and Beverly Walker.  We have our work cut out for us on this trip.  We started with six tables of beginners, no microphone, and a room that was way too hot.  We ran out of handouts as we did not expect so many beginners.  And then the intermediate group came in... by this time, I am sweating from running around cleaning up from the beginners and getting the intermediates settled.  We had nine tables for intermediates.  Clean up from the class and prepare for the game in the afternoon.  I don't remember if we even had lunch?!  

The afternoon game on the first day is like a chinese fire drill -- people need to be partnered up, and it is noisy while this is going on.  We had 13 tables and getting everyone's name and ACBL numbers and entering them into the computer is time consuming, especially when you can't read their writing.  Michael was busy with director calls.  I made nametags.  After scoring the game, it was time to clean up and make the boards for the next day.   

In addition to game duties, we also had a meet and greet the instructors at 9 am, a meeting with the cruise director at noon, and a meeting with the excursion people. 

And all I wanted to do was take a shower and go to sleep. But that was not to be.  We had dinner with Barry and Christine, a couple we met on the 2013 World Cruise.  It was fun to catch up on what's happened since we last saw them, including knee surgery for each one of us except Michael.  After dinner, we attended the 8:30pm show because it was the music of Billy Joel.  Great music, very enjoyable show.  And guess what?  We got to hear the show a second time -- from our bed!  Yep, we are right over the stage where the band plays.  

Day 2 of bridge settled down a bit, and now everyone knows the drill.  I have heard so many complements about Michael's teaching -- they love him.  Of course!!!!  We finally found a few minutes after the game and meetings to go outside and get a breathe of fresh air.  

Dinner and a show.  Bed, ah sweet bed.  I am a person who has trouble sleeping, but this night I was out even when the band played for the second show.