Taiter's Travels

2006-08-22T13:48:00.000-07:00

Royal Caribbean: Monarch of the Seas

8/14/06
Rosanna, Lauren, and Jerome show up at our house and there is madness moving all the cars around. My dad, Rosanna, and I drop off Lucy at the dog kennel, home of her kennel cough (grrr). We get lost a couple times while listening to The Best Playlist Ever and then see a big ship! I was half expecting our ship to be a little rusty thing behind the big ship, but luckily that really was our ship. We stand in a long line and then deal with the "Cruise Nazi," who can only handle doing one thing at a time, which is not very convenient seeing as we have 8 people, each with his or her own credit card, in our party. But we finally make it onboard in time for the buffet. After we eat we all split up to explore and Rosanna and I end up at the Welcome Show where we meet Johnny O., a.k.a. Fluff Daddy, the cruise director, some lame comedian whose jokes we did not approve of, and the Royal Caribbean singers and dancers. Then we get ready for dinner, at which the waiters put on a wonderful “showtime.” At this point our UFC drink waiter introduces me to the “Loving Cup,” a nightly shot that you get to keep the glass, which leads to an all-out obsession and lost bets over which color glass would come next. Then Rosanna and I buy drink cards (commemorative Coca-cola mug included) so that we can mix our own drinks with the Skyy we snuck onboard. Mugs in hand, we make our way to The Circuit for a long night of drinking and dancing with new friends.

8/15/06
San Diego

Last night was a long night, so Rosanna and I don’t leave our stateroom till 12:30 PM. We walk around Seaport Village and meet up with Alysa to eat at Sarah’s restaurant. We stuff ourselves with seafood and have to get back to the ship before we know it. We take a nap and arrive late to formal night; I don’t eat because I’m still so full from lunch, but somehow I have room for two desserts…tiramisu and strawberry cheesecake mmmm. Then it’s time for more Loving Cups, more drinks, more Circuit, and more sleep.

8/16/06
Catalina

Rosanna and I wake up early today to go kayaking. It’s harder than I remember it being but it’s still a lot of fun. We search for sea shells with our guide and see a bald eagle, a pelican, a seal, and some fish. We get back to the boat just in time for me to climb the rock wall; I chose the easy one because I’d been kayaking all day but I think I could’ve done more. We sort of dress up for 50s/60s dinner (I can’t tell if anyone else sort of dressed up too) where the couple sitting with us tells us about Quest. Quest is a magical and fun game where Johnny O. asks people to bring stuff up or do something for points. So of course I stuff my purse with almost all my belongings after the 70s and 80s disco (best dancing of the trip) to join their team. Only the pictures can describe the awesomeness of this game, and yes, we won. We celebrate by having some drinks at the Dueling Pianos, where we learn the R-rated version of the Oscar Meyer weiner song: My bolongna has a first name; it’s P-E-T-E-R. My bologna has a second name; it’s P-E-N-I-S. Ooh I love to eat it everyday and if you ask me why I’ll say, “Cuz Peter Penis has a way with V-A-G-I-N-A!” Then it’s off to The Circuit and after that I take my first dip in the pool.

8/17/06
Ensenada

The first thing our tour guide says to us on the bus to La Bufadora is, “Are you ready to get drunk?” What a fun gal. La Bufadora is pretty amazing, and I get some beautiful pictures. Not so much can be said for the shopping down there. It’s really touristy and expensive; I end up getting a bracelet and a Mexican blanket, feeling like I NEED some tequila because of those prices. So mom and dad buy a round of margaritas for everyone and I’m happy once again. The bus drops us off downtown and I go with David and Jerome to Papas and Beer. We have lots of beer, margaritas, and shots of tequila. The cab ride is only $4 back to the ship, and as soon as we get back we rush to the top for the free-throw competition. Somehow Davie manages to get to the second round and Tony gets 2nd place. Then Rosanna and I head to the stateroom and next thing I know she’s walking in from dinner. Time flies when you’re passed out, I guess. So I quickly get ready and on our way to the Dueling Pianos Rosanna and I come across a kid having an asthma attack! I managed to find his parents but the staff seemed pretty retarded about the whole incident. I’m glad I didn’t almost die on this trip because you pretty much have to cover your own ass. Needless to say, I’m not really feeling the pianos because I’m contemplating the meaning of my existence…but then we go to The Circuit for the longest night yet. I learn to tap dance, play “I Never,” eat pizza, go to a party in some guys’ room, and then take a little two hour nap before it’s time to get off the ship.

http://fullerton.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009157&l=005da&id=19910236

2006-08-22T13:29:00.000-07:00

Things learned in France:

Water is not cheap.
The bathtubs are higher and will bruise your shins if you don't remember.
When in doubt, push and pull till something happens.
Don't take pictures of people's dogs.
Make friends with people who know how to speak French.
You truly don't need everything you pack--take out half like the darn books say.
Bring a freaking carry-on with at least one outfit!
If you wake up and it's sunny it will probably be raining by the end of the day, and vice versa.
Bring extra batteries!!!
You can't buy back experiences.
A travel pillow might be nice.

http://fullerton.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009154&l=06754&id=19910236

2006-08-22T13:15:00.000-07:00

French Connexxion 8/9/06
Day 12

I’m at the airport in Nice, not at all ready to leave France. I loved everything about this trip and this country. I have to make my way back here someday! I met some really great people from all over the world, and hopefully I’ll be able to visit a few, or at least keep in contact. I’ve caught the travel bug, and as soon as I get home I’m going to start planning my next trip!

2006-08-22T13:14:00.001-07:00

French Connexxion 8/7/06
Day 10: Nice

More driving today. We stop in Grasse for a tour of the Fragonard perfumery and I spend lots of money on perfumes that are only sold in France. Then we take a short drive to Cannes. Anne, Isabelle, Chelsea, and I have lunch and then go to the Palais des Festivals. When we get to Nice we have to rush to dinner and then a bunch of us go to Wayne’s Bar. This is the best night of the trip—first we all sing along to a British band and then everyone dances on the tables. The bar closes and I get lost with an Australian boy who teaches me how to play cricket.

http://fullerton.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009135&l=402f8&id=19910236

2006-08-22T13:14:00.000-07:00

French Connexxion 8/8/06
Day 11: Nice

I wake up early today to go explore Nice with Marisa, Tina, Isabelle, and Ivana. It’s cloudy, which makes me really sad because yesterday was beautiful. We walk along the Promenade de Anglais past the ruins and it starts to rain so we duck into a café for awhile. Then I split off from the group and walk through the Marché aux fleurs to meet Chelsea for lunch. We have paninis, my new favorite food, and then go swimming in the ocean and lay out on chairs on the beach with a pitcher of sangria. By now the clouds have disappeared and the day couldn’t be more perfect. Tonight we go to Monaco to have dinner and see Monte Carlo. The yachts and cars are so expensive it’s disgusting! We get back around midnight and Laura and I go to Wayne’s again for some goodbye drinks.

2006-08-22T13:12:00.000-07:00

French Connexxion 8/6/06
Day 9: Aix-en-Provence

We spend a lot of time on the coach today. I sleep for most of it and we play Battle of the Sexes, which is really funny. We stop in Sisteron for lunch and then go to Aix-en-Provence for the night. There is a street market with lavender all over the place. Anne, Isabelle, and I go see the cathedral and explore some really cute shops we find along the way. Some of us go for a swim at the hotel and then I have a really nice dinner with Miguel, Becky, and Chelsea.

2006-08-22T13:11:00.000-07:00

French Connexxion 8/5/06
Day 8: Chamonix

The weather is really bad here in the alps so we head to Geneva, Switzerland! It’s sunny and beautiful. We take a cruise of Lake Geneva and go shopping—lots of chocolate, watches, and Swiss Army Knives.

http://fullerton.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009146&l=951a3&id=19910236

2006-08-19T22:21:00.000-07:00

French Connexxion 8/4/06
Day 7: Chamonix

Today I’m exhausted so I opt to sleep instead of taking the cable car up Mont Blanc with the rest of the group. Tonight I go out with the group for fondue. Then I go bowling with Laura, Isabelle, Chelsea, Anne, and Jo-Anne; and, WOW, are we bad!

2006-08-19T22:10:00.000-07:00

French Connexxion 8/3/06
Day 6: Chamonix

We leave Reims today for the French Alps and stop in Dijon for lunch. Dijon is a cute little town, and of course I buy mustard. We have a great dinner at the hotel and then go out to The Pub for pitchers of Pimms and to No Escape, where I meet Damien, the French bartender. We talk for awhile and he tells me to meet him at Le Choucas for a drink. The rest of the group heads back to the hotel and I brave the bar on my own. I must say, I feel pretty cool that I’m hanging out with real French people. Tonight I also meet Christopher from Narnia…it’s a long story, interesting to say the least, and I’ll leave it at that ;)

http://fullerton.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009134&l=4c493&id=19910236

2006-08-19T21:46:00.000-07:00

French Connexxion 8/2/06
Day 5: Reims

Today I sadly say goodbye to Paris, promising myself I’ll come back. We go to Reims, the champagne capital of the world. I have some lunch at McDonald’s, do some shopping, and walk around the town with Tina and Marisa. Then the group heads to Epernay to take a tour of the Moet and Chandon champagne house, champagne included ;) I buy a bottle for me and one for my parents. We get back on the bus and, much to my dismay, Laura tells us we can’t go hot air ballooning due to high winds. At least I saved some money :/ Tonight we spend a calm evening hanging out at the hotel.

http://fullerton.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009089&l=3d34e&id=19910236

2006-08-19T21:43:00.000-07:00

French Connexxion 8/1/06
Day 4: Paris

I feel terrible when I wake up and pretty much all day. Today the entire group goes the Versailles, home of Louis XIV and my new favorite place in the world. My luggage is still lost at this point so I had no way of charging my camera. So of course when I discover my new favorite place my camera dies…GO FIGURE. It reminds me of John Mayer’s lyrics, “Didn’t have a camera by my side this time hoping I would see the world with both my eyes.” This makes me slightly happier as I walk through the gardens knowing no one else will ever see Versailles as I saw it :) My mood continues to improve when I enter the Galleries Lafayette for some SHOPPING!

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2006-08-19T21:38:00.000-07:00

French Connexxion 7/31/06
Day 3: Paris

My big day in Paris! I start out by going up the Arc de Triomphe with Jesse, Tina, and Marisa. We walk down Champs Elysees and I admire all the things that I cannot, and will probably never, afford. Champs Elysees takes us through Place de la Concorde and Jardin des Tuileries to the Louvre. It turns out my little nap I took yesterday didn’t do a darn thing because my jet lag really starts to set in. We basically see the Venus de Milo and Mona Lisa and then leave to find some food. I order a croque monsieur without ham, which is basically a cheese sandwich…not a good idea; however, the salad and overpriced water is superb. We meet the group again to get ready for the Moulin Rouge; the only problem is my luggage still has not arrived so I start to cry. But I suck it up, blame the tears on jetlag, and borrow some of Chelsea’s stuff. The Moulin Rouge is an awesomely cheesy show that I recommend everyone see at least once in his or her life. I have heard the food isn’t great but I am satisfied. Afterwards some of us head to O’Sullivan’s, where I try Absinthe. It tastes like black licorice, burns my throat the whole night, and gets me REALLY drunk. Pretty much great…until the next morning.

2006-08-19T18:48:00.000-07:00

French Connexxion 7/31/06
Day 2: Paris

I arrive in Paris at around noon. Air France tells me my luggage will arrive tomorrow morning, something I soon learn I will hear a few times from them. Since I’m in my bummy airplane clothes I decide to take a nap in the hopes of avoiding jetlag. I wake up and meet my group and tour manager, Laura, and bus driver, Kees (pronounced “case”), at 6PM. Our group consists of 27 people: 5 couples, 1 guy with a lady at home, and the rest girls. So much for meeting the man of my dreams…and where is my roommate? It turns out she had an adventure in getting to Paris too and we meet atop the Eiffel Tower; how romantic. I get some great pictures of the city at night and eat the best crepe I have ever had (chocolate chantilly).

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2006-08-19T18:41:00.000-07:00

French Connexxion 7/29/06
Day 1

I leave my mom in tears at LAX and set off for France all by myself. There is a lightning storm at my layover in Atlanta, Georgia, so no one is allowed to get off the plane till it passes. This makes me late for my next flight; they say they can get me on but not my luggage. There is no way I’m missing any of my trip so I take them up on their offer.