March 05 – Port of Buenos Aires

Our first full day on the boat has been to say the least been eventful.

Staircase to the Grand Foyer

We have met several nice couples and have had wonderful conversations with them.  We started off in the main lounge on Sunday afternoon where we talked with a retired Orthodontist and his wife from California.  We talked about our family histories, the history of Ireland which was where Cathleen’s family emigrated from, the orthodontist experiences in the Vietnam War and of course “Trump’.  It was nice to finally meet an American who thinks Trump is as egotistical, mentally deranged idiot.

During dinner we’ve meet our dining table mates.  On Sunday night we meet Pat and Matt from Missouri.  Matt was a former teacher in military schools, who has retired to rural life near Mexico Missouri.  Tonight we meet the other couples who have been assigned to our table.  There is a couple from Duncan BC, Ron and Coleen and his cousin Keith and his wife Janet from northern England.  Everyone got along famously and we were the last table to leave the dining area.

Unfortunately we were involved in a very sad incident last night. About four o’clock in the morning we heard a lady crying out for help in the hallway.  I got dressed quickly and went to the doorway.  In the hall there was this elderly lady who was very distressed.  She was looking for her husband and was totally disoriented.  We got her into our room, provided her with a housecoat and a glass of water. Then we contacted security.  The poor lady was scared out of her wits.  It turns out she is was in the cabin next door and security was able to escort her to her cabin.  We believe she must have some degree of dementia.  I hope we don’t meet her during the cruise as I’m sure she would feel very embarrassed.

What I find strange is the reaction from the boat’s staff.  I think you’ll agree what we did is what any normal person would do in the same circumstances.  But the staff has gone out of its way to thank us for our assistance and they even sent a plate of chocolate covered strawberries from Customer Service. It is sad when helping someone in distress is considered extraordinary. 

This morning we went on a boat ride up the Tigre Delta.  The river and canals in this area make for a unique residential area.  Residents have homes that are along banks of the river which range from small cottages to mid-size homes.  There are no roads or running water to these homes.  Transportation is by water taxis.  There are grocery boats that ply the waters and delivered food, water and fuel to the homes.  As our guide told us, the homes are cheap but the regular maintenance is very expensive.

School is in session in this river community

Along the Tigre River

One of the unique homes we saw was enclosed in glass.  The owner thought this was an original way to protect his home from the elements.

For dinner we both had Mediterranean Seafood Orzo.  It was wonderful but the portions were way too small.  We easily could have a second helping.

The show in the theater was by a performer named Ashlie-Amber Harris.  She sang a Whitney Huston tribute.  Her voice was great and her show was entertaining.