What Paddy Shot At

Today, we are having “rough seas” and so this will be short. We are in the Atlantic and lots of big waves. It is ANZAC Day, which is memorial day in Australia and New Zealand. More tomorrow.

Today we are in Malaga, Spain. It is a very beautiful and old sea port city. It has been important since the Phoenician times. I have been a number of times, so I am not getting off. Patrick is taking a your to nearby, Mija.
I am going to try to bring Paddy up to date.

I told you about the transit of the Suez but I forgot to mention other things about life here on the QM2. I celebrate Mass each day. I don’t know the time for the next day Mass, till the “daily program” comes to the cabin around 6pm. Usually it is at 8:30am if we are “at sea” and 5:15pm if we are “in port”. I usually have about 25 people. I prepare a homily, have a lector, and a Eucharistic minister. It runs about 25 minutes and I have gotten to know a number of them. Lots of UK people and Australians. Only a few Americans.

One couple from Calif took me to dinner at one of the specialty restaurant with a man from Florida. The men worked in art museums. One had been the director of the National Museum of Art in DC. The discussions were fascinating.

I have met and talked with people and even heard some confessions. Pat and I have joined people for breakfast and/or lunch but we have a table for two for supper. We do that at 8:30pm and sometimes go to the late show or a movie.
Last night, we had a group of 4 who sang lots of (what we called ‘broadway’ – they call ‘west end’) songs. They were great and will perform again on Thursday.

Also the ship provides great speakers. I have learned a lot about World War II and the history of ships and about places like the Acropolis. I’ve gone to many of them. We also have a planetarium, which has taught me about the heaves – except when I fall asleep.

Also lots of movies. in addition to those, I’ve already mentioned I saw “my house in Umbriba”, “Zorba the Greek”, and ‘Murder on the Nile”, Also there is a great library. I’ve read three Clive Cussler books. He is of my favorite authors and these were 3 I hadn’t read. I also brought four books on my IPad and have read two of them.

I have also spent some of my time, working on a Christmas newsletter. Mu last one was in 2007, so I started to work on it before I left and have worked on it on the trip, I think it is done and will be mailed out before I get home.

I have made arrangement to ship home one of my suitcases when we leave the ship. Then I will only have a small suitcase and my oxygen to carry with me to London. That will be so nice.

I’m lucky to traveling with Pat. He noticed everything because he travels a lot. The other day, he noticed that the ship did not charge my credit card for my charges from Hong Kong to Dubai, which they had done to him. I went to the purser’s office and found that although I had sent the information before I came, they did not have my credit card information. That would have meant, I would have had to settle my account with CASH when we were getting off at Southampton. It is OK now but it would have been a mess if Pat hadn’t noticed it.

Had Mass at 5:30pm with only about 11people but it was nice.
We are just pulling out of Malaga and heading to England .
So now you’re up to date. More tomorrow.

I can’t believe that the computer failed but, of course, I hadn’t saved it. Lose and learn

I hope I do justice to what I wrote. It really was good.

I am doing this on my iPad, then I have to email it to Joan Beall, then she has to mail it me, then I can copy it and put it in Paddy. I prefer just doing it on the computer because there I can type it. On the iPad, I have to type with one finger. Oh well, here goes.

I was saying: Napoleon wanted to do this but needed money for his Russia campaign and gave it up. In the end of the 1800’s, a Frenchman approached
the Pasha of Egypt about a canal between the Med and the Red sea using some lakes that already existed. Also this man had discovered that unlike the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, which have a 13 feet difference in sea level; the Med and the Red seas are the same level. That means Suez does not have to have locks; but is just a series of troughs that connect the lakes and the two seas.

The canal runs about 250 miles from Port Said in the south to Suez in the north. In the canal, it is only about 600feet wide. You can always see the shores. Ships must go through the canal in single file in a convoy with the lead ship having an Egyptian pilot. There are some areas where a ship could get out of the convoy if it had a problem. Queen Mary 2 led our convoy. Some people said we were first because we are the “largest ship in the world”; others say it because our fee to transit was about $600,000 – and you have to “prepay”.

Because of the sandstorm that I talked about the other day, we didn’t enter the canal until 11am. I was glad because we were suppose to enter at 8am; and Mass was scheduled for 8:30am but I got to see the whole transit.
There are three transits each day – two South (one at midnight and another at 6pm) and one North (usually 8am).

It was very enjoyable to sit on the deck and just watch the land go by. On the left, which is Egypt, the land is full of green spaces because of irrigation. There are lots of towns and villages. On the right, which is also Egypt – but the Sinai desert – and the scene of much fighting during the 6 day war – it is very developed and is still full of military material and sights.

There are two bridges on the canal. One is new and very high. The drive up to it is 4 miles on each side and is very steep. The other is a train bridge that folds back to the shores and comes out twice a day and joins in the center of the canal. There are also very tall electric wires that cross. Lastly, on both sides there are ferries that take cars, trucks, and people to both sides. Mecca is on the right and many people go there in pilgrimage. I don’t think I’d use them. The trucks were loaded up about 5 containers high.

We passed a couple of ships that were over in those “bypass” areas. It turns out that 3 ships went aground during that sandstorm. Fortunately, the pilot had taken them out of the main canal when the storm came up. It didn’t seem to slow things.

We arrived in Suez around 5pm. It is a good size town and of course, there were lots of freighters and other ships waiting at anchor. We arrived in the Med after an almost 6hour transit. For me, it has been the high point of the trip. I especially liked that as we were passing another of those “bypasses” I saw a ship seeming to “sail” through the desert because of the sand blocking the sight of the waterway. It was that picture that ended the movie, “Suez” with Tyrone Powers, where they showed a ship sailing through the sand. I knew, even though I was maybe 10 years of age, that one day I wanted to go through the Suez Canal. Now, it’s off my “Bucket List”

I just finished Mass and since the day is really slow until Mass tonight for the crew; I thought I’d write about the Canal.
First, they were kind enough to show films about the canal and to have speakers before and during our transit. That was very helpful in understanding and enjoying the ride.

There has been interest in joining the Mediterrean Sea and the Red Sea to open up a way to avoid going all the way around Africa, for centuries. In the time of the Pharoses, they actually did a canal between the Nile and a lake near the Red Sea but it was always a danger that the Assyrian could use it to get into Egypt, so it was left to fill up.

During the time of Napoleon, again an attempt was made but he ne

I COULD SCREAM, I JUST SPENT 40 MINUTES TYPING A MESSAGE AND AS I WENT TO PUBLISH IT, ALL OF IT DISAPPEARED EXCEPT THIS. I AM GOING TO HAVE A DRINK AND DECIDE WHAT I SHOULD DO.
MORE LATER

On Wednesday, we stopped in a little port town before entering the canal. I think it was called Sohkna. I wasn’t planning to get off because all the tours were for 8 to 11 hours. They were all to the pyramides and I was there a few years ago; so I just sat up on the deck. There was an announcement from the bridge that we should go in side. There was a sandstorm coming. I went in and watched it. It was like nothing I’ve ever seen. It was this swirling wall of red and brown dust coming at you over the horizon. It closed out the sky and just kept coming. I could hear it hitting the windows like little grains of sand. I just sat there in the lounge and read for awhile. When the noise stopped, I walked out on the deck. There was a ship in the next dock that I had seen before. It was about the length of a football field away. I could not see it at all. I looked at the cars and trucks below on our dock and it looked like it had snowed. There was about a foot of sand on everything.

The day before, I had watched the movie, “mission impossible”, which I had seen before and I had forgotten there was a sandstorm in it. Well, it was just like it. At dinner, the captain told us that because of the storm, we would be delayed in entering the canal. We were suppose to line up at 8pm but we didn’t do it till 3am. We were suppose to enter the canal at 6am but didn’t do it till 11am. It seems that the storm had caused three ships already in the canal to go aground.

I spoke to some of my parishioners the next day, who had gone on the tour. They said that they were in the coaches when the storm hit and had to pull off the road. One said it reminded her of driving though a hurrican once. No one was hurt but a number of people got dust in their lungs later and had to go to the mecical center – especially anyone with asthma issues.

Sorry for the delay in writing but I got busy with paperwork. i will report on the canal tomorrow.

Yesterday, I just “bummed” around. Had Mass at 8:30am with about 16 people. Then breakfast and went to the room to watch TV. Saw “Billy Elliot”, which I had seen as a play on Broadway but hadn’t seen the movie. It was excellent – as I had felt about the musical.
Read and napped. There is nothing to see as we are out of the sight of land. We have been in the Persian Gulf and today are entering the Red Sea. Egypt is on the left and Saudi Arabia is on the right. Yesterday, after the Australian ship left us, an American ship, I think it said “The Stennis” passed us. I feel very safe! tomorrow, around 6am we will enter the Suez Canal and I will sit up on the deck and watch it I just came from a talk on it and it was very interesting. I think the speaker will also do a commentary from the bridge tomorrow.
Last night, the movie was “War Horse”, which I had been wanting to see. It is beautiful but the scenes of World War I are so terrible. I actualy dreamt about it. Tonight’s film is “Sherlock Holmes”, which I also haven’t seen. So with the movies and my books, I should return rested and caught up on both.

Mass tomorrow will be around 5pm but a lot of people will go off on tours so I don’t expect many. I’m not getting off and the big tour is to the pymradis and i saw them a couple of years ago. Am I getting “blazee”!!! More later.

Yesterday, I had Mass at 8:30am and there were only about 15 people. Those people from Australia were very good about coming but they left in Dubai. Except for meals, I just read all day. Finished the Dan Brown book and got one on English history (preparing for London).
Did do a lot of email and worked on my homily.Also went to the 10:30pm Movie, “Mission Impossible”. I had already seen it but a lot takes place in Dubai at places I had seen. It was cool! Also we turned the clocks back on hour, so I got extra sleep.
On Sunday, had Mass at 8:30 and had close to 90. Had two Eucharistic Ministers help me. I had a good homily because Sr. Kass and I shared about it before. She was preac– Oh, no, she was giving a reflection at her parish and we wrote and shared ideas. Her final copy was great but I didn’t get it till later today. However, I used it at the crew Mass at 10:30pm.
I went to a lecture and slides on Petra (the place carved out of the rocks in Jordan). It was great and I put seeing it on my “bucket list”.
Met the rabbi today. He is from Pittsburgh and is a friend of Cardinal Wuerl. He also knows Rabbi Edelson, who taught at St. Vincent’s in the 60’s. Small world.
Well, I have Mass at 8:30 tomorrow, so I’m off to bed. More later.

Today we were in Oman. Again, it was so hot that I only come out on deck and looked at things. I talked to people who toured and they said it was a nice place but much like Dubai, without the shops!

I relaxed and read and slept. Did see the movie, “Hugo”, which I enjoyed. Mass was at 5:15pm and we are back in the theatre. About 15 people came.

We will be at sea for the next 4 days, so that means Masses at 8:30am; so I am off to bed

I got up early this morning and went to the medical center. Since Bangkok, I have been having trouble with the heel of my right foot. I just can’t put any weight on it. I went on Easter and had an acupuncture experience. It didn’t seem to help and it cost $200. So I’ve just been tolerating it. I lounge around when I am not saying Mass or eating. I lay on the bed and read or find a nice quiet place somewhere on the ship and just put my foot up and read.
Yesterday I took that tour and once again put on my tennis shoes (which I had worn in Bangkok); hoping it would help. It didn’t! So this morning I went and saw the doctor. I took an hour in the waiting room because there were lots of people there with the “Cunard Cough”, which I don’t have.
When I finally saw the doctor, she asked me all kinds of questions and I told her my sad tale of woe. She had me take off my shoe and sock and then asked me to put my knee on the chair. She asked if this hurt and that hurt as she poked my foot. Then she told me to sit down and she said, “I know what happened but I can’t cure it! Only time can do that”. I stretched a muscle that runs between my heel and my toes. My tennis shoes gave me no support and so that what happened. She gave me a muscle relaxer and I take a pill three times a day (with food) and threw away the tennis shoes and we shall see!

I had Mass at 5:15 and there were 11 parishioners. It was in that room again and a number of people came late. Tomorrow we are in Oman ( I won’t get off – will just look from the deck) so we’ll have Mass again at 5:15pm but this time back in the theatre. Patrick and I tried to change our dinner time but it didn’t work out, so we are still at 8:30pm.
So that brings you up to date!!

We are in Dubai and Patrick and I went on a tour. It is almost 98 degrees here but since it is right on the water; there is a breeze. The buildings are so modern and tall and I’m sure many of you have seen them in movies like “Mission Impossible”. The one that looks like a sail coming across the water!
Mass yesterday was at 8:30 and I had a little ceremony where couples could repeat their marriage vows. About 25 couples did it. I wrote it from memory as I don’t have any books here. Also a number of people came to say good-bye as they were leaving in Dubai.
Mass today is scheduled for 5:15pm but it in a different room. I don’t know why but I’ll go early to be sure that everything I need is there.
Also since 1800 were getting off the ship and only 1600 were joining us; we asked if we could move to early sitting for dinner. 8:30pm is late and then if we go to the show, we go to the cabin around midnight. Sasha, the maitre d’ has arranged for the change but we are staying at the same table we had been sitting at, so we’ll have the same waiters, Romulo and Jeff, whom we like.
Got a number of emails today and will respond to them later. We are staying overnight here in Dubai. I am through with it but I think Patrick may take the shuttle and see some more of it. We came through the straits of Hormel, which Iran has been threating to close; so we are on alert for Iran and for pirates! All this for a boy from Riverdale!!!
More later!!