Tenerife, Canary Islands 12-24-10

Tenerife, Canary Islands 12-24-10

Christmas Eve off the coast of North Africa. It appears we have left winter behind us for good. Today the skies were bright, sunny, and in the mid seventies. The water is blue and sparkly, and the native language is Spanish. We got a whole 3 hours (5 for me)! After the rough waters of the North Sea and the Bay of Bisque, it feels FANTASTIC to get off the ship awhile. I will say that even though I KNOW I was standing on solid ground, it sure feels like its rocking around like the ship.

I kind of want to move here. Its like the city is built around being outside. The streets are wide, but not for cars, and the trees are all trimmed and trained into providing shade for the outdoor restaurants and pedestrians. I'm reminded of the time I spent in Merida, but the difference is, the people around don't all look the same. There's a huge amount of diversity on the island (and no wonder, considering that its a prime vacation spot – close to Europe and not too expensive). We hand a chance to spend the last of our euros, and the fresh seafood we had for lunch was delicious. I've never had calamari that wasn't even slightly rubbery...but maybe that's because the majority of the states I've lived in are landlocked.

We finally have some kids on board! Its great to be able to play and spend time with them. Most of them anyway. A kid puked all over Sam the other day. Gross. I showed some kids how to make some sweet paper airplanes yesterday, and I think I've opened Pandora's Box. Great way to pass the time though, ten hours a day is a long shift if you just stand around supervising. All I can think of is that scene from Hook. “Play!” Today this little boy, maybe four years old, brings this sheet of paper up to me and says, “I want a jet!” So I took about ten minutes, folded a pretty complex plane for him, and handed it back. He replied, “Not like this! I don't like this!” immediately unfolded it, and said “Like this!” He then told me why it was completely wrong and ran off. It reminded me of that scene from Wedding Crashers where the kid goes, “Shut your mouth funny man, and make me a bicycle!” I must be some kind of artistic genius, because they are never appreciated in their own time.

I've never worked with younger kids before. I'm assigned to the Club, which is designed for 7-10 year olds. We get 3-10 year olds though, especially since we have so few children onboard at the moment. I have figured out that I don't know how to talk to 3 year olds, and its pretty much unnecessary anyway. They don't seem to mind WHAT you say to them, so I just make stuff up. Come to think of it, that's pretty much what I do with ALL of them, so its no worries. Kind of cool how easy it is to get them excited about things though. A little different than teenagers, thats for sure.

Speaking of, I'm super jealous of the six or so counselors in the teen space. I love working with that age group, and besides that, their costumes are kind of like a uniform version of what I wear on a daily basis. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little uncomfortable in my uniform. Not that its weird or anything, just not all that comfortable in polyester I guess.