The More Things Change…

Well – Spud and Lorraine just returned from “vegging-out” for a week on RCCL’s Mariner of the Seas.  Yep – the same ship we sailed for the “crossing” from Rome in November.  It was like “old home week” – we ran into so many of the crew members we had had the pleasure of meeting then – one told me it was so great to see a familiar face….LOL!

I did get to chat with several of them about their new home port – by and large they all said how much they like Galveston.  They have learned where the Wal-Mart is, and get a group of 6 to split the cab fare!  Rose Ann from Trinidad had discovered Ross, Marshall’s, Encore Shoes – and best of all the Family Dollar Tree –could not stop raving about all the wonderful “bargains” she had found to take home to friends and family.  Best of all, they said – was the Historic Strand District with the beautiful buildings and great bars.  While they agreed that it was quite a change after sailing European ports for so long – they felt very much “at home” on our Island.

Shared a dinner table with a couple from London – got some interesting “insight” from them.  During the fog-delay in boarding they had explored the Strand and sampled their first Chicken-Fried Steak – he said it was enjoyable enough, but what was that “paste” on top?  I explained that that “paste” was the “National Gravy of Texas” – but that next time he should order it on the side.  When I inquired as to why they would fly from London all the way to Galveston to board they related that they had never seen Texas and decided to give it a “shot” – and were both pleasantly surprised at how unique Galveston is – commenting on all the interesting shops and “pubs” along the Strand.

Another couple at our table was from Houston, but said they had never visited the Strand, toured the Bishop’s Palace or seen any of the historical homes even though they had cruised out of Galveston on many occasions.  I politely chided how they were shortchanging themselves – that Galveston is more than just Harborside Drive to the cruise terminal parking lot.  Will they keep their promise to see more of the Island on their next visit?   Who knows – but at least Lorraine filled them in on what they were missing.

Strange how so many of those who live here or near have never really explored all the Island has to offer.