Over Loaded

What do you do when you have too much on your plate – and you put it there? Something has GOT to go!

Well, that’s what happened to me. I had 15 trips set up for this year. I am scheduled to be tour guide for 9 of the 15 trips. I thought I had worked it all out. None of trips overplapped one another; thus, everything was just fine. What I didn’t count on were the “due dates” for deposit, installment payments, bad customer relations and how that would effect my timing. UGH!

OMG! The year started off with a BANG! The Super Jazz Cruise in January. It is always “Da Bomb.!” It was an 8 day cruise – a 24/7 party. L O V E it. I was able to make 3 after parties until 3:30am the first night and the other 2 nights ’til 5:30am. Some ‘lil 30 something honey got on the elevator with me and laughed because I was going to the after party. I laughed, too. I had to tell honey girl, hell, I put the “P” in party – get outta my way – party on!! I’m still laughing about that one. I didn’t have but 1 or 2 drinks on that cruise and ate late night cookies several times. My body was “toe up from the flo up.”

Ok, so February rolls arround and I caught a 7 day cruise from Puerta Vallarta to Acapulco and back. It was a last minute familiarization cruise for agents given on some unknown ship line and we could bring guest. The price was worth it. AND, of course, I had to spend 3 extra days in Puerta Vallarto. DILEMMA – how do you go to Mexico and NOT drink Tequila?? Oh, damn. The ship was jacked. I truly couldn’t recommend it to anyone. Doable, but, not what we are accustom to. They offered super itineraries, tho. The next one was a 14 day trip from Puerta Vallarta, back to Acapulco, thru the Panama Canal, Cartegena, Limon Punta area and the cruise would end in Montego Bay, Jamaica. WOW, what an itinerary. I love it but, not on that ship and no one else is offering such a cruise.

Anyway, all the fun in the world BUT, upon returning home at the end of February, my body was JACKED UP FOR REAL. I didn’t count on that either. It took me every bit of 5 weeks to get my body straightened out. It was the worse I had ever experienced. And time rolls on – dues dates and payments for clients on existing cruises and request for more cruises in 2020. Great! BUT, I could barely manage with all the pain I was going through – I didn’t count on that.

April rolls around and I am daring enough to drive (ride) to Las Vegas for a travel agents conference. A 10 hour ride. Hell, last year when I did that I was “toe up from ther flo up.” I rode as a passenger in a friends’ BMW – not comfortable worth a F! When we got to Las Vegas security had to lift me out of the car, put me in a wheelchair and put me on the bed once I got to my room. I spent the next 4 days in bed seeing a masseuse EVERY day. However, this time I rode down in my car, much more comfortable. The seat went ALL the way back and down. Almost as good as a twin bed. I could walk when we arrived in Vegas. Anyway, that was a 7 day stay. I tried to eat right and do more walking. I survived. BUT, I had to bring work with me – peoples payments for their cruises. Didn’t count on that.

May blows in like a tornado. May 5th we went on a 3 day cruise to Vancouver then hung out in Vancouver for 3 days. Always a good trip We like Vancouver. Then May 20 went to Virgina to see my new granddaughter and her little brother. Lots of fun BUT, we ended up baby sitting for 5 days – DAMN, really didn’t count on that! I was ready to come home after 2 days of pitter, patter of little feet. Love’em though and would like to go see them again. They grow up so fast.

By now I am flustered. I ran into a BAD communications with a client. A woman that wanted to yell at me so, I hung up on her. Yeah, I know not a good thing to have done. BUT, don’t yell at me. Actually, I shouldn’t have answered the phone. I was on my out of of the house for an appoiontment, literally, putting my hand on the front door and this call comes in. I should have NOT answered the phone. I had no time for foolishness. So, I had to spend days eating humble pie. And, what about the New York /DC trip for the African American museum scheduled for Sept. It STILL was not coming together. A close friend of mine suggested I cancel it. W H A T????? That never occurred to me and WOW what a blessing. It took me a few minutes to realize I could do that. mmmmmmm So, I cancelled it. What a load of my back! There had NOT been enough time for me to make it work. Those plans should have been cemented back in Feb. What was I thinking?

Ok, so now onward to the 10th Annual My May Cruise in June. Hahaha! FABULOUS trip. We fly to Boston where we got on a ship to cruise to Montreal, Canada, 7 days. There we stayed for 5 days for the 40th Montreal Jazz Festival. Absolutely a rave!! We are going back. More on that later. August is my family reunion. Thank goodness it’s here in the Bay Area and only for 4 days, 3 nights. I was in charge of the hotel stay. So now that Sept. is freed up my travel partner wants me to go on a 7 day cruise with her on a new ship. mmmmmmmmmmmm I thought I was going to be able to breathe a little. October is Catalina Jazz Fest and the Blues cruise. November right after Thanksgiving is Mexico. Now that’s suppose to be for relaxing. I sure hope so. I have invited some friends. I hope I don’t regret that.

So I learned a lesson this year. Be aware of the time needed for due dates, pay arrangements, people acting badly, ole Unca Arthur and life getting in the way. 2020 will not be as hectic, at least not with trips I have planned only a few trips and the rest of the time I need to put into the caring of my home – decluttering, repairs and painting.

God willing, I will succeed and be ready for 2021 – RIO DE JANIERO!!

Live your best life – travel.

MarshaAgogo – gone!