Goodness, it’s been quite a month! Sorry it’s been awhile since my last update, things have been so crazy. Our cast members received their visas successfully after they were flown out of Brazil and stranded in Argentina for two days. The day they signed back on, we learned we had to perform Boogie that night! They were exhausted, having had maybe a total of 9 hours of sleep in three days. We pulled ourselves together and gave it our best, but it was super rocky to top it all off!
We lost a lot of our crew, so it’s been hectic with people taking on extra shifts to accommodate the guests. Luckily, we have just been working in the theater, doing spots for the Brazilian cast, and they do ours in return. We finally opened Rhythm and Rhyme last night!!!!! FINALLY!!!!! So our install is officially over :D It went well, some technical issues and wicked fast costume changes that will only get better with time. The audiences were great, standing ovation both times!
The ports have been really good too. In Recife, Derrick, Jess, and I walked around enjoying the island. We walked to the town center where they were setting up for the Christmas carnival. I wish we went there more often: it’s the shipwreck capital of Brazil! That would make for some great diving!!!! Rio was beautiful as always, we went to Copacabana and enjoyed the beach. Peter brought his football so we played a bit of toss with that. It was funny to see the Brazilian’s react to our strange ball! Santos is always a bit of a mess because it’s our home port, which means several other cruise ships dock with us. Last time we were stuck in traffic from an hour and a half, when we had only gone to the mall 10 minutes away! I think I will use those port days to do my laundry because the mall is not worth fighting through all those people.
Buzios is always a nice port. We go get our traditional pizza and ice cream, then shop around or head to the beaches. On our most recent stop there, Derrick, Jess, and I shopped for our white outfits for the New Year’s Party. We all found what we wanted but I still need to find the perfect shoes, you know me!!! :D Porto Belo was a new one that I didn’t go to last contract. A group of us tendered into the dock, then bought tickets on a private boat to head to another side of the island. It was nice there; we explored a bit into the jungle, played in the ocean, and ate on the beach. Again, it’s a shame we only go there once because they had all these water sports equipment for rent, a zip line, and other promising adventures!
One downfall I experienced this cruise was another injury. During the second show of Boogie, I was running backstage (in my 3 inch heels, mind you) for a costume change and tripped. I then dropped one of my red heels and because I stepped on that, my ankle rolled over and I fell with a thunderous thud. Michelle, who had been behind me to aid my change, helped me up off my knees and hobble to the other side. She assisted me into my dress while I tried to feel out the damage.
I believe it’s only a twist, there was no bruising so it couldn’t have gone too deep. I finished the show, adjusting my weight and balance to avoid putting too much pressure on my left ankle. I iced it that night, and applied heat the next day. It’s still swollen, but only because I haven’t had a chance to properly rest it. I could barely move it in rehearsals but I wrapped it for Broadway, which helped a lot. Now it’s just a matter of coaxing it back to its full movement and flexibility. I’m just lucky I have strong ankles from dancing for so long, that could have easily snapped my bones.
Anyways, enough with that bad news, it’s Christmas after all!!! Jess and I found a Christmas tree in the dressing room. It’s even fake Colorado pine, so it was obviously meant to be ours. We also stole milar from backstage. It’s shimmery tinsel that’s used for Rhythm and Rhyme. They hang like a curtain but tear down really easily, so we found loads tucked away that had fallen. We streamed them on our door, so it’s now shiny pink, blue and purple! We have also been cutting out paper snowflakes, which has kept us busy for the last few sea days ;) We have an entire wall inside our room covered in them, as well as our best creations on the door. I have successfully made a really cute paper snowman and paper angel for the top of our tree. I’m very proud of our creativity and we have gotten so many compliments, even offers of payment to decorate other rooms!!! LOL.
Despite all the decorations, it’s still doesn’t feel quite like Christmas. I guess it just goes to show you that money can’t buy the perfect holiday with tangible things. I just need my family. But no matter. My mom wisely stated that it isn’t about where in the world you are or what you’re doing, as long as you are enjoying the people you are with and the experiences that are there to be had. And I am determined to do that this year! Tonight, I will go up to enjoy some caroling in the centrum. Followed by our cast Secret Santa exchange, then the Christmas party, so there is a lot to look forward to. And tomorrow, we are in Ilha Bella, which is a cute little island. The cast will be having a Christmas lunch on land and we have the day off so we can enjoy as we please! :D
Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday traditions!!!! I miss you all terribly and I wish I could be there with you!!!! Can’t wait to skype the fam on Christmas!!!!
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