On Board Day 2: 07.08.09 Carnival Spirit enroute to Whittier Alaska via the inside passage.
Our dinner in the dining room was nice last night. Our waiter, however, is a bit dour. We are so used to the waitstaff having a wonderful sense of humor. I don’t think this guy smiled once…maybe he had a bad day. I know my husband; he will keep trying to til he gets him to smile…or irritates him beyond measure.
After dinner, we took in the casino where I won $58.00. We did a little ship exploration and ended up on the Lido for a late night snack of meat, cheese and fruit. Rodney of course, had his customary chocolate. Then he talked non-stop for the next 3 hours. LOL. It’s his vacation too so I let him have it!
Did my laundry in the sink last night. The showers on cruise ships have the curved rods…must be where the idea for those in our houses came from…what do you think? Anyway, there’s a clothesline high in the shower so that’s where I hung the clothes to dry…unfortunately, there’s not a lot of air flow in there so even my quick-dry overnight stuff is still a bit damp this morning. Rodney hung my big drying towel on the balcony this morning. Because the wind is really blowing, he anchored it to the deck chair. It’s a special blend of rayon, nylon, and polyester that you roll wet stuff up in and then squeeze the water out. The towel itself is supposed to really dry fast…I think I was sold a “bill of goods” on that one!
Had a yucky night due to stomach upset. Took a bit of medicine just a while ago. I’ll feel better soon. As usual, I can’t do nothing so I have been doing a little water color from one of last night’s gorgeous sunset pictures. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such beautiful colors. I was amazing, really. The farther north we traveled, the lighter it got. The sun was still there til way after 11 pm.
Today is a gray day at sea. No ports of call. The water is pretty calm even though the wind is blowing really hard. Under this blanket of low-lying clouds, the water is varying shades of gray. Since we are in the strait, the water is shallow enought that we see lots of algae and the occasional log floating on top. Far away, probably a good 10 miles, you can see the tops of mountains along the horizon. The weather forcast is for clouds today but bright sunshine for the next 3 days. That is wonderful! I really would hate to miss out on whale watching and panning for gold and seeing my first totem poles because of weather.
Since today is a quiet day on the water, I resolved to take my meds and relax. I’ve been sitting on this nice comfortable bed, propped up with pillows, drinking some coffee, painting, and watching the swell of the waves. I rather enjoy the motion of the ship but I guess I’ve never watched from this angle before; it’s a bit disturbing if you dwell on it. Because of the wooden rail at the top of the plexiglass barrier on the balcony and its everchanging position in relation to the horizon, the motion of the boat as it sways side-to-side is very apparent. I never realized how much a ship this size could sway. Maybe I thought the size of the vessel would keep it more steady but it is a big ocean.
Donna, Peter, and Rodney have gone to an art lecture. I probably would have enjoyed that but I have to say, I have really had a good time with my paints and with my blog…
More later…
‘At noon we took off for the grill up on the Lido deck. End to end that deck is one big swim party and buffet line. So many people were up there that we decided to eat outside. It was still pretty gray and windy out on deck that there were few people sitting at those tables. We chose a protected place and were fairly warm. While it continues to be overcast…the ship was in a more constricted part of the strait where the shoreline was more easily seen. We passed island upon island, all covered with towering green trees.
I chose lunch from the “comfort food” line today…mac ‘n’ cheese, smoked ham, corn salad, and lemonade…served with some really fine herbed foccacia bread. We found Peter and Donna about 12:30 and had a slice of key lime pie and decaf with them. We noticed that the trees were getting closer on each side of the ship and so decided to check out the scenery up on deck.
Wonders of wonders: about 1 pm, we came upon an area where the cloud cover had lifted and blue skies ruled. The water took on the blue of the sky and we got fantastic pictures. 2 sailboats appeared on the horizon and looked perfectly beautiful against the blue and green all around us. We took in the panarama deck where we got some really good shots. Suddenly, though, the ship turned into the wind and it was really cold. Before we could leave the deck, we were back under cloud cover. We elected to turn in for a while and rest before getting ready for the elegant night ahead. Just in the time it took to get back to our rooms, we are completely socked in by fog and haze. You can’t even see the water from the balcony now…Amazing how fast the change happened.
There is a golf course and driving range on this ship. Wonder if the fog affects how well you can see what you are doing up there. Haven’t been in the spa or the gym yet. If it is as nice as the rest of the ship, it will be worth a visit. The elevators in our part of the ship are bathed in pink light…interesting.
Nap time. To be continued…
Didn’t nap much. The phone rang a few times and we passed by way too much pretty stuff. The sun reappeared for a while and the mountains were so close on either side of the ship that it seemed you could reach out and touch them. So much green. So much cool air. So many trees. So beautiful. Ahh.
After all the pictures and the nap, it was time to dress for dinner…the first formal night on board. Everyone looks so nice especially our guys in their tuxes. Lobster tail for dinner. MMMMMM. The apple puff pastry was quite nice for dessert too. After dinner, we spent a while in the casino playing penny slot machines…I’m way too cheap to go more. Won 12 bucks…not bad for a reverse high roller. Then it was time to have some rest. Although, a 10:30 pm, it’s still way to light to sleep w/o the black our curtain. The fog horn is blowing constantly on the ship as we are suddenly socked in by fog again. I was on the balcony just now amazed by the light still able to shine through the dense white swirlies out there and out of the cloud, there came a Canadian pilot boat. The Spirit was stopped. It seems we just crossed the line from Canada into Alaska and the Canadian pilot was relieved. The pick up boat sped off back into the fog with the pilot and we continued on slowly with a new man at the wheel. Fascinating, all this political stuff.
Tomorrow, we leave the ship for a few hours in Ketchikan. We are going shopping in the morning so room service breakfast at 6 and disembark at 7, yes am…that’s clarification for all you guys who know I am not a morning person…but I wouldn’t miss this for anything. IN the afternoon, we are going to a lumberjack show.
Now, it’s time to sleep. 10:30 here but our bodies are still on Jacksonville time, which is 12:30 am. Night.
Ketchikan Day 3: 07.10.09 Excursion to Tinglit saxon village and to a lumberjack competition.
We started the day off early this morning. We do computerized wake up calls and I started out by giving the wrong time. It was supposed to be at 6 am but I put in 7 am. Then we didn’t realize that another time change had occurred. We woke up at 6 but it was really 5. Craziness happens. We had room service toast and coffee and planned to eat in Ketchikan in port only we couldn’t find a breakfast menu anywhere in town…lots of salmon and restaurants which served fish and chips but no bacon and eggs. There were lots of shops though and for all of you expect soveneirs, I did buy a few but mainly I took the most gorgeous pictures. Alaska is most gorgeous.
Our early foray into town, about 8 am led to souveneir shopping, an hour long guided tour on which we got awesome pictures of bald eagles and had a great bear search. We never saw bears but eagles are really abundant. They are everywhere this time of year as the salmon are moving upriver to spawn and they enter the waters here.
We went back to the boat at 11 and had a late breakfast on the Lido. Then we returned to Ketchikan for our scheduled excursion. We saw Saxon Village, a Tinglet settlement sporting many totem poles representing their tribes or clans. The poles were made of western cedar, hugh trees.. hand carved and painting and depcting Tinglet history and stories. Abraham Lincoln and William Seward were depicted on the poles, Lincoln in honor, Seward in derision. The Tinglet are not suble about their insults when mockery is due. The pricds in tyhe settlement were outrageous but I was pleasantly surprised to find handmade items and non of the items had “made in China” tags.
After our bus tour of the Tinglet grounds and a viewing of Tinglet native dancing, we moved on to totem pole carving and a lumberjack show. Most of the humor was lame and I never though about lumberjacking as a sport but, I was impressed with the physical prowess and awesome endurance of the sawyers and choppers. Spectacular muscles and strength.
Returned to Spirit about 4:15 for a quick rest before dinner and then hurried into dress up clothes and jewelry. Checked on photos in the gallery and then headed into the dining room and an awesome chef-prepared dinner. My steak was perfect!
Then we were off to the casino. No losses for me tonight…pretty much broke even….played penny machines so hard to lose there. They aren’t supposed to smoke in the casino but they do and eventually I have to leave before I suffocate. Stopped by a piano bar on the way up to our room. It too was smoky but the entertainer was taking a break and an adolescent boy was playing rock and roll til the regular guy came back…I’m glad he finally made it. The pianist returned and we sampled our drinks while he played another number or two. We drank our drinks and packed it in for the evening. We came back to our room to catch up on a rest and relaxation before another exciting day tomorrow.
It was a nice day…Tomorrow…maybe I will have a facial.
Juneau, Day 4: 07.11.09 Excursion to Juneau, Douglas Island, Mendenhal Glacier, and Mendenhal Valley.
We were up by 7 this morning and our toast, cereal, and coffee arrived at 7:30. We left the boat by 8:30 and were standing on the dock ready for our tour by 9. We boarded a bus for the glacier and wow what scenery! Had my picture made in front of the Mendenhal Lake and Glaceir with a couple of great kids. I promised to put their pictures on my blog, whick I’ll do when I get back home. For some reason, it isn’t possible to get my photos uploaded from the ship’s internet connection. The compressed ice of the glacier was so blue. There were waterfalls and waterfowl, eagles, bears, salmon galore, and icebergs. After a short hike and an hour of picture taking, we were back on the bus and headed for the salmon hatchery where I bought stuff to make salmon dip, which I will make when my kids come home to visit next time. We actually watched the salmon climb the ladders into the hatchery and spawn in the tanks. Did you know salmon eggs are red?
The driver dropped us on the dock and we hurried up to our rooms to stow our morning purchases and have some lunch on the Lido. Today’s menu included Asian food, which I ate with chopsticks and a garlic ginger spread so hot that smoke came from my ears. After lunch, we rested about 30 minutes and then headed off to explore Juneau. Both Peter and I wanted to see the goernor’s mansion up close and take pictures. We took off on foot and walked up a really steep hill. We made it 10 or so blocks before our feet were crying and we hailed a cab. The cabbie was Ted Ford, the most awesome tour guide…if you ever come to Juneau, ask for Ted; you won’t be sorry. He took us to the mansion, showed us all around the town…even the places in Juneau where tourists don’t usually go. We saw Gold Creek and the Romance Stone, on the location of the first gold found in town. He took us to Douglas Island, accessible only by bridge, boat, or air transport. We took pictures of the GAstoneau Channel, the cruise ships in port, the Governor’s mansion, saloons, and other local landmarks…really thorough. Then, he took us to Sheep Creek where we saw dog salmon coming in to spawn at the mouth of Sheep Creek. The water just teems with salmon. They are so eager to die…After the eggs are laid, the adult fish die.
By 4:30, we were back on board the Spirit and resting in our rooms. I spent a bit of time online with Amy before dinner. We didn’t dress up tonight but as usual, the dining room was quite elegant. I had a great meal of snow crab legs, fruit cocktail, and polenta with a mushroom puff pastry. I followed all that up with strawberry cheesecake. MMMM. I am always inspired by the food I eat onboard. I can’t wait to get home so I can try out some of the recipes in the cruise cookbooks.
After dinner, we played movie trivia as a team of 4 and won! Peter takes home the “ship on a stick”. Stopped by the casino but since we were only minutes out of Juneau port, it was closed. We decided to rest a bit and then go up on the Lido for a late night concert and to check out the midnight buffet. We won’t be up late, though…our excursion begins at 9 in the morning! I think we are leaving early and eating in town in Skagway in the morning….whatever we do, it will be a beautiful day.
Skagway Day 5: 07.12.09 Added bonus: it’s Peter’s birthday.
One thing they never told you in geography class is how beautiful the world is. (Boy that’s a grammatically correct sentence!) Teachers expect you to learn mainly the facts and figures; what the main export is, how large the cities are, the population, the climate and so on. So, on the cruise, we learn some of that too but the scenery is so amazing, so spectacular. Oh my goodness, how gorgeous.
Today we spent in Skagway, also spelled Skaguay by the locals. I’ll go with the “w” because that is what I saw on the sign for the US postal service. This is mainly a summer town with the main industry being tourism…duh. Like Juneau, it’s land-locked…can’t get in except by boat or plane, yet this place has lots and lots of RV parks…they have to ferry those in.
We left the ship at 8:30 this morning for a tour of a gold dredging apparatus and then, we panned for gold. Between us, Rodney and I managed to find about $20.00 worth. We elected to keep it in our “poke” and that my friends, is a plastic tube sort of like a 35 mm film canister. In the old days during the actual gold rush in the Klondike, a poke referred to whatever bag the miner or panner carried his find around in on his person. So we have this little black canister with our gold flakes in it. Panning was fun but I have to say I’m glad I don’t make a living that way.
After panning, we went back to the ship for some lunch. On the way, we were delayed quite some time by a tourist train but that’s ok…we had the most awesome view of Harding Glacier. We had our lunch ont he Lido and then Peter and Rodney made a short foray into town, while Donna prepared for Peter’s birthday party in the supper club and I first went to the chapel and second, did a bit of watercolor on the balcony. Had about a 30 minute nap and then got ready for dinner. I pulled out my little black dress, the sparkly jewelry, and the high heel shoes along with a wrap. Despite the sunshine and the relatively warmer day today, this evening it is really cool as we head out to open sea.
During our meal at the very top of the ship, we had spectacular views of the mountains and glaciers on both sides of the ship. The food was unbeleiveable…started with escargot and just got better after that. Humpback whales were sighted by the ship naturalist but try as we might, we never caught a glimpse of a splash and certainly not a whale tail. That’s ok. On tap for tomorrow is the great sea otter and whale adventure, where they guarantee you will see a whale or you get your money back.
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Our last activity of the day was a short stint in the casino. I haven’t had any luck really, this trip. Guess there is always tomorrow.
I can’t wait to be able to post the pictures that go with each day. You, the reader will not get quite the same effect as the actual visualization but maybe it will make you want to take a trip, north to Alaska.
Day 6 Sitka, Tuesday 07.13.09
We were up and out early today. We left the boat at 7:30 so that we could have breakfast in town. We walked down the main street in Sitka and found a neat little cafe. It seated maybe 20 people. I had the most wonderful Irish cream French toast with maple syrup and a marvelous blend of coffee.
After breakfast, we set off once more past the Alaskan Frontiersman’s Home, the oldest Russian Orthodox church on the North American continent (still in use) and the usual port full of shopping. While we bought a few souveniers, mostly we just looked around. We were welcomed to the Lutheran church of Sitka and given a tour. When the nice lady found out I could play, I was invited to play their original organ built in 1845. It was my first time to play a pipe organ and, oh, the sound. This experience will go down as one of my favorite ever.
We visited the Russian America Company. This was a shopping experience unlike any other. Babushka dolls were everywhere. Some had 50 pieces. They also sold chess sets and faberge eggs. All manner of hand painted items were sold there. My favorites were Father Frost. The one I liked best was seated on a polar bear and cost about $795.00. Needless to say, I didn’t like it that much!!!
About 11 am, we headed back to the port to grab a quick beef kabob grilled in the open air. They also offered fresh clam chowder and crab cakes. It all smelled wonderful. It was also fun to sit outside with the other tourists and watch all the port happenings.
At 1, we boarded the St. Tatiana, for a 3 hour tour…yeah, yeah complete with Maryann, Gilligan, and several professors. We saw all manner of wildlife, birds, and otters, but the best sigtings were the humpback whales. My pictures are awesome and I can’t wait to share. Because we were on the water, the reflection was really bright…this is because Sitka actually had sunshine today…a very rare occurence, indeed. I had sunscreen, a hat, a jacket, and a scarf but the wind blew so I received a rather bad burn in a Vee right at my throat….pretty bad and very red.
After the tour, we were taken directly to our ship and were boarded through the crew gangway. That was different. We arrived just in time to prepare for dinner, after which, we went to the casino for about 4 1/2 hours. I pulled out 40 bucks and stuck it in a penny slot machine. I won nearly $400.00. Then we went to the piano lounge for a little music. At 1:15am, it was still light. How amazing is that?
Tomorrow is a day at sea, touring different sounds and glaciers. I can’t wait.
Day 7, Prince William Sound and College Fjord. 07.14.09\
We slept in today til 8:30. We’ve been up early most every day so a little extra shut-eye was nice. My husband, being the morning person he is, was chipper as usual and he went up to the Lido for breakfast and brought me a muffin, coffee, and yogurt back to the room. By the time he returned, I was at least feeling a bit more human.
Did a bit of laundry and hung it on a makeshift clothesline on our balcony. It was really windy and cold out there and pretty overcast. I did worry a little about my underwear taking flight so I anchored it down. They only have 4 tiny washers and dryers on board for passenger use and there were terribly long lines to use those. As usual, I just washed it all out in the sink. There was only the two of us to wash up for…the ones I felt sorry for were the families on board. Several of them had 6 and 8 kids. Last day laundry would never do for them.
The scenery today leaves one speechless in awe and amazement. More than ever, I wish I could get pictures posted. What a world. Compressed ice without oxygen is blue. Ice fields turn into glaciers and glaciers into rivers and waterfalls which often bring icebergs out to float in the Gulf of Alaska and in the Pacific Ocean. This part of our tour took us into waters laden with glacier silt, where the ice and silt made the water look thick and gray, while on top of the water small ice bergs floated, some of which were filled with “dirty” ice, caused by volcanic ash from active volcanoes in the area.
All day long, between packing, we took lots of pictures. It finally came down to a pattern of activity. Pack. Check the laundry. See the scenery. Run for the camera. Get really cold. Run for shelter. Start over. Sea otters were sighted several times playing alongside the ship. In the ice floes near College Fjord, we also saw seals. The ship’s naturalist also told us she had seen bears on shore below the glaciers but I missed those. The captain pulled us into the middle of College Fjord and then turned the ship around in a circle twice so that we could all stand in one set place and take pictures of all the glaciers in the Fjord. There were several and all were named for universities.
Instead of returning to our table in the dining room tonight, we decided to check out the buffet on the Lido. We could skip dressing up in that way and that would help our packing efforts. After dinner, we went back to the casino and played the progressive slots again. You win some. You lose some. That’s all I have to say about that.
At 11:20 pm, with the sun still shining, we arrived in Whittier, where we will disembark in the morning. This late night sunset just blows my mind. The farther north we go, the later the sun sets each day. It may never go down tonight. It is still light outside now at 1:15 am. I have to go to bed!!!
Day Somewhere between Whittier and Anchorage. Wednesday 07.15.09]
Up at 5:30 am today. Got everything packed up last night and ready to go. All that was left this morning was ME. I’m not sure the sun ever went down last night. It was, however, overcast in Whittier and so windy on the dock. After a final breakfast on the Lido, we were off the boat rather quicly and herded onto a large bus parked right on the pier. One funny thing: from our balcony, it looked as though there was no on and off ramp for the buses. I was begninning to wonder if we actually drove across the water! The gangway for the new cruise ship passengers actually hid the drive way and gate for the buses. I have to admit to being relieved.
We had to wait on the bus for a while. In that time, we did see the eskimo yo yo demonstrated. LOL. that was fun. Then, we entered a 2-1/2 mile tunnel through the mountain. The anticipation of claustrophobia is almost as bad as the real thing! The tunnel serves both vehicles and railroad and moves only one way. Traffic into Whittier begins at 7 am. Traffic ntraveling to Anchorage must wait at the stop light until 8, when the traqffic moves through the tunnel in that direction. It takes 12 minutes to drive through the tunnel at 25 mph. The regular traffic runs right on top of the railroad track. Because the mountain has a glacier on top, the walls inside the tunnel are quite damp.
In Whitter, it was so windy and cold, dark and overcast. After traveling through the mountain, the termperature moderated somewhat and the windy was lessened. We came out of the tunnel into a beatuiful valley. Right in front of us sat a glacier and a pretty clear gray lake, Portage Lake. As we drive through this valley, the land is fairly flat. Lots of water. Lots of vegetation and trees. The wildflowers are outstanding. We learned today why fireweed was named such a thing. Alaskan fireweed is the first thing to grow back after a forest fire.
Due to the glaciers high up in the mountains, waterfalls run down the mountainside all around us. Turnagain Arm, a seawater inlet, is both huge and beautiful. Much of our trip at this time seems to be in traveling around the inlet. The tide fluctuates greatly in the arm during the course of a day and great care must be taken to avoid being overtaken and trapped by the tide when it rises. Baluga whales have been known to come up into the arm but at this time, we are out of season for whales to enter the arm. Too bad, I would have loved to see them. The chutes have little vegetation and are sans trees. Leaves and twigs and branches litter the chutes.
Salmon won’t run here til the middle of August. Different here than in Skagway and Juneau, where the salmon are already spawning. In Anchorage, the bus was third in line to drop us off. Since it is an airport rule that no more than 2 buses can park in front of the airport at once, we took several “tours” of the area. Finally, we were able to collect luggage and Peter came riding up in our rental van. We stacked in the baggage and we were off on the next of our adventures.
We spied a Target and thought we’d make a run for snacks but on rounding the corner, we discovered it was under construction. Further down the highway, we happened upon a shopping mall and a Wal-mart. Yes, they do have those in Anchorage. Had a little Thai food in the food court. Picked up Alaska souveniers at Wally world for a lot less than we found them anywhere else and they had a really big selection.
We drove back toward Whittier but turned off at a tiny town called Girdwood, nestled in the shadow of Mount Alyeska, a resort area known for ski slopes in winter and fishing in summer. It’s a tiny valley with towering mountains, some with glaciers; all are beautiful. The Carriage House B&B is set among the mountain cedars and pines. There are chickens and turkeys in the back yard. Tons of flowers ring the house. The house is made of wood and stone. Huge beams are the supports. The owner built it all by hand. There are several rooms downstairs here. All the guests live downstairs and the owners with their 2 children live upstairs. Our rooms weren’t quite ready when we arrived so we spent some time looking around and taking fantastic photos and checking out the local eating joints. When we got back to the B&B, I took off my shoes and had a nice nap. No a/c here. It isn’t needed. I was lulled to sleep by the sounds of a chattering squirrel and clucking hens.
We eat breakfast in the mornings in the dining room upstairs. The rest of the day, we are on our own. We headed for a place called the Chair 5 Restaurant tonight where we sampled really good local fare. For supper, I had halibut and french fries…mmm. There were also delicacies like moose and elk burgers on the menu. Rodney had chicken. Donna had steak. Peter had pasta. All had more than we could eat. We brought home our doggy bags. The B&B cat, Lucy, met us at the door for a treat….we are now friends for life. Peter also brought dog treats in for the dogs. Yeah, the animals, at least, like Texicans.
After our long day on our own tour, we were tired and turned in about 8. The sun was still quite bright. Because of my nap, I think had a bit of a problem with sleeping…that and Rodney fell asleep without the CPAP…never a good thing, but particularly bad when he is tired. He was doing electrical work and carpentry, loudly! It took some time to wake him enough to insure he put on his breathing machine so that he could rest. By 11pm, we were asleep but awaked about once each hour due to animals in the woods behind the window. I don’t want to know what it was or what it was doing!
Day 8. Girdwood, Alaska. Panning for gold on the Crow Creek mine.
We had a fantastic breakfast today before setting out. We were 8 in number around the table. The four of us were joined by a couple from Poughkeepsie, NY and two fishermen from Valdez, Alaska. Conversation was lively. Once more, we find that Texans are greatly misunderstood. That’s all I have to say about that.
Our main objective for the day was finding GOLD. We panned earlier in the week as a boat excursion on the cruise and Gold Fever struck in our party. We had a “rocky” journey to the top of the mountain, literally. The real pavement ended and the road became first, gravel, and then dirt. It grew narrower as we got closer to the mine. The buildings around the mine, above the river were so quaint. The whole area was set up like a little community from gold rush days. People actually live in the houses. The trail up the mountain and then down to the creek was a booger for four more mature people but we made it. I borrowed Rodney’s cap thinking sunburn would be less likely…I was wrong. We wore jeans and tennis shoes. Should have brought waders. In no time, we were wet up to the knee. We panned for 5 hours and had a ball. We even found a little bit of gold. I brought mine home in a tiny glass bottle. So that I could tell the difference from now on, I had them put my pieces of pyrite in it too. When they are packaged together, you can tell which is which.
One interesting note: people kept coming up to take our pictures because we must have looked like we knew what we were doing. When we were done at Crow Creek, I had to have help getting up from my perch on the rocks and now, we had to take the trail back up to the mine entrance. Hmm, I don’t think I had this many sore muscles when I started. Oh, my achy breaky back. I felt every step but I carried my little poke proudly. We hadn’t eaten since breakfast so we were hungry. So much for weight watchers today…I made a chilicheeseburger and fries disappear. I’m banking, not on the gold we found, but on the exercise I got finding it that I used more calories than I consumed!
Back at the B&B, we got out of wet jeans and shoes and donned warm pjs. Donna brought in Biofreeze, scones, and Bailey’s. Some combination but it worked. I was warmer in a hurry! It must have been the scones, right?
So, we’ve checked in with the kids, the dog, and my mom. Everything is great at home so it is with a clear conscience that I can turn out the lights, lower the blinds, take a nice warm shower and climb into bed tonight.
Day 9 A little road trip complete with unintended detour.
We started out our day by filling our tummies with an excellent breakfast. MMMM….have to get that recipe our hostess made. A blueberry french toast casserole. I know one of my kids would love it….Right , Amy? Our table mates in the mornings are varied and interesting.
I can’t help but believe that the citizens of the world have some strange ideas about the tendencies and characteristics of Texans. It seems that I have met people from all over the globe who have preconceived notions of what they should expect of me just because of where I live. Our breakfast crowd certainly had a good time questioning us about our alleged ranches, our horses and our lack of boots and Stetsons. They also seemed have the notion that we were all rich, which is a big revelation to me, but oh well. I had to tell them all that I’ve ridden a horse twice, think cows smell pretty badly, and hate both cowboy boots and hats of any kind. I live in the country but there isn’t anything larger than a dog within 10 miles. One lady from New York actually made the statement that she found most Texans pushy and arrogant. I don’t think I am but I guess I can’t be sure of it. I found similar attitudes while we were out and about.in Alaska. The worst thing was the notion that people from the south and Texas in particular are uneducated country bumpkins without the sense to come in out of the rain. I graduat’ed from the 11th ranked university in the country and it is located 30 miles from my home in deep east Texas. Let’s be real. I guess my feelings were hurt. But, they’ve been hurt before. I can live with it. I’m pretty tough.
During our trip toward Whittier, we saw the now familiar sights of glaciers and snow-capped mountains, the many waterfalls, and abundant wildlife for which the Kenai Peninsula is noted. Coupled with a diet Dr. Pepper, the scenery soon made me forget my bad mood due to the rudeness at the breakfast table. Fishermen lined up along bird creek waiting for their first strikes from the multitude of salmon racing up the waterways to their ancenstral home. Those that aren’t landed by an eager fisherman will spawn and die. So whether in nature or at the hand of the fisherman, their days are numbered. It’s a fantastic journey that the salmon traverse from birth to death. For all God’s creatures the end result of life is death but for the salmon, it’s very predictable as to the “when” of the event.
After an hour on the road in our rented van, we make a stop at a wildlife refuge and get some fantastic shots of bison, mudox, bears, elk, moose, and eagles. My favorites were the orphaned moose calves. They don’t look like the adult moose at all. They haven’t yet reached the stage where their heads seem too big for their bodies. They clumsy on their long, long legs, which only adds to their cuteness and infant appeal.
Upon leaving the park, we were detoured by road construction and somehow missed the sign for Whittier. We were many miles underway before we realized that we were headed for Seward instead, but we were flexi ble as Seward was our afternoon destination. We stopped at a charming Greek restaurant on the main street. It was my first taste of Greek cooking and I really enjoyed it. We headed across the street after our meal for a bit of souvenier and postcard shopping. I seem to have increased my desire for good coffee while in Alaska. It probably had something to do with all the wonderful coffee shops found in every town. The smell on the street was excellent. After our purchases, it was off to the coffee shop for an extra hot cinnamon latte…Oh my goodness, it was good.
We spent a couple hours in Seward, checking out the sights and the shopping and then turned toward Whittier. Now, there’s a saying in Alaska about Whittier, which isn’t very nice. People also say that Whittier is beautiful on the 2 days a year that the sun shines there. I want to go on record that I found Whittier not as appealing as other places we visited but I think Alaskans don’t give Whittier enough credit. There are great places to eat in this tiny town and a great museum. The people are quite friendly. It is isolated, however. To get there, you have to either come through the mountain via the tunnel or you can fly or sail in. There’s only one road out, though, and it’s shared by the train and one lane of vehicular traffic. I felt a bit claustrophobic.in the tunnel and the idea of so limited options on traveling away might perpetuate that feeling.
We checked out the old military base in Whittier. The buildings, long abandoned by the armyt were donated to the city of Whittier. One building, which probably would be added to a historical register if it were located in the lower 48, stood tall over the city, overlooking the harbor. A once proud structure both elegant and efficient, it now sports window glasses, long broken out, rusted metal railings, and peeling paint. Whittier residents were once proud of this building as evidenced by the exhibit in the small museum. The other large military building in Whittier is now split into condominium living. I understand they sell these condos for $140,000.00 each with the understanding that the new owner will “fix ‘er up” and help bring the building back to former glory days.
We headed back to the B&B and had the opportunity to see the difference in the morning and evening tide levels on Termagin Arm. To an inland-bred girl, that was fascinating. What was dry in the morning was covered completly on the return trip. One of the highlights of the trip back to Girdwood, was the sighting of a “swan-shaped” ice berg in Cook’s inlet….really, really cool. We got back in time for a nap before dinner, then headed out to a recommended dinner spot. Donna and Peter had tuna steaks. Rodney got his usual steak and I had a pork schnitzle with watermelon BBQ sauce. It was all quite different but all very good. Then it was back to the B&B for packing. We are going home tomorrow and we are bringing back several things more than we came with….It should be interesting to see what we have to do to get it all in our bags.
Note: by midnight, all the bags are packed and the lights are out but the sun still shines and the chickens are still cavorting out back. I don’t know that I would ever get used to the land of the midnight sun.
Day 10-11. Checking out Anchorage and the flight home.
We left the B&B for our trip back to Anchorage and the airport about 9. We stopped at a McDonalds for internet use and an online check-in for our flight later in the day. While surfing, we watched a small plane grow larger and larger as it neared our location. As it got closer, we realized the pilot was out of control and spinning wing over wind and it was headed toward us at a very fast pace. Just before he got to us, he seemed to gain control. Whew! I thought we were gonners.
After Mickey D’s we stopped at a Mall and took in the latest Harry Potter Movie, The Half-Blood Prince and then had a late lunch at Subway, ending our vacation dining on a more “normal for us” note in hopes that the swelling in our ancient feet would be minimal. We arrived at the airport around 4 and much to our dismay, the rental car company had “forgotten” to inform us that the car was due at 10am and they had charged for another day. We unloaded at our terminal and waited for several hours before our flight.
After several gate changes, we boarded and were on our way by 9pm. I came prepared for this night flight. I brought an inflatable neck pillow, a light blocking eye cover, my mp3 player with earphones, and a blanket. I was determined to sleep on the flight home. Rodney and I were seated across the aisle from each other and so I woke every so often to reach out and see if he was there but I never took off my sleep mask. I actually got some rest.
We arrived at DFW about 6:30 and had breafast at TGIF’s in DFW’s terminal D. Our flight home left about 10 and we were hugging Grandmother and Amber by 11 in Tyler. We stopped at Cheddars on the way home for lunch and then Walmart for some milk and bread. It was good to get home and to see my Darby dog! It was a great vacation but I was glad to sleep in my own bed again.
Day 6 Sitka, Tuesday 07.13.09
We were up and out early today. We left the boat at 7:30 so that we could have breakfast in town. We walked down the main street in Sitka and found a neat little cafe. It seated maybe 20 people. We met some interesting local folks too. I had the most wonderful Irish cream French toast with maple syrup and a marvelous blend of coffee.
After breakfast, we set off once more past the Alaskan Frontiersman’s Home, the oldest Russian Orthodox church on the North American continent (still in use) and the usual port full of shopping. While we bought a few souveniers, mostly we just looked around. Just about ever vehicle parked along the street had a dog sitting in the front seat…I found that funny. We were welcomed to the Lutheran church of Sitka and given a tour. When the nice lady found out I could play, I was invited to play their original organ built in 1845. It was my first time to play a pipe organ and, oh, the sound. This experience will go down as one of my favorite ever.
We visited the Russian America Company. This was a shopping experience unlike any other. Babushka dolls were everywhere. Some had 50 pieces. They also sold chess sets and Faberge eggs. All manner of hand painted items were sold there. My favorites were Father Frost. The one I liked best was seated on a polar bear and cost about $795.00. Needless to say, I didn’t like it that much!!!
About 11 am, we headed back to the port to grab a quick beef kabob grilled in the open air. They also offered fresh clam chowder and crab cakes. It all smelled wonderful. It was also fun to sit outside with the other tourists and watch all the port happenings.
At 1, we boarded the St. Tatiana, for a 3 hour tour…yeah, yeah complete with Maryann, Gilligan, and several professors. We saw all manner of wildlife, birds, and otters, but the best sigtings were the humpback whales. My pictures are awesome and I can’t wait to share. Because we were on the water, the reflection was really bright…this is because Sitka actually had sunshine today…a very rare occurence, indeed. I had sunscreen, a hat, a jacket, and a scarf but the wind blew so I received a rather bad burn in a Vee right at my throat….pretty bad and very red.
After the tour, we were taken directly to our ship and were boarded through the crew gangway. That was different. We arrived just in time to prepare for dinner, after which, we went to the casino for about 4 1/2 hours. I pulled out 40 bucks and stuck it in a penny slot machine. I won nearly $400.00. Then we went to the piano lounge for a little music. At 1:15am, it was still light. How amazing is that?
Tomorrow is a day at sea, touring different sounds and glaciers. I can’t wait.
Day 7, Prince William Sound and College Fjord. 07.14.09\
We slept in today til 8:30. We’ve been up early most every day so a little extra shut-eye was nice. My husband, being the morning person he is, was chipper as usual and he went up to the Lido for breakfast and brought me a muffin, coffee, and yogurt back to the room. By the time he returned, I was at least feeling a bit more human.
Did a bit of laundry and hung it on a makeshift clothesline on our balcony. It was really windy and cold out there and pretty overcast. I did worry a little about my underwear taking flight so I anchored it down. They only have 4 tiny washers and dryers on board for passenger use and there were terribly long lines to use those. As usual, I just washed it all out in the sink. There was only the two of us to wash up for…the ones I felt sorry for were the families on board. Several of them had 6 and 8 kids. Last day laundry would never do for them.
The scenery today leaves one speechless in awe and amazement. More than ever, I wish I could get pictures posted. What a world. Compressed ice without oxygen is blue. Ice fields turn into glaciers and glaciers into rivers and waterfalls which often bring icebergs out to float in the Gulf of Alaska and in the Pacific Ocean. This part of our tour took us into waters laden with glacier silt, where the ice and silt made the water look thick and gray, while on top of the water small ice bergs floated, some of which were filled with “dirty” ice, caused by volcanic ash from active volcanoes in the area.
All day long, between packing, we took lots of pictures. It finally came down to a pattern of activity. Pack. Check the laundry. See the scenery. Run for the camera. Get really cold. Run for shelter. Start over. Sea otters were sighted several times playing alongside the ship. In the ice floes near College Fjord, we also saw seals. The ship’s naturalist also told us she had seen bears on shore below the glaciers but I missed those. The captain pulled us into the middle of College Fjord and then turned the ship around in a circle twice so that we could all stand in one set place and take pictures of all the glaciers in the Fjord. There were several and all were named for universities.
Instead of returning to our table in the dining room tonight, we decided to check out the buffet on the Lido. We could skip dressing up in that way and that would help our packing efforts. After dinner, we went back to the casino and played the progressive slots again. You win some. You lose some. Just like Forest Gump, that’s all I have to say about that.
At 11:20 pm, with the sun still shining, we arrived in Whittier, where we will disembark in the morning. This late night sunset just blows my mind. The farther north we go, the later the sun sets each day. It may never go down tonight. It is still light outside now at 1:15 am. I have to go to bed!!!
Skagway Day 5: 07.12.09 Added bonus: it’s Peter’s birthday.
One thing they never told you in geography class is how beautiful the world is. (Boy that’s a grammatically correct sentence!) Teachers expect you to learn mainly the facts and figures; what the main export is, how large the cities are, the population, the climate and so on. So, on the cruise, we learn some of that too but the scenery is so amazing, so spectacular. Oh my goodness, how gorgeous.
Today we spent in Skagway, also spelled Skaguay by the locals. I’ll go with the “w” because that is what I saw on the sign for the US postal service. This is mainly a summer town with the main industry being tourism…duh. Like Juneau, it’s land-locked…can’t get in except by boat or plane, yet this place has lots and lots of RV parks…they have to ferry those in.
We left the ship at 8:30 this morning for a tour of a gold dredging apparatus and then, we panned for gold. Between us, Rodney and I managed to find about $20.00 worth. We elected to keep it in our “poke” and that my friends, is a plastic tube sort of like a 35 mm film canister. In the old days during the actual gold rush in the Klondike, a poke referred to whatever bag the miner or panner carried his find around in on his person. So we have this little black canister with our gold flakes in it. Panning was fun but I have to say I’m glad I don’t make a living that way.
After panning, we went back to the ship for some lunch. On the way, we were delayed quite some time by a tourist train but that’s ok…we had the most awesome view of Harding Glacier. We had our lunch ont he Lido and then Peter and Rodney made a short foray into town, while Donna prepared for Peter’s birthday party in the supper club and I first went to the chapel and second, did a bit of watercolor on the balcony. Had about a 30 minute nap and then got ready for dinner. I pulled out my little black dress, the sparkly jewelry, and the high heel shoes along with a wrap. Despite the sunshine and the relatively warmer day today, this evening it is really cool as we head out to open sea.
During our meal at the very top of the ship, we had spectacular views of the mountains and glaciers on both sides of the ship. The food was unbeleiveable…started with escargot and just got better after that. Humpback whales were sighted by the ship naturalist but try as we might, we never caught a glimpse of a splash and certainly not a whale tail. That’s ok. On tap for tomorrow is the great sea otter and whale adventure, where they guarantee you will see a whale or you get your money back.
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Our last activity of the day was a short stint in the casino. I haven’t had any luck really, this trip. Guess there is always tomorrow.
I can’t wait to be able to post the pictures that go with each day. You, the reader will not get quite the same effect as the actual visualization but maybe it will make you want to take a trip, north to Alaska.
Ketchikan Day 3: 07.10.09 Excursion to Tinglit saxon village and to a lumberjack competition.
We started the day off early this morning. We do computerized wake up calls and I started out by giving the wrong time. It was supposed to be at 6 am but I put in 7 am. Then we didn’t realize that another time change had occurred. We woke up at 6 but it was really 5. Craziness happens. We had room service toast and coffee and planned to eat in Ketchikan in port only we couldn’t find a breakfast menu anywhere in town…lots of salmon and restaurants which served fish and chips but no bacon and eggs. There were lots of shops though and for all of you expect soveneirs, I did buy a few but mainly I took the most gorgeous pictures. Alaska is most gorgeous.
Our early foray into town, about 8 am led to souveneir shopping, an hour long guided tour on which we got awesome pictures of bald eagles and had a great bear search. We never saw bears but eagles are really abundant. They are everywhere this time of year as the salmon are moving upriver to spawn and they enter the waters here.
We went back to the boat at 11 and had a late breakfast on the Lido. Then we returned to Ketchikan for our scheduled excursion. We saw Saxon Village, a Tinglet settlement sporting many totem poles representing their tribes or clans. The poles were made of western cedar, hugh trees.. hand carved and painting and depcting Tinglet history and stories. Abraham Lincoln and William Seward were depicted on the poles, Lincoln in honor, Seward in derision. The Tinglet are not suble about their insults when mockery is due. The pricds in tyhe settlement were outrageous but I was pleasantly surprised to find handmade items and non of the items had “made in China” tags.
After our bus tour of the Tinglet grounds and a viewing of Tinglet native dancing, we moved on to totem pole carving and a lumberjack show. Most of the humor was lame and I never though about lumberjacking as a sport but, I was impressed with the physical prowess and awesome endurance of the sawyers and choppers. Spectacular muscles and strength.
Returned to Spirit about 4:15 for a quick rest before dinner and then hurried into dress up clothes and jewelry. Checked on photos in the gallery and then headed into the dining room and an awesome chef-prepared dinner. My steak was perfect!
Then we were off to the casino. No losses for me tonight…pretty much broke even….played penny machines so hard to lose there. They aren’t supposed to smoke in the casino but they do and eventually I have to leave before I suffocate. Stopped by a piano bar on the way up to our room. It too was smoky but the entertainer was taking a break and an adolescent boy was playing rock and roll til the regular guy came back…I’m glad he finally made it. The pianist returned and we sampled our drinks while he played another number or two. We drank our drinks and packed it in for the evening. We came back to our room to catch up on a rest and relaxation before another exciting day tomorrow.
It was a nice day…Tomorrow…maybe I will have a facial.
Juneau, Day 4: 07.11.09 Excursion to Juneau, Douglas Island, Mendenhal Glacier, and Mendenhal Valley.
We were up by 7 this morning and our toast, cereal, and coffee arrived at 7:30. We left the boat by 8:30 and were standing on the dock
ready for our tour by 9. We boarded a bus for the glacier and wow what scenery! Had my picture made in front of the Mendenhal Lake
and Glaceir with a couple of great kids. I promised to put their pictures on my blog, whick I’ll do when I get back home. For some reason,
it isn’t possible to get my photos uploaded from the ship’s internet connection. The compressed ice of the glacier was so blue. There
were waterfalls and waterfowl, eagles, bears, salmon galore, and icebergs. After a short hike and an hour of picture taking, we were back
on the bus and headed for the salmon hatchery where I bought stuff to make salmon dip, which I will make when my kids come home to
visit next time. We actually watched the salmon climb the ladders into the hatchery and spawn in the tanks. Did you know salmon eggs
are red?
The driver dropped us on the dock and we hurried up to our rooms to stow our morning purchases and have some lunch on the Lido.
Today’s menu included Asian food, which I ate with chopsticks and a garlic ginger spread so hot that smoke came from my ears. After
lunch, we rested about 30 minutes and then headed off to explore Juneau. Both Peter and I wanted to see the goernor’s mansion up close
and take pictures. We took off on foot and walked up a really steep hill. We made it 10 or so blocks before our feet were crying and we
hailed a cab. The cabbie was Ted Ford, the most awesome tour guide…if you ever come to Juneau, ask for Ted; you won’t be sorry. He
took us to the mansion, showed us all around the town…even the places in Juneau where tourists don’t usually go. We saw Gold Creek
and the Romance Stone, on the location of the first gold found in town. He took us to Douglas Island, accessible only by bridge, boat, or
air transport. We took pictures of the GAstoneau Channel, the cruise ships in port, the Governor’s mansion, saloons, and other local
landmarks…really thorough. Then, he took us to Sheep Creek where we saw dog salmon coming in to spawn at the mouth of Sheep
Creek. The water just teems with salmon. They are so eager to die…After the eggs are laid, the adult fish die.
By 4:30, we were back on board the Spirit and resting in our rooms. I spent a bit of time online with Amy before dinner. We didn’t dress
up tonight but as usual, the dining room was quite elegant. I had a great meal of snow crab legs, fruit cocktail, and polenta with a
mushroom puff pastry. I followed all that up with strawberry cheesecake. MMMM. I am always inspired by the food I eat onboard. I
can’t wait to get home so I can try out some of the recipes in the cruise cookbooks.
After dinner, we played movie trivia as a team of 4 and won! Peter takes home the “ship on a stick”. Stopped by the casino but since we
were only minutes out of Juneau port, it was closed. We decided to rest a bit and then go up on the Lido for a late night concert and to
check out the midnight buffet. We won’t be up late, though…our excursion begins at 9 in the morning! I think we are leaving early and
eating in town in Skagway in the morning….whatever we do, it will be a beautiful day.
On Board Day 2: 07.08.09 Carnival Spirit enroute to Whittier Alaska via the inside passage.
Our dinner in the dining room was nice last night. Our waiter, however, is a bit dour. We are so used to the waitstaff having a wonderful sense of humor. I don’t think this guy smiled once…maybe he had a bad day. I know my husband; he will keep trying til he gets him to smile…or irritates him beyond measure.
After dinner, we took in the casino where I won $58.00. We did a little ship exploration and ended up on the Lido for a late night snack of meat, cheese and fruit. Rodney of course, had his customary chocolate. Then he talked non-stop for the next 3 hours. LOL. It’s his vacation too so I let him have it!
Did my laundry in the sink last night. The showers on cruise ships have the curved rods…must be where the idea for those in our houses came from…what do you think? Anyway, there’s a clothesline high in the shower so that’s where I hung the clothes to dry…unfortunately, there’s not a lot of air flow in there so even my quick-dry overnight stuff is still a bit damp this morning. Rodney hung my big drying towel on the balcony this morning. Because the wind is really blowing, he anchored it to the deck chair. It’s a special blend of rayon, nylon, and polyester that you roll wet stuff up in and then squeeze the water out. The towel itself is supposed to really dry fast…I think I was sold a “bill of goods” on that one!
Had a yucky night due to stomach upset. Took a bit of medicine just a while ago. I’ll feel better soon. As usual, I can’t do nothing so I have been doing a little water color from one of last night’s gorgeous sunset pictures. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such beautiful colors. It was amazing, really. The farther north we traveled, the lighter it got. The sun was still there til way after 11 pm.
Today is a gray day at sea. No ports of call. The water is pretty calm even though the wind is blowing really hard. Under this blanket of low-lying clouds, the water is varying shades of gray. Since we are in the strait, the water is shallow enought that we see lots of algae and the occasional log floating on top. Far away, probably a good 10 miles, you can see the tops of mountains along the horizon. The weather forcast is for clouds today but bright sunshine for the next 3 days. That is wonderful! I really would hate to miss out on whale watching and panning for gold and seeing my first totem poles because of weather.
Since today is a quiet day on the water, I resolved to take my meds and relax. I’ve been sitting on this nice comfortable bed, propped up with pillows, drinking some coffee, painting, and watching the swell of the waves. I rather enjoy the motion of the ship but I guess I’ve never watched from this angle before; it’s a bit disturbing if you dwell on it. Because of the wooden rail at the top of the plexiglass barrier on the balcony and its everchanging position in relation to the horizon, the motion of the boat as it sways side-to-side is very apparent. I never realized how much a ship this size could sway. Maybe I thought the size of the vessel would keep it more steady but it is a big ocean.
Donna, Peter, and Rodney have gone to an art lecture. I probably would have enjoyed that but I have to say, I have really had a good time with my paints and with my blog…
More later…
At noon we took off for the grill up on the Lido deck. End to end that deck is one big swim party and buffet line. So many people were up there that we decided to eat outside. It was still pretty gray and windy out on deck that there were few people sitting at those tables. We chose a protected place and were fairly warm. While it continues to be overcast…the ship was in a more constricted part of the strait where the shoreline was more easily seen. We passed island upon island, all covered with towering green trees.
I chose lunch from the “comfort food” line today…mac ‘n’ cheese, smoked ham, corn salad, and lemonade…served with some really fine herbed foccacia bread. We found Peter and Donna about 12:30 and had a slice of key lime pie and decaf with them. We noticed that the trees were getting closer on each side of the ship and so decided to check out the scenery up on deck. Wonders of wonders: about 1 pm, we came upon an area where the cloud cover had lifted and blue skies ruled. The water took on the blue of the sky and we got fantastic pictures. 2 sailboats appeared on the horizon and looked perfectly beautiful against the blue and green all around us. We took in the panarama deck where we got some really good shots. Suddenly, though, the ship turned into the wind and it was really cold. Before we could leave the deck, we were back under cloud cover. We elected to turn in for a while and rest before getting ready for the elegant night ahead. Just in the time it took to get back to our rooms, we are completely socked in by fog and haze. You can’t even see the water from the balcony now…Amazing how fast the change happened.
There is a golf course and driving range on this ship. Wonder if the fog affects how well you can see what you are doing up there.
Haven’t been in the spa or the gym yet. If it is as nice as the rest of the ship, it will be worth a visit. The elevators in our part of the ship are bathed in pink light…interesting.
Nap time. To be continued…
Didn’t nap much. The phone rang a few times and we passed by way too much pretty stuff. The sun reappeared for a while and the mountains were so close on either side of the ship that it seemed you could reach out and touch them. So much green. So much cool air. So many trees. So beautiful. Ahh.
After all the pictures and the nap, it was time to dress for dinner…the first formal night on board. Everyone looks so nice especially our guys in their tuxes. Lobster tail for dinner. MMMMMM. The apple puff pastry was quite nice for dessert too. After dinner, we spent a while in the casino playing penny slot machines…I’m way too cheap to go more. Won 12 bucks…not bad for a reverse high roller. Then it was time to have some rest. Although, a 10:30 pm, it’s still way to light to sleep w/o the black our curtain. The fog horn is blowing constantly on the ship as we are suddenly socked in by fog again. I was on the balcony just now amazed by the light still able to shine through the dense white swirlies out there and out of the cloud, there came a Canadian pilot boat. The Spirit was stopped. It seems we just crossed the line from Canada into Alaska and the Canadian pilot was relieved. The pick up boat sped off back into the fog with the pilot and we continued on slowly with a new man at the wheel. Fascinating, all this political stuff.
Tomorrow, we leave the ship for a few hours in Ketchikan. We are going shopping in the morning so room service breakfast at 6 and disembark at 7, yes am…that’s clarification for all you guys who know I am not a morning person…but I wouldn’t miss this for anything. IN the afternoon, we are going to a lumberjack show.
Now, it’s time to sleep. 10:30 here but our bodies are still on Jacksonville time, which is 12:30 am. Night all.
Yesterday, we set off on our latest adventure with Rodney’s sister, Donna, and her husband, Peter. After an early flight out of Tyler, we waited 6 1/2 hours for a flight from DFW to Vancouver, BC. Although delayed by an hour and a half, and although we had numerous gate changes, our flight was uneventful. We arrive in Vancouver airport about 11 pm Texas time. The air was cool and there was a subtle mist in the air. The coolness was quite welcome after our 100 plus temperatures of the last few days at home. We passed the night in a beautiful room near Gastown in the Hampton Inn, not too far from the cruise port.
Today, after a very nice breakfast and a leisurely morning, we took a walk around the area close to the hotel, stopping at Library Square. I really liked that. This building is several stories high and encompasses about 1/2 a block. It houses the Vancouver public library but also contains book stores, small stationery stores, tiny cafes, and coffee shops. We had a most excellent cup of Joe and then returned to the hotel lobby where our luggage was waiting for us. We and it were loaded onto a van shuttle to the cruise terminal.
The lines were long but fast moving. There’s nothing like a cruise crew to move things right along. After passing through customs and showing our passports lots of times, we had our pictures made and were give our sea pass cards. Then…at last…we entered the ship via the deck 3 gangway.
It’s always fun to get on board a cruise ship. In Vancouver the area around the cruise terminal is also a park. Canada Place has several levels. The port level has driving lanes and loading areas for the ship. The second level is for loading passenger and the upper levels allow local folks to walk and shop, while waving to the passengers as they hang off the balconies like Rodney and Peter are doing as we speak. They are fascinated by all the activity below as luggage and foodstuffs are placed on board by cranes and forklifts running at top speeds to get it all in place before our 5:30 sail aweigh time.
Still left today is the lifeboat drill, dinner in the dining room, and a show in Pharoah’s Palace. … Who would have thought about being over 50 as so much fun? More tomorrow from the inside passage, Alaska.
Amber: Boy this should be fun.
Mom: Of course it will be…you start.
Amber: I want to see Julie/Julia. It looks cute and I think Meryl Streep is one of the best actresses out there
Mom: So let’s go to the movies.
Amber: I think we still have a bit of a wait. It comes out August 7th.
Mom: I can wait.
Amber: Well, you’ll have to. Whoa, I’ll have a chocolate chip cookie!
Mom: MMMM…smells good.
Amber: You’ve already had all you can have.
Mom: Heartless person!!!!
Amber: I’m not heartless. You’re full of crap. No. Do not put that out there. MMMMhhhhmmhhhh.
Mom: Laughing…
Amber: I’m sorry you don’t speak mouthful.
Amber: You’re a punk!
(Dad gives his two cents worth. If you’re not a punk, you should be.)
Amber: I’m kind of afraid to say anything now cause you are ruthless….what inspired you to do this anyway. I just wanted you to see a movie preview. Nothin;s sacred anymore…..STOP!
Mom: I just can’t…this is too much fun.
Amber: MMMhuh. What do you want me to talk about now?
Mom: Can’t crawl inside your head, you know…make an effort.
Amber: Sounds like something straight from The Host. Going a little Stephanie Myers on me? Makes me think of the little centipede creatures from The Host. That was a good book, though.
Mom: Very strange.
Amber: Strange but good, a very good plot. Shows that Stephanie Myers can do something besides Twilight.
Mom: Yep.
Amber: Not fair. I have to watch you type. There’s no voice on your end.
Mom: The better to hear you with, My dear.
Amber: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Mom: Ah….Beatles Trivia!!!
Mom: Time to watch A Beautiful Mind. Are you ready?
Amber: Time for Amber to take her laptop and go to her room so the parents can watch tv. Amber should not refer to herself in third person either.
Mom: Night, Amber.
Amber: Night.
Flying isn’t as much fun as it used to be. I do like being somewhere really fast though. I hate airports. I hate delays. And I hate just sitting and sitting and sitting.
Amber and I flew to San Francisco on Friday. We were supposed to be there by Thursday afternoon. DFW closed down due to weather so we were delayed 24 hours. Made our time away really rushed and I never lost that feeling of anxiousness….gotta hurry… The weather was cold and windy … a big change from our 90 degrees here…never got above 70 there.
We saw 2 museums and rode BART a lot. Got to see friends in Lafayette and Union City. I loved CA but I wouldn’t want to live there. The communities that sit in the edge of the woods are beautiful. I love the air…it feels like a good lotion. I like the shops. Love the musuems and the availability of theaters and opera. MMMM….coffee shops on every corner. Little arts and crafts style villages in the suburbs. Wonderful Thai and Indian foods. Public transportation is unsurpassed. One could go anywhere with a transport guide and a little patience. I also liked the fact that people walk a lot. That’s good for you. The flowers are everywhere and just beautiful. There are fewer chain stores and restaurants in San Francisco Bay area. I like that because it gives local folks and mom and pop stores a chance to thrive. However, I don’t like the taxes. We would find it hard to live on what is left over. There are lots of folks on the streets. Too many…too close. Scarves and gloves in June…hmm. Where are the supermarkets? I only saw one and it was tiny. Does anyone cook?
So this trip was a preamble to the big one coming up…a dress rehearsal for packing so to speak. The more places I get a chance to go, the more I realize that unencumbered is the way to travel…anyone seen disposable clothes? I’m discovering quick dry so that I can wash along the way and now they make detergent, softener, and dryer sheet all in one…that is portability. This quick trip gave me some insight into things I can do to make the bags lighter for Alaska. Now…I’m gonna go make lists.
I am most disturbed about our president’s speech on June 4. Peruse this transcript and see what you think.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Cairo,Egypt)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 4, 2009
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON A NEW BEGINNINGCairo University, Cairo, Egypt
1:10 P.M. (Local)PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you very much. Good afternoon. I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning; and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt’s advancement. And together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I’m grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. And I’m also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: Assalaamu alaykum. (Applause.)
We meet at a time of great tension between the United States and Muslims around the world — tension rooted in historical forces that go beyond any current policy debate. The relationship between Islam and the West includes centuries of coexistence and cooperation, but also conflict and religious wars. More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations. Moreover, the sweeping change brought by modernity and globalization led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam.
Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims. The attacks of September 11, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights. All this has bred more fear and more mistrust.
So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, those who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. And this cycle of suspicion and discord must end.
I’ve come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles — principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.
I do so recognizing that change cannot happen overnight. I know there’s been a lot of publicity about this speech, but no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust, nor can I answer in the time that I have this afternoon all the complex questions that brought us to this point. But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly to each other the things we hold in our hearts and that too often are said only behind closed doors. There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground. As the Holy Koran tells us, “Be conscious of God and speak always the truth.” (Applause.) That is what I will try to do today — to speak the truth as best I can, humbled by the task before us, and firm in my belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart.
Now part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience. I’m a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims. As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and at the fall of dusk. As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith.
As a student of history, I also know civilization’s debt to Islam. It was Islam — at places like Al-Azhar — that carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe’s Renaissance and Enlightenment. It was innovation in Muslim communities — (applause) — it was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of algebra; our magnetic compass and tools of navigation; our mastery of pens and printing; our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can be healed. Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires; timeless poetry and cherished music; elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation. And throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality. (Applause.)
I also know that Islam has always been a part of America’s story. The first nation to recognize my country was Morocco. In signing the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796, our second President, John Adams, wrote, “The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims.” And since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States. They have fought in our wars, they have served in our government, they have stood for civil rights, they have started businesses, they have taught at our universities, they’ve excelled in our sports arenas, they’ve won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch. And when the first Muslim American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same Holy Koran that one of our Founding Fathers — Thomas Jefferson — kept in his personal library. (Applause.)
So I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed. That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn’t. And I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear. (Applause.)
But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. (Applause.) Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire. The United States has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known. We were born out of revolution against an empire. We were founded upon the ideal that all are created equal, and we have shed blood and struggled for centuries to give meaning to those words — within our borders, and around the world. We are shaped by every culture, drawn from every end of the Earth, and dedicated to a simple concept: E pluribus unum — “Out of many, one.”
Now, much has been made of the fact that an African American with the name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected President. (Applause.) But my personal story is not so unique. The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores — and that includes nearly 7 million American Muslims in our country today who, by the way, enjoy incomes and educational levels that are higher than the American average. (Applause.)
Moreover, freedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to practice one’s religion. That is why there is a mosque in every state in our union, and over 1,200 mosques within our borders. That’s why the United States government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab and to punish those who would deny it. (Applause.)
So let there be no doubt: Islam is a part of America. And I believe that America holds within her the truth that regardless of race, religion, or station in life, all of us share common aspirations — to live in peace and security; to get an education and to work with dignity; to love our families, our communities, and our God. These things we share. This is the hope of all humanity.
Of course, recognizing our common humanity is only the beginning of our task. Words alone cannot meet the needs of our people. These needs will be met only if we act boldly in the years ahead; and if we understand that the challenges we face are shared, and our failure to meet them will hurt us all.
For we have learned from recent experience that when a financial system weakens in one country, prosperity is hurt everywhere. When a new flu infects one human being, all are at risk. When one nation pursues a nuclear weapon, the risk of nuclear attack rises for all nations. When violent extremists operate in one stretch of mountains, people are endangered across an ocean. When innocents in Bosnia and Darfur are slaughtered, that is a stain on our collective conscience. (Applause.) That is what it means to share this world in the 21st century. That is the responsibility we have to one another as human beings.
And this is a difficult responsibility to embrace. For human history has often been a record of nations and tribes — and, yes, religions — subjugating one another in pursuit of their own interests. Yet in this new age, such attitudes are self-defeating. Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail. So whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners to it. Our problems must be dealt with through partnership; our progress must be shared. (Applause.)
Now, that does not mean we should ignore sources of tension. Indeed, it suggests the opposite: We must face these tensions squarely. And so in that spirit, let me speak as clearly and as plainly as I can about some specific issues that I believe we must finally confront together.
The first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism in all of its forms.
In Ankara, I made clear that America is not — and never will be — at war with Islam. (Applause.) We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security — because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women, and children. And it is my first duty as President to protect the American people.
The situation in Afghanistan demonstrates America’s goals, and our need to work together. Over seven years ago, the United States pursued al Qaeda and the Taliban with broad international support. We did not go by choice; we went because of necessity. I’m aware that there’s still some who would question or even justify the events of 9/11. But let us be clear: Al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day. The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody. And yet al Qaeda chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale. They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand their reach. These are not opinions to be debated; these are facts to be dealt with.
Now, make no mistake: We do not want to keep our troops in Afghanistan. We see no military — we seek no military bases there. It is agonizing for America to lose our young men and women. It is costly and politically difficult to continue this conflict. We would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent extremists in Afghanistan and now Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can. But that is not yet the case.
And that’s why we’re partnering with a coalition of 46 countries. And despite the costs involved, America’s commitment will not weaken. Indeed, none of us should tolerate these extremists. They have killed in many countries. They have killed people of different faiths — but more than any other, they have killed Muslims. Their actions are irreconcilable with the rights of human beings, the progress of nations, and with Islam. The Holy Koran teaches that whoever kills an innocent is as — it is as if he has killed all mankind. (Applause.) And the Holy Koran also says whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind. (Applause.) The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few. Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism — it is an important part of promoting peace.
Now, we also know that military power alone is not going to solve the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan. That’s why we plan to invest $1.5 billion each year over the next five years to partner with Pakistanis to build schools and hospitals, roads and businesses, and hundreds of millions to help those who’ve been displaced. That’s why we are providing more than $2.8 billion to help Afghans develop their economy and deliver services that people depend on.
Let me also address the issue of Iraq. Unlike Afghanistan, Iraq was a war of choice that provoked strong differences in my country and around the world. Although I believe that the Iraqi people are ultimately better off without the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, I also believe that events in Iraq have reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible. (Applause.) Indeed, we can recall the words of Thomas Jefferson, who said: “I hope that our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us that the less we use our power the greater it will be.”
Today, America has a dual responsibility: to help Iraq forge a better future — and to leave Iraq to Iraqis. And I have made it clear to the Iraqi people — (applause) — I have made it clear to the Iraqi people that we pursue no bases, and no claim on their territory or resources. Iraq’s sovereignty is its own. And that’s why I ordered the removal of our combat brigades by next August. That is why we will honor our agreement with Iraq’s democratically elected government to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by July, and to remove all of our troops from Iraq by 2012. (Applause.) We will help Iraq train its security forces and develop its economy. But we will support a secure and united Iraq as a partner, and never as a patron.
And finally, just as America can never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter or forget our principles. Nine-eleven was an enormous trauma to our country. The fear and anger that it provoked was understandable, but in some cases, it led us to act contrary to our traditions and our ideals. We are taking concrete actions to change course. I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, and I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year. (Applause.)
So America will defend itself, respectful of the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law. And we will do so in partnership with Muslim communities which are also threatened. The sooner the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in Muslim communities, the sooner we will all be safer.
The second major source of tension that we need to discuss is the situation between Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world.
America’s strong bonds with Israel are well known. This bond is unbreakable. It is based upon cultural and historical ties, and the recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied.
Around the world, the Jewish people were persecuted for centuries, and anti-Semitism in Europe culminated in an unprecedented Holocaust. Tomorrow, I will visit Buchenwald, which was part of a network of camps where Jews were enslaved, tortured, shot and gassed to death by the Third Reich. Six million Jews were killed — more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today. Denying that fact is baseless, it is ignorant, and it is hateful. Threatening Israel with destruction — or repeating vile stereotypes about Jews — is deeply wrong, and only serves to evoke in the minds of Israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve.
On the other hand, it is also undeniable that the Palestinian people — Muslims and Christians — have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. For more than 60 years they’ve endured the pain of dislocation. Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead. They endure the daily humiliations — large and small — that come with occupation. So let there be no doubt: The situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. And America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own. (Applause.)
For decades then, there has been a stalemate: two peoples with legitimate aspirations, each with a painful history that makes compromise elusive. It’s easy to point fingers — for Palestinians to point to the displacement brought about by Israel’s founding, and for Israelis to point to the constant hostility and attacks throughout its history from within its borders as well as beyond. But if we see this conflict only from one side or the other, then we will be blind to the truth: The only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security. (Applause.)
That is in Israel’s interest, Palestine’s interest, America’s interest, and the world’s interest. And that is why I intend to personally pursue this outcome with all the patience and dedication that the task requires. (Applause.) The obligations — the obligations that the parties have agreed to under the road map are clear. For peace to come, it is time for them — and all of us — to live up to our responsibilities.
Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong and it does not succeed. For centuries, black people in America suffered the lash of the whip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation. But it was not violence that won full and equal rights. It was a peaceful and determined insistence upon the ideals at the center of America’s founding. This same story can be told by people from South Africa to South Asia; from Eastern Europe to Indonesia. It’s a story with a simple truth: that violence is a dead end. It is a sign neither of courage nor power to shoot rockets at sleeping children, or to blow up old women on a bus. That’s not how moral authority is claimed; that’s how it is surrendered.
Now is the time for Palestinians to focus on what they can build. The Palestinian Authority must develop its capacity to govern, with institutions that serve the needs of its people. Hamas does have support among some Palestinians, but they also have to recognize they have responsibilities. To play a role in fulfilling Palestinian aspirations, to unify the Palestinian people, Hamas must put an end to violence, recognize past agreements, recognize Israel’s right to exist.
At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel’s right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine’s. The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. (Applause.) This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop. (Applause.)
And Israel must also live up to its obligation to ensure that Palestinians can live and work and develop their society. Just as it devastates Palestinian families, the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel’s security; neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank. Progress in the daily lives of the Palestinian people must be a critical part of a road to peace, and Israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress.
And finally, the Arab states must recognize that the Arab Peace Initiative was an important beginning, but not the end of their responsibilities. The Arab-Israeli conflict should no longer be used to distract the people of Arab nations from other problems. Instead, it must be a cause for action to help the Palestinian people develop the institutions that will sustain their state, to recognize Israel’s legitimacy, and to choose progress over a self-defeating focus on the past.
America will align our policies with those who pursue peace, and we will say in public what we say in private to Israelis and Palestinians and Arabs. (Applause.) We cannot impose peace. But privately, many Muslims recognize that Israel will not go away. Likewise, many Israelis recognize the need for a Palestinian state. It is time for us to act on what everyone knows to be true.
Too many tears have been shed. Too much blood has been shed. All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of the three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra — (applause) — as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed, peace be upon them, joined in prayer. (Applause.)
The third source of tension is our shared interest in the rights and responsibilities of nations on nuclear weapons.
This issue has been a source of tension between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. For many years, Iran has defined itself in part by its opposition to my country, and there is in fact a tumultuous history between us. In the middle of the Cold War, the United States played a role in the overthrow of a democratically elected Iranian government. Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has played a role in acts of hostage-taking and violence against U.S. troops and civilians. This history is well known. Rather than remain trapped in the past, I’ve made it clear to Iran’s leaders and people that my country is prepared to move forward. The question now is not what Iran is against, but rather what future it wants to build.
I recognize it will be hard to overcome decades of mistrust, but we will proceed with courage, rectitude, and resolve. There will be many issues to discuss between our two countries, and we are willing to move forward without preconditions on the basis of mutual respect. But it is clear to all concerned that when it comes to nuclear weapons, we have reached a decisive point. This is not simply about America’s interests. It’s about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path.
I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nation should pick and choose which nation holds nuclear weapons. And that’s why I strongly reaffirmed America’s commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons. (Applause.) And any nation — including Iran — should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. That commitment is at the core of the treaty, and it must be kept for all who fully abide by it. And I’m hopeful that all countries in the region can share in this goal.
The fourth issue that I will address is democracy. (Applause.)
I know — I know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy in recent years, and much of this controversy is connected to the war in Iraq. So let me be clear: No system of government can or should be imposed by one nation by any other.
That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people. Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people. America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election. But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. These are not just American ideas; they are human rights. And that is why we will support them everywhere. (Applause.)Now, there is no straight line to realize this promise. But this much is clear: Governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments — provided they govern with respect for all their people.
This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they’re out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. (Applause.) So no matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who would hold power: You must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Barack Obama, we love you!
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you. (Applause.) The fifth issue that we must address together is religious freedom.
Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance. We see it in the history of Andalusia and Cordoba during the Inquisition. I saw it firsthand as a child in Indonesia, where devout Christians worshiped freely in an overwhelmingly Muslim country. That is the spirit we need today. People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind and the heart and the soul. This tolerance is essential for religion to thrive, but it’s being challenged in many different ways.
Among some Muslims, there’s a disturbing tendency to measure one’s own faith by the rejection of somebody else’s faith. The richness of religious diversity must be upheld — whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt. (Applause.) And if we are being honest, fault lines must be closed among Muslims, as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.
Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together. We must always examine the ways in which we protect it. For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation. That’s why I’m committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat.
Likewise, it is important for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit — for instance, by dictating what clothes a Muslim woman should wear. We can’t disguise hostility towards any religion behind the pretence of liberalism.
In fact, faith should bring us together. And that’s why we’re forging service projects in America to bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews. That’s why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah’s interfaith dialogue and Turkey’s leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations. Around the world, we can turn dialogue into interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action — whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster.The sixth issue — the sixth issue that I want to address is women’s rights. (Applause.) I know –- I know — and you can tell from this audience, that there is a healthy debate about this issue. I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality. (Applause.) And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well educated are far more likely to be prosperous.
Now, let me be clear: Issues of women’s equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, we’ve seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead. Meanwhile, the struggle for women’s equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.
I am convinced that our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons. (Applause.) Our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity — men and women — to reach their full potential. I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles. But it should be their choice. And that is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams. (Applause.)
Finally, I want to discuss economic development and opportunity.
I know that for many, the face of globalization is contradictory. The Internet and television can bring knowledge and information, but also offensive sexuality and mindless violence into the home. Trade can bring new wealth and opportunities, but also huge disruptions and change in communities. In all nations — including America — this change can bring fear. Fear that because of modernity we lose control over our economic choices, our politics, and most importantly our identities — those things we most cherish about our communities, our families, our traditions, and our faith.
But I also know that human progress cannot be denied. There need not be contradictions between development and tradition. Countries like Japan and South Korea grew their economies enormously while maintaining distinct cultures. The same is true for the astonishing progress within Muslim-majority countries from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai. In ancient times and in our times, Muslim communities have been at the forefront of innovation and education.
And this is important because no development strategy can be based only upon what comes out of the ground, nor can it be sustained while young people are out of work. Many Gulf states have enjoyed great wealth as a consequence of oil, and some are beginning to focus it on broader development. But all of us must recognize that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century — (applause) — and in too many Muslim communities, there remains underinvestment in these areas. I’m emphasizing such investment within my own country. And while America in the past has focused on oil and gas when it comes to this part of the world, we now seek a broader engagement.On education, we will expand exchange programs, and increase scholarships, like the one that brought my father to America. (Applause.) At the same time, we will encourage more Americans to study in Muslim communities. And we will match promising Muslim students with internships in America; invest in online learning for teachers and children around the world; and create a new online network, so a young person in Kansas can communicate instantly with a young person in Cairo.
On economic development, we will create a new corps of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim-majority countries. And I will host a Summit on Entrepreneurship this year to identify how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations and social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim communities around the world.
On science and technology, we will launch a new fund to support technological development in Muslim-majority countries, and to help transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create more jobs. We’ll open centers of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and appoint new science envoys to collaborate on programs that develop new sources of energy, create green jobs, digitize records, clean water, grow new crops. Today I’m announcing a new global effort with the Organization of the Islamic Conference to eradicate polio. And we will also expand partnerships with Muslim communities to promote child and maternal health.
All these things must be done in partnership. Americans are ready to join with citizens and governments; community organizations, religious leaders, and businesses in Muslim communities around the world to help our people pursue a better life.
The issues that I have described will not be easy to address. But we have a responsibility to join together on behalf of the world that we seek — a world where extremists no longer threaten our people, and American troops have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own, and nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes; a world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all God’s children are respected. Those are mutual interests. That is the world we seek. But we can only achieve it together.
I know there are many — Muslim and non-Muslim — who question whether we can forge this new beginning. Some are eager to stoke the flames of division, and to stand in the way of progress. Some suggest that it isn’t worth the effort — that we are fated to disagree, and civilizations are doomed to clash. Many more are simply skeptical that real change can occur. There’s so much fear, so much mistrust that has built up over the years. But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward. And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country — you, more than anyone, have the ability to reimagine the world, to remake this world.
All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort — a sustained effort — to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings.
It’s easier to start wars than to end them. It’s easier to blame others than to look inward. It’s easier to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There’s one rule that lies at the heart of every religion — that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. (Applause.) This truth transcends nations and peoples — a belief that isn’t new; that isn’t black or white or brown; that isn’t Christian or Muslim or Jew. It’s a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the hearts of billions around the world. It’s a faith in other people, and it’s what brought me here today.
We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written.
The Holy Koran tells us: “O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.”
The Talmud tells us: “The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace.”
The Holy Bible tells us: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Applause.)
The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God’s vision. Now that must be our work here on Earth.
Thank you. And may God’s peace be upon you. Thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.)
END
2:05 P.M. (Local)
I do know better than to watch regular tv with my husband. It’s true, you know…that old stereotypical picture of the man with the remote. They do channel surf. It’s one of my pet peeves. I like to watch movies with him but so sorry…no Sunday afternoon tv or any other time when he has the remote. He has this absolutely huge remote control…a foot long with great big buttons. I’m at fault. I gave it to him. What was I thinking? AAAAgh!!!
Think I’ll go clean out the closet.
