Karl’s Korner

Good morning, friends and family,

Here we are in Palermo – still no bags. We bought $95 worth of essentials last night and will probably shop for lighter clothes, as the weather has been beautiful and warm, not the cooler temps we thought we might encounter.

We went to dinner for the first time last night and met our tablemates, four of whom were on the same trip as we to Antarctica in 2004. Like old home week.

The show last night was very good: a soprano from Scotland, named Kaitlyn Carr. We had front row seats and she about blew us away with her high notes.

Today we are meeting a couple we shared a table with our first night. They travel as we do, seeing the sights on our own, so we’ll join forces and rent a cab, or perhaps ride the “jump on – jump off” bus to see the city.

We’re heading down to reception to see if they have any news on our bags, get some Euros and meet our friends. More later.

Later: An enjoyable day riding around Palermo with a van driver named Phillip – very knowledgeable and took us to all the main sights, Opera House, Cathedral and ancient city wall. We stopped and bought some diet coke at a fantastic market filled with everything imaginable. So we are set for drinks on the ship.

The weather continues to amaze us – very warm today with bright sunshine. Since we only have sweatshirts, I am drenched again.

BUT, partial good news: One of our bags made it to the ship. This one has all our pants and some T’s for Carol, but nothing light for me to wear. Another trip to the shops on board is in order tonight.

After dinner and the show, we’ll hit the sack and be ready for Tunisia in the morning. Two comedians are on stage tonight.

So, for today, Via con Dias, friends and family,

Karl & Carol

Good evening friends and family,

Well, there is good news and bad news – which would you prefer first??

Okay, I’ll go with the bad:

Our bags just arrived in Rome at 2:45 today on British Airlines; however, BA “doesn’t correspond with other countries’ airports in the case of lost baggage”, to quote the proper British gentlemen I spoke with this afternoon. According to him, I must call them on Monday, after 9 a.m., as their offices are closed today (Sunday).

So, it is doubtful our bags will arrive in time to be dispatched to Palermo, our next stop. They may possibly make it to La Goulette, or perhaps somewhere along the line between here and the Amazon. By that time, our clothes will be worn down to rags and we’ll look the part for the headhunters.

We’ve done without everything all day, except for what the ship provided (very little); but here comes the good news:

WE ARE GOING SHOPPING TONIGHT, as soon as we sale and the shops open and I will turn in the sales slips in a claim against Princess and BA – hopefully BA will foot the bill, as they were to blame for this whole fiasco. Needless to say, we will never fly BA again.

But, that aside, we spent a very nice, sunny day in Naples, walking the cobblestone and blacktopped sidewalks, seeing the sights. Most shops were closed, so not much to buy, even if we were so inclined, which we are not.

We spent most of the afternoon walking the ship and locating all of the venues. Then we watched “Valkyrie”, a movie I wanted to see, but didn’t get to while it was playing in Rockport. Great movie – too bad they didn’t succeed. I had a few tears in my eyes at the end for the bravery of those soldiers involved.

Now, we are off in a few minutes to meet our tablemates for the cruise. I hope they don’t mind us showing up in sweatshirts – that’s all I had in my carryon bag, plus shoes, socks and undies for Carol.

All of this we’ve taken in stride, as things happen that you have no control over, so grin or frown and bear it. This time next week, (hopefully), we’ll never remember the smell of our clothes… (That’s a joke). But, if our tablemates do smell Listerine, that’s what I had to use after I shaved three days of beard off. Like I said, the ship didn’t offer much.

Other strange news: It appears we don’t exist yet, as the ship’s computer won’t let me onto the internet. Hopefully after a talk with the guy in charge, that will be fixed and I’ll be able to post this.

For Nancy back home: Yes, the ship’s internet is wireless and does connect with no cable or the other device. If you are reading this – we must now exist. Hooray!

So, for today, I’ll just say, Via con Dias, my friends – things will get better.

Karl & Carol

Good morning to our friends and family from Naples, Italy:

After our good friends, Paul and Glenda dropped us off at the airport in Corpus Christi, everything went too smoothly – I should have suspected things would get worse soon after, and they did.

As we left the ground on our initial flight, I turned to Carol and said, “Off on another adventure.” And, she agreed. Then the Captain announced that we were returning to the airport due to a malfunction with the aircraft.

Naturally, our flight was cancelled, and there went all our other connections – to Heathrow and on to Rome. I stood for two hours at a counter as a very nice fellow named Alfred attempted to get us into Rome in time to make our ship.

After much dickering, we were forced to go with the 4pm flight. We took off for DFW, made our connection by the skin of our teeth, as they were calling our name as we were riding a tram to the gate. Then off to Heathrow.

We made our connection there too, but were concerned we would arrive too late and be forced to find our way to Naples, the next port of call. But, to our surprise, there were many others waiting to go to the ship. It seems the Italian workers at the airport went on strike and it was taking as long as three hours to get bags off the aircraft. God works in mysterious ways!

We were forced to take a bus to the ship without out luggage, so here I sit, in my clothes from yesterday. We ate supper and went directly to bed to sleep all night.

Now, it is the next morning and still no bags. Filed a report for all the good that will do and now we are hoping they arrive before we leave for Palermo. We did get toothpaste and a few necessities from the ship, but not much. Wish us luck.

We are heading into Naples to see what there is to see. Being Sunday, not many shops will be open, but we can hope to find clean undies. Until later,

Via con Dias, to our friends and family,

Karl & Carol

Good evening my friends,

Yes, we are getting more “hits” from overseas - this time: London, France and Bombay, India. Welcome to you all. I hope you like what you see on my website. Order one of my books through LuLu.com or PayPal. You’ll be glad you did and want more.

Just ten more days and we’ll be on our way. This cruise will be interesting in more ways than one. I have always wanted to see the Amazon River and hope it is as dark and mysterious as I picture it in my mind.

The Verde Islands are another place we haven’t been - looking forward to adventure there with our doll.

We have a “villain” for my “doll” books - a cowardly lion doll we picked up for ten cents at a garage sale. Now, we are looking for a GI Joe doll and may have to buy one at Wal Mart.

Thanks again to all of you who ordered my novels while they were on sale for Christmas. If the orders continue this well, I may decide to keep this $14.75 price in effect to get the books out and into your hands so you can share and let others know of my work. Getting the books into the public arena is the big thing. That and making enough to donate the money to the Wounded Warrior Project.

If you get a chance, check out the website for the Military Writers’ Society of America. My four novels are being reviewed and the reviews may be posted while we are on this trip.
You can also find great books to read by other military authors in their online bookstore.

Carol is ready for bed. We had a long day, driving up to Randolph AFB in San Antonio to pick up two additional mess dress white shirts to wear for formal nights aboard the ship. The Navy base in Corpus Christi doesn’t carry them, much to our disappointment. But, 400 miles later, we have our shirts. So, off to bed.

Until next time,
Via con Dias, my friends,
Come back often,
Karl