Saved by the Dingaling
In the wee hours of the morning we sat in the mess, having last-minute tucker before going to bed. We chatted for a while about our pasts, our ideals, our trials, our passions. It was an engaging night!
Once upon a time I was worried about how I would fit into this company; in the past fortnight those concerns dissipated like an inch of snow on a warm morning, or steam from a teacup, or that hangry feeling after three bites of something delicious. Those worries are now gone.
I enjoy living on the ship. I find repose in my en suite room, I find strength from the gym, satiety from the mess, and rejuvenation from the top deck. I find entertainment from the musicians, merchandise and late-night meanderings. I find consolation from friends and shopping. I find joy from the nuances of the days and from reflecting over how silly I am!
So as I headed to bed at 3am, I harboured no regrets. Only a sense of contentment.
Later on in the morning I got up to go to mass for the first time in Helsinki. According to google maps, the catholic church was a 4 minute walk away. Of course, google maps doesn't take into account the fact that my calf workout has left my hamstrings in dire condition, or the fact that heavy uggs make walking that much more deliberate. According to the map, I had to walk along a plot of green, which in reality was a steep hill adorned with stairs.
As a morning jogger overtook me on the stairs, I began to panic, not having the facilities to check whereabouts I was. However, I was saved by the dingaling of the bell, shifting my attention down the hill I had just climbed.
There it was.
Unfortunately, I missed the only mass in English. Fortunately, I was able to hear mass in Finnish. It is a beautiful language, with heavy "L"s like Italian, words that sound awfully close to German, prosody like Spanish and some closed "oo" vowels like French. As the priest hung his hands over the pulpit and slouched his shoulders forward, I began to think he was indeed an influential speaker. When he made a joke and laughed alongside the laughs of parishioners, those feelings doubled. I didn't need to know what he was saying. It was art in itself.
Once upon a time I was worried about how I would fit into this company; in the past fortnight those concerns dissipated like an inch of snow on a warm morning, or steam from a teacup, or that hangry feeling after three bites of something delicious. Those worries are now gone.
I enjoy living on the ship. I find repose in my en suite room, I find strength from the gym, satiety from the mess, and rejuvenation from the top deck. I find entertainment from the musicians, merchandise and late-night meanderings. I find consolation from friends and shopping. I find joy from the nuances of the days and from reflecting over how silly I am!
So as I headed to bed at 3am, I harboured no regrets. Only a sense of contentment.
Later on in the morning I got up to go to mass for the first time in Helsinki. According to google maps, the catholic church was a 4 minute walk away. Of course, google maps doesn't take into account the fact that my calf workout has left my hamstrings in dire condition, or the fact that heavy uggs make walking that much more deliberate. According to the map, I had to walk along a plot of green, which in reality was a steep hill adorned with stairs.
As a morning jogger overtook me on the stairs, I began to panic, not having the facilities to check whereabouts I was. However, I was saved by the dingaling of the bell, shifting my attention down the hill I had just climbed.
There it was.
Unfortunately, I missed the only mass in English. Fortunately, I was able to hear mass in Finnish. It is a beautiful language, with heavy "L"s like Italian, words that sound awfully close to German, prosody like Spanish and some closed "oo" vowels like French. As the priest hung his hands over the pulpit and slouched his shoulders forward, I began to think he was indeed an influential speaker. When he made a joke and laughed alongside the laughs of parishioners, those feelings doubled. I didn't need to know what he was saying. It was art in itself.
This is Only the Beginning
We've been here just over a week with daily performances. No break from performing! Already, a cast member has said, "that performance was just going through the motions", whereas others have withheld injuries or nearly slept through calls. It's still been an overwhelmingly positive experience. As long as I get to eat something in the mess every day, I'm a happy chappy!
I never seem to be socially acceptable on this ship. For one, wearing flats and socks is an absolute no-no. The fact that my shoes are pointy toed is another infraction in itself. "You look like an elf" my castmate says. I also do silly things. Like when the guitarist found me and a few other girls sitting in the mess, he exclaims, "oh! a girls' party!" and I say (going along with the joke), "what do you think you're doing, talking to us?! You're not invited!"
Another momentous moment.... When our cruise director grabs an apple and says, "You know what they say, an apple a day keeps the doctor away!" and I respond "but you should get checked anyway!" Ooops. I really meant to say that it's important to have an annual checkup to ensure wellbeing is maintained. Oh well.
I'm not going to bother with photos. Most of the ones I've taken are on Facebook already.
Have a great end to your weekend ya'll, and remember, there's no business like show business.
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