during my foray into the world of being a travel agent, (one of my early careers), my boss decided that i was ready to take a group out on an adventure, (herself included, and along for the ride,) so if found myself as ‘leader’, taking a group of 250 women on a long weekend cruise to the bahamas.
my job was to oversee the group, see that everyone had everything they needed, handle any ‘crisis’ on board, get them where they were going, and to make sure they all made it back. i figured this was easy duty, as my boss was a ‘church-going’ woman and these were women she knew through her church, and i imagined them to be quite tame, as groups go.
well, imagine my surprise when it ended up being one long, crazy weekend, far beyond what i had envisioned.
the waters near the bahamas had been hit by a hurricane not long before we arrived on the scene, so the sea was very rough on the first night. and i should have taken this as a sign.
we had all dressed up for a formal dinner and one by one, we dropped out, and passed each other on the way back to our rooms, nodding to each other, and looking like a bunch of very drunk sailors. i threw up in a giant planter along the way, just to set give you a feel for how rough it was. and it was everyone for themselves that night. it was all i could do to crawl into my bed and stay there, in the fetal position until morning.
when i awoke in the morning it was a beautiful day, calm waters, blue sky, and new beginning.
and from that moment on, no one slept for 3 days.
this was one of the most ‘free-spritied’ groups of women i’d even encountered. everyone was pretty drunk the entire time, there were ‘interactions’ with the crew, people were all over the place, and i decided the only way to keep track of everyone was to ‘enter the belly of the beast’, make sure no one got arrested, hang out with them, and let the sleep fall by the wayside. we quickly bonded, they were friendly and fun and welcoming, and we went on adventures on the islands together during the days, and when we came back to the ship at night, we always participated in whatever activity was planned.
on this particular evening, it was ‘talent show night,’ and i figured it was a way to try to keep everyone in one place for a while if some of us performed. a little group, my boss included, decided to perform as the ‘dancing california raisins.’ i was the only one who was not african-american in a group of 250 women, so i stood out a bit and they billed me as ‘the golden raisin’. and then it was our moment.
our elaborate costumes were made of stuffed trash bags and tights. and we gave it our all.
and won first place.
they must have quickly seen how talented were were.
here we are receiving our trophy.
and through a lot of good luck , and some sort of intervention from the universe,
and a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell policy,’ we all made home.
including the trophy.
and it still has a place of prominence on my desk at home.
—–
Tranquil as a forest, but a fire within. Once you find your center, you are sure to win.
Mulan
Discover more from I didn't have my glasses on....
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I didn't have my glasses on.... 
I am still laughing at you throwing up in the planter box, I’m sorry ..I shouldn’t, as you are a beautiful golden raisin. :lol: x
LikeLike
no worries, jen. i still laugh about it. and thank you for the raisin compliment. )
LikeLike
You are welcome, as you are just as sweet :-)
LikeLike
Ha ha.. this is brilliant! And a golden raisin to boot. Great fun Beth and thank you for sharing this. :-D
LikeLike
my pleasure jade, it’s fun to look back on this adventure )
LikeLike
I have no doubt that you had more talent than the real California Raisins did….
LikeLike
evil – well…. probably not much competition )
LikeLike
This is fantastic!
LikeLike
thanks jules )
LikeLike
That’s a great story. My honeymoon cruise had a night with huge swells that had everyone doing the drunken sailor walk, that part made me laugh.
LikeLike
thanks mark. so you know the feeling well )
LikeLike
The dining room had about twenty people in it and even some of the staff were falling out. I know it well as I made the mad dash down the hall.
LikeLike
mark – oh, wow. not much you can really do about it when the water is that rough. all pride is quickly lost. )
LikeLike
You know that plan is thriving at the time of this comment posting. Or dead. That’s neither here nor here.
LikeLike
eli – that plan? please advise )
LikeLike
I meant plant!
LikeLike
ah – now it all makes sense ) so funny –
LikeLike
a lesson in dotting your is and crossing your ts.
LikeLike
hahaha – so true )
LikeLike
Title: Rockin’ on the high seas with Beth and the California Raisins.
Story: The ocean, she was angry my friends, and she took it our on the land-lubbing group from Michigan. But they rebounded by dancing on the sheet of glass to win the coveted talent trophy.
Conclusion: On that stage, Beth, your legs were so white! But since the wave had passed, nobody was green with envy.
LikeLike
wow, mark, thanks for a wonderful and hilarious summary of the weekend )
LikeLike
Being a cruise fan and a Beth story fan, I sort of got carried away with this one. You’re welcome and thank you for the great post.
LikeLike
well double thanks then mark. and for the record, those were my tights!
LikeLike
Bahaha! This is a great story! I am in love with ya’lls costumes :D
LikeLike
thanks so much, ruthie )
LikeLike
I’m hoping for a quieter cruise later this year.
LikeLike
yes, well hopefully, disperser……my advice for a quieter cruise would be to not bring 250 other people with you. )
LikeLike
Oh, I won’t.
The rooms are a lot smaller now; barely enough space for me, my wife. and my camera equipment.
LikeLike
Wow! You deserve a medal just trying to be the voice of sanity in a crowd of 250 women intent on having a wild time. I had a good look at that photo of your desk and wondered what that book with all the picture of well-dressed animals was about.
LikeLike
well, it was an adventure, that’s for sure. and we all lived to tell. the animal book is one of my journals. i have a thing for animal art.
LikeLike
What a fun share. Thank you! And I love your quote from Mulan as well.
LikeLike
thanks pfp ) and quotes come from all kinds of unlikely sources –
LikeLike
Just when I thought I knew you well…another interesting chapter of your life appears!
LikeLike
well, i have lived a full life and glad you’ve been a part of it that has made it wonderful )
LikeLike
I don’t think you’ve ever done a boring thing in your life.
LikeLike
hahahaha, andrew, well i’ve done many, actually )
LikeLike
When dancing with african americans only good things can happen. Years ago a friend told me, “think tribal man, think tribal.”
LikeLike
)
LikeLike
I’ll be laughing about this all day. Thanks for this one Beth. Especially loved the part about throwing up in the plant. I think most people try to get to the rail, so that paints a great mind picture.
LikeLike
happy to make you laugh )
LikeLike
I think you would have been a great cruise ship director, like the fact I learned you were a travel agent, but still so glad to see the kinders’ pics, so glad you are where you are now. The costumes were so funny and you all gave it a First Place presentation! I have always met preacher’s kids and know that church folks can be the wildest ‘bunch’ but you made the “Raisins” instead of grapes!
LikeLike
thanks, robin, but i’m really happy to be spending time with the kinders these days ) and you are right about the wild bunch – funny )
LikeLike
This all sounds a little bit like the cruises my parents take, actually. Were there any bridge tournaments going on?
LikeLike
not a card in sight )
LikeLike
Oh man, sounds like my kind of group! What a complete blast (minus the upchucking)! “Interactions with the crew…” LOL. I went on a cruise when I was single, with 3 of my girl cousins (with an Italian cruise line) and…there may very well have been some sort of ‘interaction’ with the Italian crew…I try to block it out of my mind. We ALSO won first prize on the talent show and got to sit at dinner with the Captain who behaved as if he wanted to “interact” with all of us girls – at once! Mama Mia!
LikeLike
yep, sounds like a very similar experience )
LikeLike
Now that sounds like something I just might have enjoyed as much as yourself. Love your title, “golden raisin”.
LikeLike
thanks tric and i’ll bet you would have )
LikeLike
This is hilarious! Remind me never EVER to show it to my husband – I would love to go on a cruise, but it has yet to happen. Tales of the drunken sailor walk and puking into plants would put him off for life. It will be our little secret, then… well, ours and about 3000 of your followers… :-)
LikeLike
thanks so much for reading and for your comment )
LikeLike
Ah yes. The great shipboard phoetal position. I know it we’ll. :)
LikeLike
we’ve all had our moments –
LikeLike
Oh no, I am sitting here with tears of joy and laughter running down my cheeks. This is just…I don’t know, I’m out of words. Thank you so much for sharing this story. Always wonderful to meet people who can laugh about themselves. Cheers from Germany!
LikeLike
i’m so happy you enjoyed it,jasmin. if you can’t laugh at yourself, can you laugh at really? and thanks for reading and following and i look forward to doing the same for you ) beth
LikeLike
Gives a whole new meaning to raisin’ h…
LikeLiked by 1 person