The Afro Librarian Goes On Vacation!!!

Hey good people! I know it's been a while, but don't worry, I'm baaaaaack! My good good friend Elaine, allowed me to tag along with her and her family on a wonderful cruise excursion. It was the bee's kneesiest trip I've ever taken! Let me pause *pause* and take a moment to thank you personally Elaine for allowing me to celebrate my graduation sailing the seven seas! (or as rude people keep pointing out, "the Gulf of Mexico").

Last week, I sailed Carnival Cruise to Mexico where I visited Cozumel and Progreso. The cruise was filled with families gathering for celebrations and fanfair, couples and social groups of all sorts. I on the other hand was pretty much a loaner, which gave me a lot of time to reflect. There's something about being surrounded by water with only a man made contraption between you and death to make you stop and think... 

I began to see this trip as a spiritual journey, connecting me to my ancestors in a way I never imagined before. As an African American, it is probable that my ancestors at some point were surrounded by water also. As I sat on the deck, writing in my journal, I was mesmerized by the sheer beauty and power of the ocean. At the same time, my heart was heavy because I imagined the stress, grief and terror my ancestors endured on their journey from the African coast to the Americas. I said a prayer for the unrested spirits of millions of enslaved Africans that endured the middle passage, and gave thanks that I was able to appreciate the vast beauty of the Ocean.

Don't get me wrong. I didn't spend the entire trip in deep meditation. Nope. I AM the Afro Librarian, and being such, I had to have a unique librarian experience. Leave it to me to run into not one, but TWO infamous literary characters while galavanting around the ship.

Yes. You see it! That's the cat in the hat. (Try to contain your jealousy!) Turns out, there was a whole group of them, as that was the the theme of the night! Who knew???

I guess it's only right for me to sing Carnival Cruises' praises, in case any of you are on the line for trying a cruise. I say... do it. Do it!!!! The best part of the cruise for me were the excursions. When the ship landed in Cozemel, I opted for a getaway that had a purpose other than getting drunk and laying on the beach (although... that was done too. *Wink wink*)

Carnival had the social awareness to provide a tour of Cozumel city that went off the beaten path. The anthropologist in me was SOOOOOO geeked. LOL. We visited a church, an orphanage and part of our fees went as a donation to help the Cuidad de Angeles (City of Angels). Of course I found myself in the library... This is the library built for the children at Cuidad de Angeles.

This place was the real deal! So much good work going on there! (Check them out and send em a donation!)

Ciudad de Angeles

The next stop was Progreso. This place reminded me so much of Dakar, Senegal, it was scary. The architecture, the landscape, the weather...even the style of dress. I had to shake my head a couple of times looking at faces that looked like they could be my relatives. But nope... they were Mexican. (Yes, there are Black Mexicans. I saw them with my own two eyes!) 

I was blessed to visit the Mayan ruins... Anyone who knows anything about anthropology, knows you can't pass archaeology without knowing the Mayan ruins. So I HAD to go... 

I feel like I checked of yet another thing off my bucket list. Yay!!!!! 

I left the Triumph (the name of my ship) feeling blessed and refreshed. I can't wait to do this again. If you think you want to take a cruise, but aren't sure... Do it. It's like having 7 vacations in one. Unlimited food, inexpensive drinks, beaches, sunshine, music, movies and even a sauna and steam room. You can't beat it. Just stay away from the "night club"... Unless you are 18-23. LOL They took over! 

Anywho.... Until next time! 

Peace and Light, 

The Afro Librarian