Tuesday, August 21, 2007: Cruising the Mediterranean Sea
The next day, while at sea, I had a chance to do some studying. I also asked to be given a tour of the ship so I could find places on my own. I stopped on Deck 6 amidships to use the handicap women's toilet. Much to my chagrin, I could not stand up, the toilet seat was so low, and the bar to my right did not serve me well at all. I had to yell "Help", and my helper had to come into the bathroom and help me off the seat. Now I was looking at going back to my cabin every time I needed the restroom.
The concierge suggested that it would be best to use "Google" to make my own excursion arrangements. If I needed to confirm by phone or fax, I could use the desk phone. If I wanted a crew member to go with me on an excursion to push the wheelchair and assist me, a crew member from the Philippines would be available at a cost of $30.00 per hour. The excursion desk was willing to book tours for me at a rate of $1,200 to $1,500 per day, for a private car and guide.
After what I spent to book Crystal (about $10,000), I could not afford those costs. Instead, I spent over $300 for computer online time for the next few days, and I worked at locating an available guide and a car on such short notice. The gods were with me.
How did Crystal help me with my excursions? They gave me Ritchie, a young man from the Philippines who knew enough English to be pleasant and helpful. His fee was $30.00 per hour—and there was no negotiating. Once I had a helper, all I needed was a guide with an air conditioned car that could accommodate a wheelchair.
I spent a few hours doing research and booking guides for Dubrovnik, Taormina, Sorrento, Rome and Livorno and Monte Carlo.
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Wednesday, August 22, 2007: Dubrovnik, Croatia
Michael was our tour guide in Dubrovnik. He bragged that Tom Cruise had been there the week before.
Friday, August 24, 2007: Taormina, Sicily, Italy
Wendy was my guide in Taormina. We had the best ice cream.
Saturday, August 25, 2007: Sorrento, Italy
The guide in Sorrento was Mariano Florentino. The tender steps were a little hard, but I made it. My ankles were swollen, so I asked to put them on the dash board while driving to Positano, and then to Amalfi. We left the city center on the Amalfi drive, and Mariano showed us the church where he was married. He lives on a farm with twenty-six family members. We traveled a road built by Mussolini in World War II. He pointed out two-hundred-year-old pine trees and the ceramic street signs.
At Positano I laid down to rest. Mariano bought me ice lemonade. I really adored Positano and showed my allegiance by purchasing three dresses. I gazed out the window as we traveled around the mountainside. I found the geography very striking. The winding road tired me, and I awoke to the news that, in Amalfi, Savio invented the compass and the peppermill. We stopped at the Grand Hotel on the way to Sorrento.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
We docked in Sorrento, and Richie came at 8:45 AM with two bottles of water and two small towels to wipe my perspiration. We arrived at the gangway and I heard the crew members yell out, "Tell Miss Baker the sea is calm!"
I was told not to worry, that it was easier going down the steps. At this point, I had to be in control of my movements, which aids the helpers who tend to assist by pulling and holding tightly on my arms. I said, "Wait. Take a breath and assess the step or the ramp." I was blessed with a railing to hold onto. I held on with both hands and stepped sideways. We could not take the lift to Capri and chose to take a taxi instead.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
The driver was racing 130 kilometers towards Rome. We got tickets at Palatine Hill for the coliseum. As we stood in front of the coliseum, we looked at the long lines, wondering what we were going to do. Then, a young man approached us and said, "follow me." Because we had the wheelchair, there was no entrance fee. This young angel directed us to the elevator.
I glanced out the car window to see Fendi, Gucci, and Prada. I wanted to stop, but there was no time. I asked Franco, our driver, whether there was a place to put my water bottle in the car. Italians don't drink water. When they get thirsty, they drink coffee. And, they stop to get it somewhere—they don't drink in the car. The Mercedes is a 2007 and one is not allowed to eat or drink in the car. I asked the driver to purchase a CD of Italian love songs for me. We went to the store, and he came back with a CD he bought for himself. I asked if he could play it in the car. Of course, the answer was, "No!"