Good Days, Bad days and Portuguese

It's now the 1^st of July, which means I've been aboard for 5 days. I'm glad to discover that I'm surprised by the fact that it's already been five days! Everyone on board keeps telling me how they hated the first month, and how they used to cry almost every day. So far, my count is 1/5. Two days ago, when we docked in Stockholm. It was right after the day at sea – which mean the hardest day work wise. And I was not happy. To be honest, I was miserable.

I woke up in the morning, and was thrilled by the opportunity to go out. Only, since that is apparently the Italian way on board, I hadn't been told how it worked if I wanted to go to the city. So after some time I spent sitting in the only chair in my cabin, staring at my sleeping roommate (who'd promised me she would go with me), getting more and more annoyed with her because she wasn't ready, I decided that I didn't like it on board anymore. I started to miss my home and my friends and family, and I hated that we have to buy (very expensive) internet to get in contact with anyone. I felt so completely alone and on very rocky ground. So I took a note from a tiny jar my best friend gave me, in case of a bad day. It said “Home is not the same without you”, and then I started crying. I hated everything and was sure I wouldn't stand a week. After my shower-cover-up, I took a deep breath and became determined to go outside. I felt as if my mom was standing on the dock and I would get to her no matter what!

And so I jumped my roommate, forced her awake and to go with me. We had about two hours before we had to head back, but I'm telling you, never have I ever been so happy to see and stand on concrete.

I never though I would say this, but Sweden felt like home. Blonde people everywhere, Swedish language and everything – it was the closest to home I had come in a few days and I was ecstatic!

When we went to work in the afternoon, I was in the best mood I've been in a long time. Walking on solid ground, breathing fresh air and talking to my mom did wonders! I loved the ship, the guests, the work – everything! I'm proud that I was able to turn my mood around and not give up, even though it was hard. It was a precious experience for me, that even though my day started off bad, it didn't mean it had to end the same way.

I guess this is just the life on board. I have been warned that the first month will be hard, and now I've felt it as well. And you know what? I can do this!

And why the Portuguese, you may ask? Well, I'm working with at least 3 Brazilians, and they are very bad at remembering that I don't speak their language. Portuguese is a big language on this ship, aside form Italian.

Note to self: learn Portuguese!