Well, it wasn’t actually in the moonlight, but we did get to see a lot of it during the daytime hours.
We’re back, gang! I know you missed me, you don’t have to say it (even though I like hearing it). My wife and I took a lil’ ocean excursion this past weekend. Our first wedding anniversary is coming up somewhere near the end of this month (you’ll have to ask her to find out which day, and once you know, please tell me), so we decided to take a wonderful, romantic cruise. Together, even! 
We booked ourselves a fun-filled, four-day trip on the Carnival Elation. We journeyed from San Diego, California to Ensenada, Mexico.
Lemme give it you straight-up and real. If you’re gonna be traveling with baggage, please make sure that you’re using luggage that was invented at least in the 1990′s. My suitcase is reminiscent of the old-time carpetbaggers’. It has no wheels, which meant that I had to lug that fifty-pounder all the way thru security, customs, and a convoluted maze that was created just to be a thorn in my side and confound me. So, if you should find yourself having to take a trip, get some wheels, f’r the sake of Pete.
I was pretty impressed by the Carnival Elation. I had seen the commercials on TV and whatnot, but didn’t realize that these ships were the size of small cities. For the life of me, I don’t know how they could float on water at the size they were. I know I would sink like a stone if anyone decided to throw me overboard (and they had plenty of chances).
There were many events and shows to see while on the Elation. My wife and I saw a great singing and dancing revue, and we also went wine-tasting (and let me tell ya, they don’t like for you to try to get your glass filled up). There was a lot of lounge-singing and some really neat bands playing.
As far as the food goes, I do believe I destroyed my diet plans once again. That ship had nearly everything to eat that you can imagine. I tried a pizza that had spinach, olives, and goat cheese. I had never tried goat cheese before, but I quickly fell in love with its unique taste (it’s acquired, believe me).
Dinner was formal and elegant. I pulled out my game-show host getup and went high on the hog. We were seated Love Boat-style with other couples. It was interesting having to eat at a table with perfect (and imperfect) strangers. I hadn’t done that since the soup-kitchen days. 
We met some very nice people from Fresno, Arizona, and Hawaii. We exchanged info knowing that we probably would never contact each other, but civility is so grand. Hahaha! I thoroughly enjoyed their company and conversation. In the meantime, I gorged myself on lobster, salmon, steak, shrimp, and chocolate melting cake. Yum-yum!
We awoke Sunday morning to find ourselves at port in Ensenada, Mexico! We got a lil’ breakfast (they make personal-pan omelets on the ship), then went forth to discover the city. We quickly found out that the city was already discovered so we caught a shuttle bus and bypassed GringoLand as they call it. I didn’t want to go too far off the beaten path, though.
My wife wanted to see the famous blowhole while we were there. I was all for it, and wasn’t too greatly disappointed to find out that it had nothing to do with donkeys or shows. There are only three prestigious blowholes in all the world. One’s in Hawaii, one’s in Australia, and one’s in Mexico. So, with my wallet stuffed snugly in my shoe (blisters, here I come!), we were off to see La Bufadora!
In order to get to La Bufadora and witness the majestic sight of the blowhole, you have to run the gauntlet of over 500 Mexican vendors and street hustlers. You can find almost anything in that little pathway of paradise. There’s plenty of leather, purses, jewelry, and knick-knacks to be purchased. There are also countless pharmacies which are actually ran by people wearing those pharmacist smocks. As far as the veracity of their pharmaceuticals goes, don’t get me to lyin’. All I know is that I was offered every medicine under the sun including copious amounts of Viagra. They must have seen the look on my wife’s face and felt that I needed some.
One thing about the marketplace, though, is that the vendors will hound you mercilessly to buy their crap wares. Every two feet, there’s someone who promises to make you a better deal than the guy two feet behind you. And there are sellers on both sides of the narrow street. I was so glad to finally get out of that section with my funds basically intact.
We made it back to San Diego on Monday morning, then traveled back home. All in all, we had a gloriously wonderful time. It was nice to get away from the hectic, fast pace of life and spend some quality time with each other. My wife was extremely glad and grateful that I wasn’t writing or drawing or all engrossed on the internet this weekend, either. We hope to take another trip soon, and you can be sure that I’ll tell you all about that journey, too. Until then, take care, and go enjoy some ADDANAC CITY comics!
