Check!  Another solo trip completed. And hopefully, this one could result in changing my habits and upgrading my health.

The MSC Seascape is a lovely ship.  The amenities were plentiful and the staff was very attentive.   I did indulge in some fun during the cruise by gambling (no luck) and dancing (extra fun!)  My feet are a little sore but the ache is worth it.  Vegans do like to party!

The knowledge I gained was priceless and I’m excited to try the vegan lifestyle.  I do not expect to be perfect, but I intend to stay conscious of my  food choices.  And when I see my body slimming down and my brain fog lifting, I will be even MORE motivated. 

Today was a test of my patience and resolve as I encountered several issues.  First there was the time change issue; I could not get my phone to sync with ship time last night.  I didn’t sleep well as at 3am it was really 2am and trying to fall back to sleep?  Even just setting a timer wouldn’t work.  I gave up and got up earlier than needed, but had time to enjoy a soy latte and some fruit before disembarking.   We docked in Galveston in the midst of a MASSIVE electrical storm and we all got pretty soaked getting to our Houston Hobby airport transport bus.   And then the fun REALLY began. 

Because I looked at very little news on the cruise, I was unaware of the mounting TSA issues.  The airport was an absolute madhouse.  It took just short of TWO HOURS to simply check in my bag at the Southwest counter.  I was warned by the agent that I would probably miss my flight because the TSA queue was taking 3-4 hours to complete!  TSA Precheck was NOT open and I heard there were only two agents!  To be safe, I rebooked on a later flight and got in the TSA line which started in arrivals on the first floor, literally.  We snaked around the luggage carousels, the hallways, then to the parking garage, back inside and up the escalator, into arrivals, and even more snaking after that.  The airport authority even passed out water and snacks!  We shuffled along for over 3 hours and they finally opened TSA Precheck. 

Arriving at the gate, I discovered that my original flight was delayed, but they gave away my seat.  So I prayed hard while I waited on  standby.  I did NOT want to get into Tucson 8 hours late via Tulsa and Phoenix.  At this point I’m getting pretty hungry and I’m thinking about eating at the airport …. could I even FIND vegan food besides just a salad?

My prayers were answered as I made the wait list!  I’m writing this on a VERY bumpy flight, but I’m confident God wouldn’t take us now after what we’ve all endured to even get ON this flight!

And then I had my sign that All Is Well.  Look at the snacks they provided ….

When you get this post, know that I am safely and happily home!

P.S.  The take away from my cruise and the airport experience:  there are many kind and friendly people.  More than the media will ever tell us. 

I believe in the goodness of humanity.  Let the old system crash.  Together, we will build a new and kinder world. 

ALL WE NEED IS LOVE.  For all living creatures.  

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