Last November, I took an impromptu trip to Jamaica to renew my passport. This was especially risky, because I had to travel on an expired passport to Jamaica, and then return on a semi-expired green card.
In the present political environment, and with all the hostility towards immigrants, I knew I was potentially setting myself up for trouble. But, as is the case with me, once a crazy idea sets in and I begin to think I can do it, off I go! It was so worth it.
Within a few weeks of returning safe and sound to America, I was off again on the Carnival Magic with family and friends. Day 1 and 2 were not particularly eventful, but nonetheless, they are the beginning of this adventure tale, and so, there we start.
Day 1 — Sunday, Miami
The drive to Miami from Atlanta was long. It didn’t help that I hadn’t slept in a day or two. Thankfully, I was not the one driving. We had decided to carpool and the guys in the group decided to take the wheel, while us women put our feet up.
I spent the first two hours crocheting (interlocking) my dreads and then somehow found the energy to fret with the drivers about the fact that we were cutting it real close to departure time.
Nevertheless, we arrived in Miami in time to board. It was a really, really long line, making us wish all the more that we could have left earlier. The sun pelted us, and having driven down from colder climes, we were not in the best clothes to withstand it. Lucky for us, the workers did pass out free bottled water.
When we arrived inside, I was ready to breathe my sigh of relief, but it was a breath taken too soon. Even though I had my extension letter from USCIS to accompany my expired green card, they gave me a proper shakedown. Two different officials looked at my documents and then I was sent to a separate line that was also really long. I watched as everyone else boarded the ship, while I stood there, having my legal immigration status once again called to question.
I was annoyed to say the least, but when the Hispanic woman who could barely speak English at the help desk questioned the authenticity of my documents, that quickly turned to fuming. After some back and forth, with a lot of tongue-biting on my end, they finally let me board the cruise ship. We were the last set aboard, but we had made it and ultimately that was all that mattered.
The first order of business was for our groups to find our rooms. I was sharing with my parents and finally got a taste of true tiny living with a ladder to my loft bed to boot! 😅 I actually really loved it up there. I never used the beds below, even when I had the room to myself, which was often.
Once we had put our things away and changed into clothing worthy of warm weather, we all returned upstairs to eat. This was my last shot of Miami before we left the port.
Day 2 — Monday, At Sea
The following morning, with the sun high and bright in the sky, we were finally able to take a good look around the ship and see what it had to offer. Despite my fear of open waters, one of my favourite things to do was going to the back of the ship and looking at the beautiful effect it had on the water.
Isn’t it one of the most amazing things you’ve ever seen? 😍 It sure was for me!
Naturally, sight-seeing wasn’t the only thing you could do on the ship. There were also pools, fitness centers, hot tubs, towering water slides, and of course, the buffets.
I had planned on trying this adult jungle gym they had set up, but I regret to say, I never did. We spent such little time on the ship, and when we were on-board, we were often too exhausted from swimming and snorkelling to go up there. Not one of us in the travel group made it up.
Even so, why close this post out on such a dismal note? Here is a shot of the beautiful sunset I caught that evening. There is nothing quite like a sunset in the tropics.
Next week, I’ll share my day at the beach in the Cayman Islands, including some underwater footage. Stay tuned!
I would be very interested to see the dreads interlocking; perhaps you can do a video and become a YouTube sensation! Seriously, I’ve always wondered how they are done. And by the way, it’s crochet hooks, not needles! 😉
Haha, you are right. They are crochet hooks, but in Jamaica, we do often say needles. That’s what my hair stylists called them. What I use for the crocheting of my dreads though is definitely a needle. The end is just not sharp.
I’m not sure I’m cut out for being a beauty YouTube sensation. I think I’m more likely to be noticed for my travel videos. 😆
I’ll see if I can do a video though. I’ll probably redo them in a week or two. Hopefully I remember! I only do it every 2 months or so 🙂
Thank you for the clarification. I am very interested to see these crochet needles for obvious reasons.
That would be great if you could do a video. Thank you. 👍
Well the regular crochet needles are the same thing you call a crochet hook. For interlocking though, there are many different types made specifically for that. I only know how to use ones like this one: https://www.locsanity.com/products/locsanity-hair-locking-curved-interlocking-tool-microlock-sisterlock-dreads-set-tool-loc-dreadlock-maintenance?variant=16315424211057&utm_campaign=gs-2018-10-24&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=Cj0KCQiAn4PkBRCDARIsAGHmH3fvnObq2TByn_1svHgDm_LijrmvsahLH8vAdenOSLrDyGmwOIXqi6UaAvnzEALw_wcB
Thanks for the photos, but I can now confirm those are not crochet hooks as we know them! Very interesting, though.
Haha no, these are specifically for interlocking. However, some people do use the crocheting hooks and there are some interlocking needles that look like them. I just find this one easiest to use. 🙂
Not sure if it will work: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00GNOMZ46/ref=asc_df_B00GNOMZ4658711157/?tag=googshopuk-21&creative=22122&creativeASIN=B00GNOMZ46&linkCode=df0&hvadid=225363222612&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9583545502511723603&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045823&hvtargid=aud-543273805630:pla-420153769346
I know those. I can crochet. Those are what some people use to interlock dreads because they’re easier to come by. The needle I showed you is what is made specifically for interlocking, but there are many different styles and types. That’s just the one I find easiest to use. 🙂
All of your posts are well-written, but somehow this one seems better than the rest to me – it’s crisp and refined. Have you ever tried professional travel writing?
Thank you!
I am a professional writer in a number of industries actually, from car pieces for Chevrolet to travel pieces for JetSmarter, the private jet company. I do this for a living 🙂
That explains why this post was so well-written!
That effect of the ship on the water, wow. Lovely! I could watch it for.. a while.
Same! I hear it’s called a “wake”. Really beautiful effect. I’m glad I was able to get a good shot. I tried multiple times 😂
I will not stand for anything else being called a wake, besides a wake (nine night) 😂
Lolololololol! Good luck filing that one at the copyright office 😂😅
Fortune favours the brave and I am very pleased to know that you overcame all your immigration difficulties and were able to enjoy your cruise with your parents. I too love watching a ship’s wake: I find them beautiful and fascinating. And I am intrigued about your dreadlocks crocheting; that’s something I’ve never done! I look forward to reading your adventures in the Cayman Islands.
Fortune does indeed favour the brave! Unfortunately, all my immigration woes are not behind me. My green card has still not been renewed, but I have a remaining 12 of my 18 month extension, so let’s see!
I didn’t know it was called a wake! It’s mesmerising. I went up to look at it every day we were on the ship. 😍
Crocheting dreads is actually called interlocking. It’s done with a special needle, but some people do use crochet needles. It tightens the roots. That works better than palm rolling for me, because I’m active and my hair doesn’t tangle well on its own. Maybe one day I’ll write a post about this! 🤔
Your photos are great, but the sunset photo is stunning!
Thanks, Barron! That sunset was indeed a beaut. 🙂