Royal Caribbean Cruisers -- How Are Things Where You Are? (was "Routine" ​ 😁 ​day in lockdown... how was yours?)

[Luckynana]

3 hours ago, HBE4 said:

 

Actually, no. I live over an hour away, outside NYC.

 But I would say it has 70% of the energy it used to have, if that makes sense.

We were an hour away from Manhattan when we lived on Staten Island.  We're an hour away by express bus now that we live in South Jersey.   I'm hoping the City gets back to what we're used to;   I know things change, but here's hoping for the better, sooner rather than later.🤞

2 hours ago, BonTexasNY said:

I have stated this before on CC.  I loved growing up in Lower Manhattan.  When I was young (really young) my dad would take me on cultural trips every Sunday; Statue of Liberty, U.N., museums, etc.  Loved all the museums.  Loved Central Park.  No need for a car.  The NYC subway/bus system was at our fingertips.  I think that's what cemented the special closeness I always had with my dad.  Funny, my sister never came with us and only wanted to stay home with mom.

BTW, earache is not as bad today!

How great for you to have such wonderful memories you shared with your dad!  While I went on cultural trips,  statue of Liberty, U N Building, etc.  it was mainly while I was a teenager and would take the ferry to Manhattan;   never with my parents.  

Glad your ear isn't as painful today!

[BonTexasNY]

2 hours ago, George C said:

I didn’t drive a car or have a license until I was over 30 and was moving to Texas , my company which paid for everything, even paid for my driving classes. First time I every drove by myself was when I landed in Dallas and got on the LBJ freeway heading to my Hilton hotel, I had a New York learners permit with a stamp on it saying it was a valid drivers license, was surprised Avis gave me the rental car. 

I got my license when I moved to the 'burbs when I was 26.  

 

When Jack was away on business, I had to drive myself into Manhattan, about a 40 min. drive,  when my mom was in the hospital.  Very harrowing for me;  crazy NYC cabs, buses, pedestrians, cars, etc., etc., etc.  I did it twice and then took up my friend's kind offer to drive me until Jack got back.

 

LBJ is not a pleasant drive.  Always encounter traffic.  Scary for that to have been your first introduction to Dallas driving.  It would be for me, anyway.  

 

Can you tell I "love" driving???🙄

 

 

[George C]

5 minutes ago, BonTexasNY said:

I got my license when I moved to the 'burbs when I was 26.  

 

When Jack was away on business, I had to drive myself into Manhattan, about a 40 min. drive,  when my mom was in the hospital.  Very harrowing for me;  crazy NYC cabs, buses, pedestrians, cars, etc., etc., etc.  I did it twice and then took up my friend's kind offer to drive me until Jack got back.

 

LBJ is not a pleasant drive.  Always encounter traffic.  Scary for that to have been your first introduction to Dallas driving.  It would be for me, anyway.  

 

Can you tell I "love" driving???🙄

 

 

Never drove in Manhattan, would never, both my dad and brother for a time was taxi drivers in nyc,  Wife drives downtown Dallas daily, we never do driving trips over a couple of hours. 

[Luckynana]

27 minutes ago, mo&fran said:

WE are a go for our B2B,   both of our tests were negative.  

We also managed to cash out all of our OBC in the casino, although I think there was some sort of fee involved.  DW did it, so it wasn't clear what was involved.

As far as I am concerned, it all works out in the end.

Great news!!!!

[Luckynana]

4 minutes ago, George C said:

Never drove in Manhattan, would never, both my dad and brother for a time was taxi drivers in nyc,  Wife drives downtown Dallas daily, we never do driving trips over a couple of hours. 

Once I got my license, I was ready to drive anywhere!  I would drive into Manhattan on Wednesday and Friday nights for the nightlife;  one night I drove from Staten Island, over to Sheepshead Bay Brooklyn to pick up my friend from work, drive over to West Orange, and drove her back home at the end of the night.  I loved driving when I was younger.  I did have many adventures back in the day,  Today, the less I  have to drive, the better.  

[island lady]

1 hour ago, Keksie said:

Wow.  I took my classes and got my learner's permit when I was 15.  My license at 16.  I love to drive.  I am the one who drives when we go long distance.  

 

I studied for weeks for my test before my 16th birthday.  My Dad told me he would buy me a car and pay half.  Nice four door clunker he bought from one of his friends for 300.00.  I saved up the 150 and was thrilled with the "new" car I could call my own.  

 

Dad took me to the DL on the day of my birthday in the car.  There were 50 questions on the test...I aced it at 100%.  My Dad was sooo proud.  Walked out of there, and he handed me the keys.  😄 

[davekathy]

I've been driving 

4 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

I studied for weeks for my test before my 16th birthday.  My Dad told me he would buy me a car and pay half.  Nice four door clunker he bought from one of his friends for 300.00.  I saved up the 150 and was thrilled with the "new" car I could call my own.  

 

Dad took me to the DL on the day of my birthday in the car.  There were 50 questions on the test...I aced it at 100%.  My Dad was sooo proud.  Walked out of there, and he handed me the keys.  😄 

I've been driving legally since I was 16 years old. 😇

[jagsfan]

34 minutes ago, George C said:

Never drove in Manhattan, would never, both my dad and brother for a time was taxi drivers in nyc,  Wife drives downtown Dallas daily, we never do driving trips over a couple of hours. 

I think those of us growing up in Florida were born with one foot on the gas pedal. 
Got my driver’s license as soon as I turned 16. 
After high school, I started driving to NY as soon as I earned a couple of weeks vacation. Way before interstates.
I thought nothing of driving from my grandparents’ home in Massapequa in to Manhattan to visit friends. One friend lived a block off Pleasant Ave. I would park and walk a couple of blocks to their flat. Found out years later that the name was changed from Paladino to Pleasant before of all the violent crime it was known for. 
I was very popular on Long Island because few of my friends could drive. 
Mostly because insurance was so high their parents wouldn’t add them. 
In Jacksonville the high school parking lots were full of students’ cars. 
Jalopies back then, nice new cars, these days. 

[island lady]

4 minutes ago, davekathy said:

I've been driving 

I've been driving legally since I was 16 years old. 😇

 

Yeah, did not mention the fact I was driving a dirt bike type motorcycle on and off roads since I was 11 years old.  😊  On Sundays in the summer time, there was a huge group that did rides through town to get to the back country two tracks for our ride. The leader of the "gang"?  My Dad, who owned a dirt bike motorcycle shop.  25-30 of us did that.  Luckily we lived in the country, and I could hide my young age under my helmet.  😉

 

I also drove cars when I was 5-8 years old, sitting on my Dad's lap doing the back country roads.  Great fun!  😄  

 

During high school driver's training when I was 15, I got caught doing donuts in the back fields during "stick shift" training.  Oooppps...  😮 

[davekathy]

8 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

Yeah, did not mention the fact I was driving a dirt bike type motorcycle on and off roads since I was 11 years old.  😊  On Sundays in the summer time, there was a huge group that did rides through town to get to the back country two tracks for our ride. The leader of the "gang"?  My Dad, who owned a dirt bike motorcycle shop.  25-30 of us did that.  Luckily we lived in the country, and I could hide my young age under my helmet.  😉

 

I also drove cars when I was 5-8 years old, sitting on my Dad's lap doing the back country roads.  Great fun!  😄  

 

During high school driver's training when I was 15, I got caught doing donuts in the back fields during "stick shift" training.  Oooppps...  😮 

Oh yea, mini bikes, dirt bikes, streets bikes, cars, trucks, snowmobiles, go carts, anything that burned gas and not get caught by our village cop driving on the road and especially underaged. One cop car and one cop on duty at a time. 😂  But up until 1969 snowmobiles were legal to drive on all roads in the winter marked or not, sign with the snowmobile symbol. 1968 was the last year they were legal on all roads. 

[Luckynana]

I was just scanning the Port webcams and went onto the Ft. Lauderdale Beach cam.   Wow, is A1A and the beach busy!!  I lived one block over from the Elbow Room and one block up from A1A back in the '60's.   Glory days!!!  It was quiet around there, unless the College kids were in town.  Then it got crazy busy.   I loved it there!🌴

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[island lady]

1 minute ago, davekathy said:

Oh yea, mini bikes, dirt bikes, streets bikes, cars, trucks, snowmobiles, go carts, anything that burned gas and not get caught by our village cop driving on the road and especially underaged. One cop car and one cop on duty at a time. 😂  But up until 1969 snowmobiles were legal to drive on all roads in the winter marked or not, sign with the snowmobile symbol. 1968 was the last year they were legal on all roads. 

 

OMG!!  😮  I forgot about the go carts and snowmobiles!!   I was a scary girl driving those.  No wonder the boys were scared of me, making it tough to get dates!!  😳😁

[island lady]

3 minutes ago, Luckynana said:

I was just scanning the Port webcams and went onto the Ft. Lauderdale Beach cam.   Wow, is A1A and the beach busy!!  I lived one block over from the Elbow Room and one block up from A1A back in the '60's.   Glory days!!!  It was quiet around there, unless the College kids were in town.  Then it got crazy busy.   I loved it there!

 

 

It is absolutely crazy over here in the Florida Panhandle right now.  More traffic and tourists than we have ever seen, compared to when we used to come here "in season"  (which the worst was always during Spring Break and late winter).  

 

Here it is, supposedly "off season" .....and even in the middle of the week... it is totally nuts here!!  

[davekathy]

6 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

 

It is absolutely crazy over here in the Florida Panhandle right now.  More traffic and tourists than we have ever seen, compared to when we used to come here "in season"  (which the worst was always during Spring Break and late winter).  

 

Here it is, supposedly "off season" .....and even in the middle of the week... it is totally nuts here!!  

Tourists spending their child credit payments!! 🤬

[Sunshine3601]

2 hours ago, mo&fran said:

WE are a go for our B2B,   both of our tests were negative.  

We also managed to cash out all of our OBC in the casino, although I think there was some sort of fee involved.  DW did it, so it wasn't clear what was involved.

As far as I am concerned, it all works out in the end.

Excellent!  Enjoy your cruise🤩

[grapau27]

I passed my UK driving test when I was 17 and my late mam and dad bought me my first car.

Graham.

[island lady]

48 minutes ago, davekathy said:

Tourists spending their child credit payments!! 🤬

 

LOL!!  And being paid by the Feds not to work.  

 

Poor businesses here are really hurting, especially the restaurants.  Lots of tourists filling them, but can't find employees to handle them.  Then the tourists get pissy when the service is slow.  😖

[dani negreanu]

2 hours ago, FromSea2ShiningSea said:

Besides exploring around, we will be eating our way through Oahu.

 

Wishing you a very enjoyable stay in this magical place.

 

I have very fond memories from eating through Oahu... Pity we were there only a short time.

 

We got there late afternoon on a Thursday, met my cousin who was already there a week ahead of us, and she said: "we tried different restaurants, and the best is CCF". But you can't book ahead....

 

I said: "OK, let's go". We waited 40 min, since we wanted a table outside, to feel "being in Hawaii". The meal was outstanding, one of the best we had. We decided right there that we'll go back on Friday night, the only other night we'll have in Honolulu, before boarding our cruise on Saturday.

 

Friday - we spent touring Oahu, with a much anticipated stop at Giovanni's truck, to eat some very fresh and tasty shrimps.

 

In the evening, we were back to CCF - again well worth the wait. I wish there was such a restaurant around here, even in Europe....

 

The truck --

 

 

With my cousin and her DH --

 

Edited October 16, 2021 by dani negreanu
space between pics

[davekathy]

14 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

LOL!!  And being paid by the Feds not to work.  

 

Poor businesses here are really hurting, especially the restaurants.  Lots of tourists filling them, but can't find employees to handle them.  Then the tourists get pissy when the service is slow.  😖

 

Why not hand some of that money over to the rest of us. Especially us retired old farts. 

 

From what I've read or seen that is the same sad story in every state. Unfortunately no incentive to work! We are going out to eat tonight and I'll wager a drink or two with you that the same sign on the entrance door is still posted there, that was there in May and before. "Help Wanted". 

Edited October 16, 2021 by davekathy

[Keksie]

8 minutes ago, davekathy said:

 

Why not hand some of that money over to the rest of us. Especially us retired old farts. 

 

From what I've read or seen that is the same sad story in every state. Unfortunately no incentive to work! We are going out to eat tonight and I'll wager a drink or two with you that the same sign on the entrance door is still posted there, that was there in May and before. "Help Wanted". 

There are help wanted signs everywhere here.  Not just restaurants but all the stores, manufacturing etc.  My son is working 7 days a week because they can't get anyone to apply for the other position.  

[Seville2Cabo]

On 10/14/2021 at 8:30 AM, Ozark_Kid said:

 After that I can wait and draw more but is would not increase what Sharon would get when I die

 

from AARP - "The rules are different for survivor benefits. A widow or widower whose spouse waited until 70 to file for Social Security is entitled to the full amount the deceased was getting — including the delayed retirement credits — so long as the surviving spouse has reached full retirement age."

[island lady]

29 minutes ago, davekathy said:

 

Why not hand some of that money over to the rest of us. Especially us retired old farts. 

 

From what I've read or seen that is the same sad story in every state. Unfortunately no incentive to work! We are going out to eat tonight and I'll wager a drink or two with you that the same sign on the entrance door is still posted there, that was there in May and before. "Help Wanted". 

 

I won't take that bet....I would lose.  😉  You may want to take a feather duster with you to dust off that old sign.  😄 

[lenquixote66]

4 hours ago, DaniDanielle said:

7:53am

If it was around the same time I would have asked which hospital😀

[lenquixote66]

4 hours ago, Keksie said:

Wow.  I took my classes and got my learner's permit when I was 15.  My license at 16.  I love to drive.  I am the one who drives when we go long distance.  

I only drove two cars.One for 13 years and the other 18 years.Then one day I fell asleep while driving and nearly drove into a house.My family would not let me drive again. Last month was 18 years since I last drove.

[lenquixote66]

3 hours ago, George C said:

Never drove in Manhattan, would never, both my dad and brother for a time was taxi drivers in nyc,  Wife drives downtown Dallas daily, we never do driving trips over a couple of hours. 

I also never drove in Manhattan.I only drove in Brooklyn ,Queens and Long Island.