Sunday February 2^nd, 2020

At Sea

Bad Hair Day

How I have been looking forward to a sea day – a day spent in the Commodore Club and at the pool simply relaxing.

The internet is still down, and there is no cell phone service. I’m fine with that, I’m still very taken with the idea that you can have internet and phone reception out there in the middle of the ocean, although I have to admit the not being able to post blog updates is annoying.

More annoying is the fact that Deirdre has been unable to phone Kim to find out how he is doing. The ship and the satellite we use are no longer communicating – apparently it is the satellite’s fault, not ours. However, I think in most relationship problems there is some fault on both sides. Johan at the internet center does not agree with this, and puts the blame squarely on the shoulders of the satellite. Whatever the issue is, they do need to start communicating again.

Passengers visiting the internet center were getting very angry, and actually quite rude. There is nothing Johan can do – so we just had to wait. Several passengers have not gone online to get their visas for Sri Lanka yet. Hopefully they will be able to get them before we arrive there in 2 days time.

I don’t like the cold, and spent most of this winter in Mexico. I had planned to return home just before the cruise to get my hair cut and highlights done. Brian did not think it was fiscally responsible to fly home for the day to get my hair done, and was sure it could be done on the ship. I asked the question on Cruise Critic, and was informed that this was indeed possible.

When I first started getting highlights in my hair it was a rather uncomfortable process involving a bathing cap with holes in it and a crochet hook. Things have advanced since then and now all it involves is several small sheets of aluminium foil and a paste like substance.

Julie, my hairdresser, gave me the name of the color formula she uses, and I phoned the Spa at Sea folks at Canyon Ranch to make sure they could do it. The answer was affirmative, so with some trepidation I made my appointment. Julie is the only person who has worked on my hair for that past 16 years, so I did have concerns about letting someone lose with it, but the Canyon Ranch person reassured me I would be in good hands.

I forgot to bring the scrap of paper on which I had written down the time of the appointment with me, so I stopped by the spa to ascertain when it was. They had no record of it. I should have decided not to pursue things any further at that stage, but I like living dangerously so I made another appointment.

On arrival in the salon at 3:30 I explained to the man who was doing my hair exactly what I wanted done, and showed him the instructions on what color formula to use. I also explained exactly how to cut my hair, and despite the fact he seemed to want to do something completely different, I explained that I have had it this way for the past 30 years and saw no need to make a change.

He indicated that he understood what I wanted, however, when he was finally finished at 7:00 my hair definitely had an all over orange glow to it and I looked more like Cleopatra with a very short fringe, rather than my usual somewhat shaggy page boy style. During the process he had used toners and tonics liberally, and he must have washed my hair at least 10 times. Now I must admit I don’t really understand this hairdressing stuff, but not only was the ship not communicating with the satellite, I was clearly not communicating with him.

He seemed very happy with the outcome, and admired his masterpiece with glee, misreading my concerned look as meaning instead of blow drying my hair straight as I usually do it, I wanted curls and armed with a curling iron he started trying to produce ringlets telling me it would look wonderful. I thought there was smoke coming out of my hair, but he reassured me that it was steam.

Note to self. Stick with Julie in future.

Ruth reassured me that the new bronze color of my hair was very becoming. She is a good friend, but I didn’t believe her for a minute.

Still, I wasn’t going to let the hair mishap spoil my evening. It was the Black and White gala night. This meant I got to wear my white and silver jacket that spreads sparkles everywhere I go. No problems finding my way back to our cabin tonight!

I’m not sure the orange glow to my hair really went well with silver sparkles, and the once bouncy ringlets were now just hanging straight down despite all of the mousse and hairspray that was meant to keep them springy.

I love the gala nights as the menu is really great. Tonight I had snails, beef Wellington, and a lemon soufflé. Food heaven for me.

The featured entertainment tonight was the sensational voice and comedy of Mike Doyle. The Royal Court Theatre was packed. He always draws a big crowd. Although I had heard much of his material before, it is always a delight to hear him, and he makes me laugh. He also has a fabulous voice. It was a great show, and we all left feeling upbeat and happy.

I followed the trail of sparkles back to our cabin, pondering whether this jacket will ever lose all of its sparkles, and that a bad hair day really can’t spoil the joy of being on Queen Mary 2