Anna Monica / L’Observateur / June 23, 1999

We made plans some time ago to take a cruise. It was never on my “haveto” list, but my friend, Janet Laurent, wanted me for a cabin mate. Janetand I have been friends for a long time, having worked together. Her sister,Jackie Foret, lives in LaPlace.

When we boarded the ship (it’s a “ship,” not a “boat,” they say), a large group from the River Parishes was ahead of us. Among them were Allenand Pat Carambat. I later learned that Pat was turning 50 during thecruise on June 11 (I was told it was OK to mention her age) and she had requested having 50 friends on board for her 50th birthday and darn near reached that goal.

My cousins, Kevin and Liz Guidry of LaPlace, were aboard and Liz, unlike me, was eventually wishing for five more days of cruising. Coming backfrom the Cayman Islands, I was on the same boat as Dawn and Buddy Duhe and Liz and Dorrel Triche who seemed to be getting the most out of every moment. Dawn was spotted on the deck one night doing a real goodMacarena.

My own group included Richard and Patsy Seeling (Patsy and I worked on many a project together at Chevron) of River Ridge and Ronald and Ruth Ann Bianchini. Ronald knows the River Parish area as well as I do andspeaks of it and some of its citizens with great familiarity since he has spent plenty time in the area in sports or otherwise. We always sattogether in the dining room which means we saw a lot of each other because we always seemed to be eating. Patsy”s daughter, Gina King,guided our group and her husband, Grady, won the “hairiest chest” contest aboard ship. Their teenager, Benjamin and five-year-old daughter, Taylorwon a lot of hearts aboard ship.

What did I like? Swimming with the stingrays in the Caymans. That was ablast because the stingrays are used to people and look forward to frolicking with them. They were not nearly as ugly looking as the squid wefed them. So, if you could stand to pick up the squid, you surely could petthe stingrays.

Of course, the fact that food was always available when the people were in the water, made the stingrays even friendlier. Much of our amusementcame from the loud screams of Janet and Ruth Ann who were both terrified. Before the end, however, they were trying to be good sports anddid manage to timidly touch a stingray or two without recoiling in horror.

It was my birthday (June 10 and my brother Carl’s, too) and I will always remember that one because of those creatures and because of the special “romantic” song that Ian, our head waiter, sang to me that night as everyone in our group gathered around. Actually, it was more hilariousthan romantic and just a little bit risque.

No one wants to believe that I never even saw much less participated in the daily “midnight buffet.” Most people did, though, and I couldn”t helpbut wonder where in the world they were putting all that food! Besides, my clothes were tight enough and getting tighter.

Speaking of food, I did one day enjoy sharing a table at lunch with LaPlace residents and extremely nice people, John and Diane Hunsaker, Craig and Jill Zeringue of Norco and Todd and Lori Keating of LaPlace. When you areaway from home, it’s really a nice experience to meet up and share time with other people from home.

A familiar figure to local River Parish residents, the Rev. J. A. Luminais ofBridge City, was on the cruise with a group from his church parish who were accompanying their recently crowned Creole Gumbo Queen, Amy. Onecould really be inspired by his words during a mass as we cruised over the smooth waters. It was his privilege to be able to have three 50-yearanniversary couples there renewing their vows at the mass.

Everywhere, there was activity to be a part of, if it interested you, and plenty of couples and honeymooners. Most of the guests were having areally great time, I think. I also think I really needed a singles cruise.Therefore, continuing my thinking, I think when the next cruise ship leaves, and speaking only for myself, I will be happy for those cruising and happy to be waving goodbye – from the dock.

Anna Monica is a regular columnist for L”Observateur

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