I spent the last week on a gorgeous cruise ship sailing its way around the Caribbean Sea. It was an incredible vacation and just the relaxation that I needed. In seven days we visited four ports in three different countries and soaked up as much vitamin D as possible (though it didn't really enhance my tan as much as I had hoped...) I got the chance to do so many cool things; like cave tube in Belize, hike to Mayan ruins in Mexico and play with iguanas in Honduras. Every day I came "home" to a freshly made bed and ate as much delicious food as my heart desired. So many of this things had the potential to be my favorite moment of the whole cruise, but that turned out to be a bit more a simple event.
The grill at the pool bar always seemed to have a ridiculously long line whenever I wanted a hot burger. One particular time the line seemed especially long, and while I waited there a guy - probably in his late teens or early twenties - walked up to the ice cream bar. This guy was a little different from most, he has downs syndrome. What shocked me the most and made me really happy was that instead of looking at him funny the man serving ice cream smiled, greeted him by name and knuckled him. Sometimes I really love people. All through out the week I caught glimpses of crew members being friendly and enthusiastically greeting this man, treating him like a normal person and not a weirdo. It really warmed my heart.
After spending the summer working for a special needs summer camp I have a real appreciation for the unique and for people who embrace them rather than ostracize them. Being able to see past someones disability is a wonderful trait that we should all strive toward.
I spent a week in paradise, my favorite part of that paradise? Watching the crew of the Norwegian Star treat someone in a way that was so different from the norm, but so special.
xoxo,
Abby
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