The Rigoletto

There she is, ship of dreams ...

I caught the 594 bus from Tacoma to Spokane street in Seattle. From there it was about an hour's walk to the main gate of Terminal 18. I showed my papers to the customs guard and he called a shuttle to take me to the ship. Such a lot of fuss. Anyway I made it. It is a French ship and most of the officers speak French. Most of the crew seems to be Russian or Ukrainian, I can't tell the difference. My steward is Ukrainian and has trouble with English. He is really helpful though. My cabin is very comfortable. I eat in the officers messroom but at a separate table. Just as well since they are all speaking French. They are very friendly. As each one enters he looks at me and says "bon appetit."

The food is very good. Lunch and dinner come in 3 courses and I have a bottle of red wine on my table. I could get used to this.