O’Neal and I very recently took a seven day cruise around
the Western Caribbean. We sailed on the largest cruise boat in the world.
Seriously. It was Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas. In addition to being
the largest boat in the world, this particular one also boasts several “onlys”
like being the only cruise boat to have a Zip line, a FlowRider , a carousel,
and a rock climbing wall. It has over 24 restaurants, three theaters, an ice
skating rink, mini golf, Central Park (modeled after the real deal in New York
City), and a top notch spa and fitness center - just to name a few features. To
say the least, anyone breathing would stand on this ship and be in awe. And we
definitely were.
This cruise took us to three places in the Caribbean: Haiti,
Jamaica, and Mexico. Before boarding the boat, I had expectations of visiting
these beautiful places and being wowed, amazed, and in awe of the beautiful
waters, pristine beaches, and gorgeous sights and scenes. And I definitely was.
However, there was something that I saw and experienced that I never imagined I
would on a vacation such as this: poverty. In Jamaica and Mexico we drove
through towns that were dirty, run down, and falling apart. We passed houses
that were not much more than a few sticks, some sheet metal, and a tarp. There
were communities without running water and electricity. In Jamaica, people put
large buckets on top of their houses to catch the rain water so they can cook,
drink, wash clothes, etc. I think Haiti was the worst. It is known for being an
impoverished, and even dangerous, country where people still live in mud huts
without running water and electricity. It is truly a developing country. However,
in each of these three cities, our tour guides, all natives of their respective
countries, were sure to tell us how much they enjoy, appreciate, and rely on
American tourists. In Haiti, our guide said the town of Labadee has almost
doubled in size thanks to Royal Caribbean purchasing a portion of their land.
People flocked to the town to get a better job and make a better life for their
family. In the words of our guide, “Thanks to Royal Caribbean and tourists like
you, we now having water, electricity, and internet in Labadee.” Talk about an
eye-opener. Here we are, over 6,000 individuals from over 70 countries enjoying
our several thousand dollar vacation and here are people just happy to have
running water and the opportunity to make more money to provide for their
families. That brought new meaning to the word “conflicted.” I spent half the
time feeling like I was doing a good thing by purchasing their goods and
services. But then I spent the other half feeling ashamed because I have so
much and they have so little.
It was no different on the boat. Most of the 2,400 crew
members of the Allure are from countries other than the US. They leave their
families to travel around on the boat for seven months straight, with no days
off in between, just so they can provide a better way of life for their
spouses, children, and parents. Our waiter was from Trinidad and Tobago. One
night he was asking us about what we thought of the boat. He gave us his
opinion: it was so big and had so much that it was just plain ridiculous. Who
in the world needs a boat with all this stuff? Isn’t just being able to enjoy
the beautiful waters of the Caribbean with your friends and family while being
able to experience other countries enough? While we were talking about the boat
and all its impressive attributes, the word excessive came to mind. Oh, and all
the while you’re cruising on this magnificent boat and visiting these beautiful
countries, heaven forbid you lift a finger to do anything for yourself. (We
determined that when your kid spills a drink on the floor and doesn’t clean it
up because that’s what the staff is for, you’ve got problems.)
Don’t get me wrong. We had a marvelous time on our vacation.
We loved everything we got to see and experience and we are so thankful that
God gave us the opportunity to go on such a nice vacation. We are so grateful.
It was a blessing to be able to spend so much time together and to get away
from the pressures, obligations, and responsibilities of life. However, I came
home feeling so thankful for what we have in America. I know our country isn’t
perfect, but at least I have electricity, running water, and a solid roof over
my head. At least my husband doesn’t have to leave our family for months on end
just to make a better paycheck so we can survive. I came back a little more relaxed, a little
more rested, a little tanner, and a lot more aware of just how much I take my
life and the things in it for granted. Who knew God could use a little vacation
to teach me so much?
