At Sea on the Uruguayan Coast
Today, we are making our way south along the Uruguayan Coast headed for Montevideo tomorrow. Our day at sea has been one of relaxation including a short lecture about the infusion on democracy into South America from Europe by David Barnes, a staff historian, and reading in the library to avoid the rain and mist. Observers on the bridge recorded two species of albatrosses: Yellow-nosed and Black-browed, and a Creamy-breasted Thrush, a land bird seeking shelter from the weather. But it was the excitement from the crew show last night that brightened the day.
The pool had been floored over, a screen hung and a temporary stage created. Palm fronds fluttered along the back of the upper deck and the stairs leading to it. The stage crew had created a festive atmosphere. The audience sat in deck chairs surrounding the pool enjoying the wonderfully decorated stage. Opening remarks came from Captain Karl Lampe and the emcee was our botanist, William Lopez-Forment. Even the ship’s heading was altered to give a favorable breeze.
The opening number was a harvest dance. Our cabin stewardesses balanced a lighted candle on their heads and held a candle in each hand. This was followed by sentimental songs, by outrageous dancing, and by romantic solos. One of the show stoppers was Nilo, a waiter, playing a puppet, whose hands were provided by Divina, a stewardess. The antics were vaudevillian, but, as they say, it had to be seen to be believed.
And toward the end of the evening’s performance came the expected “tinikling” dance. Two dancers imitate the dancing of a bird, a Tikling, native to the Philippines. The bird is a long-legged one that appears at harvest time, eating the seed lost in the reaping of the rice. It stamps its feet in quick succession as it searches for food. The dance has been adapted from the Tikling’s behavior but with a twist. To the beat of the music two long bamboo poles resting on low blocks are rhythmically clamped together in a precise and consistent pattern. Anticipating this timing, the dancers quickly step between the poles when they are apart and remove their feet when the poles are brought forcefully together. We watched hoping no mishap would occur, no bruised ankles. But, Gaylord and Luna Marie, professionals, completed the dance to the loud and sustained applause of the audience.
At the request of the crew, Nadine Robinson, a frequent Lindblad guest, who will be ninety later this month, was presented with a birthday cake and sung to in both English and Tagalog. She was led on stage during the grand finale, presented with a heart-shaped, marzipan-frosted cake and kissed lovingly by each member of the crew.
We had been treated to the efforts of a very multi-talented crew. The “Crew Show 2003” added to our awareness of the cultural background of the Philippines and of our crew’s pride in their traditions and history. We have known the crew for the excellent jobs they do on board, but this evening provided us with added insights into their lives and their community. We left the aft deck with memories of more than just entertainment.
Today, we are making our way south along the Uruguayan Coast headed for Montevideo tomorrow. Our day at sea has been one of relaxation including a short lecture about the infusion on democracy into South America from Europe by David Barnes, a staff historian, and reading in the library to avoid the rain and mist. Observers on the bridge recorded two species of albatrosses: Yellow-nosed and Black-browed, and a Creamy-breasted Thrush, a land bird seeking shelter from the weather. But it was the excitement from the crew show last night that brightened the day.
The pool had been floored over, a screen hung and a temporary stage created. Palm fronds fluttered along the back of the upper deck and the stairs leading to it. The stage crew had created a festive atmosphere. The audience sat in deck chairs surrounding the pool enjoying the wonderfully decorated stage. Opening remarks came from Captain Karl Lampe and the emcee was our botanist, William Lopez-Forment. Even the ship’s heading was altered to give a favorable breeze.
The opening number was a harvest dance. Our cabin stewardesses balanced a lighted candle on their heads and held a candle in each hand. This was followed by sentimental songs, by outrageous dancing, and by romantic solos. One of the show stoppers was Nilo, a waiter, playing a puppet, whose hands were provided by Divina, a stewardess. The antics were vaudevillian, but, as they say, it had to be seen to be believed.
And toward the end of the evening’s performance came the expected “tinikling” dance. Two dancers imitate the dancing of a bird, a Tikling, native to the Philippines. The bird is a long-legged one that appears at harvest time, eating the seed lost in the reaping of the rice. It stamps its feet in quick succession as it searches for food. The dance has been adapted from the Tikling’s behavior but with a twist. To the beat of the music two long bamboo poles resting on low blocks are rhythmically clamped together in a precise and consistent pattern. Anticipating this timing, the dancers quickly step between the poles when they are apart and remove their feet when the poles are brought forcefully together. We watched hoping no mishap would occur, no bruised ankles. But, Gaylord and Luna Marie, professionals, completed the dance to the loud and sustained applause of the audience.
At the request of the crew, Nadine Robinson, a frequent Lindblad guest, who will be ninety later this month, was presented with a birthday cake and sung to in both English and Tagalog. She was led on stage during the grand finale, presented with a heart-shaped, marzipan-frosted cake and kissed lovingly by each member of the crew.
We had been treated to the efforts of a very multi-talented crew. The “Crew Show 2003” added to our awareness of the cultural background of the Philippines and of our crew’s pride in their traditions and history. We have known the crew for the excellent jobs they do on board, but this evening provided us with added insights into their lives and their community. We left the aft deck with memories of more than just entertainment.
