Page 198 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SUMMER 2022 DISCOVERING MADRID

Wednesday, May 18 In the evening, I distract myself with first-run
I’m really not sure if this is day two or not. For movies, including Dune and Matrix. I was very
me, it’s day three, but the ship’s doctor consid- happy they finally made a movie worthy of
ers yesterday the first full day toward my re- Frank Herbert’s great novel, and I was also
quired five days in isolation when they will test thrilled that they made a Matrix movie that I
me again for Covid. I’m feeling fine and my tem- understood. I started Ghostbusters but just
perature and oxygen levels, checked three times couldn’t get into it… they should have quit after
a day, are normal. the original.
What’s not normal The prison (ship)
is sitting in a room chow is excellent. I
alone for days, try to avoid over-
even if it has de- ordering - no emo-
signer shampoos tional eating. So I
and room service limit myself to one
that includes wine entree and one
and deluxe mixed starter at a time.
nuts. Sometimes I ask for
We just docked two desserts just in
next to the main case one’s not up to
street in Hamilton, snuff. I’ll post a few
Bermuda. From my shots. It also can be
cell (suite), I just very easy to
watched my overindulge in alco-
friends Richard and Gregg walk by on their way hol, especially since Mary isn’t around. But I’ve
to the bus for their first island shore excursion. shown remarkable restraint, limiting myself to
If they had looked up they would have seen me only a glass or three of wine for dinner. Al-
looking out my large porthole window. But they though, all bets are off if I don’t get out here on
didn’t, since other passengers don't know where day five.
the COVID positives are housed. I know there are other “guests” in our cell
I chat with Mary frequently; it keeps us both block, so I thought about organizing a hallway
grounded and sane. Happily, Mary’s daily Covid happy hour. But I reconsidered - don't want to
test was negative - a good sign that she likely lose our adult beverage privileges.
has dodged the bullet. She’s feeling good, but Speaking of happy hour, it’s almost dinner-
the stress of all of this, I’m sure, has taken its time. I’m ordering the chef’s special, starting
toll. with a mushroom tart and prime rib or Coq au
I’ve been spending a lot of time researching Vin for mains. And banana & macadamia nut
my family genealogy. I’m working on a line that pudding with rum raisin ice cream for a happy
goes back to the first Lee family in Virginia. I’d ending..
amplify, but it would bore you tears. Mary’s Oh, and thanks for all the lovely comments
eyes glaze over whenever I remark on one of my and wishes. It means a lot.
ancestral discoveries. But one of these days I
will share my Mayflower line. Fair warning.

198 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE SUMMER 2022