You Are What You Eat.

Breakfast and coffee delivered to our room.................... oh how we love this cruise feature!!!! One great thing about being in a small ship is the awesome docking space we get. Our ship was smack dab in the middle of the dock and all we had to do was walk down the gangway and into the town. Ketchican is a cute little town and we spent a few hours walking through shops, going to the museum, and walking along Creek Street. We walked across one waterway that contained so many Salmon, you could see them practically stacked on top of each other.

P-  Let's go look at that totem pole over there.  The one with the bird on the top.

G- Hmmmm.  Chief Johnson Totem Pole.  Isn't that redundant?

P- Ha!

Sickness is such a worry for cruise ships that there are Purell dispensers located all over this ship. As you show your card to walk back up the gangway, there is a ship worker who squirts Purell into your hand. It kind've reminded me of kindergarten but is comforting to know that Holland America is doing everything possible to keep their ships healthy.

Back on board we ate lunch, read, enjoyed champagne happy hour in The Mix (not to be confused with The Mix in San Francisco) and went to dinner. To our surprise and good fortune, we ran into Jackie and Hal at the Maitre d's desk, so we asked to sit together. We expected to sit at a 4 top, but were sat at a round 8 top with the 4 other people already there.  We went through the standard introductions...... to Phyl's left, Dave & his wife Leigh (approximately late 60's, from Michigan but currently living in Tucson, AZ) and to their left, their daughter, Diane & her husband Rick (approximately early - mid 40's, living in Baltimore, MD). 
 
We were initially unhappy about this seating arrangement, but after the conversation began, were reminded to stop judging based on looks.  Not sure how many times we're gonna have to be reminded of this before it sticks, but we're workin on it. Dave & Leigh were very cool and interesting; they are retired and currently traveling the US in a large van.  They seemed much younger than their ages and had good travel stories. After we ordered dinner, we began to talk about the kinds of food eaten in different areas.
 
Rick - I love seafood, especially the crabs in Baltimore.
 
P - We love Louisiana blue crabs and can't wait to get home to eat a ton of Louisiana seafood. Hopefully there will be some after BP has killed most of it.
 
Rick - Do you eat raw oysters?
 

Diane - Ugh!  That is one thing I cannot eat........raw oysters!
 
G- I love raw oysters.  As N'awlins girls, we will pretty much eat anything that you can shuck, boil, fry, or cook in a nice gravy.
 
Dave - Have you ever eaten alligator?
 
P- Yes.  Some of it tastes like chicken, some parts like pork...  When we went home for Mardi Gras this year, my brother roasted a pig and it was divine!! 
 
Dinner was served, causing a lull in the conversation.  As we each focused on our meal, Dave leaned to Phyl ............
 
Dave- Have you ever tasted beaver?
 
P- (jerks her head, kicks Gina under the table, and lets out a tiny gasp) No, I can't say that I have......but my brother eats Raccoon......he's like Jethro Bodine.....
 

G- (eyes bulging, turns head so fast to look at Dave, almost gets whiplash) What does it taste like?
 
Dave- Oh, it's a red, succulent, sweet meat.  You should really try it, if you get the chance.
 
P- (still gasping for air)  Ok, Dave, I would love to have some beaver. (looks conspiratorially at Gina)
 
Dinner concluded without additional excitement and we left the dining room in search of a strong drink.