The weather got no better. I spent the day watching the Brexit debate in parliament via text updates and catching up on some of the web searches I’d had to delay.
I can confirm that I wont be participating in Fibonacci February, which you may want to avoid reading about while at work. Or indeed, in a coffee lounge surrounded by people averaging the age of 60. A few of them came to sit with me, early arrivals for the team trivia competition. That was due to start as we left port but I stayed as long as I could, sufficiently intense focus on the parliamentary divisions that they thought I must be working.
An hour later, data on my phone disabled once more, I went for dinner, only my second meal in the main dining room. I arrived at what should have been peak time, waited 20 seconds to be seated, got a table to myself. The black bean soup was allegedly a regional speciality, and did taste nice. The Caribbean Curried Lamb after was a gentle sweet curry, not really my thing but tasty nonetheless.
The Maitre’d took a personal interest, made sure I was enjoying my meal. I think it was just an excuse for him to look at my Kindle, a model he hadn’t seen before but that keeps attracting envious looks, slim and elegant with a large dark clear screen. He cleared my plate, waved a waiter over with the dessert menu.
The recommended Banana Tatin was indeed tasty, although I’m glad I asked for the extra ice cream. The pasty may have been a bit too dry otherwise.
As darkness fell and I left the dining room, moments before my phone lost its signal, delightful news from the UK. Thank you Rafa. This was turning into a quite excellent day, and indeed, one of internet access that had left me with plenty of offline reading. E.g. American platoon sergeants are mere amateurs.
Sadly the evening show didn’t match the rest of the day. An Australian living in the US, allegedly a comedian. Half his act was the standard American nonsense of naming places, getting a round of applause.
“I’m from Australia. Any Australians here? Anybody that’s been to Australia?” People clap.
“I live in California now. Any Californians here?” People clap.
“I lived in San Francisco,” claps, “but now I’m in Los Angeles.” People clap, one idiot whistles.
“I travel a lot. Any travellers here?” People clap.
Apparently this is comedy.
The other half of his act was about getting old. Weirdly some people were laughing, I felt sorry for them.
Only 5km walked today, but that seemed to cover the prime sights of Fort-de-France. Despite the sounds of a film from the next cabin I decide 10pm is quite late enough and go to bed.
