Where To Begin?

I’ve been blog negligent for many reasons. Mostly because I went on a cruise to Alaska with my mom and for a good chunk of the seven days at sea I had limited access to WiFi. It was a wonderful trip and it was good to have a little less screen time. So when I got back I didn’t feel much like blogging. I’m ready now. Let me catch you up on things I got on the trip.

The first picture shows a few souvenirs of Juneau. The first thing we learned is that the docks at all the cruise ship ports are surrounded by jewelry stores. The first full day of our voyage was at sea so we went to a lecture on jewelry in which the presenter told us that 80 percent of passengers buy jewelry on a cruise. I can’t attest to the validity of this claim because the talk turned out to be more of a sales pitch. We did get a free pendant. When we docked in Juneau we got two more free pendants—the jewellery stores hand them out to lure you into their shops. We were later told by a local that most of these stores are owned by the cruise lines.

We walked out of the tourist zone and visited some locally-owned businesses selling artisanal goods. I bought these Snake earrings by a West Coast maker called Sleepy Mountain and some post cards.

The ship, The Ruby Princess, had its own mini mall selling watches and jewelry. One of the boutiques was even dedicated to vintage luxury goods. But the real action was the gift shop. Because it was the end of the Alaska cruise season, the merch was marked down by 75 percent. I really wanted to buy a special edition Princess Cruise Pendleton blanket, but even with the price reduction I could not justify the expense. Especially because I have so many wonderful blankets at home. I did agonize for ages. I wished there were awards for fiscal restraint. This Alaska T-Shirt will have to do.

Our next stop was Skagway. I picked up a nice rock. It is pictured here with a pencil that I stole from a quiz night on the boat and some locally produced lip balm.

My mother and I also wanted to support indigenous business when we shopped. Iditarod winner Ryan Redington came on board to talk about the race and raise some money to support his team. I bought a t-shirt and my mom bought an ornament.

Our next and last shopping stop was Ketchikan. I should have taken pictures of my mom’s purchases but she bought earrings made by indigenous artists for herself and my sisters. But I also strayed from my resolve to support small business when I bought this oversized hoodie. It was less a souvenir and more of the perfect coverup for night swimming. There is nothing more perfect than swimming outdoors under a night sky unpolluted by light. But it is also kind of cold and I neglected to bring a robe.

I also want to note that by the end of the cruise, everyone was wearing Alaska-themed gear. It was like leaving a concert.

I will have to find out how useful it is in Southwestern Ontario. I have learned from experience that Icelandic sweaters are ideal in Iceland, and Sarongs are so right in Singapore but maybe not so much here.