[dd74]

Okay, I see within the last week I've missed a hella lot of war and/or diplomatic bantering on this site, but for good reason...

I just got back from a little week-long cruise down to Mexico. To say the least, now was not the best time to leave the country, but what the hell, sometimes you just have to get away.

Nonetheless, there were some interesting scenarios/insights onboard that I found interesting:

1) Leaving San Pedro harbor, the Coast Guard was everywhere; flying in helicopters, sailing in cutters alongside the LA Harbor police, both of whom flanked our liner (Star Princess) as it sailed to sea.

2) Throughout the journey, supposedly a US Navy destroyer was out in int'l waters, watching every move that could be made on our ship even beyond the Mexican border.

3) Onboard security - well I never saw it, but beyond the usual keycard entry/exit process, rumor was a brace of firepower was locked away somewhere on the ship's bridge.

4) In Puerta Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo, Mexican military was everywhere we were (I don't know if this was a good or bad thing). Once we got into the towns, then it was up to the Mexican version of Boss Hawg-like cop-brutes in beaten-up Chevy pickups. To say the least, this wasn't comforting either.

5) French nationals were onboard the ship, but very, very quiet and polite.

6) French fries and French toast was on the menu, yet no one cared - these people (including myself) ate everything that didn't move.

7) More people seemed to be watching the NCAA finals than CNN war footage.