2:28pm Nov. 27, 05 Sun.

Pain! Agony! My first true sunburn! Oh, I always tan. Never before have I had to worry about burning. But yesterday the Barbados sun destroyed my back, shoulders and illusions! I am lobstered and every rush of air across my skin is like being flayed alive. A shower feels as if I am holding my own arm on a lit burner. I have no relief, aloe is good for only a few moments and even then it itches to high heaven. Yes, I know, pain is weakness leaving the body. Well my skin was some cowardly, wimpy skin ok?! And the aloe! Holy crap, it was priced at ten bucks a bottle! What a racket! In Hawaii it was all over waikiki for two bucks a bottle. (Afternote: and we all know if it's gonna cost you money anywhere in the world, it's gonna be in Hawaii...) The ship is out to bleed you dry! I've spent a good part of today scratching my back, as it's the part most likely to itch. This is an experiecnce I would have been happy to have skipped. What benefit I could gain from this is lost on me, but as there is nothing to be done for it, I'll quit my complaining here and now. Today is a sea day, no land in sight from any corner of the ship. We slept in all morning since we had no docking noises to wake us. After very painful showers and aloe sessions we dressed and headed to lunch. I tell myself each day that I'll eat healthierbut I've yet to stick to that. Fried breaded pork chops, beef stroganoff, garlic mashed potatoes, pot roast and ciabatta bread cannot be balanced by the salad I paired them with. Sorry, I'm taking a break to draw a fake tattoo design on my ankle. Be back in a bit or at least sometime today.