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Holistic Holiday at Sea

by Sheldon and Ginat Rice

From Israel to America, Feb 27, 2007

We departed our countryside home in Israel with excitement for the journey ahead and the nostalgia of knowing that we would return to a new address. After three wonderful years in our rustic retreat, our entire household will be relocated in our absence to the center of Jerusalem, a more convenient site for our macrobiotic center.

The first leg of our pre-dawn flight brought us to a six-hour layover in Madrid, Spain. The beautiful, undulating forms, jutting columns and pleasant colors of Bajaras airport were a treat for our weary eyes.

Terminal Four, Barajas Airport

Our first destination was Madrid’s only macrobiotic restaurant, La Biotika. It is a modest place with an adjacent store and fixed daily restaurant menu. We treated ourselves to lunch and some canned shiitake pâté before plunging into the streets of Madrid for a taste of the city and its people.

La Biotika Restaurant Store at La Biotika

Madrid’s exquisite architecture is typified by large windows with sculptured frames looking out onto diminutive balconies with wrought iron railings. Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s central square, was a highlight. It is accessed by imposing archways and boasts facades of beautiful murals.

Madrid Street Scene Plaza Mayor

Muraled Building Facade

We strolled in the warm sunshine to a magnificent royal palace and its adjacent cathedral. A cursory view from the outside was all the time we had to daydream about life as royals behind those elusive walls. We hopped on the metro back to the airport and after great turmoil located our bags, safely tucked away in an elusive stored luggage. We just made the plane.

Royal Cathedral Royal Palace

Metro

The long transatlantic flight landed at JFK late in the evening. Our two hour drive to southern New Jersey ended at Ginat’s mother’s assisted living residence. We were worn out but happy to find a warm welcome in her loving arms.

Doris Corman

The first morning was dedicated to printing the books we will sell on the cruise and shopping at Whole Foods supermarket for much needed groceries. As always, we were refreshed by the competence of the salespeople and the wide array of available products.

Kinko’s Whole Foods Natural Supermarket

Flight to Fort Lauderdale, FL, March 3, 2007

Four days after arriving and still somewhat jet lagged, it was easy to get up at 4 AM to cook for our afternoon flight to Ft Lauderdale to the long-awaited macrobiotic cruise. We needed breakfast and lunch, a take-out dinner and pre-launch food for the next morning. In the midst of all this activity we realized that it would be useful to have a flyer advertising our Rice House accommodations in Jerusalem. We composed the flyer and had it printed on the way to the airport at Kinko’s copy store. In less than ten minutes they downloaded the handout, printed 100 copies, cut them to order and packaged them in smooth professionalism.

Returning our rented car was a breeze, but getting our food through airport security was another story. The agent didn’t know what to make of all our strange provisions. At one point, she poked her gloved finger into our cherished shiitake pâté and relentlessly shook our suspicious marinate vegetables before appealing to her supervisor for a ruling. Sheldon took up the challenge of seeing these food items through security. He chatted with the agent who revealed her vegetarian background. As she softened, she agreed that he pour out some liquid from the vegetables and enclose the little pâté can in a sealed plastic envelope. The rules seemed ludicrous. But one way or another we kept our food and enjoyed our well deserved dinner before boarding.

Eating Dinner Before Takeoff

The plane trip to Florida was over before we knew it. Used to overseas travel, the 2.5 hour flight from Philadelphia to Fort Lauderdale was duck soup. We gratefully crawled into our beds for a sweet, short sleep at the Fort Lauderdale Ramada Inn.

Breakfast in our Room Ramada Inn at Night

Coming on Board the Costa Magica, March 4, 2007

The sight of the luxury cruise ships at the Ft Lauderdale docks enthralled us. The Costa Magica was by far the largest ship, dwarfing those around it. We exchanged greetings with the other cruise staff waiting on dock to board.

Cruise Ship Berthed At Fort Lauderdale The Magnificent Costa Magica

Everyone placed his luggage on a cart for later delivery onto the ship. Thinking it a safety measure, Sheldon transferred our travel documents and passports into the suitcase, not realizing that we would need them for later boarding. This turned out to be a serious mistake. Our small group passed through security for early boarding, and began setting up operations for the Holistic Holiday at Sea program on board the Costa Magica.

Sheldon’s first assignment was to help organize the bookstore. The atmosphere was congenial and light hearted while unpacking boxes of books, paraphernalia and give-away items. Ginat was escorted around the ship to learn how to direct people from her assigned station at the information desk. Walking the length of the ship between lecture halls, berths and the dining room, we soon realized the enormity of the Costa Magica. The hallways appeared endless, as if looking at an optical illusion. The ship layout is a rather convoluted maze of stairways and passages that requires advanced trigonometry to navigate. The grand atrium passes through the center of the ship on two main decks, making passage a journey of hallways, elevators and stairs. It took most of the week to get our bearings.

When our pre-boarded group returned to the ship entrance for official embarkation our hearts sank upon realizing that our passports were somewhere in our luggage, somewhere on board. Fortunately, Sheldon had his original birth certificate with him. It was so tattered that the clerk had to tape it up, but it was sufficient to get him aboard. But Ginat remained stranded in the reception area for hours while he went in search of her missing documents. Finally we both boarded, tired and hungry.

The Casino The Dance Floor and Lounge

At the bookstore our new Macrobiotic Meals cookbook got enthusiastic reviews from all who perused it, including cruise chef Mark Hanna, Christina Pirello and Jessica Porter. We were amazed at people’s thirst for knowledge as they bought more books on every subject than they could possibly carry. Many of the passengers were being exposed to macrobiotics for the first time, so the bookstore was an important source of information.

Bookstore Staff:

Back Row: Warren, David, Brian, Norio

Front Row: Norman, Ginat, Heidi, Sheldon, Michelle

Browsing in the Book Store

Meals

Ship’s Chefs

Dinner was the first of many wonderful fetes. The food was well prepared, plentiful, aesthetically presented on exquisite table settings and delicious without exception—well within our good-feeling range. The luxurious ambiance was complemented with the impeccable service of attendant waiters responsive to our every command. Ginat pre-ordered “healing” meals for a simpler bill of fare than the gourmet macrobiotic food that was standard for the over 700 guests. She was pleased to have equally delicious food made to her taste. We found the best seats to be next to the windows where the passing sea was mesmerizing.

Sculpted Food Displays

Dining Mates Overview of the Dining Room

Each meal consisted of numerous small-portioned courses. This made for a pleasant, relaxing atmosphere with time to digest each dish. But as we never knew when the food was going to stop coming, we sometimes asked for seconds. Just as that happened, a new dish appeared. Meals were so relaxing, leisurely and social that it was hard to break away.

Ginat and Dining Room Friend

Fortunately seating was unassigned, so we were able to meet new people at every meal. At one serving a man informed the guests that he had just won $3,000 on the penny slot machines! When Sheldon asked if he had a purpose for his winnings, he responded enthusiastically, “Yes, I love helping others by giving away money.” Sheldon clarified that the universal law of attraction had fulfilled his dream. The man jumped with excitement as he realized the connection. Many of the cruise participants were eager fans of The Secret and had practiced deliberate creation to get themselves to this cruise!

Two nights were designated as formal dress dinners. Warren Wepman (author of A Man in the Kitchen) showed up in a tuxedo and black bow tie while his wife Marquita donned wedding attire in a slinky sequined gown. Sheldon wore a sport jackets sans tie and Ginat showed off an attractive black dress, pearls and heels that attracted many compliments.

The Dining Room Exquisitely Set Table

Another night was designated as an Italian fest. The waiters put on a show that had us hollering for more as they snaked around the dining room to Italian mambos and sambas. For the finale the waiters gathered on the balcony for a rock rendition of Volaré that put Elvis to shame. The room exploded in excitement. On still another evening guests were provided with white sheets for Roman night. The fun loving revelers looked so funny wrapped in creative togas as the ship’s crew paraded through the dining room with grand gestures and much regaling.

Toga-ed Couple Great Sports

Lecture Presentations

The welcoming assembly on the first afternoon was hosted by the extraordinary Jessica Porter, hypnotherapist, comedienne, and author of the Hip Chick’s Guide to Macrobiotics. She brought each lecturer on stage, including Sheldon. It was the best introduction possible for his numerology talk and subsequent readings.

The first full day out at sea was the beginning of a packed schedule of lectures and programs. The teaching staff was top notch, including Lino Stanchich, Warren Kramer, Jessica Porter, Christina Pirello, Denny Waxman, Bob Carr, and both Norio and Larry Kushi. In addition to the macrobiotic personalities, the roster also included such luminaries as Yogi Amrit Desai, T. Colin Campbell, Ohashi and Dr. Neal Barnard. We were on our own to pick and choose among the wonderful presenters and interesting courses. When these competed with port calls, the decisions were even more difficult. Luckily many of the lectures were recorded for sale afterward at the bookstore. Ginat dutifully reported for a meditation class with three eminent Buddhist masters who were flown in as part of the teaching staff. The monks eschew all contact with money, and so had to be sent airplane tickets and personal attendants for transportation to the ship. When there’s a will there’s a way!

Sheldon taught a numerology class to a packed audience. Fifty people gave up the island of St Thomas to sit spellbound as he took them through the process of translating personal numbers into character traits and personal tendencies. He chose two volunteers for a couples compatibility reading. After he finished, seventeen people signed up for private readings. He was busy day and night after that for the duration of the cruise.

Lecturing on Numerology Answering Participant’s Questions

Reading a Couple’s Compatibility

Ginat introduced Sheldon’s lecture and that of several other scheduled speakers. This included Norio Kushi, eldest son of Michio and Aveline Kushi. She later re-interviewed him for her upcoming book, Food. Faith & Healing. Norio has experienced a kind of enlightenment, stopping thought for 2½ weeks, and they talked several hours as he explained his new understanding of life to her.

Norio Kushi

Ginat was also fortunate enough to attend several of Denny Waxman’s health consultations, including a group consultation session. Fifteen people gathered for advice as Denny churned out remedies for ailments ranging from general malaise to metastasized lung cancer. He made it look easy with assessments of yin and yang conditions and proscriptive home remedies.

The recovery panel presentation was a highlight of the week. Thirteen survivors of serious illness, including Sheldon, presented inspiring stories of recuperation to an enthusiastic audience. With strong and assured delivery Sheldon emphasized diligent practice and confident belief. Other participants spoke of similar determination and rock-hard faith as they climbed from despair to full health. It was an inspiring evening.

The Panel Sheldon Tells His Story

Ports of Call

We enthusiastically disembarked at the ship’s first port of call in old San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was a relief to get onto terra firma. The constant air conditioning on board made one feel that the weather was always cold when just the opposite was true. Puerto Rico was warm and welcoming in the languid night air.

We bypassed the Sheraton to climb up narrow cobble stoned streets. The buildings reminded us of Mexico and Madrid with multi-colored sandstone facades, oversized doors and windows, and small wrought-iron balconies. We discovered a local street fair with entertainers and vendors, and four drummers hammering out a beat that didn’t let one stand still. Ginat’s Spanish brought us new friends and we completed the night with Dos Equis beer, a cool pleasure on a muggy night. Even in the beginning of March the humidity hung heavy. People pass the time outdoors seeking a breath of air. We reveled in the open air living with its ubiquitous music, lively conversation, laughter and dancing.

Drumming Out a Rhythm Playing Dominoes

The view of the Costa Magica at night in the tiny harbor was a delectable treat as we headed back to our surrealistic floating castle. It was a magical sight.

Costa Magica in Port

St. Thomas offered Ginat a real adventure while Sheldon continued his numerology consultations. She went off to see how the natives live, exploring a housing project by the docks peopled by the island’s down and out. Stopping in an enticing food store called Jungle Treasures, she met its Palestinian owner who advised her that a $1 jitney ride would provide her a tour of the entire island. Off she went for an expedition of amazing beauty and breathtaking vistas. It was a highlight of her time on shore.

Houses on a Hill in St Thomas Public Taxi

The ship docked at Turks and Caicos Island the next afternoon. The beach was postcard perfect with aqua blue water, pristine sand and gentle surf. It was almost more than one could compute.

The Beach at Turks Island

On Board Activities

Getting our sea legs as we set sail was an attention-grabbing experience. We suddenly found ourselves unable to stand still or walk straight. It gave Ginat a slight headachy feeling the first day until she learned to roll with the waves. Luckily the ship sailed calm waters for the most of the voyage, and all was well.

Lights out in our bottom deck cabin was the real McCoy—the absence of windows made it tomb-dark day and night. It was an eerie experience to wake without natural light in the morning. There was no way to know whether it was the middle of the night or the middle of the day.

Jessica Introducing Sheldon and Others

The talent show was a joyous lineup of astonishing macrobiotic flair. Like all the nightly professional ship entertainment, it was held in the theater, a grandiose 1,100 seat auditorium furnished with rows of upholstered couches and small drink tables. The sound system yielded impressive quality. You could hear perfectly no matter where you sat, and the sound seemed to come to you.

Sound System Control Panel

Singers, musicians, dancers, and comics entertained our group until midnight, passionately hosted by Suzanne Marks. She attended the cruise together with her son Paul, who Ginat had dated in Boston in the early 1980s. Ginat was happy to renew their friendship and introduce him to Sheldon.

Four Violinists Sisters Michelle and Norio Playing Guitar

Among our favorites of the ship’s many amenities were the ninth to twelfth floor open air pools, Jacuzzis and walking ring. Deck chairs were filled with people soaking up the sun, eating and drinking to their heart’s content. There was constant music, sometimes by live entertainers, as the ship never slept. The pace was fast and high, and there was always someone for company. But even midnight buffets of Death-by-Chocolate desserts didn’t hold a candle to our magnificent repasts. And that didn’t even count macrobiotic pizza night, scheduled too late one evening for us early birds.

Poolside on the Ship Lounging in the Hot Sun

Enjoying the Warm Water The Water Slide in the Background

Live Entertainment Upper Deck

The poolside farewell party took place all too soon as the toga clad group gathered to chat and dance. Healthy snacks were abundant along with gratis red and white wine. It was a splendid time for say goodbye and make plans to meet again next year. Ginat’s best friend from high school, new to macrobiotics, was so impressed with the cruise that she decided to forego her husband’s international family reunion next year in lieu of the 2008 Holistic Holiday at Sea. Many of those attending opted for early registration to save on next year’s cruise. Now in its fourth year, our group comprised 1/3 of the entire Costa Magica. The cruise experience met our highest expectations, and we hope you’ll join us next year. Visit www.ATasteofHealth.org and tell ‘em the Rices sent you!

Farewell Party: Dancing the Night Away

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