Another example of the kindness of strangers….
So, we’ve been getting together, a few of us, as they have a little get together on the ship every now and again, called the “Friends of Dorothy.” Now, the FOD is a subversive, secret moniker for people who are sailing who are gay. I KNOW! They sail too! If the Reverend Phelps had a dingy (which I’m infinitely sure he doesn’t!), he’d be sailing along side us protesting the fact.
It’s a cocktail party that’s timed so that FOD can get together, meet, and talk before they toddling off to dinner. All networking and fun, I’ve met quite a few people who continue to stay in touch, so it’s very nice.
So during our meetings we catch up and strike up friendships, and my role in this is to make sure that everyone is chatting and having a good time.
So, the last night of the cruise, some of these guys walk up to me and tell me that they’ve bought too much on their trip, so they’d like to give me some “galabayas” that they bought in Egypt. A galabaya is the everyday dress for men in the region. They’re made of white cotton, and they’re floor length, and they will often have some decorative embroidery around the neck or down the chest or at the sleeves and hem.
Anyhow, yeah! He says, “You’ve been so nice, and we don’t have room to take the stuff home, so we’d like to give them to you.” Now, he’s just a tiny little thing, so there was a couple in there that no amount of starvation or meth would see me getting down to the size to be able to wear it, but there was one that was suitably tent-like, so I was thrilled – so much so, that I put it on right over my suit in the disco. Well, I can assure you that it was a head turner when the Senior VP of Hotel Ops and all the security officers walked into the disco and saw a man standing there in Middle Eastern garb. Then, when they saw it was me, suddenly all was well.
Some people are so nice! Thanks boys!
L
