Oh fun Odyssey - where everyone knows your name

I know so many people here, who live on the ship called the Villa Vie Odyssey - and they all know my name as well. It is so cool!

We all want to belong somewhere. We like being sociable. One of my favorite pastimes is conversation. I so love having interesting people around to talk to. 

We've lived aboard the Odyssey for nearly 1 1/2 years now. I can walk down the hall, hear voices behind me and know who it is because I recognize their voice. 

One day I came up behind Kit and gave her a pat on her back. Without turning around and looking at me she said, "Hi Chris." We slowed down to chat a bit and Jim kept on walking.

  

Kit's husband, Randy, looked at Jim up ahead and admonished me "you’re lagging!"

John was also walking in the hall and, as he caught up with Jim, he said "I see you’ve lost your wife, you’ll have to make do with me."

This banter is just a tiny example of our daily lives, but I remember these few minutes in the hallway and how I felt so joyful to be amongst so many friends. 

Mealtimes

When we lived in a house, we would have friends over for dinner, or go to their house. This happened maybe once every month or 2. Here on the Odyssey we have the option of conversation around the table 3 times a day!! If you want to be sociable, you find a table for 4 or 6. If you'd rather be quiet, just sit at a table for 2. We've met new people and deepened friendships with others around these tables. We also have the option to specifically invite certain people to join us for dinner. Easily done, just send them a WhatsApp message.

Excursions

Then there are the sightseeing and activity days. Some activities, like the zip-lining in Fiji or scuba diving in Palau, were prearranged group events and anyone who wanted to go signed up beforehand. Others are serendipity, like here in Ha Long when we overheard a conversation about taking a boat tour and asked if we could come along, then 2 other Odysseans happened to be nearby when we were talking to a boat tour guide and they joined us as well. These shared experiences deepen friendships.

 

  

Activities

It's doing things together that really cements friendships. Like rehearsing plays, or line dancing, or singing in a chorus. In one play I had a love interest played by Tim. Jim knows not to be jealous when Tim and I grab each other in a hug any time we're nearby! And, same with Jim and his dance partner in another play. My line dancing group is a regular thing where we have so much fun. 

The Odyssey "Wave Dancers" 

Recently Jim and I acted in a skit called "Time in a Bottle" where he was a genie, and I was the owner of his bottle. 🤗 

This production was one of 3 short works in one evening called "Short Attention Span Theatre". It was written by a fellow shipmate just a few days before the performance. So much fun, no pressure.

I look thru all these faces and there's only 1 or 2 that I don't know their names 😊

We LOVE living here!