Thank you, Terri, for hosting Black & White Memories!
I hope your summer meme finds itself a permanent home in the Land of Blog!
Today I'm sharing a few images of my family's '57 trans-Atlantic sailings ….. a germ that grew into my life-long infatuation with cruising.
I have to smile at my mother's inscription on the back: "Gala Party." None of us look particularly celebratory, do we?
By all accounts, I was a happy - but reckless - 7 year old. Oblivious to potential hazards, I loved exploring the ships' nooks and crannies. In those days, parents weren't so inclined to worry. "We're on a boat; how far can she go?" An age of innocence, yes.
Unfortunately, I've but a few real memories:
Lined up, awaiting Sunday morning religious services: I tried slipping beneath a purple velvet rope to join what looked like a more interesting group. But like a rocket, my mom's arm shot out and pulled me back. "No! You must not go there … that's First Class." I suppose one could call our 3rd Class accommodations 'steerage' … but so what? We got there and back the same as everyone else.
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That's me on the far right
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There being more than a few children aboard, both the QE and QM's staff would host little tea parties and give away trinkets to keep us entertained.
Here I'm wearing a concoction my dad assembled for the crazy hat contest. This I vividly remember! SO humiliated when my time came to model, I was certain people were laughing at me. (I've always detested the thought of being looked at.)
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Several years ago DH and I were near Long Beach and I asked if we might tour the old Queen Mary. More than 60 years later, I wondered what - if anything - I might recall. Unfortunately, there were but a couple of nuances. Like a dream … here one instant, gone the next.
Memories are like that, ya they are.
Say, won't you join us next time?
Hugs,
Myra
What neat photos and memories! Those barely there memories are almost like ghosts, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteExactly … like ghosts. That's a wonderful way to describe it!
DeleteAlways an entertaining visit here at your house. WOW the trans Atlantic crossing.I was fortunate at 17 to do a crossing at Gov't expense. I mention Europe and Sherry says, "I don't like to fly, you know that!" So again Imma suggest she go your way.
ReplyDeleteI can see you running over the ship and exploring...
Thanks for a fun time.
Yes, didn't the Queen Mary serve the military as a WWII transport ship? There's little likelihood I'll get to cruise again, but I think your taking Sherry on that voyage is wonderfully romantic!
DeleteI am with you on detesting being looked at, and at the age you were in the hat would have never worn the hat or walked in front of anyone. also never been on a cruise, so we do have a few differences. I enjoyed your memories
ReplyDeleteThanks! Believe it or not, Sandra, I thought about you when I wrote this!
DeleteWhat an enjoyable trip down Memory Lane, and I luv the photos. You were an adorable kid.
ReplyDeleteMuch like you, I've always hated being gawked at. It wasn't until late in life that I finally realized I wasn't bad looking at all.
Wow - I've seen the Queen Mary several times and I have some stories to tell. I'll try to write a blog post about it in the very near future.
Thanks, Jon! I would love to hear your stories about the QM. Do you know what happened to the QE? … probably scrapped.
DeleteThe QE was destroyed by fire in 1972. It was in Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong.
DeleteIf I remember correctly, the ship was being renovated into a "floating campus" and the fire was most likely deliberately set.
What an adventure! "Even" 3rd class would have been a luxury aboard the Queen Mary! Such memories and pictures to go along with them!
ReplyDeletebetty
Funny. What few memories remain, the Queen Elizabeth was much nicer. Sad that I never appreciated the sacrifices my parents made to afford vacations.
DeleteI don't like being looked at either and especially back then. What an exciting trip for a 7 year old. I can't imagine. We never went any further than 100 miles until I was 14 and then it was only to Six Flags. (Which was a big deal!)
ReplyDeleteI remember Six Flags (Texas) … a big deal, indeed!
DeleteWow! My family's idea of a "cruise" back in those days was taking a rowboat out on the Chesapeake. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures, and great memories. You were an adorable little girl.
I've never been in a rowboat -- or, on the Chesapeake Lucky you!
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ReplyDeleteThanks for joining in for Black & White Memories, Myra! What an experience that cruise must have been! You were tall and blond too! Myra, we could be sisters... or at least cousins! (wink) I really enjoyed your photos and memories!!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I always wanted a sister! *smile*
DeleteI'm so glad you share this delightful trip with your family with us. You looked like a sweet kid...still are!
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you my sweet friend!
Deleteyou looked adorable in your crazy hat.
ReplyDeleteNot so sure about adorable, but gosh how mad I was!
DeleteIndeed Mevely, memories are like dreams. We look back on what was then, and wonder what might have been if ...
ReplyDeleteIt's important to make good memories in life so they can sustain us in difficult times.
God bless.
I think, maybe, that's what my parents had in mind. Daddy always maintained, travel is the best education.
DeleteWhat great memories, Myra, even if now they seem as in a dream.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Dream-like, yes!
Delete… and blessings to you, as well.
I loved all the pictures, especially all the hats. I do remember a time when we all wore them for most special occasions and always to church. We still do wear party hats, but have never created our own. Maybe I'll suggest that as a fun thing to do with family. It's funny though that even though our pictures back then were black and white, I envision them in color. You do have some great memories and photos to back them up!
ReplyDeleteYes, Pam. My father went through a stage where he wanted my mother and I to wear hats anytime we attended church services. I actually recall in detail that little dress: forest green with tiny white dots.
DeleteLove your memories. I cannot imagine taking my kids with us on any of our "luxury" cruises. You were a lucky little girl. Such a cute hate! LOL
ReplyDeleteYou and me both, Paula! I wouldn't have taken me along to Europe either!
DeleteSeriously, a trans-Atlantic trip. Oh my! I haven't been on anything like that. Love the photos. I have had tea on the Queen Mary :)
ReplyDeleteOver on the QE, back on the QM. I think each crossing took 7 days … much longer than today's modern liners. Highly improbable, but what I'd give to do it again.
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