Memory Lane

Memory Lane

8th April 2013

Logging into my Facebook account, I had a notification from Gudrun, from my Miami training group.

“Exactly two years ago we all finished the training in Miami.”

Two years ago today we finished training and were slowly despatched from the group to join our cruise ships and start our first contracts. Three days after this photo take was taken, Hernan and I join the Mariner of the Seas in Rhodes, Greece.

It seems crazy that it all happened two years ago and it only seems like yesterday. To be fair, I’ve been lost in time and telling people I started working on cruise ships three years ago in 2010, rather than 2011. Whoops! Bubaloo!

So, what’s changed? To be fair, pretty much everything has changed.

Unfortunately, I had to resign from Image in December 2012 due to having surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. After having surgery and getting the all clear to return to work from the surgeon, Image Human Resources informed me that I needed new medical papers.

Renewing medical papers in Uruguay isn’t the easiest when you aren’t a member of a Uruguayan hospital or have medical insurance. The cheapest medical quote I received was a tear jerking $3,000!

Image being Image, wouldn’t give me a new assignment until I had new medical papers. My existing medical papers still had 3 months until their expiry date. Flying to Miami where the medical is $350 and then join ship, wasn’t an option. Image insisted I’d have to fly myself back to Uruguay from Miami (roughly $2,000) and wait for an assignment… only to fly myself back to the United States, quite possibly Miami. See the logic? No, neither do I.

Emailing Image for the penultimate time, I told HR the score. There was no way I could afford to pay $3,000 for a medical and $1,000 plus for a flight to my next ship or pay $2,000 for a return flight to Miami, $350 for the medical, 5 days in a hotel to then pay $1,000 for another flight to Miami to join my next ship.

            “Let us know what you are doing” was their reply and that was the last time I heard from Image until I sent in my resignation a month later.

Taking a walk down memory lane, I can still remember us all sitting by the swimming pool, drinking beer, tapping away on our laptops, Pavlo, my Image “husband” acting the ass making trash art movies and a couple of the lads shooting hoops. Even to this day, we are still in contact, all thanks to Facebook, but only a few remain with Image.

Gudrun, is preparing to start her 4^th contract and making her way around the Disney fleet.

David, the portrait/candid photographer will be signing off from his 3^rd contract soon and planning to go back for a fouth. Out of all of us, he’s done the most travelling thanks to working onboard a Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 for the World Cruise.

My lovely stepbrother “Hermanastro” Hernan is in Buenos Aires and started up a photography business with Fede (from Mariner of the Seas) and things seem to be looking up for him.

Becks… meh, Becks is still being Becks and given up of the idea of returning to ships.

Sasha has quit ships and now living near London working as a wedding photographer and as she puts it “loving it!”

Chetan left after his second contract and the lucky git in living the high life working as a photographer in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. I use the word “working” loosely as the man spends the vast majority of his time drinking and getting “crudo”.

As for myself, after resigning from Image, I packed my bags (not that I’d unpacked them) and arrived in London at the end of January.

Now, here I am in…Nottingham. Not exactly where I thought I’d see myself, but I’m having a great time. As small as the ship world is, I met up with a “nearly Image photographer” Tom Johnson from Zoran and Sanela’s training group, who I’ve been in contact with for about a year and a half and lives in Nottingham. Like all people I’ve met from Image/cruise ships, he’s turned out to be a great friend.

As much as I miss my days on cruise ships, mainly Mariner of the Seas, that particular chapter was drawn to an abrupt close and the chances of going back are slim to none. I’m back on land, enjoying the freedom, everyday ways of land life, driving a car and throwing snowballs!

The best thing I gained from my time on cruise ships, other than the travel and experience, are the fantastic people I’ve met along the way: Lee, Luci, Chet, Becks, Tom, Hernan, Zoran, Sandra, Aniko, Carolee, Dom, Gaz… the list goes on and on! It’s not about the itinerary. It’s the people. Your team. They are the people that make your contract extra special. It’s all about having a smashing team who work hard and play harder.

As Hernan so nicely put it, hitting the nail square on the head, “Ship life changed everyone’s life and perspective of the world. It was a great experience…”

…and one of the best experiences I’ve ever had and will never forget.

The ship has sailed, cheers to the good times and here goes nothing… a new start; a new chapter on land.

Pavlo & Chet - Image Training

Last Day on Land with Becks

Vision Vs. Mariner of the Seas. Istanbul 2011

The BEST gangway photo - Chania, Crete

Dead Sea, Israel

Sexy Times in Genoa

The Cabin Mascots

Break Dancing in the Photographer's Corridor

Mariner of the Seas Basketball Match

Formal Nights!

The Lads - David, Hernan and Zoran

The Greek God and Goddess and Hernan

Mud Baths at the Dead Sea. 2011

The BEST cabin mate you could ever ask for: SANDRA

Ashdod, 2011

Last Night on Board Mariner of the Seas with the Team.

Mayan Ruins, Cozumel on Disney Magic

Driving Around Cozumel. 2012.

Southernmost Point, Key West, FL. 2012

Biking Around Key West. 2012

Disney Magic.

Airport Beach, St. Maarten. 2012

Fit to Return to Work

Fit to Return to Work

27^th October 2012

The good news is, my right wrist has been operated on for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. After a series of tests, having my wrist tapped to check for pain and pins and needles, and electric shocks being sent down my arm, I had Open Release surgery. Open Release surgery consists of a small slit in the palm of my hand and the tissue being removed/cut away from the median nerve. The procedure takes about twenty minutes.

It’s a strange feeling as you are under local anaesthetic and can feel what’s going on. Cutting my skin sounded like someone cutting into fabric! You can feel the tugging, but there’s no pain. A tiny stream of blood trickles but it doesn’t tickle. I wish I could have taken a photo, but I wasn’t allowed to look and had my face covered by a sheet!

Straight After Surgery

Sausage Fingers

After surgery, the median nerve was “stretching out” and it felt as if there were continuous volts of electricity pounding through my hand to my fingers. It wasn’t necessarily painful at first, just very uncomfortable. 

A week later and the stitches were out. Having said that, as soon as the stitches came out, the slit slid open and up flowed a small current of red. Butterfly stitches were then applied to keep the wound closed.

Four days later the butterfly stitches were nervously removed by myself. All that was left was a pink-red, scabbed line and a couple of pin-point dots.

Butterfly Stitches and Tape

Stitches Out and Tape Removed

In between all of this, I was going back and forth to the surgeon’s office for medical leave paper work for Image and their American Maritime medical company. Quite frustrating as they need an update every month, even if the surgeon has signed me off for two months. In return I received a whopping $6 a day medical leave payment!

Once the two months was up, I was back again with another piece of paper in my hand for him to fill out. He must have been sick of the sight of me! The surgeon knew what my job consisted of – repetitive movements and lifting/moving heavy weights. As a precaution, he signed me off as “fit to return to work but on light duties for 1 month”. Why? Chances of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome returning are high with my type of job. Being a ship photographer and only 25 took that “high” rocketing up. The surgeon actually expects me back soon to have my median nerve released again, if I carry on with the job I’m currently doing.

Five Weeks Later

A month and a half later, I’m officially off medical leave, fit to return to work!

Here comes some bad news. I’d gone back to the surgeon to let him know that I have pain, swelling and pins and needles in two and a half of my fingers in my right hand. Annoyed, he explained that the Ulnar nerve in my wrist which controls the (right half) middle to pinkie finger must be trapped too.

Turns out, as my medical debark papers from the cruise ship stated “Carpal Tunnel Syndrome”, that’s what I was tested and operated for. As the pain was all across my hand, the surgeon didn’t think the check both nerves and thought once the median nerve was released, all the pain and aching would stop. Instead the Ulnar nerve is trapped inside the Guyon’s Canal.

What’s the solution? More Open Release surgery, but it can’t be done for a long time because I’ve just had one batch of surgery and the tissue will still be scarred. Wonderful! Just what you want to hear! 

In the meantime, I can take anti-inflammatories and wear a wrist brace for support. Wearing a wrist or hand brace was always on the agenda as a way of guarding the scar on my palm and prolonging any chances of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome returning. It’s disheartening and frustrating knowing both nerves could have been released at the same time. I will, however, be holding out for as long as possible until I get the Ulnar nerve sorted.

Looking on the bright side, my wrist will one day be fixed. Having said that, my job as a cruise ship photographer will probably have to draw to a close soon. My work as a photographer, won’t! 

Straight After Surgery

Six Days Later

Six Days Later: My fingers look like fingers again

Seven Days Later 

Shower Time!

Eleven Days Later

Five Weeks Later

Three Months Later

The Perfect Storm

The Perfect Storm

23^rd October 2012

After the calm comes the storm. The perfect storm.

During the night I was woken by the strong wind and rain playing havoc outside. Waking up early and standing at the kitchen window, armed with coffees, Mum and I stared out into the garden.

The tops of the pine trees were being tossed around by the wind. Pine cones were launched towards the ground, foliage was swept into the sky and every so often, loud thuds would confirm another tree branch had lost the fight against the raging wind. In the corner of the garden, an entire tree, one of the smaller pines, had given way. The roots spiking out of the ground, the tree was now feebly propped up against the fence. The swimming pool, once clean and crystal clear was now sporting a coat of dust, cones and pine needles.

Turning on the local news, the presenter confirmed Uruguay has issued a red alert. We are in the midst of a perfect storm. School, offices and local businesses had been closed down until further notice. Footage even showed a massive tornado ripping its way through La Rocha. The waves at Montevideo were surpassing the beach walls, engulfing passing vehicles. The winds, however, were at their strongest in Punta del Este (where I live), reaching top speeds of 181km/h.

Although it’s very nice taking photos of pretty, picturesque scenery, fit for a holiday magazine, it’s the bad weather that’ll provide a photographer with some of the most stunning and effective shots imaginable.

Grabbing my camera and ignoring the weather warnings to stay indoors, Mum and I jumped in the car. We decided to have a look at Punta Ballena (Whale Point) and work our way back to Punta del Este. The drive was slow. Parts of the road were completely covered in sand. The wind continuously threatening to take my car off the road.

Punta Ballena

Punta Ballena was a sight to see. The waves were ferociously crashing against the rockery. Parking the car near a quaint little cottage on the rockery. The eased up enough to allow me to get out with my camera. The enormous waves were higher than the single story building. The crashing waves sent up almighty sprays of water, enveloping the property. One side of the stone cottage was smothered in beige, brown sea foam. When the wind blew, the foam was swept away, scattering across the land as if it were snow.

Scrambling into the car when the heavens opened again. I drove a couple of hundred meters to the very point of Punta Ballena. Turning off the engine, a loud whistle filled the car and the wind rumbling against the vehicle. The car shook frantically from side to side, until you could almost feel it tilting us to the right. Both my Mum and I were genuinely expecting the car to topple over. After only a couple of seconds, it was enough for Mother Nature to let us know we weren’t welcome.

Cottage by the Sea

One of my favourite places in Uruguay to take photos is just off Punta Ballena. It’s a narrow strip of bay with a ragged wall of rocks running along either side. At one end is the sea, while at the other is a deep cave. Looking down, as we were leaving Punta Ballena, the monstrous waves were swallowing the area, sending a dense spray high into the air. A spectacular sight!

Driving down to my favourite beauty spot, it soon became evident that the high tide and colossal waves weren’t going to let us even step foot onto the beach. Sitting in the car, shooting out of the window, I tried to catch the waves smashing into the rocks only to be met by heavy sheets of rain. Watching the scene in front of us, I noticed the tide was coming in further. Soon the car park, situated about a metre above the beach, would be flooded. It was time to leave before getting caught out and stuck in the mix of mud and sand.

Ahead of us, the town of Punta del Este looked to be clearing. The tower blocks were peeking through the mist and the rain was settling down. Isla de los Lobos with no longer completely hidden in the overpowering fog.

 

The palm trees at the Conrad Hotel were violently dancing against the wind and the streets of Punta del Este were deserted. Signs had been flattened and left in tatters, spread out along the side of the road. Not far along, my Mum spotted something lying on the beach. Pulling over, it was an enormous sea lion, its face now bare bone. A few seagulls were certainly making a meal out of what was left of the sea lion!

Parking up just outside Punta del Este port, we had a walk along to the view point. The sea was lapping at the sides of the wooden walk way. The yachts in the harbour were swaying to and fro, making me wonder what it must be like to sail in such a small vessel during such weather. Taking a couple of photos of my Mum, holding on to her hat as the wind threatened to snatch it from on top of her head, we couldn’t help but stare in amazement at our surroundings. 

View Point

Just as we turned to make our way back to the car, a wave hit the side of the view point, splashing water up to our knees and squirting upwards through the gaps in the wooden floor panels. You couldn’t help but laugh as we waddled along back to the car, taking a couple of side steps as the wind took hold of us.

Hold on to Your Hats!

 

At Playa de los Ingleses, the road is roughly three meters above sea level. The waves were slapping against and over the concrete wall lining the beach and road, sending bucket loads of water onto the road. You’re completely blind for a couple of seconds as the sea water covers the windscreen. An Argentinian 4x4 had parked up on the side of the road closest to the sea. Inside children were screaming at the top of their lungs and laughing their heads off as a wave splashed up against the wall and over the car.

Parking on the opposite side of the road, I got out to take photographs. I wasn’t the only one. Mum staying in the car, winding the window down to get a better look. The car was now completely covered in sea scum, staining the windows, making them difficult to see out of. A massive wave hit the wall, followed by a succession of splashed as the wave made its way along the curved wall. It was absolutely amazing to see. It wasn’t long until the road was flooded!

Moving along, we parked up at the corner of Playa de los Ingleses to watch the waves make their way along the way. A different angle of view. My Mum’s window was still down and I could see a wave coming.

“Mum, don’t you think you should do your window up?”

“Oh yeah” she’s forgot the window was left open.

Not really seeing what was going to happen, she slowly started to wind up the window (Chinese cars without electric windows – great stuff!) and guess what happened next? Two waves crashed into each other, before hitting the wall, sending gallons of water up into the air and straight through the open window. Freezing for a couple of seconds, we were soaked.

Looking at my Mum, she started to laugh before saying something typical “I didn’t think that was going to happen!” Howling with laughter, soaking wet and somehow my camera, perched on Mum’s lap, was dry. What was Dad going to say?

All we can say is, he missed a bloody good day out. Best part of all, I’ve got the photos of Uruguay’s perfect storm prove it!

For more photos go to www.facebook.com/TicklePhotography

My Mum Punta del Este Port 

Calm Before the Storm

Calm Before the Storm

22nd October 2012

After a long, teeth chattering winter in Uruguay, summer was finally on its way, bypassing spring. The sun was shining and thermometer’s mercury started to head north. Holiday makers and locals flocked to the beach to soak up every single ray of sunshine. Reports and warnings of bad weather were coming in, but after the weather we’ve been experiencing, there had to be some kind of mistake, surely?

Looking out the window in the morning, the sky was grey, sea mist and dark clouds were rolling in, turning the usually picturesque town of Punta del Este into scene fit for a horror film. It drizzled and the wind picked up a little. It wasn’t enough to deter me from going for a jog along the beach.

I love jogging along the beach, especially on cold, drizzly days. After jogging approximately 2.5km, a little further than the Dedos de Punta del Este (Punta del Este Hand/Fingers), I decided to turn back and head home.

Out of nowhere the rain began lashing down, each drop hitting my face felt like a needle pricking into my skin. For a second I honestly thought it was hail stones. The winds which were relatively strong before we becoming menacingly fierce and the tides were rapidly invading the beach. Trying to run, a gust of strong wind nearly knocked me off my feet. It really was taking “sweeping a girl off her feet” to a whole new level! The slow journey back home, soon became one long struggle; trudging through the wet, water logged sand, flooding streets and walking against a barricade gale force winds.

Walking through the door, at a snap of your fingers, the rain stopped. Grey clouds parted, winds dropped and the sun smiled its way through the dark, lighting up the land and sky.

The calm before the storm…