Usually, when I compose my blog, I present ideas about serious, practical concepts related to photography. The pictures I post often demonstrate what I am trying to communicate in my writing. I try to have the photos "talk" more than my words. 📚
⚓ While preparing for my camera work on my recent cruise to Bermuda, I did some research. 🚢 I went to Bermuda 4 times prior. For this trip, I was looking for different locales to shoot, different views, and different takes on the familiar area. One suggestion I came across was to include some props. These can be quite useful to add depth and/or more interest and character to the scene. 👓 👒
Without a deliberate attempt, I came across a great prop right here in the community in which I live. It was easy to pack, and no one would miss it.
This month, I opted to try something a little different, as you will see. First of all, this is a fictional story. It is lighthearted and fun. Photographers are storytellers. What we capture will record a moment in history. Each picture should have a narrative.
In this case, the words accomplish that, with the pictures simply enhancing it, providing some visuals to help. Besides, it was a challenging task and made me laugh while doing it. 😁 I hope it does the same for you.
FREDDIE, THE FREE LOADER
I was sitting in my sand pail on the window sill of the third floor like I always do. I have a view of the courtyard, the greenery, the sky, and the birds. Once in a while, I try to converse with the other guy like me, but he never has much to say.
Hey! What's going on? You're choking me.
Some malevolent resident grabbed me by my throat and yanked me out of my pail. I protested to no avail.
I wished I had a flashlight. 🔦
Not even a pinhole of light got in to me. What in the world was happening? Had I died? Was I in my casket? No, I still breathed, but I could barely move.
I wanted out! I was scared. Why did she take me? Why was I kept in the dark? 😥
I did not want to cry, but I was so afraid.
Sleep finally came. When I awoke, I hoped it was just a nightmare, but I was still in that dark place. No rescue, no one came. Was I even missed? 👀
Oh, Oh, what's that? Sounds like footsteps. 👣Ahhhh, now I would be set free!
Wait, wait! I was standing on my head! Oh, good grief! Who was torturing me? I felt vibrations and heard people talking.
"Goodbye" they said. "Have a good time." Me? Were they nuts? 💼
The ride got smoother, and I was able to lay on my side once again, but that did little to ease my distress.
I began to sweat. 🍷 A nice cool drink would have been most welcome, but no. On and on we went. No one talked to me, or about me. How I longed to be back on my window sill. If only I could stretch my long legs.
My stomach growled. Hmmm, a nice tasty fish. 🐟
The fantasy made me drool, which did little to ease my hunger pangs.
Oh brother, standing on my head again! More vibrations. There's a new sound. Was it a giant mosquito? Ziiiip, Ziiiiip.
I realized I was on a ship. A cruise ship!
Wow, not so bad after all. I was not only kidnapped but a stowaway as well.
After unkinking my muscles and taking in that wonderful sea air, I felt much better, but by now, I was famished.
We walked along into a colossal dining room. A table filled with all sorts of breads lay before us.
Often people tossed crumbs to me, thinking it was cute. But no crumbs for me today. Matter-of-fact, No Bread.
My nose told me there were fish nearby. Even my favorite-pink shrimp that helped maintain my beautiful complexion.
We traveled the globe with our food tour. There was Italian. I never saw so many pizza crusts in my life, and the makers were very friendly.
There were also Indian and Thai, but they were much too spicey for me. There were salads with strange-sounding vegetables like mung, watercress, and radicchio.
But Oh, there was more. Much more. Soups and a carving station. I didn't like that
as a poor relative was being sliced
for someone's plate.
Some had writing on them that said "Celebrity." There must be someone famous on board.
Eating my fill, I almost smiled. There were two ladies with me, coconspirators in their crime. One told me my name is Fred, but I liked Freddie better, and so that moniker stuck thereafter.
Then they took me to their cabin.
I had a high perch to sleep on. There were no loud singers and no window like I had back home. However, we had a TV, and I got to watch some nature shows while the ladies went out.
They were great, except for that show-off parrot who is much more colorful than I.
I didn't mind not having the window too much. After all, I was on a cruise--even for little ole me.
One of the days, we took a ride on a ferry boat. I was so disappointed because I did not see ONE fairy. It was quite windy, and I had to hang on least I was blown away!
We rode to the town of St
George's, which has a lot of history and is a UNCESCO sight. As a World Heritage Site, it has many old buildings and forts.
When we went on shore, we found a pay telephone-very rare birds these days! I should be like ET and phone home, but I didn't really want to be rescued anymore. Yet, I thought I should notify the others home on the window sill that I was OK, Actually, I was having the time of my life!
Rats! I forgot flamingos don't have any coins, so I couldn't make the call.
It was very humid like the place I used to live before moving to the window sill. The two ladies and I roamed around taking in all the sights. The buildings were lovely hues--blue, green, yellow, and red, but each had a white, corrugated roof. They looked rather odd, not like anything I see in Pitman.
My feathered friends liked perching on them, but not me. I was staying close to my escorts.
Bermuda has very little fresh water. Those corrugated roofs collect rainwater which is then deposited in cisterns, providing potable water to the citizens.
It was so hot, we did not venture very far. We found a bargain postcard that cost only 25 cents. Then we went to the post office for a stamp and had to wait almost a half hour in line, and the stamp cost 4 times what the card cost!
We wandered about, stopping in some shops. The lady with the camera took many pictures- even some of me.
St George's is a World Heritage sight with some very historic buildings. The streets had unusual names like Featherbed Lane and Barber Lane.
Soon it was time to return to the ship. We had to take the ferry again but had a wait this time. We were glad we could sit down. 
We passed Fort St. Catherines, built to protect the country. Being a British domain, there was fear that America would attack during the War of 1812, or the American Civil War. There was nothing Civil about it.
Americans do invade Bermuda now, but we are welcomed with open arms. Tourism is their second most lucrative business, with banking being number one.
Back on board, I noticed that Celebrity stuff was still showing up. It was on the towels. There was one of the biggest letter Xs I ever saw on the smoke stack. I thought maybe it was like the big advertisements at the sports stadiums.
He always knocked and announced himself calling, "Housekeeping." I could not understand that. While there were much larger cabins on the ship than the tiny one we shared, I did not see one house. I told him he should have said, "Cabin Keeping," but he never did.
The very best thing he did was to leave us chocolates every night. Even their wrappers had Xs and Celebrity on them. I still didn't see anyone famous.
We were ready for a rest after our shore excursion. I didn't even leave the ship on Friday, our final day in port. I had enough fun checking out the shops. 
Drinking is a very big business on cruise ships. Alcohol is not good for me. Fortunately, there were many specialty drinks to treat my taste buds.
Art auctions were held, and we had the benefit of perusing it often. Some of it was unusual, and some made me just shake my head and wonder why is that art. It was very different from anything I saw or did back on my perch in New Jersey.
I really enjoyed the pool time. Checking out the babes. I tried the hot tub, but it was TOO hot. I was afraid I would melt!
The water was a bit rougher on the way home. There were white caps in the pool, making it like a wave pool. Lots of fun!
Cruises are notorious for the gourmet cooking and generous servings. Few people (and flamingos) return without a bigger waistline. Oh, but it was scrumptious. We had surf and turf one night. The lobster was succulent. 
How could I return to my mundane menu?
Those dining room chairs made me feel like Capt. Kirk of the Enterprise from Star Trek. I was ready to blast off! Either that or they were left over shells from Mr. Peanut.
By morning, I was pretty deflated, so back into the suitcase I went. Only this time I was not afraid.
I had amazing, exciting tales to tell. Honestly, I would not mind being kidnapped again.
I never did figure out who the famous celebrity was on board. As we rolled over onto land, I thought about my fantastic time, luscious meals, beautiful scenery, and meeting new people. I figured I was treated so special on the ship that, at times, I felt like a celebrity. I understood then the celebrity on board must have been ME.
When you approach your next photography shoot, try thinking "outside the box." You never know what might develop!
