In 1925, the literary classic, 'The Great Gatsby', was born.
A cautionary tale of decadence, idealism, and excess, the novel embodies all the sparkles and parties of the Roaring Twenties.
About 90 years later, the Gatsby Party was born aboard P&O cruises, and boy do they embody the utter exuberance of the era.
Now having already been to one Gatsby Party - Christmas night last year on the Eden - I came prepared with my $2 shop sequins and feather headbands, ready to dance the night away. As girls are, we took way too long getting ready, enjoying the whole process of choosing the right lippy and making sure our hair was just right. Talking about hair, mine was out of control! The 'Fro had a mind of its own that night, and no matter how may times I tried to wear my elastic-headband, it kept popping off. Pop, pop, pop. Honestly, I tried to contain my curls in it for over half an hour. Exasperated and feeling very un-Gatsbylike, I threw that stupid thing across the room, changed my sparkly dress into something comfy and stuck a feather in my hair. There, that will do.
As we teetered down to the Gatsby Party, we passed beautifully dressed Flappers dripping with pearls and dapper Gentlemen in fedoras and braces. Everyone was dressed to the nines!
We hadn't seen the rest of our entourage all day, so we decided to meet at Connections on Deck 7 for a few drinks before the party. After drinking one tequila, two tequila, three tequila.... (I've never drunk tequila before or four), I made some interesting observations and comments about the Karaoke 'talent', (sorry!) and it was decided for me that it was time to join the party.
We followed the noise down to Charlie's Bar on Deck 5 and were greeted with an explosion of music, colour and lots and lots of feathers. And would you believe it, my second cousin in law was THERE. What a delicious surprise to see Cousin Kathy.
The band was playing modern pop songs with a 1920 twist, there were metallic streamers hanging from the ceiling, champagne flowing and just a completely joyous atmosphere. Everyone was dancing and having a ball. The band was tight and the staff-dancers fabulous teaching the whole crowd some swinging moves.
Now, I really couldn't tell you what time it was when the party wound up, but it seems as if everyone migrated to the Dome to continue the party. I ditched the heels and headed back to the dance floor. Once again, all the passengers were terrific and friendly.
And that brings me to my next point: The People You Meet.
Now, I will write a separate post about fellow passengers as I met some colourful sorts on this cruise, but this night, was truly one-of-a-kind.
Sometimes, people come into your life, and you have no idea how or why. Some call it Fate. For me, the human connection is intoxicating in that sometimes, in the middle of the ocean, you might have a conversation that lasts 7 hours. And eat pizza drizzled with mayonnaise and mustard on the open deck. Maybe comfort a teary teen who'd been chastised by her mum. Be enveloped by the inky night sky and point out Orion's belt.
And only when you take a breath to look up, you notice the sky is transforming from velvet to gold and your only wish, in that perfect moment, is to watch the sun rise above the ocean.
And you see this magnificent burning sphere, timidly at first peek at the horizon, illuminating the vast expanse of the sky in glittery, shimmery strands. You don't want to look away for fear of missing the miracle, one that is repeated every single day, and you internally berate yourself for never witnessing this birth before.
In this perfect moment, all is still, all is quiet. A few clouds are suddenly illuminated, and there's that one rogue cloud slowly pulling away from the others, as if to stake his independence.
In what feels like an eternity, but only minutes, the sky brightens into soft, ethereal hues as the Sun, the giver of all life, rises steadily. The words of Robert Frost fill your mouth, and for the first time comprehend that Nothing Gold Can Stay. It is then you realise, the night is over, and it literally is the dawn of a new day.
No photographs would do this moment justice, as the memory is etched into your soul, forever.
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