We Can Get Along

I just got back from a week and a half vacation to the great northwest of North America. The trip began in Vancouver, British Columbia. It included a weeklong cruise to Alaska that finished up in Seattle, Washington.

That week and a half reinforced in my mind that we can get along.

My family, friends and I came from Maryland, Florida, Minnesota and Virginia. We met some of the nicest people from America and around the world. We traveled together. We lived together. We ate together. We toured together. We laughed together. We shared stories and our backgrounds with one another.

The staff and crew on our ship were friendly and courteous. The food staff went out of their way to serve me after I told them about my allergy to red meat and seafood. I am forever grateful to them.    

Along with the scenery of Alaska it was a beautiful experience.

On our first stop in Ketchikan Alaska, we went to the Lumberjack show. The man sitting next to my brother-in-law and I had us rolling in the aisles with his wisecracks. While I cannot eat crabs my family can. They went to the crab feast after the show. The Maryland contingent wanted Old Bay on their crabs. I heard that the waitress knew right away where they were from when they asked for it.

In Juneau we had great weather, and the locals were very nice. Those who went whale watching were rewarded. I went back to the ship and had a good jog around the track. There were only two lanes. One for walking and one for running. The track was narrow so if two people were walking they took up both lanes. I had no trouble getting by those walking as they graciously let me go by.

In Skagway we took the train up the mountain. There was no pushing and shoving to get the best view of the waterfalls and old bridges. Everyone took their turn and conversed.

The next day we toured the glaciers and everyone was considerate. There was no jostling for position on the top deck. When people got their videos and pictures they would give their spots to others. It was a shared experience by all.

There was not even any anger or dismay from anyone in the dining hall when my nephew and I went crazy watching the NBA playoffs and the Indiana Pacers tied the New York Knicks on a miracle shot at the buzzer. The man at the next table looked over at us and asked, “What’s the score?”

I saw it with my own eyes. Every day. People being nice to one another.

Yes, my fellow Americans.

We can get along.