Today is #MarketFriday initiated by @dswigle (Denise, that's me!!) I hope you will join me as we share different markets across the globe. I always look forward to seeing what you send me! It is amazing to see so many different markets and different cultures.

I have been to so many new places lately! The curiosity that is attached to foreign ingredients, different produce or any product sold. So, yes! I would love to see yours! Don't forget to take photos wherever you happen to be shopping - whether it be the grocery store, the local marketplace or even an art gallery. Wherever money is exchanged for a service or for merchandise. Be different if you wish! It does not have to be a traditional market! We will love it! I promise you! Don't forget to use the hashtag #MarketFriday and @dswigle.

Because I am working and on two different cruises, I decided to use one of the ships as my #MarketFriday. There is shopping onboard also, but, I will give you a short tour of the ship and try to sell you on taking a cruise. It is not for everyone, but, it is definitely for this someone. If you dislike the water, it is not for you, but, you never know. I can try to sell you! I am ready to extend my stay... again.

But first, a flower. Always a flower.

The loveliness of you never escapes me
May I gaze upon you, always and a day?

This is one of the many lounges and bars they have on the ship. First of all, this is the Anthem of the Seas and it sails out of New Jersey. All of the ships have classes (according to their size) and Anthem is in the Quantum Class of Royal Caribbean ships. There is only one class larger than Quantum and that is the Oasis-class ships owned by Royal also. Their Symphony of the Seas has 18-decks and is 1,188 feet.

That's a lot of ship.

Please leave the link to your post on here so it can easily be found by others. They will all be in one place. Where else can you take such a quick trip around the globe? Thank you! ❤

If you want to buy a bauble, a bangle or a ring or three, fear not! There is a jewelry store or three, right on the ship. One of these snappy young gentlemen standing around is waiting for you.

Or you

Wave technology is used in the Flow Rider. I cannot tell you how many times I have bitten the dust (or water) trying to stand up. I have made it, perhaps 1/3 of the time. Perhaps not even that high. But, if you can stand on a surfboard, you should be able to manage this.

Jump up and give it a try. You know you want to!

There are lounges everywhere, including the hallways. It seemed kind of strange to me at first, but, now I have become accustomed to seeing that kind of sight.

I don't even blink at the sight of it anymore

I can honestly say that I walked up and down these halls a few times before I recognized where I was. The walls are so busy and my eyes are all over the place. It is definitely an amazing place to spend some time. I want to apologize for another ship, but, I was running out of birds running on the beach, so this will have to pass for this week.

Who doesn't love bumper cars? This is the first ship that I have been on that had bumper cars. It is a huge hit with young and old alike. You should see grandpa ramming grannie in his car. Incidentally, the pink one is mine. Right next door, you can sign up for a trapeze class. You climb up to the platform and practice falling and then they teach you to swing. Yes, I did. Yes, it was... Totally cool.

OMGosh! For real!

The gym! As if you couldn't guess! It takes up a whole floor and has every piece of equipment imaginable, and then some. You may eat every six hours while you are cruising, but, they expect you to work it while you are there.

Last time I counted, there were five pools on this ship, plus the kiddie pool. That is a lot of pool. Now granted, they don't make them too big, but nice enough that you can have an enjoyable time without too much suffering.

Nobody is allowed to suffer here.

The iFly! You know I did! Proof! You take a few minute class and they let you pop in the tube and try your luck at it! They are there to help you stay face down and not flail all over the place. Such an amazing piece of equipment. It uses a machine to simulate the experience of skydiving without the fear. If you get the opportunity, you have to try it!

Royal Caribbean gives us three or five free spins on the slot machines at the casino. I don't gamble, but, I can be bought for three free spins.

Note: As an aside, I won! - it was only $1.75, but it is mine

Many people attend Art functions. It can be a fun way to spend time, as long as you don't get carried away with it. Art Auctions can be a fascinating way to collect art while you are sailing, although there has been enough said and written about it. I like going for the fun of it and they usually only hold art seminars (where they teach you about art and artists) on sea days. There are things I can learn here, but, buying their art isn't one of them. Even so, there is so much to do, you almost don't want to get off. :)

There are cooking classes. You can learn to make sushi, decorate cakes and many other delectable delicacies. If you are lucky, you get selected from the audience and get an up-close and personal demonstration.

But, then again...

Sometimes everyone is part of the class. It depends on what they are doing, such as sushi! Everyone gets to make their own roll!

The food is always served so elegantly. The courses are many and varied. Spoiled? A little. The service is the best. Absolutely. Who could ask for anything more?

Thank you for taking the short tour through some of the ship. It is far too huge to give you the whole tour and I don't want to bore anyone to tears! Thank you so much for being a part of #MarketFriday!

¸.♥´¸.•♥¨) Let the sun shine in on your life
So the joy may touch your soul
(¸.•´♥ (¸.•´ ♥

And just like that, this post is done. I hope you enjoyed your visit! As always, I want to thank you for taking the time to visit #MarketFriday!! Thank you for supporting the challenge! Have a most fabulous day! Cheers!!

Fridays are all about the #MarketFriday Challenge! Looking to take part in it? Here is how:

How to Participate:

1. Go to the market! Any market will do! Food, Clothing, Plant or Animal, if you wish. You can go to the zoo or an art auction. Anywhere or anything that you pay money for a service. I once went to a nail salon.
2. Take pictures! Be creative (or not)
3. Tell us a little bit about the market, what brought you here?
4. Post the picture(s)
5. Don’t forget to hashtag it! #MarketFriday by @dswigle
6. Drop the link to your post here so I can easily find them

It is always interesting to see the different markets around the globe! C’mon! Show me your market shots! I eagerly await them!

I love to share and be shared with! I am intrigued by different cultures. It is exciting and yes! I would love to see yours! Don't forget to take photos wherever you happen to be shopping - whether it be the grocery store, the local marketplace or even an art gallery, a kite festival! Wherever money is exchanged for a service or for merchandise. Be different if you wish! It does not have to be a traditional market! We will love it! I promise you! Don't forget to use the hashtag #MarketFriday and @dswigle.

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Welcome to the first post of the #MarketFriday community! Thank you for visiting and I hope this gives you the incentive to post to the challenge! 💖 Because of you, I come back to post, again and again, I am encouraged by you, for the time you take to visit, comment or even upvote. For all of these reasons, I am eternally grateful. Don't ever forget what a wonderful world we live in, people. Let's hold hands around the globe and make this earth really spin. Some days, it is not as easy to see, how wonderful it really is. Kindness counts. Wherever you go, whatever you do.

they set my aunts house on fire
i cried the way women on tv do
folding at the middle
like a five pound note.
i called the boy who use to love me
tried to ‘okay’ my voice
i said hello
he said warsan, what’s wrong, what’s happened?

i’ve been praying,
and these are what my prayers look like;
dear god
i come from two countries
one is thirsty
the other is on fire
both need water.

later that night
i held an atlas in my lap
ran my fingers across the whole world
and whispered,
"where does it hurt?"
it answered,

"everywhere"
"everywhere"
"everywhere"

warsan shire

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