(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocKB9XZWlNMn4fp2mODzz3bHDwBg9YrJzTsR-XcMJpXNZm-LnmmS=s40-p)
I get asked this fairly often when first meeting someone and chatting, so here is the true actual and accurate story.
My name is Jason Smith, a person of no particular note. I am a writer, perhaps more accurately a "yet to be discovered" writer with one book actually published, and a contract for another, more on that later. I'm 41, and perhaps experiencing the famous "midlife crisis" they talk about all the time. I'm never quite sure who "they" might be, but a font of wisdom on all things "they" certainly are.
I think in part it means one starts to look back a bit more than looking forward, having passed a kind on possible midpoint in the journey, I don't know, and it isn't relevant to my story anyway.
As noted, I had my first novel published, which was cause for some celebration, but also around that time I found myself divorced, more or less amicably, but still quite alone after 12 years of being a couple. It's the kind of adjustment that could bring on a, well, midlife crisis. There were no progeny from the union so I was a "free man", which meant lonely often as not. I tried a few dating apps and discovered they are pretty silly. And I didn't think I was anywhere near ready for another serious relationship.
Meanwhile, hanging over my like some sword was my contract to write another novel. The first sold to a publisher for what to me was a handsome figure, though after my agent and publicist and Uncle finished, it was not so handsome. But part of the contract stipulated I write another one. And I was afflicted by the bane of authors everywhere, a thing I won't mention but has initials W. B.
And so, needing a fresh start of some sort, I was chatting with my cousin one day and she suggested a cruise.
"Sea air, you'll love it, a boat filled with other single ladies looking for men. I know, I tried it." She giggled. "I could check one out if you want." I should note she works as a travel agent. They still exist apparently, I think she mostly did it for the comps.
Anyway, to cut to the chase, finally, she found an interesting cruise, for me, leaving Dubai and ended in Capetown, South Africa, on Icelandic Cruise Lines. (Yes, Iceland is rather far away from Dubai, but whatever, they have a ship, and decent reputation with affordable prices.)
So, having naught else to do and not want to stare at my computer all day, I took her up on it. She fixed me up with an economy comfort flight out of Atlanta (where I reside) to Toronto, which seems like going the wrong way, and then direct to Dubai. I'd had a vague notion of wanting to see the place for a while, and Africa to boot, and this was my shot. The cruise was three months out, time enough to brush off my passport and worry about a couple visas I'd need, and in the interim manage to type out a short story that sold for a rather modest sum, I still had WB on my novel big time.
The day came, I had packed in one suitcase and carry on, not really sure what to take. I knew Dubau would be hot, Capetown more moderate, and in between, probably hot. Who know what weather is like in Madagascar? With considerable excitement, I got a Lyft to the airport and waited for my flight, to Canada. It went smoothly, I suppose, followed by a pretty brutally long flight to Dubai, from Canada. Atlanta had a direct flight but the cost even in coach was ... exorbitant, my cousin said. She at least got me Comfort seats with more leg room for my lanky length frame.
TBC ....