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This is a repost from the thread I started called "My Freewinds Vacation." I'm consolidating my story.
A few years ago, I spent a week on the Freewinds. It cost me around $3000. It involved a lengthy "reg-cycle" to convince me to go. It was complete with the classic $cientology assurance "it will pay for itself because your postulates will work better," or some bullshit like that.
So anyway, I get to the ship and the "security" douche standing on the gangway tells me I need to leave my bag there while I go check in. So, I do. While I'm standing at the counter waiting to be checked in, the security douche bag walks up behind me and says, "You know, you can't drink that bottle of wine while your on course." WTF?? This asshole just searched my duffle bag without my permission. Right there, I wanted to shout at this guy, "What the fuck are you doing going through my shit without me being there?" But, I kept my cool.
The woman at the counter takes an inappropriate amount of time giving me my room key and my "routing form" because there's 2 other S.O. teenagers distracting her with their "important stuff", but I thought great, I'll go to my room, throw my stuff down, stretch my legs, and tour the ship. I'll do the "routing form" later. So, I get to my room and there's 3 other dudes in there. WTF?? You have got to be kidding me!! No one bothered telling me I'd be sharing a room with 3 dudes. 2 of them don't even speak English!! And, they are from another country where, let's just say, they don't have the same hygiene standards as they do in the U.S. My TA was jacked to about 4 on the dial. (I was pissed off) This was clearly an over-priced bait-and-switch. I wanted to beat the shit of someone, but who? To make matters worse, the room was tiny. (probably 10x10) At this point, it was too late for getting in someone's face and telling them they're an asshole. I was there and the money was spent. I decided to make the best of it, besides, my "vacation" was just getting started.
But, by this time, I already made a huge mental note: Never go back to the Freewinds again!
I noticed the "Accommodations Officer" was suspiciously on the "routing form." When people come to the Freewinds, are they often surprised by the roommate situation? My guess: YES!
So, I payed the Accommodations Officer a visit and informed her I was surprised to see people in my room. She then tried to sell me an upgrade for $700 bucks, and she made no apologies. I thought, what a bitch, and I told her "no." As if that wasn't bad enough, she pried a little further, and she asked, "Why are you here?" I told her "The Route to Infinity Course," and she said, "Oh, you're going to love it." She then asked, "Have you heard about the "OT Debug Service?" I said, "Yes, but I'm not interested," which must of meant to her, I just hadn't been "closed" on it yet because she proceeded to try to sell me the $3000 service. I told her "no" again, and I indicated that she should just sign my form so I could be on my way. I'm still mystified by the arrogance and lack of regard for "good service" by this woman.
Also, this was my first of about 9 reg or recruit cycles. If I wasn't in a reg or recruit cycle with a Sea Org member, I was listening to some S.O. douche nozzle give his "clever anitidote" about why it was so imperative to go up the Bridge as quickly as possible. One poor dumb S.O. slob relayed his story about no longer being able to "metabolize" on an emeter, and how glad he was to make it up to OT 7 before that happened. I wanted to make some smartass comment like, "Well, you know they have viagra now, don't you?"
Fortunately, meals were prepared 3 times a day. Meals were a nice break from sitting on my ass in a course room. The food was nice, however, the wait staff seemed agitated--I'll tell you why in a minute.
In the evening, after course, I worked on the "routing form", which still needed about 5 more people to sign-off on it, which included: the bookstore officer, IAS reg, Examiner, Course Supe. Each sign-off included more highly pressurized selling of memberships, books, services, recruiting, and prying into my plans for the future.
Even when I went to the Examiner, I thought, this will be a quick signature, but NO, the bitch gave me a PTS interview, and she joined the list of about 5 people, who tried to sell me the "OT Debug Service." At this point, I was shaking my head, wondering why I would ever spend so much money to be treated like this. Maybe, I was doing it so I could warn others? Who knows? But, god dammit, man! The service up to this point sucked. Actually, I would call it "anti-service" because as a guest, I was made to run around and get myself squared away, as opposed to them accomodating me. I'm embarassed to admit I got all the signatures on the "routing form" because it's probably the shittiest possible thing you could have a "guest" do.
Anyway, it was getting late. So, I decided to crawl in my bunk. Naively, I thought tomorrow was going to be a better day. Only, I was awakened by the return of the smelly-balding-Hungarians around 12 o'clock. I was so fucking annoyed at this point I can't even begin to tell you.
And, tomorrow was another day, but just more of the same bullshit. I was on course in the morning and afternoon. I wanted to put in extra time so I could finish the course early because I wanted extra time to lounge and enjoy my "vacation" and do things like snorkle, scuba, lay on the beach, and enjoy the bottle of wine I brought. Who knows? I thought I might even share it with someone special. Yeah right.
The "Route To Infinity"course was pretty much what you would expect. Elron rambled on and on without really saying anything of any consequence or importance while making glib references to history. I realize now, he was probably tweaked-out on speed, when he gave the lectures because honest-to-god, altogether, the man talked 5 hours and said absolutely nothing. I only remember one quote, and it goes like this, "There's no substitute for an over the ramparts, howling charge on life." Translation: live life to the fullest. So, why not just say, "live life to the fullest?" Can you imagine how gay you would sound, if you told your friends about "ramparts" and "howling charges?" I remember this quote because Tom Cruise says it's his favorite Lafatty quote.
(Gay quote + Tom Cruise's favorite quote = Tom Cruise is gay)
The other thing I remember about the course was an emphasis on "creating illusions" Looking back, I wonder if Elron felt he was just "creating the illusion" he was a college graduate, war hero, loving father and husband, and a philanthropic human being, as apposed to flat-out fucking lying about it.
Anyway, the next few days went as you would expect. Boring course...regging...recruiting...intermixed with rudeness and noticing various outpoints, which only strengthened my resolve to never go back.
I noticed I kept seeing the same wait staff for breakfast, lunch, and diner all week long. No wonder these guys looked so pissed--no break whatsoever. They were worked like slaves building the pyramids until they dropped dead. I felt sorry for them. I don't think the people were giving any thought about seeing the same people waiting on them 3 meals a day 7 days a week.
I did manage to meet a few people in the evenings, and I got to the beach twice in 7 days for a couple hours. I went scuba diving and swimming. That was cool. I was a little disappointed about my bottle of wine coming home with me though.
Overall, I have to rank my "Freewinds Vacation" as one the biggest wastes of money ever. Actually, I can't classify this as a vacation. It was more of an ass-whipping total waste of time and money.
Despite my intention of finishing the course early, I finished the day I was leaving. The assholes wanted to tell me I needed to stay a few more days, but I somehow managed at the last moment.
I got absolutely nothing out of the course except debt on my credit card. There was absolutely nothing relevant about it.
Word to the wise, don't go to the Freewinds unless you like being treated like shit. The only positive thing I can say about my experience is the weather was nice, but I spent most of my time studying the ramblings of a lunatic indoors. If you ever want a nice cruise vacation call Carnival or someone like them. It will cost you about a third of the Freewind's price, and you will actually receive good service.
mb
P.S. The Freewinds is laced Asbestos, and it isn't allowed into U.S. ports because of it, and no one bothers to tell the Scienobots.
P.S.S. The OT Debug Service is another gigantic scam. One story I heard was about a guy, who discovered his "bug" that was keeping him from "going OT" was this--he wasn't out-flowing enough. Yes, this numbnuts spent $3000 to be told he wasn't out-flowing enough, and he had a smile on his face when he shared his "win."
P.S.S.S. I realize I'm telling these deranged stories, and I'm calling all these people douche bags, idiots, numbnuts, bitches, and assholes, and the fact that I was there in the middle of all of it says alot about me. Oh well.
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