Countdown

Well.
Now that another successful Brunch for a Cause is in the bag (huge thanks to all who attended and made it happen), I'm suddenly faced with the reality that I leave in less than a month! I had been focusing all my energies into preparing for last weekend's fundraiser, and that was my excuse for putting off other things.

I no longer have an excuse!

So, now, I'm looking around my apartment thinking about everything that needs to be packed up and stored, how I am going to decide what to take and what to leave, and thinking that packing for 9 months is going to be a bit different than packing for 2 or 3! I may not really be able to bring more things along, as my storage space on board will be the same tiny closet + 2 shelves as always. I am working on a list to ship some essentials (toiletries mainly) a few months in so I don't run out, but also don't take up too much room in the cabin.

Meanwhile, I keep tabs when I can on the current goings on aboard the ship, and with the Advance team preparing the way for us in Senegal. Here's a couple updates I thought worth sharing!

From the Advance Team

In Senegal, as we speak, and for the last few months, a team of experienced Mercy Ships volunteers has been scouting locations, shaking hands, and making all the necessary arrangements for a smooth arrival and field service. This is, as I've mentioned, the first time Mercy Ships has visited Senegal*, so it is a lot of new ground to break. We have to have written agreements covering immigration/visas, healthcare provision, local employment, transportation, and more. Speaking of employment, the HR side of things just shared that they have received a whopping 2,100 applications for day crew positions. They are currently in the middle of the interview process, and I am excited to meet the Ward Day Crew team they will end up hiring!

*Correction: The first time the Africa Mercy has visited. The first Mercy Ship, the Anastasis, carried out a 4-month field service in Senegal back in 1993.

From Shipyard

The Africa Mercy has spent the past couple months getting sanded, blasted, upgraded, repaired, parts replaced, old carpet torn out and new hardwood put down, and a shiny new paint job to boot. It has just gotten out of dry dock and back into the water, and will be very soon departing the Canary Islands to set sail down the coast to Dakar! 

10 months of wear & tear

2 months of R&R (repairs & restoration)!

I suppose this has been enough procrastination now, and I must get some things done around here!
Thank you all for standing along side me in this journey.

À la prochaine,
-D

Every Sound of the Drum

Just came across this incredible music video that summarizes the history of both West African music in general, and Senegal itself. It's dated, and cheesy, and there's reggae-style rap - and I love it a lot. Stick around 'till the last minute for the history lesson. It does a far better job than I would likely have done in my not-yet-written post about the country.



I really can't top that.

Now watch this - and hope to see you on Saturday!


-D

Art Attack

Life always seems to get ahead of me when I'm at home, and it's harder to find time to sit down and write. I actually started this post back in May, and I'm only just getting around to finishing it. Sorry.
So I guess that means it's time for:

A quick update!

Mercy Ships Canada has changed their donation system, meaning my donation page has changed.
It can now be found HERE, or tinyurl.com/crewmate2 also works if you'd like something short and easy to share.

A few items of thanks

I'm fortunate enough to have very flexible landlords who have arranged a short-term sublet of my furnished apartment while I am away, meaning I only have to pack and store my personal items. Most of my larger belongings can hang tight right where they are.

I had a little money that carried over from last year's fundraising, and a few new donations came in; just enough to book my flights to Senegal. I now need only cover my costs for monthly crew fees.

My wonderful parents, and good friends Rob & Sue are already getting the ball rolling on our (now) traditional brunch fundraiser. I'm so grateful for their eagerness to support me, and seemingly boundless energy! PS IT'LL BE JULY 27TH SO BE THERE AND GET FED.

Now that that's over with...

On with the post!

The Africa Mercy is a pretty neat ship - granted, I haven't been on that many ships - but I suspect it has a fairly unique list of ports of call compared to your average passenger liner. In its journeys, from its time as a Danish train ferry to its current life as a hospital ship, it has visited a good chunk of the world. Serving in this particular part of the world, where culture is as deep and rich as the red sands of the roads, that culture has rubbed off on the AFM (and I don't just mean the harmattan dust).

There is a veritable smorgasbord of (mostly) West African art adorning the walls and corridors, many of them gifts of gratitude, from the nations where the ship has served. Since I'm currently just hanging out at home with not much news to share, I thought this would be a fun little filler post to bide us over. Therefore, I shall now shut up and let the art (and a few quotes from everyone's favourite painter) take over from here. Click on any pic to embiggen.

“You have to allow the paint to break to make it beautiful.” ― Bob Ross

 “We don’t laugh because we feel good, we feel good because we laugh.” ― Bob Ross

“It’s hard to see things when you are too close. Take a step back and look.” ― Bob Ross

Whoops! How did that get in there...hardly fair comparing this to canvas and paint.

“You can do anything here — the only prerequisite is that it makes you happy.” ― Bob Ross

“Go out on limb. That’s where the fruit is.” ― Bob Ross

Left: plaque showing the outreach locations teams reached from the ship's location in Tamatave, Madagascar.

Right: One of several statues gifted by the leadership of Benin. Its attire was not exactly..."family friendly." Thus the addition of a little tube top.

 

Well, that's about all I was able to capture back in March. Hope it gave you an idea what it's like to stroll around the AFM, and the rich and vibrant places it has visited. À la prochaine...

- D