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