Life in the Galley

Life aboard the big white hospital ship.

This week, I have spent a lot of time cutting vegetables.  Yes, you read that correctly, cutting vegetables.  

Sunday was a blissful day of rest and unpacking.  I unpacked every last pocket of our carryon luggage, hoping to make our cabin a little more like a home than a hotel room.  We also took a tour of the ship, which is also required by the previously mentioned official maritime organization of whose name I still cannot recall.  There is a good-sized library considering it is aboard a ship.  But, I suppose, people traveling home are likely to leave behind a few books in order to make room and weight for other items.  

The ship is smaller than I thought.  I am not in anyway disappointed.  I looked at several blogs and, of course, the Mercy Ship website, and the dining room and cafe areas look huge!  But, instead, it is just a comfortable size.

And, my loved ones, do not worry.  There are plenty of lifeboats aboard!

Here is the beautiful port in Las Palmas where we happened to be docked:

I was hoping to use Monday to get a few details in order before reporting to duty.  However, at breakfast, I discovered that everyone was given a note or personally spoke with their superiors and knew exactly where they should be and when.  But I was lost!  So after a visit to the ship's bank to set up an account, I went straight to Human Resources.  The HR Manager, Henry, immediately escorted me to the heart of the galley.  

Side note here:  There are some mariner terms that should be reviewed.  The Africa Mercy is a ship, not a boat (engineers and captains are very particular about this!).  Embarkation is to go onboard a marine vessel.  The galley is the kitchen.

So, here I was in the kitchen, being handed a work shirt and apron.  When the chef told me I needed closed-toed shoes, I was flabbergasted.  I had no other shoes yet!  Instead I had to use a pair of shoes left behind by a previous galley worker.  They were a size too big, so it was slightly uncomfortable, but I soldiered on, determined to do my job.  So, I cut vegetables in my too-big shoes.

Galley work is hard work.  My scheduled is as follows: 

Week 1: work Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 

Week 2: work Wednesday and Thursday

Repeat.

I was exhausted after only two days in the galley.  I was also experiencing jet lag.  Meanwhile, one bag arrived on Sunday afternoon and a second late Sunday night.  

On Tuesday afternoon, we sailed from Las Palmas on the Gran Canaria island to Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Tenerife island.  It took almost five hours.  I had been worried Joe would get seasick, even though this sail was supposed to be easy compared to the 10-day sail to Benin.  However, working in the galley that afternoon, with no windows and the warm temperature, I was the one whose stomach was churning.

Joe, however, had a much better view:

I was making chocolate chip cookies (about 300 cookies!), and as I took the trays out of the oven and the ship swayed the oven's door swung back and forth.  It was an intricate dance.  The ovens are just over six feet tall and stand upright.  Everything on wheels, including all our kitchen trolleys were tied down with bungee cord.  Drawers have a metal clip so they do not slide open while the ship rocks.  It was most definitely an interesting experience.  And, a learning experience as well.  I will be working here during the longer sail.  However, when we are sailing, I will work every other day because weekends do not matter at sea.  

I had Wednesday and Thursday off and went to town both days.  On Wednesday, a friend and her two children accompanied me to town so I could purchase some necessities for our cabin.  We stopped by the park, which was just outside the port entrance.

Thursday (August 7th) was our anniversary!  NINE YEARS TOGETHER!  Joe is an incredible husband, and I am so blessed.  I had wanted to go out for a nice dinner and spend time together walking around town.  Unfortunately, there is a mandatory meeting Thursday night, and we were not allowed to miss it (I asked!).  I was upset.  Between the jet lag, being sick (yes, I had gotten a cold), and just being in transition to a big change in our lives, I was very emotional and on the verge of tears most of the day.  But, my wonderful friends from Gateway came to the rescue yet again…They arranged a lovely intimate table for two in one of an upstairs lounge (the Queen's Lounge) and then served us dessert!

It was an incredibly generous thing for them to do for us.  This anniversary will remain so special, not just for where we are physically, but because so many friends came together to create something beautiful for us!