Ships log # 1

Where to start ….first impressions of Africa are of bare scorched earth and extremely meager dwellings with kids kicking a soccer ball on a bare pitch….such poverty I have only see in photos.  I am here to assist with surgery to improve the quality of lives of a lucky few people but there appears so much more that is needed to improve their lives ….and I have only had a brief glimpse of life here in Conakry during the drive from the airport to the port.

I was greeted at the airport by a very friendly local crew member and was carefully herded with 5 others off my flight from Brussels to waiting vehicles and driven directly to the ship.  But just to back track for a minute – I had a delightfully warm 24hrs prior in Brussels seeing the sights and practicing my basic French skills, and was pleasantly surprised as to how I got by with limited phrases which were said confidently and appropriately J  What fun seeing Europe again – it has been far too long but I digress…

The ship and its crew are a very friendly bunch that are constantly welcoming new people but it is genuine and I am feeling quite at home already in my 2m x 2m shared space which includes a top bunk (just knew that would happen) amongst  5  fellow cabin mates.  None of them are theatre nurses (dental assistant, preassessment nurse, lab technician, pharmacist, and occupational therapist), are from either the UK or US, are my age or half my age, but all are fabulous – I just know I am going to enjoy it here J

After a solid first night sleep I was up with the larks for breakfast served between 0630 and 0730 during the week – no slackers allowed – but served til 0900 in the weekends.  With a windowless cabin an alarm is a necessity otherwise I would happily sleep all day I am sure.  While my cabimates went off to work I filled the day with orientating myself to the essentials – library, hairdresser (already needed a haircut), swimming pool (very refreshing) and Starbucks coffee shop (yes it is essential).  By then it was time for lunch followed by my official orientation (I have never gone up and down so many stairs in one day), logging into the onboard computer system,  a look over the OR (operating theatre in plain English), and then it was time for dinner – you think its regimented around here  - well you are correct – I have my diary full with an event for everyday for the next week and have even booked a time in the laundry to do my washing in 3 days time !!  I can assure you that this is what makes this shipboard community run so smoothly and I have no complaints – I am the ultimate timetabler and love organisation – there is something to look forward to every day but still plenty of time to chill out with a good book with my I-pod plugged in.

I have not ventured off the ship but plan to do so in the morning.  Cabimate Jacqui and I are going to the HOPE (Hospital out patients enterprise) centre to see who needs assistance but more on that later …..thus my first view of Conakry form the ship…. 

… and the view to seaward….

Aurevoir til tomorrow from the Africa Mercy  J