Sunday- Day 10

Today began with a little sunrise church service on the top of the ship. It was a touch chilly, brief, but beautiful outside. And then, I went back to bed! Later in the morning, about 12 of us gathered for our own little service, where we each shared something. The account of the empty tomb was read, we sang a few songs, a few people shared some of the things that they have been learning, and we had communion together. I share this because it was very natural given how long we have all known each other, it was honest, and essentially, it is what I feel that church should be (or really is)- a time of scripture and prayer that involves all of us, but also about understanding the Good News in the past, applying it in the present, and being intentional to go forward with it. For me, it was refreshing.

On a different note, I wanted to share a few of the day to day things that make life here distinct:
-I have counted at least eight other people who also take the freedom to wear socks and sandals!
-When I leave the ship and come back later, the gangway (the ramp into the ship) drastically changes angles. I can leave and walk down an almost smooth ramp. And then come back later to regular stairs.
-When an engine runs, the floor of the 6th deck here at the computer lab vibrates so much that I need to keep my CD player on my lap, or it won’t play!
-Here in English, English, cookies are biscuits, pants are trousers, underpants are pants, tummies are kai’tes, and carts are trolleys.
-When you go running and smile and nod at people, or wave, or say ‘hello’, they say ‘cheers’. Who knew?

All is well!