More about the Ship - as promised!

Okay so yesterday I said that there were seven decks. I was incorrect. There are eight! The main floor where we board the ship is the 5th deck which also has the dining room, the Cafe, the Starbucks, a store, post office and other offices including the Chaplains office, the finance office and bank, a library, hair salon and prayer room. On the 6th deck, there is the Internet cafe (where I have been informing you of my great adventures), three lounges, the laundry, and the Academy for the children on the ship. The 7th deck has a number of offices including the IS office, some lounges, a playground; and the 8th deck has another playground and a pool. The 4th deck is all crew quarters; there are also some on the 7th deck and 3rd deck. The 3rd deck is the hospital and all the medical offices; and the 2nd deck has a boutique and the exercise/weight room. There is so much to do on the ship, if I decide I never want to leave it. Some of the lounges are equipped with televisions which have some US channels and one lounge can be turned into a theater with screen and projector. The International lounge which is on the 6th deck is where we have community meetings (or church services). It is a beautiful lounge with flags from all over the world in it.

The hardest thing about living on the ship is the 2 minute showers. In order to conserve water, it is mandatory that everyone only takes a 2 minute shower. I'm actually becoming quite good at it. It was a challenge at first but I figured I'd have to learn it sooner or later :)

I also am figuring out the ship vocabulary ;) My father so kindly sent me an email correcting my lack of knowledge about the different sides of the ship. So know I can say that I know the left side is the port side (which ironically is facing water); the right side is the starboard side; the front is the bow and the back is the aft. The ship is also then sectioned off into 4 additional sections. Its kinda cool.

Anyways. I don't know what more to say about the ship other than its gorgeous. Any questions just ask :)

We have mandatory meeting each week including the community meetings, a church service on Sundays, hospital devotions and ward nurses devotions, all which I look forward to.

Right know I don't know what I'm going to do about church tomorrow. Markos was invited to a church and so I may go with him. My aunt sent me information about a church in Freetown of a pastor she knows. I haven't been able to locate it yet or find someone who has heard of it. Once I do, I may check it out. I'm excited to experience church in this culture. The area seems predominately Muslim, but while walking through town, I did see a number of churches.

I ventured out into the town today and will blog on that later. It was quite the experience.

Enjoy!