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June 22nd 2010
I had a great weekend in Grand Popo, Benin. This is beachside village about 1 1/2 hours east of Lome, which is known for its voodoo beliefs and slave history. Apart from these negative aspects, its an interesting place and we had a relaxing 2 days there. 10 of us piled into a combi van complete with deck chairs in the front and back and someone on the floor, for 1 night away at a small hotel on the beach, which looked more like a plantation site. Lush grass, coconut trees, cacti, and no other tourists, it was bliss. Almost 100 fellow Mercyshippers were away for the weekend too, many in Benin, but fortunately we were the only ones where we were staying.... sometimes you just need some time away. While we were in Benin, we ... read more
June 7th 2010
This was quite the interesting weekend off the ship. We (4 other girls and 3 african guys) went away to Kpalime (pronounced Palimay) which is about 2 hours north of Lome and the port. After 1 1/2 hours of discussing between our african translators and they guy organising transport on a price we left for Kpalime. We drove past little villages with huts with thatch grass roofs, and lots of kids running around, the land got more lush and green the closer inland we got, as well as getting cooler which was a nice change from the 40 degree heat of the city/port. That afternoon we hiked to a waterfall after much discussion about how much we had to pay so that we could swim in it also. Luckily we had a guy with us who ... read more
June 3rd 2010
I went to Paris for 3 days on my way to Africa. Its such a beautiful city, I went there 3 years ago very briefly but I loved it this time just wandering around by myself. It was strange being in a place where no one really spoke english for 3 whole days by myself. I got speaking withdrawal symptoms I think, when I got to the ship many of the other girls mentioned the same thing! Of course I tried to speak some Francais which the Parisians appreciate, but I couldn't really understand when they talked back to me. My days were filled up with going to the Louve & Musee D'Orsay museums mostly. Loved the impressionist paitings from artists like Monet, Renoir & Pissarro-probably because they were of pretty landscapes and light and happy. ... read more
May 28th 2010
Hi everyone, well I’ve been in Lome, Togo for nearly a month now and I’m feeling pretty settled and have learnt a lot already. My week consists of working 40 hours on the ward (although I’ve just finished working 44 hours of night shifts straight after each other) and trying to get off the ship and spend some time relaxing or seeing new things on my days off. Work on the ward is quite different to anywhere I’ve worked, not surprising though, the main reasons are the major language barrier and 10 patients (often plus their parent & sometimes a sibling) in a 10 metre by 10 metre room, with another 10 bedded room joined as well. The parent either sleeps on a mattress under the bed, or shares with the baby/child. Every so often you ... read more
August 31st 2007
I stopped over in San Francisco for 2 nights where I did some sightseeing. I saw the Golden Gate Bridge, went to a Chinese garden, Fisherman’s wharf, shopping at Union Square and Chinatown. San Francisco is nice, but I wouldn’t want to live there, apartments are really expensive too. Thursday 2nd Aug: In London I did a hop-on hop-off tour where I saw the National Gallery. This was awesome-thousands of old paintings. I went through Buckingham Palace which was really grand and beautiful inside-lucky Queen! I saw the changing of the guards where the horses and guards were all dressed formally. I also went to Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral-these were pretty and ornate and massive. Don’t know how they built them so long ago. I went on the London Eye ‘ride’ which had an amazing ... read more
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