Dear friends and family,
Today we finally got to go out and past the gates and security guard! It was a very freeing experience. We were all starting to get cabin fever being on the ship for several days in a row. We took a cab and paid 2,000 ceefas, which is $4 to the artisian market.
The marketplace was very busy with many of the people carrying baskets on their heads to sell things such as fish, material, shoes, ect. That way they don't have to pay taxes if they can carry what they are selling on their heads.
Everyone speaks French and only a few people knew some occasional English words. We looked up a few french phrases before we left to help us w/ our bargaining skills. The people were all very nice and respectful so far. One of the girls, Jill, bought some shoes. We didn't think they would give her her change back, but he did w/out having to ask. They all know who Mercy Ships is and some said we give Mercy Ships discount!
The women are all very pretty and wear the most beautiful clothes with many bright colors. Most of the women wrap a piece of linen around their back to carry their babies.
Meeting the people has made me even more excited about having some of them as my patients. I can't wait to start having conversations w/ them through the translators and I really can't wait to hold their babies.
Today we're helping with security and helping out with a reception that we're having with all the people we work with and are connected with in Togo. This way they can all see the ship. I'm not sure who all is invited to this reception, but it should be interesting. Next week the real fun begins with the screening process, and this weekend we have the weekend off.
Tomorrow morning I am really excited to go for a run with some of the crew members. We plan on running a 10 K and hope to get in good enough shape to run to the border of Ghana which would be 20 Kilometers round trip. ("with body guards I hope"...mom)
Lindsey
2 pm Togo time
Today we finally got to go out and past the gates and security guard! It was a very freeing experience. We were all starting to get cabin fever being on the ship for several days in a row. We took a cab and paid 2,000 ceefas, which is $4 to the artisian market.
The marketplace was very busy with many of the people carrying baskets on their heads to sell things such as fish, material, shoes, ect. That way they don't have to pay taxes if they can carry what they are selling on their heads.
Everyone speaks French and only a few people knew some occasional English words. We looked up a few french phrases before we left to help us w/ our bargaining skills. The people were all very nice and respectful so far. One of the girls, Jill, bought some shoes. We didn't think they would give her her change back, but he did w/out having to ask. They all know who Mercy Ships is and some said we give Mercy Ships discount!
The women are all very pretty and wear the most beautiful clothes with many bright colors. Most of the women wrap a piece of linen around their back to carry their babies.
Meeting the people has made me even more excited about having some of them as my patients. I can't wait to start having conversations w/ them through the translators and I really can't wait to hold their babies.
Today we're helping with security and helping out with a reception that we're having with all the people we work with and are connected with in Togo. This way they can all see the ship. I'm not sure who all is invited to this reception, but it should be interesting. Next week the real fun begins with the screening process, and this weekend we have the weekend off.
Tomorrow morning I am really excited to go for a run with some of the crew members. We plan on running a 10 K and hope to get in good enough shape to run to the border of Ghana which would be 20 Kilometers round trip. ("with body guards I hope"...mom)
Lindsey
2 pm Togo time
Sounds like you are going to have an exciting adventure that you will remember forever. It is a truly wonderful opportunity to use your nursing skills to serve the less fortunate. Your writings are informative and make us feel like we could be right there with you. We are so proud of you.
ReplyDeleteLove, Grandpa & Pat