So, as promised, here is the continuation of “The big question”. (drum roll please…) Another event that has taken place here on board is a dance party on deck 8 for the birthdays of 3 crew members. And this wasn’t just any dance party, this was a costume dance party. Now, another question you may ask when looking at the pictures from the party is “where do people, living on a ship, in Africa, get all this stuff!” My honest answer would be “I have no idea!” I do know that people come up with some pretty amazing stuff with things that can be found around the ship, in the boutique and at the clothing and material markets here in Benin.
Around 7:30 people started showing up. I was dressed as Pippi Longstocking, Bess was there as a gypsy, and a couple of my other friends were there dressed as a clown, the tin man, a skater chic and twin mimes. A few minutes later the Joker came walking up the stairs, and let me tell you, we were genuinely terrified! Not surprisingly he placed second in the best costume, only after Mario and Luigi. A few minutes after the party officially started, Bess noticed that John wasn’t there yet. She asked me if I knew why he was late and I told her that he was probably going to make as grand entrance, as him and 3 other guys were dressed as Spartans from the film “300”. Sure enough, a few minutes after the party had officially started, the Spartan army (a very small division of them anyway,) came marching in from behind, and assumed battle formation, swords, shields, spears, skirts…oops I mean battle kilts, and all. After shouting their profession, and letting loose with a mighty battle cry, they joined the rest of the party guests in dancing, chatting and eating cupcakes.
Some of the other creative costumes that night included a box of cheerio’s, a couple of nerds, a light-eating robot and a ghost buster. Charlie Brown was also present, along with a flight attendant, a thug, a mad scientist and we even found Waldo! Everyone from Jr. high up to…well lets just say those waaaaay out of school, were there, and seemed to have a great time dancing and socializing under the stars. Earlier in the year there was another birthday party that was also a dance party, an 80’s dance party and this time it was mix of a little bit of everything. Bored people on a ship in West Africa can come up with a lot of fun things to do!
Once again, there may be a continuation…maybe I should make it a weekly blog…hmmm….
Alanah
P.S. Don’t take that thing about bored people the wrong way…I wouldn’t want to turn anyone off from coming to see us! 🙂
![Poppy_field[1]](https://palmersabroad.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/poppy_field1.jpg?w=500&h=375 "Poppy_field[1]")
The past several years have seen us celebrating Rememberance Day in Paraguay, South America, Texas USA and this year here in Benin, West Africa. As we were driving to the ship this morning we thought of John McCraes famous poem, In Flanders Field. In schools and at Cenotaphs all around Canada ceremonies will most likely include these famous words. I have included a copy of the poem below…Lest we Forget
Mid Term exams were written in mid October and reports were released Oct 21st. As homeschooling parents, we had some hesitation as to how well we have been doing with our childrens education. We have been encouraged by some great test and assignment results and now we have concrete evidence that Alanah, John and Bess’ hard work and adjustments to a new school situation have paid off. Their report cards are filled with A’s and B’s and the teachers comments both on the report and during Parent-Teacher interviews are positive and encouraging. Here are a few of the comments.
Alanah’s Bible, Math and IT teacher, Tommy Farrell states “She is an excellent team player, working well with others in whatever role she is given to produce the school newspaper. Her responses in the Bible course have displayed a maturity and honesty that has, at times humbled me as her teacher. It has been a genuine privilege to contribute towards her understanding of her faith.”
Kim Robinson English and Speech Teacher says, “John is a deliberate and thoughtful student. He is becoming increasingly well organized in both his time and materials, and in his thinking and writing. I am seeing marked improvement. He is sincere and competent. I enjoy teaching him!”
Ben Calvert Phys Ed teacher says, “Bess is a naturally quiet student and has a great understanding of activities and abstract principles. She accomplishes skills above the required standard but her real talent is in teamwork and sportsmanship.”
Just a few weeks ago the Academy held an Open House for the crew of the Africa Mercy. Normally the Academy is off limits as it is a fully functioning school and we do not want our kids and staff to be on ‘display’, so an Open House is held so crew that are curious can tour the classes, enjoy some homebaked cookies, observe science projects and a sampling of the students work is also available to see. On this particular night the Senior Phys Ed class also did some Judo demonstrations out on Deck 7.
Palmers Abroad 