The Straits of Mallacca?

Hey Everybody,

So we are full steam ahead to Jakarta now. We set sail yesterday and it was quite an interesting experience. I have set sail on a few ships in my lifetime so far, but this was very ceremonial and quite a moving experience. We are on the Straits of Malacca (?) right now. We should be in our first clinic port on July 13th. In the meantime we have meetings upon meetings all day long. It's lots of education on the culture of Indonesia, the do and don'ts of the ship and the medical info we need for our clinics.

When we set sail from Singapore, the armed service members perfomed the "manning the rails" when we passed the Japanese ship the Kazamuki(?). It was beautiful to watch the respect and honour given to each of the groups of sailors across the mass of water that separated them from each of their ships. We were allowed to watch from afar after initially being told that we could not.

We met the Commodore of the Mercy yesterday also. Our Commodore is a female and she definitely runs a tight ship!

We got told all the rules about a million times yesterday, but I guess they really have to protect Mercy (and it's plumbing!).

We also met our department leader yesterday, another female officer, and she is very eager to ensure that we have an amazing learning experience here whilst at the same time helping our host nations. It is stressed continuously that we are to give the host nations the praise for anything that is accomplished.

The most interesting thing that is in the planning stage right now is the "crossing the equator" ceremony. I am right now a "pollywaag" and the plan is to be a "shellback" when we are done with this ceremony. If we dont participate, we cannot watch! We are told to be prepared to get wet and it is supposed to be very physical. I am excited! i just hope we dont have to eat something crazy!

I was asked about the 4th of July celebrations. It was actually on the 3rd of July in Singapore on the Navy base (not on Mercy). they had a huge cookout and fireworks...only it rained. And they had the Navy band perform...they were pretty good also...just imagine a bunch of sailors in uniform singing "it's gonna be a good, good day!" Pretty funny experience.

So, we are actually working here too. We started today., We have to take call in the sick bay. luckily I am not on rotation today. We have a man overboard and fire drill also in the 100deg heat this afternoon. we will be out there in the heat till everyone is accoounted for and has found their life raft. Hopefully it will go smoothly.

Dawn and I also have to do a powerpoint presentation on a topic not yet decided to present to the department of medical services. this is going to be tough since the internet connection is sketchy and resources extremely limited.

Anyways, I have to head out to get my clothes sprayed with permethrin and for an engineering tour before trying to start on that project.

By the way, not sure if I mentioned it before, but we also have veterinarians on board...

So the Navy word of the day is "be may my last" which we hear on the overhead speakers at some time or the other...it means, disregard what you just heard....

next time, hopefully some pictures.

Till next time.....

Blessings,

Vanessa