Response #6

No sticky rice...because our rice is parboiled when we receive it...that means: (following definition edited from Wikipedia)

Parboiled rice is rice that has been boiled in the husk. Parboiling makes rice easier to process by hand, improves its nutritional profile, and changes its texture.

Parboiling rice drives nutrients, especially thiamine, from the bran into the grain, so that parboiled white rice is nutritionally similar to brown rice.

The starches in parboiled rice become gelatinized, making it harder and glassier than other rice. Parboiled rice takes less time to cook, and the cooked rice is firmer and less sticky. In North America, parboiled rice is generally partially or fully precooked by the processor.

So that is the main reason we do not have 'sticky' rice. According to Russ at the IOC this was a major donation given to us...so I think this rice will be around for awhile before we will explore other options once we free up space from this present rice quantity. Which by the way is a lot.

I received a comment about food at the beginning of meals not being the same as food at the end. I personally can't say I experienced that much since I have been here, or have I done this myself. Maybe a couple of times if necessary OR if it is a day to get rid of all the leftovers...its just one of those things that needs to be done and sometimes theres just no way around it.

In addition to that the comment also suggested the food that came after was more 'kid friendly' or kid oriented. I don't know how to address that comment. I cook for people, mostly I think of all of them as adults. If by chance you are referring to fish sticks or something else I do not know about yet then I am afraid you will be disappointed in me because I will use fish sticks as the main meal from time to time...ketchup, tartar sauce, mmmm delicious.

Maybe that was in the past? Not sure.

Thanks for all the great comments and suggestions! Please keep encouraging the crew!

Signs

On Wednesday I was officially in the Medical department. I left crew services and instead of cleaning the common living areas, I am now cleaning the ward. We are unpacking the wards from the sail. It is a large task. I have really enjoyed spending time with some of the nurses. I haven't really gotten to know many of  the nurses up until now. Sometimes it is really a blessing to be able to connect with other women about personal things and sometimes even help calm some anxieties. I am really enjoying it.

Today I helped unpack the ward this morning and then in the afternoon I made signs for the open house (of the hospital) with Karoline and Sarah. We chatted and laughed and made some signs too.

After dinner I went for a walk on the dock with  Megahn. We have this really nice long dock and we walk up and down it and sown to the gate, although there are a lot of men doing their version of a cat call. Anyways off to community meeting.

Response #5

On the lighter side of things:

Some of you say 'more potatoes' some say 'more rice' I say, "I must not be doing enough pasta if I can't get anyone to complain about it!!!" hahaha, it's just a joke.

On a more serious note:

Fresh & Raw Vegetables:

The direct answer is: Hope you enjoyed the variety of the salads & produce in Tenerife because it's not going to be the same here in Liberia. Mostly cabbage, onion, tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots...anything else is probably a pure bonus.

Reasons:

The country does not support the variety and/or bulk we would like.

Some of you might say, 'I saw this and that, here and there (like a store or market)' I would encourage you, to buy it for yourself and enjoy it. At this time I can't foresee more variety of raw/fresh vegetables/produce, because they can't sell enough of it for us to feed more than a fraction of the crew. And realistically it would not be feasible to have someone running around the country gathering here and there for just one meal of lettuce or celery (for example). I am not being sarcastic, I am just explaining as direct and forward as I can. (Perhaps maybe if the UN could bend their rules a little to let us use their supplier, but that is purely speculation on my part.)

Several of us have been here before (my first time in 2005) so we have a pretty good idea of what's out there and how much we can get comparing notes from each return visit.

So please continue to give the galley crew (cooking crews, salads, baker, dishwashers...) encouragement and support so they can continue to feel good about the job they are doing with the limitations they have (that is no one's fault).

I am happy/pleased to say that I have overheard several of you complimenting and encouraging our crews for the hard work and excellent meals they have been putting out. Of course, I enjoy your compliments but I am very happy to see you pass them along so I can reap the reward of joyful kitchen/galley workers by your kind words to them.

Woo stinkin Hoo

Today at 0830 we arrived to Monrovia, Liberia. As we arrived they were setting up for a ceremony and we all stood out on the decks and waved to some Mercy Shippers and local Liberians. As I stood there I was quite overwhelmed for a moment. I started to think about what this country has gone through in the last decade and all the help that is needed for it to recover. I also pondered on the idea that I get to be a part of the solution. They need health care and more particularly they need surgeries. During the civil war, almost all of the Physicians left the country. Now there is a big white ship that offers some of the services they require. As I am standing on deck 7 pondering all of this my hair is frizzing up by the minute and rivers of sweat are running down my legs that are covered by a long skirt that is covering my knees (knees in Liberia are considered "rude bits" are never to be shown in public) and I recite my mantra "I will prevail" .  I also know that I will be a part of bringing hope and healing to those of Liberia. Woo stinkin hoo!!!

The pictures are of the crew and some of the people on the dock that was a part of the celebration.

Flip Flop-a-liscious

Woo hoo!!! We are not sailing anymore and can wear flip-flops again. My feet were so happy to be free again!!!!