Cherry Red

One part of ship life is being prepared for every situation. About once a week we have a drill to help us practice for these different situations and this morning we had a ‘cherry red.’ This is the type of emergency situation that requires us to get off the ship and muster at different stations outside on the quayside. Our biggest challenge if this emergency every happened is all the visitors we have on Deck 4, our ‘experience deck.’ Because I work in the I-café, I am considered to be deck 4 personnel and had to participate in this mornings drill. They sent all of ships crew down to our deck and then set off the alarm. I had to put on my bright orange vest and florescent yellow hat and escort everyone off the ship as quickly and as safely as possible while also sweeping the entire deck, checking every nook and cranny for any person that may be hiding or refusing to get off the ship and do my best to get them out. They purposely plant people in different places to make sure we check ever area thoroughly and also ask other individuals to be difficult so that we can practice our crowd control. I thought it went quite well and it was a good opportunity to get an idea of some of what we may have to deal with in case of a real emergency.

Northern Ireland

Once again, much time has passed since my last post. Life gets so busy and its hard to find time to share my stories with you, but here's the latest.  Yesterday was my day off and the first chance that I have had to actually get out and see some of the countryside of Northern Ireland. God blessed us with a beautiful sunny day and I very much enjoyed my explorations.  I am such a big kid when it comes to seeing new places and exploring God's creation.  I crave for adventure and am always so excited when presented with the opportunity to explore new places.  Yesterday I hiked around the Irish seaside and walked across a suspended rope bride over the sea to a little island where I enjoyed frolicking in the grass and flowers and taking in the fresh sea breeze.  I also had the opportunity to go to Giant's causeway: an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption.  Here I enjoyed the beautiful scenery, climbing on the rocks, and kneeling beside the sea watching the tides come rushing in and crashing into the rocks and enjoying the occasional splash of salty sea water on my face.  The last stop of the day was to Dunluce castle.  Here I ran down a set of stone steps to the side of the castle and was torn in three directions because there was so much to explore (the girls I was with laughed at my childish excitement).  After climbing a steep hillside and successfully getting grass stains all over my jeans in my attempt to get as close to the ruins as possible, I stood on the hilltop next to the castle wall (where one or two steps to the right would have sent me tumbling to my death on the rocks in the sea) I found myself lost in history.   This particular castle dates back to 1500 and 1600 (type it into google if you're really interested).  It was crazy to think that one day people lived there and fought battles to protect their land.  By the time I arrived back to the ship I was exhausted but thanking God for the amazing day and I am sure that He delighted in my joy of His creation. 

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