Week 2!

What an incredible, exhausting weekend! After a week spent mostly on the ship (it rained most of the week) it was such a treat to get out for the weekend. A wonderful person made a donation to Mercy Ships with the specific request that it be used to treat the crew to something special, and indeed they did. The entire crew was treated to a day at Loro Parque, a cross between the San Diego Zoo and Seaworld. It is in Puerto de la Cruz, almost right next to where I went last weekend. There were a bunch of shows to watch and animals to see. We watched Sea Lions, Dolphins and Orcas, one of which was born in San Diego. Unlike parks in the states, there were no food lines, no lines at all! I was amazed.

The dolphin show! Meet Jorge, Pablo, Carlos, and the gang.
Do you thing they understand Spanish?

The Sea Lions were amazing! Look at that balance!

Here are some photos from a hike I went on after church on Sunday.

Beautiful coastline. Inland isn't very pretty, since it's a volcanic island.

Self Portrait sesh!

The last few days I have been able to get into a routine and get to know my job a lot better. At last, I feel like I am contributing to this wonderful mission! I am working the standard 8-5, but unlike at home, mealtime is sacred. We get an hour for lunch and stop working at 5 to go to dinner. Sometimes it feels like all we do it eat. It doesn't help that we have a visiting baker from Germany who specializes in things that are delicious and make you chubby. My nights have been filled with walks around the ports, to Santa Cruz for ice cream, and Killer Uno. Killer Uno is a variation on the traditional Uno, chances are I have tried to teach you at some point, but there are far too many rules for anyone to stay interested. It is fun to play with a large group, everyone gets rowdy.

2 of my roommates left already this week. Corina and Janene had both been here for six months and were so ready to go home. They will be touring around Ireland and Scotland for a week or so before heading home to the states. I will miss them, but am excited for news of their adventure!

Four out of five roommates!

Cindy, Janene, Me, and Sarah