Day 123 – Sail the North Atlantic Ocean

Tim and I attended a “Behind the Scenes Ship Tour” in January with our previous Hotel General Manager Ronald, and it was fascinating to get a glimpse of the ship’s operation and crew life. I thought it would be interesting to attend another one and see if we might learn something new.

Today’s tour was led by Associate General Manager Shauvik, and we did go into a few different areas, including the pantry used by The Restaurant crew. It was amazing to learn even more about the extensive food safety requirements and how Viking takes them so seriously. We are certainly in good hands.

I had decided not to take any photos this time, and I regret that decision now, but I did provide a link to the previous tour.

Because of the tour, I missed most of the Crew Appreciation Gala, organized by a group of passengers to raise money for the Viking Sky Crew Welfare Fund. A live auction was the main draw, and guests were very generous with their bids. Also available were slips of paper where we could make a cash donation to be charged to our shipboard accounts. All of us love the crew, and we showed it in this way today. I don’t have the final total, but it appears that we raised at least $30,000. How fantastic is that!

Crew Appreciation Fundraiser

A lecture followed that event, and since we will be visiting the Canary Islands tomorrow, Tim and I watched Laura Lovelock’s talk on “The Guanches: Original People of Tenerife.” I always find it interesting to learn about the indigenous peoples of the places we visit, and it was thought provoking to hear about the trials and tribulations of these people.

The Guanches People

Tim and I were much busier than usual on a sea day, and we ended the afternoon with Afternoon Tea with Dr. Caroline Malloy. Caroline is an excellent lecturer, and we have enjoyed all her talks. She and Tim have a mutual interest in archeology, and we enjoyed talking with her about that, as well as our travels. This time, I completely forgot to take photos.

Over the last two days, the seas have been much rougher than we’ve become accustomed to, and we have been staggering around, despite having had no alcohol. We really have been spoiled by the amazing weather we’ve had. Luckily, Tim and I are not prone to seasickness.

The Seas Were Much Rougher than This Photo May Suggest

During these last few weeks, as we’ve visited countries with extreme poverty, I have been doing a lot of thinking. Two of my friends have been totally overwhelmed by the poverty they’ve seen. They have not been able to enjoy or even participate in the excursions offered and have just remained on the ship. They simply cannot look beyond the misery that is often so evident, even though they realize there is virtually nothing they can do about it.

I, however, have been able somehow to look beyond the poverty, and appreciate the heritage, the architecture, and the scenic beauty of the places we’ve visited. I’m not saying that I am oblivious - I am not. I do see the poverty. The way in which so many people are forced to live bothers me as well. How can it not?

Perhaps I have found some level of acceptance – not acceptance that these conditions are right or fair, but acceptance that these conditions are a fact of life in these countries. I have been touched by the people that I have met, and they have been so warm and gracious despite having so very little.

For me, avoiding countries like these is not the answer. If I never visit a place and see the poverty up close, it will be there, nonetheless. These visits have been eye-opening for me, a person who has so much, in raising my awareness and seeing how 90 percent of the world lives. I’m grateful that I have had this opportunity.