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Another day, another evolution, and this time it's my turn. The days have been slow and long; Amistad will soon be delivered into the hands of the third leg. The flock arrives Monday, just hours before Eve and I depart. We might miss each other entirely. The bus to the airport will leave here just after noon and unless we meet up at the airport, which is entirely possible, we'll be like ships passing in the night. It's a long journey home, and I'm anticipating it greatly.
So, this is a farewell letter to all my faithful readers. The group who made my time here a most joyful experience was the Canadian members of the IMATT team here in Sierra Leone. Al, from Saskatchewan; Pat, from Halifax; Bill from PEI; Col. Bill; Chuck from B.C.; Willem from New Brunswick; Sylvan from Quebec; and fellows who were up-country during the last weekend, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am privileged to have met you and spend time with you over the last six weeks. You make me so very proud to call Canada my home. The goodwill I witnessed on the part of the local folk here towards the IMATT group is very special. My guys are loved by the people because, it may sound silly, but they drive with the windows open! They get out of the truck and walk through the markets! They talk with people, learning, helping and sharing. I see the NGO's driving through town with the air on and all the windows rolled up, they can't talk to anyone! Perception carries a lot of weight here.
There's only so much any one person can do to show they care. Some will write a check, or donate some time, or petition an MP. I cook. So, the good colonel and I got our heads together and came up with a plan to feed the guys, plus, it was Willem's 30th! A couple of African goats gave their lives for a tasty supper and Mavis at the Africa Bar, made a lovely cake and we sang. We even had a few Brits, oops, sorry, English, join in the festivities.
Ben, the engineer aboard, had said the atmosphere in Freetown reminded him of the 1966 Steve McQueen movie, Sand Pebbles. The fellows at IMATT had a copy, so I watched that after dinner. Candace Bergen couldn't have been more than 22 and Richard Crenna was phenomenal. What Ben says rings true except it's peaceful here now.
The calm of the evening is descending and soon I'll spend my last sleep aboard, on deck as usual. Eve will be going home to the North East where it's cold. I have plans for a little further South, less of a shock to the system, don't you know?
Thank you to all my precious readers, I love you all and will see some of you in record time, some a little later. May the good ship Amistad have a safe and secure third leg with joy, health, song and laughter. This is a journey of freedom: mine, yours, ours, and theirs. Peace out. HK
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