Special Report LAST UPDATE August 2, 2006
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July 22, 2006 Departure: Rain and Shine
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Participants boarding in Yokohama
In the misty lagging end of a late tsuyu (rainy season) 600 participants boarded at Yokohama port terminal on the morning of the 21st. After checking in, most went up to deck and waved to loved ones who had come to see the boat off sheltered by a canopy of bright umbrellas. A woman atop the grassy living roof of the terminal swayed a rainbow-striped flag reading “PACE” (or “peace” in Italian). Another Japanese man held a banner that read, rusuban makasero (Leave our home to me). Due to the rain, the colorful paper streamers of traditional Peace Boat fashion were not thrown from the ship in Yokohama but last minute shouts of farewell, waving hands, and teary eyes conjured ribbons of heartfelt understanding between ship and land.
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Overwhelming emotions swept the deck as the departure time grew near
Shrouded in a mysterious grey fog filled with anticipation, orientations continued into the afternoon as we headed for Kobe. After one night onboard, many are still losing their way amidst the enigmatic stairway system of the TSS Topaz, and someone can always be seen contemplating the ocean on deck. Almost all are struggling to train their sea legs as the great waters of the world claim their powerful undercurrent during our 102-day global voyage, which will follow an equatorial route, passing through the Suez and Panama Canals.
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Greeted by beautiful weather in Kobe participants and well-wishers threw colorful paper ribbons
In Kobe, 300 boarding participants were blessed with crisp sunshine. Here the ribbons dressed the departure ceremony beautifully and champagne poured. As the Topaz roared into movement those onboard yelled, ittekimasu!! (A Japanese greeting signifying one’s departure.) Family and friends on land responded, itterasshai!! (The Japanese response acknowledging the departure and wishing the traveler well). As participants and staff watched the terminal grow smaller they embraced the family members of their new floating village.
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English CC Kentaro Yamaki contemplates the voyage ahead
Participants are met by special programs including the youjou gakkou (Youth Education at Sea – 14 elementary school students between the ages of 8 and 12 onboard from Yokohama to Cochin), International Students (four young peace builders from Israel, Palestine, Bosnia and Serbia). We will also be joined by Global Kids (eight teenagers led by two trainers from the Peace Boat partner organization in NYC Global Kids, onboard from Mombassa to Civitavecchia) as well as inspiring guest speakers from various cultures. The focus of the coming three months will be to understand how we can resolve conflict and bring harmony and sustainability to peoples’ relationships with each other and with the earth. While looking at movements from nuclear disarmament to the Latin American shift towards an alternative to neo-liberalization, and examining the histories and current issues in India and Pakistan, Eritrea, the former Yugoslavia, Central and South America, the US and the Pacific among others, we will pay special attention to local/global civil society, empowerment and sustainable peace building.