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Special Report |
LAST UPDATE November 17, 2006
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| November 11, 2006 |
"We're Off to See the World!" – 55th Voyage Departure |
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| Supporters in Yokohama gather to see off the ship |
Hundreds of friends, family members, and supporters gathered at Osanbashi Pier in Yokohama on November 2 to see off the Peace Boat's 55th global voyage. During the departure ceremony, Ambassadors from Venezuela and Libya gave speeches praising the Peace Boat mission of fostering peace throughout the world and opening up direct channels of communication among various people. "Venezuela is waiting for you with open arms," the ambassador declared warmly. Many faces on the ship were both wet with tears and lit up with smiles. "I feel so overwhelmed," said one participant. "This is truly the happiest day of my life." |
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| A web of streamers link the ship to the shore in Kobe |
Several hundred more passengers joined the next day in Kobe, where the gap between the ship and shore was once again bridged with hundreds of bright streamers that fluttered and swirled in the wind. Both on shore and onboard, the mood was full of excitement. |
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| Okinawan Eisa dancers welcome Peace Boat |
On November 5, the ship called in to Okinawa to pick up the remaining participants, bringing the total to more than 800. Participants were welcomed with a traditional Okinawan Eisa drum and dance performances and spent the day on the island learning about its history, culture, and present-day issues. "This has been such a wonderful eye-opening experience!" said one woman, echoing the sentiments of many. "I never would have seen these places or learned so much about Okinawa if I had come here by myself, or if I had just done a regular commercial tour," said another. |
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| Okinawan musician Kakumakushaka excites the crowd with with his unique rap lyrics |
After a sunny day full of new and rich experiences on the island, participants headed back to the ship to enjoy a live, collaborative concert under the full moon by Okinawan rapper Kakumakushaka and music groups Funkist and Duty Free shop.
Four days of refreshing marine air, beautiful seascapes, new friendships, live music, and direct insights into various issues have left participants excited about the voyage ahead of them. |
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| Sumio Tanaka holds up some of the supplies he will deliver to Kenya. |
Participant Profile:
Sumio Tanaka's love for kids led him to join Peace Boat's 55th voyage. He is eagerly waiting for the ship to stop in Kenya, where he plans to hand over stationary and soccer balls he gathered in Japan to an orphanage in Mombasa. Sumio, a 48 year old apartment manager from Osaka, would like to start his own NGO in the future to help support impoverished, orphaned, and AIDS-infected children.
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Reasons some participants gave for joining Peace Boat's 55th voyage:
- I love the sea!
- I went on a voyage before and it was fantastic. I wanted to do another one.
- I want to change myself; I want to expand my mind.
- I can learn about a lot of things that I wouldn't learn about from TV or newspapers.
- I want time to look inside myself for three months.
- Discovery! I know I will discover many things on this voyage.
- I want to get to know people around the world.
- I want to get out of the "rat race" for three months and savor time and savor the world.
- I want to see the world before I start working and get married.
- I've wanted to see the world ever since I was in junior high. Now, 60 years l later, I finally can.
What some participants are looking forward to most on the 55th voyage:
- Petra, Jordan!
- The camping safari in Kenya.
- Egypt.
- The Panama canal.
- Meeting young people in Viet Nam.
- The Global University program in Jordan.
- All the guest speakers.
- The workshops that the participants create themselves.
- Dancing with villagers in Kenya.
- Seeing the Black Madonna in Spain.
- Eating food from around the world.
- The GET language program!
- Seeing the plateaus of Venezuela.
- Everything!
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