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| Crossing the Equator |
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| Commemorative Tug of War as Peace Boat crosses the equator |
Peace Boat participants marked the crossing of
the equator in the Indian Ocean with a commemorative game of tug of
war on the rear deck. Unfortunately there was no miraculous omen or
parting of the waters at the moment of crossing from north to south
however, the equatorial climate was sensational and many participants
seemed ecstatic about passing over the imaginary line. The kitchen
staff of the M/V Olvia prepared an extra-special 'sekidou' or equatorial
lunch, which was inspired by the colour red. In the Japanese language,
the word for equator means red line, and so participants were treated
to tandoori chicken, tomato dishes, 'sekihan' or red bean rice and
other tasty delights a la rouge. |
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| Swahili lessons - Monica, John, Ann and Mike |
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| Monica Mucheru and John Nzense teaching Kiswahili to participants |
JAMBO! Habari gani? The Swahili-speaking squad of guests from Kenya and the Peace Boat crew of 'CCs' (or communication coordinators, who work as translators and interpreters) came together on four occasions to teach participants the national language of Kenya, or 'Kiswahili'. Although English is also the official language and is taught in schools, Swahili is the most common language which speakers outside rural areas, or of different tribal languages, use to communicate with each other. In any case, it is always beneficial to be able to utter at least a few local phrases, even though Peace Boat participants are only in Kenya for a few days. Apart from teaching the basic greetings, small talk and shopping lingo, our Kenyan friends taught us several traditional songs including 'Malaika' and the onboard favourite, 'Jambo Bwana', meaning 'Hello to you'. The catchy, friendly Jambo Bwana tune shot to number on the Peace Boat charts in an instant, and participants could be heard singing it cheerfully, particularly at night with a beverage in hand and the exciting thought of Peace Boat's arrival in Africa on the first day of the new year. |
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| Peace Boat's
40th Voyage index |
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PEACE BOAT is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. |
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