Reality

The last few days have brought me back to reality. It is easy to forget about the world when you live on a ship that is technically in Africa but it's own separate world at the same time. The elections were held here in Togo last week. We knew that we had to stay on board or on the dock. It is a shock to hear that there were riots and tear gas and death. In the same city but so removed at the same time. I have to hear about it from someone in London. There are also problems in Nigeria. That is so close and right next to Benin (where I was last year) People are being murdered for being Christians. Every day this stuff happens all over the world and most of the time we never hear about it. It is very sobering.
The patients are still coming to the ship. There are still tumors, cleft lips, and bowed legs to be fixed. Remember Lawson. The man from Nigeria that had a large tumor removed. He is doing great and is so happy. The children still glare at me but I have a secret weapon now. I borrowed my roomates bubble gun and can shoot bubbles out of it as it lights up. No one can resist it :) The stickers help to and I'm glad that I brought lots of them.
This weekend a few of us are taking a taxi up north to explore the rest of Togo. I guess it is a lot like Benin, but I'm excited to see it and get off the ship and out of the city. However, we have to wait to see if we will be allowed off the ship with the political problems. I'll let you know.