Departuture

Bags packed. Darn heavy with computers, extra leads, gadgets, admin and stationary.
Goodbyes said, deep hugs shared, blessings given.

I'm nicely excited. knowing many mysteries of the project will soon start to unfold.

The people, activists of all ages from 15 countries around the world. I've been handling biographies and passenger information, and such have little slithers of stories of some seemingly incredible people. Pensioners who are pilots, trek regularly to the North Pole, people who have dedicated many years to confronting injustices.

The work load! I cannot wait to be my best girl guide self, being useful in as many capacities as possible. And being part of an active team. My 2 shoes are good!
I have had previous shame that I'm not going to be a passenger on the boat to Gaza. As I read news stories from the region, the reality of extreme risk sinks in. As a mother of a 9 year old child, a certain amount of life preservation and risk reduction is wise. Although I am extremely curious about life in Gaza.

I will be based in Cyprus, part of a team of administrators taking on media, legal and communications work. There will be grounding tasks like communal cooking whilst potential passengers have training during this first week. With time off here and there to read books and swim in the sea... (sounds like a holiday!)

Here is a letter of support from Archbishop Desmond Tutu... http://www.freegaza.org/uploads/image_gallery/tutu.jpg