What if the ship sank with the weight of all that food?

Todays ramblings are in response to a wonderful and outspoken comment on the shopping list blog entry.

Here is Karins' comment...
Karin said...

You guys are NUTS!!!!!!!!! 11.000 pounds of food for roughly 40 people for ten days ... that makes (+/-) 277 pounds = 27 pounds worth of food and water per day - DO YOU GUYS TRY TO GET FAT?????????
If I deduct the weight of water, it still gives some 10-11 pounds worth of food per day and person ... don't you see the CRAZINESS of all that??
And then ... you're ALREADY overloading the boats with people and adding on the weight of food, even distributed to TWO boats ... you guys are SINKING YOURSELVES!!
Logistic question: WHERE do all these supplies fit on the boats??
Besides ... you're starting your endeavor around the time of the start of the Olympic Games .. do you REALLY think ANYONE will pay attention to your "quixotic adventure"??

Think again ... 06 August 2008 09:20

Alice Muffin says......
I aggree.
The amount of food seems crazy, that's why i included the list, - its astonishing.

Perhaps the amount is actually calculated to include time blokaded by the Israeli navy, or the boat waiting for inifintesimaly slow cargo checks in harbour, or delays made waiting for the release of arrested passengers - which from the sounds of various passengers stories could be weeks/months.
Or if the ships are sunk, what better way to go than with a fine 6 course dinner.
I can picture the water rising, but all sat refined in their chairs congratulating the cook on their Palastinian cuisine. "So, from what region does this reciepe hail?"... and with that the responce wefts and weaves around families, traditions, history, politics, culture.

The team who put the list together have alot of sailing/captaincy experience, and histories in non-violent protests that deserve medals - even if i make them by hand.
I know they know what i dont know, if you know what i mean.

I let the 'this list is crazy' thoughts subside, and trust them, even though i am definately intimidated by the logisitics of this shopping trip, and i hate shopping (exceppt for clothes in second hand shops).

As for media timing with the Olympics, perhaps we should consider our recent delays with poorly performing ship parts, and storms to be a blessing. Firstly, it gives me more time to shop, and secondly, the worldwide audience for the Olympics may have settled into a routine by the time we sail.
And what better antidote to the fine Olympiad physiques than some Granny power, (i may soon accurately do a mean average of ages, but i'm guessing 60 - and that's an average!). Athletic overload?- watch the Free Gaza Movement getting cramp, sea sickness and heat stroke in solidarity with the oppressed people of Gaza.

Since our recent press conference - with attendance from BBC, Reuters, and 2 media streams, this place here has been quite manic. Most press want to interview Lauren, Greta and Hedy Epstein. (I'm waiting for a call from Yorkshire Radio! - hee).
Laurens' family have been in touch, but i've been asked to keep stum on what was said, intersting though.
Greta is one of the steering group who have been slaving away on this mission for two years. She is American, 65, and has the air of Liza Minelli taking no bull. Greta married a Palestianian in the 60's, and had racism and ill-treatment vividly demonstrated before her. She began knocking on politicians doors, and 40 years later has formed a group to buy 2 ships to just bloody invade Gaza and delliver humanitarian aid.
Hedy is 83, a survivor of the holocaust, and totally comfortable parading around in swimwear.
One of a multitude of interviews... http://www.counterpunch.org/cattori06132007.html

And YES, these guys here are "NUTS".

Thanks for the feedback Karin. x