Christine in Transit: Galley shenanigans

Today was my last galley work day. My team has the next two days off, and as I'm leaving in two days, this was the last time I would see some of the day workers that I've come to know so well and love so much. Contrary to the popular belief that we just stand around and cook pretty (or not-so-pretty) food all day, the galley is a lot of physical labor, and I feel like there's something in working really hard side-by-side that makes you bond together. I've gotten really close to my team, and in these little moments of every day they've inspired me so much and shown me what it means to find joy in a life of Christ. They're just all such incredible people, and I'm so grateful for the chance I had to get to know them. Not to say that I'm not looking forward to going home, but it's just really... weird not to think that I won't be coming in for work this weekend-- weird to know I won't be singing or dancing or throwing flour at them anymore.

I don't really know why I feel so compelled to finish this post today, as I have ten thousand better things that I should be doing-- sleeping, attempting to pack, spending my last couple days with friends-- but I suppose I'm feeling rather nostalgic at the moment. I don't think anyone outside the galley will fully understand and appreciate what it means to be "galley," but maybe some pictures will help explain why I'm feeling the way I feel right now:

(I've got a fever... and the only prescription is more plantains!)

Jeff (aka box-head), Rita / Stephen, Rachel

So Jeff, our storeman, has one of those new fangled iPad thingies, with an air hockey app. He was trying to get Joyce to play with him, and she just wasn't having it. I have a video of him trying to teach Joyce how to play-- funniest video ever. Seriously, one of these days I need to post it on here because everyone deserves to see it at some point.

Non-galley staff won't get this, but I thought it only appropriate to include a picture of the hospital trays.

I'd like to say that this is an unusual occurrence... but then that'd be a lie. These two are ridiculously funny together.

Teaching Africans how to... line dance?? One of my former cabin mates, Amy Lou, threw a ol' fashioned hoedown for the crew on the dock, and taught all these line dances, which Rachel (our team leader) retained. Rita (orange hat), who teaches choir at her church, saw Rachel dancing and decided that she absolutely HAD to learn how to line dance, "for the cheel-deren". Amy Lou, your legacy lives on in a very bizarre way: now an entire African children's choir will know how to line dance. Can you just imagine what the reaction will be when other missionaries come to the church and see the children *double take*.. line dancing??

Spontaneous galley dance parties are the BEST.

We end every day in a team prayer. We always hold hands, but this particular day Sara jokingly mentioned that we should pray with elbows tucked in as well. Joyce totally took her seriously and proceeded to shove my forearm into her sweaty pits. Lovely. That's probably why I look slightly uncomfortable in the picture.