First Full Day

Started early, or I guess just blended with yesterday in a way.

I've moved into my berth, there are 93 racks {bunks} stacked 3 high.  We
aren't at capacity, Rachel and I have 6 to ourselves and we both are on
the middle bunk.  Not too high, not too low.  Skinny little bed with a
curtain to keep out the glare of the emergency exit sign located
directly across from me.

The head {bathroom} is nearby. The mess hall is 8 floors up.  The flight
deck is 2 more above that.  I went outside this morning to see what was
happening and found that we were already underway.  We were escorted out
to sea by fire fighter boats spraying water.  The Witch Doctors {guys
who take care of the helicopters} were more than happy to show me around
and explain their part of the mission.

Everyone is very friendly.  I'm trying to remember all the names.  There
are 900+ people onboard from all branches of military, including
military from Canada, France, Venezuela, etc.  There are doctors from
all over the world, a dental school from CA, Project Hope, Face, the
list goes on and will be even longer as the mission goes on.

We did an orientation this morning to let us know about the boat, safety
etc.  We will at some point be blindfolded and have to find our way to
an exit.  {looking forward to this}

We just finished lunch.  My new buddy Rachel and I sat down at an empty
table for what we thought would be a quick lunch so we could go take
naps {less than a couple hours of sleep total last night} when a
friendly gentleman asked to join us.  Soon the table was full and I
asked him what his command was.  He didn't answer directly, but the man
next to him said "He's the man in charge."  Commodore.  But 'Call me
Bob.' Is what he told us.

This has been my experience with everyone on board so far.  Friendly,
easy going, and ready to work.  We get to Haiti Thursday morning, will
start taking on patients the following day, then surgeries start the day
after that.

Off to 'muster' we do this 3 times a day.  Meet with our commander and
take roll.  If we are late or don't make it they assume the worse.  Stop
the boat {takes 3 miles to do so} turn around {another mile} and
commence a man over board search.

3 minutes to climb 6 flights, better get goin

Miss u all.