So let me introduce myself for those of you who aren't already aquatinted with me. My name is Lisa, but some people know me by my cyberactivist name "ekkaia" or "that pesky thing from the Greenpeace cybercenter". I've been volunteering and working for Greenpeace only for a short while so things like being on a ship are really new for me. I'm excited about nearly everything (though cleaning the toilets? - hmmm maybe not so much) but working for Greenpeace for me is like getting to go backstage and hang out with my favorite rock band and the crew on the Esperanza actually do rock (not just because of the the motion from the boat). So I'll be writing the web log for the next month and torturing some crew members until they agree to write stuff too. Some of them have fantastic stories to tell.

I arrived in Amsterdam last Thursday after leaving London during the terrorist attacks. I can't tell you how lucky I feel to have made it to Amsterdam without missing my flight, or worse. Luckily I decided to go to the airport that day by car, but usually I get the trains (a much more environmentally friendly thing to do) and if I had done that I would have been traveling through London at the time of the bombings. My heart goes out to the all those who have been affected by this terrible event.

The time in Amsterdam went by quickly mainly because there were lots of things I needed to do in preparation for leaving on the ship and being at sea for two weeks. My first priority was chocolate but I also I had to find another memory card for my camera since the one I purchased at the airport did not work at all. It ate up 20 beautiful pictures I took of the Esperanza and refused the give them back to me. Greedy little card. I should stamp on you and throw you in the sea to drown (only then a fish, turtle or whale might eat you and die so I can't do that! - bah!)

On Sunday we had an open ship. It was the 20th anniversary of the Rainbow Warrior bombing and we played a documentary about that in the mess (eating area) in addition to showing a special music video in the helicopter hanger. I helped set the ship up for this event by decorating certain areas with anti-nuclear banners and photographs of the Rainbow Warrior and the crew in 1985. It was an honour to be remembering the Rainbow Warrior while on the Esperanza. I think it was very symbolic also, since this ship's name means "hope" in Spanish and 20 years on after such a major set back we are bigger than ever, fighting environmental destruction on an even larger scale thanks to the hope and support of all of our members and those who have fought so hard to make Greenpeace what it is today. I am very proud to be a part of it.

As the sun set last night I stood on the bow and leaned out over the big blue. The water was fairly calm and the ship was rolling gently over the waves. The wind rushed through my hair, past my ears and over my skin giving me goosebumps. Behind us I watched the land slip away into the distance as the night sky grew dark, with a faint red glow on the horizon beneath the clouds, and the ocean turned as black as ink.

I tried to start writing a post when I got inside but ended up falling asleep instead. It had been a long day and the movement of the ship was so relaxing I couldn't keep my eyes open.

Lots to do today. I'm helping the cook unload some boxes form the store room and probably finishing some painting that I started yesterday. The crew have been showing me how to do deck hand duties and including me in as much as possible so I am always busy, which is great because there is nothing worse than feeling useless and bored. The sun is shining so I am going to go outside now to do a little worshipping. No sea-sickness as yet, which I am delighted about (although while I have been typing this I have been rubbing my left eye with a slice of cucumber because it wont stop twitching - sounds weird I know - I think I have to stop drinking coffee).

-Lisa.