Excluding the media coverage about Greenpeace’s, my previous experience with Greenpeace was mainly through friends who had been canvassers. And of course many of my activist friends would occasionally sport a T-shirt or sticker, mostly because the name Greenpeace was synonymous with a cool environmental activist group. So wearing something with the Greenpeace name was like having the Nike swoosh.

So, in the past two weeks, I have really enjoyed my experience here at the Whale Embassy. The Greenpeace activists are really solid individuals. I guess what really impresses me is the degree to which the Greenpeace crew works in harmony together. Living at the Whale Embassy isn’t an easy task. Environmentally, they have to put up with being intoxicated with pollution, sleeping in tents, cold nights and hot days, dealing with rain, and a distant trek to a bathroom. On top of that, there is a steady flow of activists coming and going which has another host of issues; major jet leg, language barriers, different cultures, being able to pick up in the middle of things, and the uncertainty of what the Korean officials have in mind for trying to oust them from their occupation. So, with all of this to deal with, on top of LONG days, 7 days a week and a steady rotation of night watches, you would think that conflict or tension would boil?? NOPE!! These folks are SOLID!!

So what happens when you have a super group of Greenpeace activists together on a mission? A LOT!!! When I first arrived camp was pretty rugged. Now, well, with incredible scavenging abilities, a real embassy exists. The set up here is pretty impressive, and it has a real presence in the community. There is no doubt about it, Greenpeace means business. This isn’t a Mickey Mouse operation. Aside from occupying this space with style, the team is hard at work organizing to get the word out and strengthen their position to really create an impact and a real force to be reckoned with. The Korean officials take them as a serious threat because they present themselves as a well organised group with the power of a large international support network.

In the last couple weeks, I have found the Whale Embassy to be my new home and the Greenpeace crew to be my new family. While I still have to juggle my job in the mix, I more than enjoy spending all my free time and nights here. The vibe at the Embassy is nothing but good energy. Despite the living conditions and the tension of being on an action, with the imminent treat of arrest and possible imprisonment, everyone remains in positive spirits. I have felt nothing but warmth and inclusion as I went from being a random stranger poking my head around to moving in part time. I also have benefited a great deal from the knowledge and personal experiences that these activists have shared with me. I have noticed another fringe benefit about this campaign is the opportunity for networking. The activists here are able to really learn about the work being done in each others respective countries, built ties and essentially strengthen the Greenpeace movement internationally. I can guarantee one thing, when I do return to Canada, I have signing up with my local chapter of Greenpeace on the top of my list. From my experience here, I have nothing but positive things to say about what I have witnessed of Greenpeace.