First time for everything
Here's a blog from Joanna, who is an Israeli volunteer on the Rainbow Warrior.
This was my first time sailing, my first time big scale action, and the first time getting arrested.
I boarded the Rainbow Warrior three days ago and before long found myself equipped with a roller, paint, overalls and on a zodiac charging out towards a huge mean coal boat. On the night before the action I got to know I was going to be the one painting the English message and after yelping with happiness I started to realise what it actually meant.
Next morning, after preparing all the equipment till way too late at night, me and my butterflies committed to getting properly prepared. Just as they were starting to really flap around in my belly all hope was lost - the police and navy had different plans for us. So I took off my overalls and tried not to be too resentful. But then stand-by mode was announced again and overalls came flying back on. In ten minutes we were already bouncing around in the zodiac. I couldn't stop smiling...
Then we saw our destination - a massive coal ship - and I couldn't help thinking about the likeness of the situation to David and Goliath, although I don't have the red hair...
As we were approaching we saw the crew of the ship staring at us, we expected them use fire hoses on us straight away, but instead they were just looking down at us yelling something or other that I was way too busy to understand. So while doing my best not to become a man overboard and dodging the waves - I painted 'QUIT COAL' aling the side of the ship.
It was difficult getting the right amount of paint on the roller (so it wouldn't drip), not making a spelling mistake, keeping the size right and the letters straight while trying not to hit Anna (who was holding me) with the end of the roller! It was a little problematic and with so many things to consider I forgot to feel my arms aching. As we were driving away with huge grins, the letters suddenly looked too small, but Andres wisely pointed out that when we were there they definitely looked big.
Resisting the urge to start painting another coal ship that was close by we headed back to the Warrior. But then we were chased by the angry men in blue who stopped us and nearly grabbed Andres by his hair to get him on their police boat. They left the two innocent blonde girls on the boat with no instructions whatsoever. Luckily Anna can drive a boat so we tried to get away, but a navy boat stopped us just as we were praising our lucky selves. Then came the never ending hours on the zodiacs, in the sun, docking at Ashkelon with the 'beautiful' view of the plant's smoking chimneys, while the interrogations slowly proceeded. But in the end some strings were pulled and we managed to get back to the Warrior just as the sun was setting.
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Comments
wow!thats so uplifting.
if only they knew,that they're killing this earth and my generation and younger generations will be left with all this mess. I t makes me so angry,kudos to you.
Posted by: Toots | September 17, 2008 11:46 AM
wow!thats so uplifting.
if only they knew,that they're killing this earth and my generation and younger generations will be left with all this mess. I t makes me so angry,kudos to you.
Posted by: Toots | September 17, 2008 11:46 AM
WELL DONE YOU GUYS!
Posted by: Max | September 24, 2008 12:55 AM
Hey Joanna! its Maya (the volunteer) great job! have fun on the boat (I'm so gelous:) say hi to Dafma
Happy new year!
Posted by: Maya | September 29, 2008 12:11 AM
cool guys
i love you and all the effort you are doing for israel and the world to see what a mess the coal does.
you rock!!!
well done, keep the good work
seeya next year on israel's ports
Posted by: matan | September 29, 2008 1:25 AM