The human body (like lots of other animals) needs to be cooled down every now and then and it's an ongoing process. Without water we would not survive for a longer time and the hotter the body gets, the more cooling it needs, just like an engine. So sweating, or perspiration as it goes for a gal, is something really good and of great necessity if you want to survive a pacific trip (on the Esperanza).

I share cabin with the press officer here and I'm really lucky to have him as a cabin mate. He's from the green island and he is intellectual and good all-round educated and funny and nice and he does not snore (all of that is true). His name is Dave Walsh by the way. So we put a lot of effort in trying to keep the cabin as cool as possible, me and Mr Walsh. 25c is not bad for a ship that holds round 29-30(ask the Campaigners in the office, her her).

So now we know that sweat is good for your body, but does everybody realise that? Don't think so. OK, a stinking body is for sure not in the most friendly status to approach your ship compadres, but it can easily be solved with just a little water and common sense. What really makes me worried is all the commercials on the tube or on the radio, the walls in the bus or in the subway to your work. "Want to make new friends today? Well, it won't do by smelling like road kill. Stay cool and hotter than a rolling dice. Lasts for 24 hrs."

What they do not mention is to get that cool and relaxed you have to put at least 20 different kinds of chemicals in the armpits + aluminium. ALUMINIUM!!!! Well, read the declaration of contents on your deo-stick and you'll find out. Who the heck came up with that idea?!?!? Just imagine the penetration of metal in your poor sweaty body, then solve the "problem" with alloys. Maybe the wheel industry recycles all the corps and instead of getting the chance to be reborn and correct all your mistakes, you end up as wheels on a Roadrunner trying to do the 1/4 mile on low nines.

And all this sweat that is produced by innocent hard working crewmembers gives me a lot of benefits actually. For instance there is a narrow short cut from boat deck down to poop deck (at the stern), and for the moment I don't have to run down the stairs, I just take my little white water canoe and stream down on the sweaty flood - nice, eh!

Think you've got the picture now and I am about to retire into my shell (25C) so I say; more hot tea to the people!!

- Måns

While we're on the subject, perhaps you would like to read more about toxic chemicals >>