Liberia: Guess the Department

While I was on the ship I had wanted to do a blog called Mercy Feet. I would photograph every department's feet only and then it would be a guessing game as to which feet belonged to which department. I only got two departments along before I left Liberia, but you can see the glitzy feet that gave me the idea while I was sitting in one of my department meetings. The other shot is of Nigel's department.

Liberia: Mercy Fire

After a fire drill on the ship I found the fire hoses hanging out to dry in Liberia.

Mercy Mallet

I found this hanging in the O.R. Supervisor's office. She came up with the "Mercy Mallet" title and then topped herself by coming up with the "No Mercy Mallet".

Mercy Contraband

Photo-journalist, Scott Harrison of Charity: Water began a trend when he volunteered on board the Mercy Ships. Shortening the organisations name down to its essence and emphasising the simplicity of that noun he coined and designed the "Mercy[dot]" shirts. They were sold by the organisation and became a popular trendy fashion with all the volunteers.

Rumour has it that at some point along the way the shirts were banned by the organisation and boxes left behind on the old ship in Liberia. As the saying goes, there is no publicity like bad publicity to start an underground movement, black market and a major trend.

Contraband shirts pop up all over the ship these days.
Some bought them years ago on board while others bought them at one of Scott's recent events in NYC.
Water[dot] is Scott's current line. Click here for his merchandise.
Even more innovative are new sayings that are being made to look like the old style.

Mercy 10

Mercy 10 refers to a well known phrase that circulates the ship referring to the 10 pounds one puts on while "in service". I have also heard Mercy 20 referred to. The cooks do almost too good a job in providing us with 3 buffets a day...unheard of in Liberia. Instead of fasting we are feasting.

Mercy Colour

From the galley salads section...

Mercy Motto

"All [humans] are equal, but some [humans] are more equal than others."

-butchered quote from Animal Farm by George Orwell

Mercy Trap

Mercy Meat

Alternate Title: Yet Another Reason to be Vegetarian

Mercy Dock

From the dock in Monrovia with an open shutter at dusk.

Mercy Clips

More hair images.
One great person we have working on board is our volunteer hairdresser, Sarah. Yes, we have our own hair salon on board the Mercy Ships where hair cuts are free and anything beyond that is a minimal charge.