Today, Mom, Dad and I visited the village of Ganvie.   It was built in the waters of Lake Nakoue, a long shallow lagoon that goes all the way from here to Nigeria.  We took an hour's ride in a motorboat to get there.   Back when slavery was a problem, one tribe would try to capture people of other tribes to be sold as slaves.   However, their warriors believed they could not safely enter water or they would lose their power and protection.  This village was built in the shallow water so the warriors would not come for them.   The houses are about six feet off the surface of the lake.   Everybody uses boats to get around (even little kids and old grandmothers) and instead of farming on land, they "farm" the lake - everything is about fishing or crabbing or shrimping.  

As a souvenir I got a small paddle and an instrument.   See the picture. 

I had a wonderful time last night at the Mercy Ships Academy science fair.  It was my first science fair ever.  I hope I can do it again.

My invention was the "Metal Detetle" and used a magnet on a string to get back metal things if you drop them in a narrow space.    They also had a great bake sale with lots of goodies to buy and eat!  They raised $103 to buy books for the library.   There was also an arts fair and I had a picture up on the wall. 

I really liked it when people asked me about my invention and I could demonstrate it for them.  I used a pencil, string and a magnet.   I showed them how it could pick up a paper clip.

Dr. Gary said that I could use my invention in case somebody swallowed something metal and that way my Dad would not have to do surgery!  I don't know about that.  

Hi!  Yesterday, I went with Mom and Dad to the town of Ouidah where most of the slaves left this part of the world.  Over 3,000,000 people were sold into slavery.  How sad!  You can see some of the detail on the monument.  The tree shown in the middle was the "Tree of Forgetfulness".  If the male slaves went around it 9 times (and the women slaves, 7 times), they were supposed to lose their will to fight and to forget all about their home in Africa.  I don't think it would work!  I would miss my family and friends.

 This area is the home of Voodoo and they worship snakes!  There is whole temple downtown (across from the Catholic church) full of pythons!   I am very glad I didn't see it.  I don't like snakes!  I like going to my own church and learning about the real God.

The fun part of the day was going to a resort nearby and swimming in the pool after a good meal of spaghetti.

Bye,  Sean

Hi!   Great news - as far as I am concerned.  The pool on the 8th deck is up and ready for use.  All of my friends discovered it when I did - and it was great to get my swimsuit on, jump in with them and cool off!   

Gotta go - the pool is up!    Sean