December 2022 on the GLM in Tenerife


Mount Teide, a volcano on Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain is the highest point in Spain and measures 12,198 feet about sea level. Teide received snow late on Christmas day which was a magical event for the Mercy Ships crew spending time away from their northern home countries.  Prior to Christmas day the crew did find festive ways to celebrate the holiday including using a new way of recycling shredded paper! 


An indoor snowball fight spontaneously erupted at the conclusion of our Christmas Variety Show. The Global Mercy Ship remains in Tenerife, Spain until early February 2023 which created the need to make a "white Christmas" with the shredded paper from the ships. It was a festive surprise which challenged the housekeeping crew!



The Christmas season on both our ships - Africa Mercy and Global Mercy was filled with traditions from around the world. This photo shows the Swedish celebration of the Feast pf Saint Lucy which honors Lucia of Syracuse - an early fourth century martyr.

 

The Feast of the Epiphany, which is referred to as the Three Kings' Day in Spain, celebrates the adoration of the baby Jesus by the Magi or Three Kings - Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar. On the evening of January 5th every year, Spanish towns and cities are full of parades. Spanish children expect presents from these wise men, with only a few families focusing on Father Christmas,



The most amazing part of my Christmas was celebrating the season with my family of 18 members including these 9 precious grandchildren.


We stayed at Castillo Moro which is a yoga retreat with 10 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, 3 kitchens, and beautiful gardens. It was easy to get lost in the castle, and a great place to play hide and seek.





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