Update On Our World Cruise
Archbishop Desmond Tutu holding a mass at the Amsterdam. He is a South African Anglican cleric who in 1984 received the Nobel Prize for Peace for his role in the opposition to apartheid in South Africa.
March 30, 2014
Seconds before the Archbishop started his Eucharist service, he turned around, look at the stage and asked Gene Young, our Cruise Director, “Where is the choir?” Then when the Soweto Gospel Choir appeared one by one on the stage, Archbishop Desmond Tutu smiled, giving Gene Young a thumbs up sign, then proceeded with the service.
I have always been fascinated with him, having seen his pictures in the news magazines, TV, and in books. I know he is a world political powerhouse which was shown during the slide show presented a few minutes prior to his guest appearance. During the question and answer session moderated by Robert Taylor, The Arch as he is fondly called by people close to him, gave some emotional answers regarding apartheid, his perturbing relationship with his father, and the attachment to his mother.
When it comes to the issue of women’s rights, his answer was, “ You should know where I stand!” He then went on to say that “women should have a right to their own bodies,” which elicited a rousing and standing ovation from the whole theater.
At times, Archbishop Tutu was jovial, almost child-like in mannerism, and he has a very infectious laugh. His chuckle is one of a kind, and if he didn't have piercing and penetrating eyes, he would have been a perfect comedian. At one point during the service, after we all sang Amen, he asked, “ why are you all shy?” So he asked all of us to sing once again and then he danced, swayed, and sang with us. After much swaying and singing in front of the altar, he then joked, “Now, you can all go to heaven!”
Our table mate Diane lamented that she was cut off from the line of people wanting a photo -ops with the Archbishop. She was the last person in line, and there was no one else behind her, but the organizer said, “That's it, it is finished!” Archbishop Tutu saw and heard it. What he did next touched Diane's heart. From the crowd, the Arch, held her hand and told her to sit beside him. He then asked a crew member to take Diane's camera, and to take their photos together.
The last three days that he was on board the ship, he touched many of our hearts not just because of his Eucharist service but rather as a real human being worthy of all respect, praise and love.
P. S. To date We have visited 27 ports of call, 18 clock changes, 3 oceans (Atlantic, Pacific, Indian) and nearly 30,000 nautical miles (excluding our segment from San Francisco to Ft. Lauderdale).
Comments
Wow! The Arch Tutu visited the HAL, how marvelous! Thanks for sharing. From Kim L., on Apr 4, 2014 at 12:14 a.m
What great and memorable experience. He is an historic figure that would love to meet.Thanks for sharing From Freedom, on Apr 4, 2014 at 12:53 a.m