SA2528 Signing out

The day started as usual. We woke up at 7 am and went straight to breakfast. This was our last breakfast onboard Gunilla. My classmate Henry served cold smoked salmon with Hollandaise sauce. It felt like a small celebration and a perfect way to end our time on board. After breakfast, it was muster. The crew went over the day’s schedule, and since it was our last day, it was cleaning day.

My task was to clean the galley. It was the place I least wanted to work, but it turned out to be better than I expected. At first it was almost fun, gross but satisfying. Toothpicks became my tools as I got into corners and cracks full of dust and leftover food. I even had to use a wrench to take apart parts of the dough mixer to clean it properly. After seven hours my hands looked like raisins and were full of blisters. I wanted to do a good job so I would not have to redo it later. My section of the galley was not completely finished, but other students took over since our area had been the hardest and most time consuming.

For dinner we had pasta and leftovers. After that, we just waited and relaxed. I also had watch duty for an hour before it was time to leave. At 21:15 it was our last muster. We said goodbye and thanked the crew for six amazing weeks. Then we got off Gunilla and took a bus to the airport. From Sal, Cape Verde we flew to Lisbon and from there took a bus all the way home to Gothenburg.

Now I am still on the bus. We have been traveling for about 32 hours and have around 12 hours left. My back hurts and my legs are stiff, but I am beyond grateful for this experience. Being on Gunilla, working hard, seeing new places, and living through everything together has been incredible and given me a new perspective of our world. Even when I am tired and sore, I know this trip has given me memories and lessons I will carry for the rest of my life.

Matea Odenslätt