Update from the ship's librarian, Laurel.
7/20/2014
We have a stowaway!
Fortunately, he eats like a bird of his (or her?) size
should, and is not large enough to require a full-size plate at meal times. He
also has yet to request a berth, preferring instead the slight winds at our
port side as they blow gently through his tail feathers. We have yet to name
our visitor, a homing pigeon, but he is very friendly and unafraid of his
fellow shipmates. He has two small bracelets on either foot, one black and the
other green.
As Britannica tells me, pigeons were first domesticated
in Egypt around the year 3000 BCE, served as post carriers during the conquests
of Genghis Khan, and were widely used as message couriers throughout many wars
of the 20th century. The first pigeon races began in Belgium in 1818, and are
still held regularly between Toulouse, France and Brussels, Belgium and also
around the UK.
We can’t tell just where our little friend traveled from,
but we hope that safe passage aboard the Empire State VI gets him just a little
closer to his intended destination. Homing pigeons have been known to fly for
several thousand miles to reach home, but even they can’t beat a free ride by
sea.
In other news, our route has changed, and we are now
headed through the English Channel. Tomorrow is a Sunday-at-Sea, which means a
BBQ on deck! Check back soon for more updates and news.
TS Empire State
c/o Marmedsa - Agencia
Maritima, LDA.
Av. D. Joao II - Lote 1.18.01 - Bloco B
Piso 2
Edificio Art's - Parque das Nacoes
1990-084 - Portugal
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