| PULA (Yugoslavia) Experience..(Narration) |
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| Talent Writing & Literature | |
| Submitted by ARVIND V. NARVEKAR | |
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This is a true experience of the tenure when I was a Merchant Marine and was sailing on the high seas..... PULA (Yugoslavia) STORY Shipping is a capital intensive industry and I was a part of Engineering fleet personnel of my shipping company, collectively responsible for the operation and maintenance of the huge diesel engines and other innumerable accessories of the whole power plant of the ship I was assigned to. First time, I was flown on Italian airlines (Alitalia) from Mumbai (then Bombay) to Pula, via Rome, to take delivery of a newly built bulk-carrier ship, in the capacity of a 3rd Engineer, at Pula shipyard, it was amazing experience. I didn’t have passport, instead I was traveling on a CDC ( Continuous Discharge Certificate ) issued by Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) of the Govt. of India and also a bonafide credential from my Company as a sailor joining the vessel. While checking-in my only bag at the Sahar international airport, the zipper snapped open and everything spilled out totally embarrassing me. I momentarily felt like an imbecile villager on a world tour. Perhaps God had reminded me for not counting the blessings in the excitement of joining a new ship! Since then, I’ve been keeping God forever with me and He grants hope & prosperity. Well, somebody, brought a pliers and pressed the zipper of the otherwise nice strong bag , and tied the bag with a thick rope for additional safety, and I finally boarded the Alitalia flight which had initiated from Tokyo. From this particular day, I cultivated the habit of tying my luggage with rope whether it was Samsonite or American tourister! Believe me, this works like talisman for me, making my tours pleasant and convenient ! The flight was wonderful with beautiful hostesses serving drinks and snacks. “Mackenna’s gold” was being shown. But more than this giant movie, I was enlightened by the knowledgeable conversation of my neighbour who was a professor from the Bombay (now Mumbai ) University proceeding on a visit to Rome on invitation to participate in a world seminar on diverse religions and cultures. I thought, “What a magnificent command of information this gentleman possesses, it is really lucky of me sharing the seat adjacent to him…….. I’m exposed to such a beautiful mind”. It was like reading a wonderful book and trying to reach the inner recesses of the genius writer ! How true the old adage which says, “ You’re judged by the company you keep”. I felt we reached Rome very fast. I was ecstatic being physically in Rome, World’s great historic city and the capital of Italy, lying on both banks of Tiber river. From Rome, I had to take a Jugolinija flight (Yugoslavian domestic) to Pula via their capital Belgrade where they conducted immigration check prior granting permission of entry into their country. The flight took off on schedule and within no time, we landed at Belgrade. Everybody had to get off the plane and proceed to the immigration office at the airport, where the authorities examined the passports and stamped the approval. When my turn came, I showed my CDC and they were taken back with surprise ! “Where is your passport?”, commanded the husky voice in their native Slovenian language. I was least perturbed because the challenging sea-life had taught me to cope with exigencies undauntedly. I tried in vain to clarify that I was a merchant marine officer proceeding to join a ship at Pula Shipyard, on duty. I further tried to emphasize that I was neither a tourist nor an immigrant. They chattered amongst themselves for a while and one of them went out hurriedly. I contemplated that I would be detained indefinitely. But luckily, after a while, there came an individual who seemed to understand little bit of English. After listening to me and after seeing the letter of bonafide from my company, he cleared me. I boarded the waiting aircraft to face the tough looks of my co-passengers who might have thought I was some sort of a terrorist, God help me ! I apologetically bowed to them three times and uttered a loud sorry in true Japanese style prior to occupying my seat. We were air borne again and when we touched the tarmac at Pula, it was 9 PM local time. One by one the passengers commenced getting down the gangway and I was the last one because some sort of mysterious scare was crossing my mind in the alien land. Suddenly a hand shot out at me and a voice said, “ Welcome to Pula Mr. Narvekar, hope your journey was pleasant….”. He was our company’s designated agent in Pula. I was surprised, how the hell he recognized me? Oh! My goodness…. I was the only black guy on the plane! He put me in the car and drove to Hotel Pula international, little on the uphill with the majestic sea beach on one side. The car stopped at the hotel entrance and the agent said after unloading my belongings from the boot, “ This is where you’ll be putting up, goodnight”, and he drove away. I entered the huge lobby of the hotel and started looking around for any sign of my shipmates. Just then a sweet voice called out from the reception, “ Mr. Narvekar, this side please, we need your details and signature before showing you to your room”. It was Miss. Rosana , one of the receptionists, almost like legendary “Helen of Troy”, who turned out to be a good friend and a guide, in later days. Obviously, they were expecting my arrival as I was told that the ship I was supposed to join had gone for a primary sea-trial and would be back after two days. So, I was happy I had two days to explore the new place. The fatigue of travel had worn me out and I fell asleep soon after hitting the sack. Next morning I was dazed by the rich ambience of the place. After breakfast of bread toast jam with mashed potatoes, my first outing was the pristine beach. There were lots of people including children and ladies in bikinis playing in the clean blue waters. I suddenly started reminiscing my family of my wife Uma and two cute daughters. I had married Uma when I had just started sailing As a 5th Engineer. The long tenures on the ships away from Uma was hurting because total abstinence from marital intimacy was not what we had aspired for, but we were bound together through minds , spiritually connecting to each other. This way we were close even when we were physically apart ! Well, the ship at Pula was not delivered because it was alleged not built strictly according to specifications, and the arbitration was handled by a London law firm. We were transported one by one to other vessels in the nearer coasts because productive man-hours are paramount. I was transferred to a crude-oil carrier at Marseille in France. GOODBYE PULA…… ------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: ARVIND V. NARVEKAR C-102 / NAVJIVAN C.H.S.Ltd., EVERSHINE-NAGAR MALAD WEST, MUMBAI-400064 Telephone No. (022) 28830554 I’m a B.E.Mechanical cum Marine Engineer, now retired and leading a relaxed life, devoting quality time to my family. Writing is just a hobby. User reviews
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