Notes Of A Greek Seaman- #1

Sa karanasan ko sa pagiging marino, karaniwan sa mga seaman pinoy ay hindi ganun kabukas na lumangoy sa kultura at malalim na pakikipagkilala sa mga marinong may ibang nasyunalidad.

Si Ioanni Sapountsis (tunay na pangalan) ay isang Griyego, Chief Cook sa unang barkong Clipperventure- L na aking unang sinakyan. Sa kabila ng pagkaiba ng aming nasyunalidad ay hindi naging hadlang para sya’y maging isang matalik na kaibigan.

Hindi man kami nagkasama pang muli sa barko. Kinuha ko pa rin s’yang ninong ng aking panganay na anak sa binyag kahit wala ang kanyang presensya.

May 17 pirasong sulat ang naging palitan namin mula Oct.23,1993- Oct.18,1999. Naputol ang aming komunikasyon dahil sa paglipat n’ya ng tirahan sa Greece. Hindi s’ya ganun kabihasa sa ingles kaya’t karaniwan ay ipinagagawa n’ya sa mga pinoy seaman, kung may pagkakataon ay isinasalin sa kanyang sariling sulat- kamay.

Sakay na!

Sagwanin natin ang “Notes Of A Greek Seaman- #1!

October 23,1993

Hello Ed

Here once again to inform you that there will be a vacancy in Steward Department (Utility Steward) this coming December.

The ship is going to Japan/ Korea/ Taiwan after discharging the chemical here in New York/New Jersey.

So if you could still wait for this schedule, we could work together here.That is, if you want. If not, I can’t do nothing.

Please write me soon as possible so that I could settle here for your embarkation. I will just ask Captain to send you a telex so please back immediately before it’s too late.

Don’t worry about the salary. It’s about same with your previous ship. We have also a good Captain and there’s no problem with crew’s though theres a four Salvadorans Able Seaman (AB).

This is bye for now. Take care and regards.

Your Friend,

Ioanni

P.S
I mailed my first letter to you in Le Havre, France. Didn’t you handled it?

 

Erwinda’s Journey (Letter No.2)

For: Chief Engineer & Captain

I can’t understand everything you want. I always do everything I can for both of you. And never for others. Maybe because you are Eropa people. The way how you think and culture is different from Asia people. But I always follow everything you want because I like and love both of you.

I don’t understand maybe I’m crazy and maybe I did something wrong. You know what happen to my heart. I tell you the truth because before I never stay for the long time in the vessel. It’s for the first time for me.

Today I know & understand you don’t have the feeling about like and love for me even a little. Because you think love is only sell and buy. For what reason I come to Banjarmasin even you never call me! Because I miss you and…forget you. Everything is very wonderful time in… And I come to Banjarmasin. The first day you play… I feel very sad. Today you give the answer about… Letter because you did something wrong and make me crazy.

You and I try to forget everything. Thank you for everything a very wonderful and sweetest which you ever give me even only a few time. Please tell me what is my mistakes.

I hope you please I can stay here or empty cabin even. Because both of you have a new girl friend. Thank you for your understanding.

Please you are in my memory life forever. Even now I hate you.

Please let me be here this last port until your vessel go to other country.

From Me

I’m in memories only

(c) 2009 Kwentulang Marino