Walk On, Walk Off

July 22, 2012

As I considered the day ahead I couldn’t get the advice of Mr. Miagi, from the Karate Kid, out of my mind. “Wax on, wax off,” he told Daniel. For me the day would be similar, only it would be ‘Walk on, Walk off.’ Today I would catch a cab from the hotel in Athens to the port in Piraeus where I would join, albeit temporarily, the Celebrity Silhouette. It was with great anticipation that I looked forward to seeing her again. And yet, I knew the reunion would be brief. The six hours on her decks would be far too short for an effective reconnection.

The intense familiarity with which you return to a ship on which you’ve served is stunning. Because I was not joining on a normal embarkation day I was one of the few who were coming onboard. Before I even reached the gangway several members of the security team recognized me. They called out the friendly ‘Welcome Home,’ which we traditionally use with all returning crew members. It is appropriate for without question our ship is our home. In minutes, our Crew Admin Lavern had bounded down the gangway to meet me, and after an enthusiastic hug I pulled my bags back up the gangway onto my ship. My intent was to head straight to my room to begin to unpack, but first I towed my bags with me to my office to meet my new manager, Peter. Unfortunately, he wasn’t there but my office was open and I immediately slid into my desk and began to check what work was waiting to be done. Once in my office there was no escaping it as office neighbors began to poke their heads in to add their greetings. Eventually, I broke free and headed to my cabin, bags in tow. This was a good feeling since the first time I joined the ship I was without my main bag, so having both bags was very reassuring.

As small as my cabin is, it was great to return. However, given that my vacation replacement had lived in it in my absence there were things that reflected her occupancy and not mine which first had to be set back ‘in order.’ Once done, the unpacking of all I would need for the next four months took virtually no time at all. Knowing in advance the exact configuration of the storage had actually directed my packing. So, the unpacking was predictable and quick. It was time for lunch and I headed up to Ocean View to grab a bite where Peter and Lavern were waiting. It did feel a little strange sitting in the OVC in civilian clothes, especially with two of my mates in uniform. As other crew members wandered past, their expressions conveyed their confusion, first that I was there and second that I wasn’t properly attired. Yet, the greetings were heartfelt even in the midst of that momentary confusion.

I spent the rest of the afternoon checking in with different people and different departments to get the lay of the land. But I knew that this was not the beginning, only an interlude prior to the contract, and far more time would need to be spent once I returned from Macedonia. All too quickly 4pm approached, and with it my ride back to the Hotel Sofitel to spend the night before traveling to Macedonia. I returned to my cabin and grabbed my overnight bag for the brief two day trip. With little fanfare, so as not to confuse anyone, I headed back down the gangway, already leaving my ship home behind.

Next stop, the home of Alexander the Great!

And the adventure continues . . .