“Haf a dai ” and the Bear
SS PETERSBURG
Days are turning into weeks, on board! And all I do, each day, is a bit of preventative maintenance in the afternoons, which are under my duties and then stand the eight hours of Watch from four o’ clock until midnight.
Many of the crew members have the opportunity to go ashore in the evenings. And depending on schedule, I’ll head ashore for a brief time, during the mornings. The Sun shines its warmest between eleven o’ clock and three in the afternoon. Unlike back in the states where much of the hottest part occurs between three and five in the afternoon, the hottest part of the day on Guam IS around noontime.
“Haf a dai “is the greeting phrase of the Islanders. Basically, this translates to “Half a day”. I believe it’s their mantra for work! And the weather has something to do with this expression.
I’ve not been able to get ashore for long, or traveled far from the ship. It’s a long walk from the dock to the nearest town, and riding a bike requires the purchase of a helmet and riding lights. Instead, I normally walk to a local watering hole- a Yacht Club named “Marianas Yacht Club” where there is a nice beach and Palm trees. A quick water stop and back to the ship. But on a rare occasion, I’ve borrowed a crewmember’s cheap, jalopy, and have had success cruising the main boulevard up the western side of the island. Usually the cars are very basic and require a lot of work, so the drive’s not pretty.
The Training Ship Golden Bear had made its mark on the island and departed on Tuesday, bound for Hawaii after a three day visit. \The Academy has grown double the size, since I’ve attended the school, and requires two ‘cruises’ per Summer, in order to accommodate the Student Body. The ship changes out its cadets in Hawaii, this year.
It started back on Sunday… I happened to get the urge of meeting and greeting the Golden Bear as I was tracking its progress, online. I had anticipated this moment for a long while as never before had I had the chance of actually meeting the ship as it transited the seas. So, I woke up early and arranged for a fellow crew member to drive me to the Navy Base, where it would moor for the three days. It turned, out that it would be delayed by an hour due to the bustling schedule of the harbor. At approximately ten-thirty in the morning, the ship peeked out from the North-west portion of the harbor and displayed its near-while hull and bright and colorful signal flags on its mast. It was a beautiful sight and years since I’ve seen its grandeur.
As it was close to being secure alongside the dock, I had noticed some of the faculty including one of the cooks, relaxing at the railing on deck. A quick shout and they quickly recalled who I was (after I gave them a few hints). There was a nice greeting party from the Island , as well, consisting of native Chormoro women with beads ready for the offering, and the Island’s Senator and Commissioner. Such a diplomatic welcome and a nice start to a day.
Well, after a brief time, the gangway was lowered and the ship appeared to be cleared of Customs. The welcome party was summoned to come onboard and I followed. But once I met the cadets at the top of the gangway, I was told of no visitors and was told, nicely, to leave! Even after I mentioned I was Alumni, I was still denied! I quickly left the ship, slightly confused as to what just occurred moments earlier.
Not one moment afterwards, did I try and arrange another meeting with anyone associated with the training ship. The ship departed three days later, on its way eastward. I continued working and enjoying each day under the warm sun. I was grateful and lucky that I was in such a remote part of the world at the same time the Golden Bear made its presence known. Who would of thought…
Have a great day!
- Nadir
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