Sea Year Experiences

Colleges & Universities United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA)
37

<p>Glad you got to see your Mid LFWBDad! Time does go so quickly. Just yesterday, they were Plebes, waiting for Recognition.</p>

<p>It has to be the coolest thing in the world to be awakened at 5am from a phone call from Hong Kong by your young world traveler Midshipman. He’d gone out exploring by himself as his sea partner had to stay on the ship to get his required time in with re-fueling process. He’d shopped for the most unique items to bring home for Xmas presents. Haggled over prices with vendors which he thought fun. Gone to, what he deemed, “the most beautiful gardens ever” & found a high class eatery on the top of a mountain overlooking the city. Said he had a hard time with their chopsticks that aren’t like our novelty wooden ones here & after much laughter from surrounding parties, the waiter brought him a fork.</p>

<p>He called from the seaman’s club, near the ship, where he met back up with some of the crew who were relaxing over a game of pool. I could hear them teasing him about calling home to a girlfriend. He spend several minutes cracking himself up with stories & descriptions of his mates. He’s rather fond of them. And I am as well as they seem to be mentoring him so well. Can’t say much for them teaching him the seedier side of life but oh well, I’d rather him learn it from them & not me! LOL Sounded like he’s beyond in love with Hong Kong & it’s people.</p>

<p>Funny how you see this amazing transformation take place. Wish I could put it into words that would do it justice. He’s telling of these experiences with such gusto & I’m thinking, wow, at 19, he’s seeing & doing things that most only dream about. Finally getting to put to use some of the Japanese he speaks on Guam. Seeing Taiwan & it’s many air polluting mopeds & snorkeling in Honolulu. Freezing his southern blood in Tacoma while being blown away by its harbor. Working at a job he loves. Said he’s a bit homesick but I could hear in his voice that he’d not come back for a million bucks. Hearing that laugh was a bit overwhelming at 5am but I only teared up once! I’m good! He said he’s tons of pictures he’ll be sending when they get back into Tacoma. I’ll have to wait about three weeks for them. Can’t wait!!</p>