Mariner's Nostalgia 1963-2013 : Winter madness Constantza 1972

Winter madness of Youth in 1972, at the port of Constantza, Rumania, recalled.

31 December 2013

Winter madness of Youth in 1972, in Nov-Dec in the port of Constantza, Rumania
On m.v. Chennai Okkam Bulker with Ore ex Port Redi to Constantza, Rumania.
We were just Married and this was Sudhas first voyage .It had been a long and rough sea passage and via Cape of Good Hope, as the suez was closed then . On arrival , my ship was held up at Anchorage for a long time and after that winter sea passge this was not too easy.ThePort of Constantza- was Sudha's first foreign port in Winter. I was Chief Mate then (3 stripes only) -
A bleak winter and a long stay at Anchorage awaiting berth is no fun and even for us Seafarers can be maddening -no TV or what Video etc those days; just novels and a music cassette recorder . My dear wife's nerves and patience had been surely tested--possibly leaving her wondering "How did I ever come on this crazy ship.(marry this Guy anyway!! Hmmm, should have listened to all my friends -- LOL ). Besides that ship was not a very social crowd -as it happens once in a way , although courteous and formal- Sudha was the only Lady on board too.
So we decided a little fun and games was in order :
1. Snow man on deck ...was first planned ; Some of my crew peered through portholes to see us two on deck must have wondered -Bada Maalim Saab (British term for Ch/Off) Kya Kar raha hai- (Never seen him like that.. !!) -Then we had snowball throwing like kids (but gently) as snow packs can hurt---returned to our cabins feeling better-hot Coffee and food and snuggled up with music on my small Sony Cassette Recorder -usually Carpenters. My crew may have been convinced that the long voyage had affected us...crazy kinda.
Our ship finally berthed; My wife had enquired about Movie theatres and one kind soul said to her "Mem saab Yaahan bahut saare Hindi filum bhi chalta hai -Rajkapoor Saab ka bhi -OMG - --Dear God that was it as Sudha was rearing to go out....In a bleak harsh winter without proper thermals,-just simple woolens and overcoat it was not advised, but a 19 yr old wife has different views. But we were young --jawani ki josh, abs pagal - that youthful spirit prevailed and in that biting cold we went hand in hand.There was no proper transport as Rumania was a severely impoverished country .Pathetic scene really. The abject poverty was evident .
So it was Oh, Saathi Chal--I think the movie started at about 3.30 and ended by 5.30 . The film AWARA was running in a dingy, badly lit box theatre to packed houses and women cheering every song , some dancing esp. with Nargis's songs; seemed to love the film and story with subtitles -and of course romace " The song “Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi” by Lata Mangeshkar and Who can forget the great songs that really made it a hit and Shanker-Jaikishan’s greatest hits “Dum Bhar Jo Udhar…” and evergreen Mukesh hit “Awara Hoon, Awara Hoon” by Mukesh which every Youth seemed to be singing there.The movie goers realised we were from India and sort of mobbed us for cigarettes and Sudha was in fact nicknamed Rita ...Rita (From the film!!) Hmmm- she was pleased too. WE just ran, just ran after the movie. A lone Restaurant sold the only item viz. a bowl of Hot Veg Soup and Bread and then it was trudge back what a mad jaunt !
This seemingly enchanting and innocent fairy tale has a some what unexpected turn -The overcoats & caps etc not withstanding; Sudha came from Madras summer temperatures and was quite unused to Winter cold, soon developed a chest congestion and then it touched her lungs. Pleurisy. Dear God .Called a Medico with influence and of course much inducement through the Safety Inspector, with liberal gifts of Johnny W Walker, Indian Curry & Rice and 777 Pickle Bottles to take home!! In Rumania currency has to be supplemented and esp cigarettes Cartons too helps a lot . The cold and wind had affected Sudha and she was quite weak and had to be nursed gently back to health with medication on board. Finally, with Polybion injections for a week as we had a very long port stay foe some reason I cannot recall. Ironically a few felt I was negligent n taking her out in Winter!! Hmmm tell that to Sudha.
Looking back I wonder!. Life is all about courage and maybe some adventure and with it take all what comes within reasonable limits. She recovered fast and was fine and we were sailing out to take bunker fuel in Sicily and then to Norfolk, USA to load Coal.
So, this real life ( may call adventure) story ends here --a true story.
Dec 5th is our Engagement Anniversary and we cherish this date as very special -42 years gone by-Thank you God-
Cheers
TR
ps Next visit to Constantza was in summer 1973 on same ship-it was a lot better.Mamiya Beach is nice and I ahd arranged a summer picnic for with some of our officers and ships crew.
885 words

Dec 1972