Thursday 4 October 2007

REMEMBER NEPTUNE!!!

Attatched following is the original letter that my dad sent me while he was sailing in his tanker HS-MEDEA.
" d/spcQ: there was a big fun today-equator crossing ceremony-for those who were passing the equator for the first time.3-guys were in-lined up. 2-deck cadets and one 5th engineer. The head of the crew(Bosun) was made the king Neptune, the king of the sea-with a crown, white beard and a white dress (bed sheets)-King Neptune and one other guy was made the queen-he wore a mini skirt).so these 3-guys had to kneel down in front of king neptune and ask permission to cross the equator-.King said off course u can but u have to go thru some punishments.1) their hair were shaved in the middle from front to back(that's the equator line),then they had to drink beer from there own shoes. Later on they were greased and eggs were smashed on them and they had to take a round to the forward. meanwhile one cadet behaved lousy so all of them had to do 'hamaguri' (a Bengali term used to describe crawling on the floor when your entire body is thrust on the floor) on the deck for a stretch, in the forward they had to rub their nose on the deck. Later on 3 of them standing right in front of the ship they had to be 1 after the other and enact the Titanic pose after coming back-they were hosed down. One of the guys 1/2moustache was shaved-off. He later on shaved the other part-he is for more punishment tomorrow. They have to be like this for next 7-days.After that they will be given a equator crossing certificate so that in future they can show that as a proof.
Love dad.
(Since i cant put up a picture here so the certificate that they got read as follows)
Let it be known to all ye world over that on this the twenty fifth February in the year of his highness year two thousand and seven, this certificate is issued by his royal highness the King Neptune. Lord & King of all under water territories & consoler of the current & tide of the entire world to
“CHAKO JOMON”
In appreciation of his valor in crossing the line that divides the northern hemisphere from the southern hemisphere.
After humbly prostrating himself & paying the necessary dues & respect to the mermaids of the sea & begging to be made a citizen of my oceanic empire, he is hereby bestowed upon with the title of a seaman capable of sailing the seven oceans & permitted freedom of movement in my entire domain without fear of being jettisoned as unwanted ballast.
Fine speed & delivered by Royal Highness King Neptune XXXII.