Text 23525, 101 rader
Skriven 2007-11-28 11:10:23 av Glen Jamieson
     Kommentar till en text av Carol Shenkenberger
Ärende: NORFOLK SAILORS  71128
==============================
 -=> Quoting Carol Shenkenberger to Glen Jamieson <=-

 GJ> The locals in Darwin are used to living with uniformed servicemen and
 GJ> women around, and a lot of them are families of Australian soldiers,
 GJ> so they understand quite a lot about that sort of life.  A few
 GJ> different uniforms and accents add to the general interest.

 CS> Yes, and there, they get US ships really often so the accent isnt as
 CS> rare. 

Not just US ships.  Whenever I am in Darwin I enjoy dining on the
Stokes Hill wharf, to see what ships are visiting.  I have seen
everything from large US carriers, to cruise ships, a replica 17th
century Dutch square-rigger, Portugese Navy destroyers, Argentinian
Navy sailing ship (training), Indonesian, Malaysian, other European -
all sorts.  Darwin is very conveniently located as a port of call
between the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

 CS> In Brisbane and Townsville (less seen places), folks kept smiling at
 CS> our 'neat accents'.  Especially me as a little tipple makes my accent
 CS> slide south quite a bit ;-)

As xxcarol, you would doubly appreciate being in the land of XXXX. (g)
 
 CS> call that win-win. 
 GJ> So do they.  :)

 CS> Oh yes!  Very much so.  I find it interesting at how the locals seem
 CS> to find out the never publicized reputation of our various ships on
 CS> shore leave, and  take very well to some of us.  Been in a few ports
 CS> with other ships and I've actually seen subtle hints like 'Welcome
 CS> ESSEX Sailors' on bars (but no mention
 CS> of the other bigger companion ship).  Or 'Welcome ESSEX Battlegroup'
 CS> (but no mention of the other Carrier battle group with us).

The people in those parts who deal with visiting ships' crews do have
long memories, and usually also have connections with publicans, etc in
other ports.  The hospitality intelligence organisation is very
effective.

 CS> On the rare (and it was very rare) time where an ESSEX sailor caused
 CS> trouble and any damage, the ship always paid for the damages with no
 CS> questions asked. Correction, we'd ask questions but only after clearly
 CS> letting the owner know it
 CS> was only so we could suitably deal with the sailor later in holding
 CS> them  accountable.  Sometimes it wasnt 'really' the sailors fault, but
 CS> the local  place would have held them accountable for the damages. 

That sort of action is understood, and appreciated.

 CS> Like the time one of  my guys sat on a rickety toilet and it fell over
 CS> (he was sober).  Local rules there held him accountable but of course
 CS> the ship didnt. 
 CS> Funny on that one, so I digress.  It was common in that country to not
 CS> fix  guest plumbing until some luckless person had it totally fail,
 CS> then they had to
 CS> 'pay for their damages'.  Bit of a racket, but just how it's done
 CS> there.  We got the owner back gently by refusing to pay for a
 CS> contractor to do the work and instead, we sent over a team with a new
 CS> toilet and installed it right. Fixed
 CS> the sink too <g>.  Noticed some rotting flooring so put down some
 CS> treated plywood and topped it with nicely trimmed electrical matting
 CS> before the next customer could fall through and get charged for that. 
 CS> I think the toilet cost 50$ or something and the rest was spare stuffs
 CS> from the ship needed. 
 CS> We called it a 'COMREL' (Community relations volunteer work) and

That is the sort of behaviour which is not part of fighting a war, but
which definitely wins the peace!  Come back again, any time!

 CS> I think all the ships 'try' but the Blue Ridge seems to not try as
 CS> hard. 
 CS> It's the Blue Ridge you have to watch out for.  Something wrong at her
 CS> upper  levels as they are noted for not being welcome back.
 
 GJ> In an organisation like a ship, there is only one man or woman at the
 GJ> top, and that is where the buck stops.

 CS> Yes.  They are trying to fix it.  Sasebo Mayor asked them to not come
 CS> back. I am told on their last trip, they were restricted to the base? 

Definitely NOT winning the peace there.
 
 GJ> stopped.  I prefer to avoid the sleazier bars where the young, male
 GJ> tourists hang out - particularly the Australians and Americans.  When
 GJ> I am in the Philippines I feel more Filipino than Australian,
 GJ> particularly when I see and hear drunken Australians being
 GJ> objectionable.  Then I prefer to fade into the background.

 CS> Same here when I see drunken 'anyone'.  I like my party time but I
 CS> rarely  drink enough to get more than a little giggly.

Likewise.  I would hate to drink so much that I didn't remember the fun
I had - and I can't stand drunken violence.

Off tomorrow to Western Australia.  Back in 3 weeks.  Be good while I
am away, won't you!  (G)
___ Blue Wave/DOS v2.30 [NR]

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 * Origin: Braintap BBS Adelaide Australia (3:800/449)