Truly a global citizen, life on the high seas, a seamen’s account

 Truly a global citizen, life on the high seas, a seamen’s account

 

 

Salle Travasso does sound a typical Brazilian name. He loves his football; he readily breaks into a dance when the occasion presents itself. He sips an occasional beer pint or a peg of whisky. No, certainly, he is not a Brazilian but, an Indian hailing from another former Portuguese colony in western India, Goa. His only link to Portuguese is the few greetings he has mastered.

He is a global citizen. A citizen, constantly on the move. Hopping from one country to another. Marveling the wonders of different places as his ship anchors itself.

Yes right! Salle is a sailor. A sailor, who enjoys his time at the sea. The sea is a home for nine months.
A sailor, for the last ten years, Salle like all Goans loved his football. He played for his college football team Chowgule College Margao Goa, while completing his bachelors degree. His brother Tony played for another college team Damodar College, Margao Goa and graduated to play for one of the leading club in India Salgaocar sports club. Salle beginning and end in football all happened at the Chowgule College. No further than that.

The next stop on completion of college was practical hands on training at one of numerous five star restaurants on the coast of Goa. After two years of job cum training, Sale for ready for the challenge. It was time to say good bye to his Goan dreams and set up his base in Mumbai.

Mumbai has turned many a dreams of Indians into reality, but for Salle it was his temporary abode. His village KUD (club) where his other villagers also stayed in Mumbai, scanning for jobs in the shipping industry and in the gulf was his home in the metropolis.

Finally after many a try, Salle cleared his interview with P & O cruises.
That was the start of his journey. His sailing trip which have taken him to 96 countries- vow that is astronomical figure.

The P & O, Cruising trips which started from the home ports of England. The world cruises lasted for three months and would start from Jan to April. Cruise makers eager to escape the harsh winter of Europe during the period.

The world cruise is what Salle relishes; it throws up an opportunity to visit a new country on every alternate day.

“I never had the pleasure to go to Japan. And I am waiting for the opportunity to go there. Indeed as devout catholic and having hear and read a lot about Jerusalem it was a dream come true for me to visit the place. I savored every moment of it while at the place. Jerusalem visit is my most memorable place I have visited so far. Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus Christ has a calming effect on my mind and certainly I could connect to some spiritual power. An experience which I will remain etched in memory throughout my life.”


The other favourite spot for Salle has been the Dead Sea. Italian city of Venice is one city which he dubs as a romantic city. A glimpse of the city soothes his mind. Then his visiting Medeira in Canary island took his experiences to a new level. Like all Goans his minds rewinded to his native Goa. Indeed many a Goan sailors, Medeira is like you are back to their home state- Goa .

Then his other favourite places are cape town south Africa , and the canals - Panama, Suez and the Kiel canal in Germany.

Salle has been enjoying his life board the cruise ship as he works as a bar steward. For a start life was difficult when I first joined my first ship- Canberra. The traditional Goan club (kud) life was still existing...but it slowly diminished with new young boys joining the newer ships. crew parties once in two weeks and the best part was talented Goans boys will once in a while pull out a guitar and drums to hop in a Goan band. So it was fun and frolic.

Football is an integral part of the Goans and no matter where ever they go they carry their football along with them. Goans would arrange football matches against locals wherever they visited any port and give a tough fight, as some of the former players from Goa who shone in India were now working in the cruising industry for P& O company


Salle’s worst nightmares when the sea got rough and he used to get affected by the sea sickness but still have to carry on work and so did other staff in various departments.


The Goans did not forget their religious obligations while working and frocking. They had occasions to have a Christian mass on board once in a while.

””but the Canberra was diff............v used to have - Our lady of Milagrosa - around and in a nine months contract used to visit in a cabin three times.

Most of the Goan boys worked in catering department and the deck was manned by the Pakistanis and the Filipinas........”” the Indians and the Pakistanis got along very well it was the philiphones who the Indians always fought with”” back home India and Pakistan have fought three wars ever since Pakistan in 1947.

Norway is a very picturesque

Fiji, Hawaii were like paradise outside Goa........


But, I certainly miss my Goa.