Early 1966
I thought about it most of the night and chose not to return to the hospital that morning as I knew it would be far too difficult to leave at all.
I trusted Alok was safe and I hugged and kissed my children before leaving for the few days I assumed I’d be away. My previous job at Santa Ynez I had left on good terms and with positive reference, as was my habit of doing.
I knew in my mind that if I was going to get to Fiji it was now or never. Diana drove me to the station so I would catch the 10a Greyhound into San Francisco. After dropping me off she went back to the hospital to bring Alok home.
For the most part it was a straight through drive up north with only a few key stops along the way. I arrived some time that evening just after the dinner hour. Upon arrival in San Francisco I took a taxi to a friend’s apartment. I’d known Morris since Fiji. This is where I’d stay for nearly a week.
It just so happened the Seafarers’ International Union of North America was across the street from his apartment building. What were the odds?
Next morning I took that fateful walk across the street and made myself known to them, stating my intentions and then fell into their process. One of these things was to take their form to a doctor (choose one from a list f I didn’t have one up there, which of course I didn’t) for shots, check-up, etc., whew! What a lot of technical to-dos.
I returned to Morris’ apartment late that afternoon with the certificate of completion of the union’s medical requirements.
I also had the need to go to bed. My arms were loaded with shots, painful, swollen and these caused me to feel quite ill. Well I was forewarned by the doctor this most likely would be the side effect.
I did manage to call home and check with Diana about Alok’s health, how Amar and Asha were doing, how she was getting on, things at home and you know, stuff.
She comforted me, telling me that all is well and how wonderful it was having Susan and Lisa with her young son just next door. I told her about the not-so-fun time at the doctor’s office.
Fortunate for me, Morris’ wife nursed me a bit, fed me good Indian food and I was able to rest the remainder of the day and the night through. The next two days I was really a mess. I felt much better the third day.
In that next morning I returned to the Seafarers’ Union office to submit the doctor’s completed form and certification showing I had all the proper vaccinations.
After what appeared to be a thorough review the staff behind the counter gave back to me all of my papers, the ID clearance card which I had previously obtained in Long Beach and my identification to include my British passport and my Green Card.
I was instructed to sit with the other fellows over in the reception area. We would wait. Little conversations took place, something to pass the time. I noted I was the only Indian, there was a small handful of African origin gents, a couple of Irish men and the rest were American or something. I’m guessing. It’s not really important, is it?
My name was called and I went back up to the counter. I was told, “We need a waiter.” The one agent asked if I was experienced. I replied, ‘Yes and I have worked on a ship before.’ I was then instructed to throw in my ID card, like literally.
It felt like a gamble; it’s the way they do it. Other people reviewed my papers and near immediately I was accepted for the position.
Next thing is I’m being told where the ship is docked. It was at my own expense to get to this ship. The location is on Suisan Bay at Concord, California. I’ve been given everything I need to report to that ship. Grateful for the job I returned to Morris’ apartment and shared my exciting news.
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Suisan Bay a part of Contra Costa County which is located in north-central California. This is where you’ll find the Concord Naval Weapons Station. That’s about 70 miles southwest of the capital of Sacramento.
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