The view outside my window.

Eric skipper’s side

And yes this is my space. (seems boring huh)

Tony Desalvo’s desk and bunk with an hd t.v. and xbox 360

the whole room perspective.

the room consist of bunk beds and desk at the bottom. We keep this room organize as possible and try to pass every room inspection (yeah right).

~angello

A big red ship moors up at Pier 36,  The puget sound ripples through the bay of Seattle looking at ends meet over the horizon of the  darkened sun. The men and women of the United States Coast Guard  who proudly serve on a science vessel named the Polar Sea are glad to be back in homeport Seattle. Their feet touch the pier the first time after a 3 month patrol over the beaufort sea and the North Pole. Of the very few men and women of the Polar Sea, comes a young adult who thought that the mission was a success and the trip does have some beneficial end. After two years, now at Coast Guard “A” school. I reflect on the life and times spent on the Polar Sea and how life started out for me.

Alaska Airlines flying from Miami Florida to Seattle, Washington. I was anxious, excited, but sad that I was saying bye to my dad. Once I hugged my old man and turned around one last time to give a wave of farewell, I faced forward and entered the abyss of the future.  It was a feeling of a new world, a new beginning for me.  The friendly skies took me over the land of Liberty. The kind and soft hearted flight attendants spoiling me with their amenities of free dvd movies and drinks. I suppose the uniform gave it away,  I tried not to take advantage of them. After the clear skies of Seattle came about, the plane glided down. When  I stepped off the aircraft, my body exhorted every breath I took and feeling well out of place of the civilian jungle. I claimed my baggages not knowing who was going to pick me up. I see a similar uniform that I wore back in boot camp that I noticed being worn by a bulky African American. He came up to me noticing that I was wearing a formal uniform that made me look like a target. He introduced himself as Seaman Tate. I was a bit too intimated of his size since it turned out he was a gentle hearted guy. We jumbled through the crowd of travelers finally reaching the pickup van. We Loaded my luggage’s and met  seaman Salcone. During  the drive to the Polar Sea I was asking a lot of questions. Coming fresh out of boot I had no idea what the fleet was like or how sailors were in the real world. As we pulled by the side of the ship I was amazed by the towering size of the Polar Sea. I had no idea what was in store for me.

My first day I on that ship, was like being accepted into a family.  I met all sorts of personalities and faces.  As the days turned into nights and weeks turned into months, many new faces have come and gone. For the longest time I was undecided on what rate or job specification I wanted to do in the Coast Guard.  Until one day, someone gave me of the Polar Sea’s radio room and revealed to me what the OS’s did (Operations Specialist).  From that point on, I wanted to become one of the radiomen. I resourcefully took it upon myself to emerge as a qualified watch stander and be placed  in a respective duty rotation. Work was grueling and the hours were long and repetitive. I kept a good attitude about everything, and  it was  the best shipmates I had is what got me through the day ( hence why I love meeting new people).

Shipmates became friend, friends became family. The Polar Sea did had a personality of it’s own from the people who operated and work the ship.  I’ve made friends and with  times that will forever be memorable in my experience of what life has to offer.  I rejoice to this day that I was once a part of that crew and the Polar Sea will always have  a place in my heart.

~ angello

National Geographic Greg Marshall and me at Barrow Alaska

My last mission to the North Pole was interesting. Who knew I would be running into a well known Scientist and Photojournalist

~ angello

]]> http://inoueangello.wordpress.com/2009/12/09/national-geographic-photojournalist-greg-marshall-2/feed/ 0 Gello Me and greg