Micha» Jaromin POLAND

 

'ATLANTIC 97/98 - ADVENTURE SAILING FOR THE DEAF'

English by Mycha»

 When I was at Elementary School for the Deaf in Katowice in Poland, I heard from my teacher of maths Mrs. Alina Pilarska about 'Adventure Sailing for the Deaf'. It propose school boys from the oldest class, when haven't any problems with learn that they may go on a cruise. I was very glad that I could to sail by sailing ship by 'Pogoria' on the Atlantic Ocean. At the beginning of June 1997 with Monika, Anna and other mates from technical school in Katowice we went to Gdynia (it is in the north of Poland' for 3 day's cruise test which it may to prepare us to grand indeed cruise. It was super only damage that it was as shortly.

In April after successful passing an exam to High School for the Deaf (Vocational School with direction printing) in Warsaw. I remained to accept to this school. In the same month in Instytut G»uchoniemych (school for the Deaf) in Warsaw held a meeting of participants of the cruise. The kisses from parents, I took my seat and made a long journey to Spain. The way from Warsaw led across little Czech, Switzerland, beautiful France. We were spent one night in hotel in Albertville - in the south-eastern part of France in French Alps. Then we started our journey to Cadiï in Spain. When we reached Barcelona we had an occasion to see church - Sagrada Famillia acknowledged for one from World's miracles. It's not 'finishing building' object from above one hundred years projected by Spanish architect Antonio Gaudi. About 250 kilometres before Cadiï we saw from coach Africian coast and Gibraltar. In Cadiï we changed - people which sailed by 'Pogoria' to Spain returned to Warsaw by the coach, and we went on a deck. On shortly meeting four officers made groups from 8 or 9 people. I was in 2nd group.

We were sailing by 'Pogoria' from Spanish port to Madiera island. At the beginning felt lonely, I counted the days to return home I really wanted to return to Poland. But after six days I just forgot about cosy home and family. For 5 days of sailing weather was nice and beautiful my work was easy. Later everything was more and more difficult but I think than nevertheless I deliberated on sth not badly.

The first port we moored was Madeira in Funchal. It's in mountain where the highest peak is about 850 meters, full of verdures palms, exotics fruits, whites homes with reds roofs. It's famous for magnificient vineyards. Madeira is as beautiful as island from my dreams. We spent there 3 days. Unfortunately we had to leave this paradise, but with high pleasure, too we prepared to more the next far sailing from Funchal to Porto (the city Portugal).

In that day I had a night watch. It wasn't easy to get up, but I did it, washed myself in cold water, wore warm T-shirt, thin golf, warm and woolen golf, warm blouse, warm sweater, drawers, two pairs of trousers and rubberry jacket, uff! I went out on deck - it was a change watch. I steered the sailing ship. It was difficulty for me - it was cold, my legs ached, strong wind winded in my face and I cannot to read any degree compass and in addition I wanted to sleep very much. All the time I was thinking about my cosy berth. At two o'clock at night was announces maneuver alarm. Everybody had to get up and to execute different captain's commands e.g. to go on yard and to leave or hide sails, lay rope or to go with them on bow. At daybreak everybody went to sleep with pleasure!!

After six days we visited one of the biggest cities in Portugal Porto. In Portugal in Porto ours host were the workers of Piageto Institute. This institute is the college which educate young people for teachers of handicapped people. They prepared for us grand reception, agenda. First came ambassador of Poland in Portugal and others important people. It was outdoor party and we spent the time really agreeably. We could try Portuguese dishes and dance in disco. Local journalist photographed us and wrote in their newspaper that we, Poles as first the Deaf sailed away on the Atlantic. Portuguese the Deaf want do to sail too. Afterwards we went to Fatima, to famous church. We were there very short time because there was anniversary of meeting three Portuguese children with the Virgin Mary. This visit in Fatima still stayed in my memory.

Next place which we visited was Viseu situated in central Portugal, about 100 kilometers from Lisbon. There is Elementary School for the Deaf. The students prepared for us fine show. After return to Porto we went to sea.

The way from Porto to Southend-on-Sea in England was more difficult than preceding. Because of hard wind steering was very difficult, we had to wait long for sail others ferries which they have a right of way. A nice variety was a sight of oranges crabs which we saw between coast of France and coast of England. In England I felt a bit strange, I don't know why, maybe because of the climate. 'On and agenda of pursuit', we had a journey to London by coach in order to meet with English Deaf students. Unfortunately then did not arrive - I don't know why. However we went on a trip. We went to London by train in the morning. We saw Buckingham Palace, the Tower, Big Ben, we went by (subway) tube. We visited town Southend-on-Sea. After two days we said goodbye to England and we sailed to next port which was Copenhagen - capital of Denmark. Later we sailed through Sweden, unfortunately we didn't visit any Sweden port.

Afterwards we welcome our Baltic Sea. I greated dium of football team FC Porto and we could meet with Polish footballists. Baltic Sea throwing to sea my old boots. I couldn't believe our journey is going to finish and I had to say goodbye to 'Pogoria'. Last port which we saw was Denmark's island Bronholm, where we moored.

We got our homeland on last day of May. In Hel we packed our rusacks, we cleaned the cabins, we washed almost whole sailing ship. The next day we swam to Gdynia where our mothers and fathers just waited for us. Clean and beautiful sailing ship moored in Gdynia.

First there was solemn appeal on the occasion of fortunate end of cruise "The Atlantic 97/98", and afterwards just each of us ran to parents for kisses. We showed our parents sailing ship, we introduced the captain, officers, boatswain. With sorrow I said goodbye to 'Pogoria'....

Next cruise will be in two or three years time, most probably to America. I would like to sail again.