All Comments on 'Og's Blog Pt. 04'

Fascinating stuff! Being an expat brat sure had changed by the 80s, let alone being a Crown servant

So I guess you weren't a 10 Pound Pom

my father as a child went on several trips by steam ships to and back from Argentina and several from the canal zone. he remembered seeing the propeller of a passing ship coming clear of the water during one of the storms they met. one of his memories during a meal was of a table mate that peeled his oranges and bananas with his knife and fork, never touching his food with his fingers. this was probably in the 1920s or 30s.

My father served 2 tours for State in Turkey in the mid 60s. We were given the option of air or sea 1st class. We always selected sea first on the Indep3endence and secondly on the Rafiello. First Class was much as this gentleman described. A grand way too to reenter the States at NYC harbor.

I don't remember hearing before of the ultimate fate of the Achille Lauro. What I remember hearing of was the hijacking by the PLO (or a subset thereof).