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Hi, I am Sig (junge1),
I was born in Dominikus- Krankenhaus in Berlin-Hermsdorf, Bezirk Reinickendorf in December 1939. Bezirk Reinickendorf was one of 20 Bezirke that made up Gross-Berlin before World War II and one of 12 Bezirke that made up former West-Berlin, the other 8 Bezirke were Russian occupied and became East-Berlin after the war. Moved from Berlin to Neurohlau (Nova Role) Sudetenland (now Czech Republic), in August 1943 (our entire block of apartment buildings was bombed out in November 1943) and returned back to Berlin in November 1945. Saw my dad the first time in my life in August/September 1946 after he returned from POW camp. Attended elementary school in Berlin-Waidmannslust, high school in Berlin-Hermsdorf, and trade school in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Was an apprentice for the trade of Klischeeaetzer (photo engraver) at Burrath & Schmidt on Friedrichstrasse between U-Bahnhof Kochstrasse (near to what later became Checkpoint Charlie) and Hallisches Tor.
While watching Allied planes supplying West-Berlin by air during the Berliner Luftbruecke in 1948-49 I developed my love for aircraft. I guess I could be considered a 'Berliner Grosschnauze", or at least I used to be.
'Wanderlust' led me to leave Berlin in summer 1960 to emigrate to Toronto, Canada and in February 1962 to move from Canada to New York City, NY, USA. In January 1963 I joined the United States Air Force, one step ahead of Uncle Sam drafting me. Became a United States citizen within 7 weeks after it became a security issue because of my military career. One day after I was sworn in as a citizen in Seattle, my entire unit left for Southeast Asia in June 1966. After nearly 5 years of active duty (extended 11 months to make it an 18 months overseas deployment) I got discharged and moved to New York City. In 1973 I moved to Phoenix, Arizona and two years later joined the Arizona Air National Guard.
Received my higher education at Arizona State University and the University of Georgia and worked for 22 years for the Arizona Department of Water Resources in various capacities. Upon military retirement in 1999 and State retirement in 2005 I looked at a number of things to keep me occupied. Traveling and joining 'renderosity' in September 2007 were a couple of them,
Sig..
Comments (18)
Faemike55
Gee! just because that volcanic rock could slice a ship's hull like a piece of rotten fruit in no time flat, shouldn't stop a cruise ship from going where it wants to... ;-} Great capture
the Enterprise found some 'hidden' rocks off San Diego and carved a hell of a gash in the hull. the captain was relieved of command for that screw up.
ontar1
Cool, great capture!
Richardphotos
my nephew has been on that route, but not one of his favorite places. he is in the Caribbean now headed for Belize. he wants the cruise to Australia, but many other employees want the same thing.
junge1
Cool comment Mike. Well, on 5 April, 2007 the Captain of the 'Sea Diamond' realized that he was no match with the rocks after he made contact and sank his ship with the loss of life of two passengers!
npauling
A lovely action capture and that looks like a great cruising ship.
Buffalo1
Santorini is a beautiful place and it doesn't surprise me that a tender needs to bring you ashore.
junge1
@npauling: The good thing about this ship was it wasn't so big. We actually met, dined, and had our picture taken with the captain.
SunriseGirl
You say it wasn't so big! It looks quite large to me. I think I would agree with you that I would prefer a smaller sized cruise ship if I were ever to afford such a luxury. I am not all that fond of crowds.
junge1
@SunriseGirl: This ship was about 16,000 tons. By today's standards it is downright tiny. Just about all modern cruise ships operating out of North America are 100,000 tons or larger. And at the beginning and at the end of each cruise it looks like an Army is deploying. Very organized, but also very obvious that it is all about money, that is making money for the cruise line. I don't need 4,000 passengers to have a good time.
virginiese Online Now!
I wish to visit Athens and the greek islands too. It sure was a very nice trip :-) Very nice cruise ship !
Juliette.Gribnau
cool shot
Cyve
Great capture my friend !
UteBigSmile
Very beautiful looking capture!
kgb224
Superb capture my friend. God bless.
durleybeachbum
Fascinating! My brother loves cruises, but they don't appeal to me.
auntietk
I believe every harbor has its own captain who brings ships into port. I've seen a huge container ship just off Port Angeles, waiting while a tug brings the local captain alongside. He climbs a ladder up the side of the container ship, takes command, and sails the ship into Seattle or Tacoma for unloading. They don't let strangers do that, I guess. It's an interesting system, and I bet it's a job that pays VERY well!
junge1
@autietk: Yes Tara. Standard procedure no matter where on goes, but here I guess they couldn't justify it since it isn't a real harbor, but still, the tugs that ferried us on shore acted as local pilots. That cruise ship that sank a few years ago with the loss of two passengers? I would liked to have seen the legal findings of that disaster!
flavia49
nice