A Very Special Birthday

I never knew that all it took to be a celebrity was to turn a year older. It took putting to sea for me to take the time to record it, but I want to share the experience of my 23rd birthday on PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II. This occurred on June 29 (OK, OK, a while back, I admit), but I would be doing the fine folks of Osaka, Japan, an injustice if I did not write about it.

My 19th birthday was spent aboard the first schooner I'd sailed, ALEXANDRIA. This happened in Baltimore just a few weeks after joining the crew, and I was with some people that have since become very dear friends. My 20th was on the first day I was more than 20 miles offshore - on BLACK PEARL - and all hands sang to me at the change of the watch. My 21st was raucously celebrated in Annapolis while I was working on CLIPPER CITY, a daysailing schooner. Last year, I spent my 22nd in Rockland, Maine, aboard the schooner VICTORY CHIMES. All have been special, but none can hold a candle to this last one.

As I mentioned, it was during the time we were in Osaka, Japan, our first stop in that country, and my third port of call aboard PRIDE II on this tour. Our welcome was overwhelming, with the city and the Sail Osaka volunteers going well out of their way to make sure we were well taken care of. People took time off from work to shuttle us around.

They threw parties for us and took us on tours of historic sites. It was at one of these parties (around June 23), that it became evident that they'd figured out one of us had an upcoming birthday - from the Immigration form, I suspect. A game was held where we lined up according to birth dates - no small challenge considering the language barrier. Then the person with the nearest birthday (me!) was called forward. They sang, they toasted, they presented me with a Sail O' volunteer jacket. But wait, there's more.

All week, I was greeted by the many volunteers with "Happy Birthday." More toasts, more songs. Famous already, see. Our departure ceremony was staged with all the fanfare of our arrival. We were given flowers, a band sent us off, TV crews were present, a kindergarten class performed for us. This was on June 28. The difference was this. Flowers were presented to the ship, then I was called forward and given an incredible bouquet. The purpose of the band quickly became evident. They struck up "Happy Birthday to You" and then left. The ceremony went on.

We were presented drawings from the children that greeted us and saw us off, and were cheered on by the friends we had made during the week. Again I was called forward! This time the local officials of Osaka presented me with a wrapped gift, while the cameras of the local press rolled away. (I'm on the way to fame and fortune now, baby.) After the ceremony, I was encouraged to open it. They had given me a beautiful set of Japanese laquerware - rice bowls, chopsticks, and chopstick holders. I was astounded.

The ship cast off lines shortly after the ceremony, and we were cheered on by our new friends. They had set out to show the rest of Japan how to receive a visiting tall ship, and had gone above and beyond anything we could have expected. We were warmly and graciously received. The friends we made there have traveled for hours in some cases to visit us in later ports. They went out of their way to make my birthday, spent thousands of miles away from home, a special event.

And indeed it is one I'll never forget.

The following day, June 29, was spent sailing. The crew sang to me at watch change. Tina brought up cupcakes. The weather was beautiful. Another lucky year older, surrounded by very special, talented friends. I can only hope to have the next five celebrated in such great places, on boats, and with such special people.

Caroline Smith
Deckhand