The Witness

I started my journey on the ship, flying from San Francisco to Yokohama. I have never been there before, and I came for learning about their gas and oil sources. I planned a meeting with a CEO of an important Japanese oil company, for knowing more about their resources and also maybe negotiating and coming to a fair deal.

When I got on the ship Immediately I was nervous. hundreds of people were compressed in the entrance of the ship. I guess they were all confused and wondered in which cabin they will stay, or with who.

I looked on the view from the ship and felt sad. After the war, the view is not something you would expect to see from normal views. What used to be a perfect skyline turned out to be grey and sooty. A lot of places have lost their beauty due to the war, and became some sort of an empty pale shell. Everyone was looking to get out of this town because of the war… so you need to be grateful for every opportunity you get for accommodation.

Even though I was expecting to be alone in my cabin, I soon found out that I was with two British men, and I was relieved. I got my keys for the cabin got in first. The room was small and smelled of cigarettes. It bothered me because I don’t smoke, and it made the room feel used. I chose on which bad I will sleep, and put my things on a chair nearby. 

Soon my partners got into the room, one after one. They both were very polite and nice, and introduced themselves as John and Din, and I felt very lucky and started to realize that this trip maybe won’t be that bad. They seemed fine with the room and right away made me feel like one of their friends. Apparently, they smoke. I didn’t like that, but I also didn’t complain.

When we got to the dining room, I found out that me and my roommates have a lot of things in common. I also met a new person: Mr. Kakada. He felt the urge to know me and make connections, which I found kind of obvious and rude.

There was live music, and someone who played in a saxophone.

Mr. Kelada felt like it was the perfect time for talking about his favorite instruments. I didn’t care about it and mainly wanted to rest, but Mr. Kelada clung to me all day.

Afterwards, I went to talk with my room partners and he interrupted and introduced himself. Everyone seemed to hate him and my partners looked at me strangely. He wanted to play with us card games but I said we got to go to our room. But he claimed he knew card tricks and was very serious about it, while everyone took him as a joke. People started to gather around us and wanted him to show us his best tricks. 

After a while, I said I need to go and he didn’t understand the clear message and handed me in a poster about a party he organizes on the ship. He told me everyone said they are coming to it, and I wondered if it’s true.

Afterwards that day I got into my room and was going to make a shower, when I noticed that there was French products. I hoped it didn’t say anything about one of them but it made me worry.

A day later was Mr. Kelada’s party.  I guess he was very excited and I felt bad for not going so eventually I decided to go. Even though everyone said to him they would go, they probably were laughing at him, because only a few came. the place was empty and I felt embarrassed for being the only one there.

But it turned out to the best. We started to talk, and I understood he only wanted to make friends and feel belong, even if he can be intimidating at first place. We had some great conversations and a good chemistry. So after two hours, the party was over and I shook his had and already know this is the start of a good friendship.