Captain's Log for Saturday, 29 January 2000
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As of 0700 Eastern Standard time, 1200 GMT, and at 1400 local ship time, the Empire State was docked in Piraeus, Greece. The Latitude and Longitude for her location: 37-41 N, 023-46E. The weather was cloudy, with calm winds, an air temp of 55 degrees and the water temp was 60 degrees. Barometric pressure was 1023 millibars of mercury and steady. CAPTAIN'S LOG Yesterday's agenda was pleasure packed and exhausting...But we suffered through. As I wrote, Friday began on an extremely high note as the United States Ambassador to Greece honored us with a wonderful morning visit. Then in the early afternoon, Mr. Livanos hosted an informal reception at Ceres Helenic Shipping Enterprises. Approximately ninety cadets and ten officers attended and were greeted by Mr. Livanos, his staff and a large number of students from two local universities. The tables were heavily laden with local drink and cuisine and we enjoyed no less than eight different Greek hors d'oeuvres. However, the best part of the afternoon was watching as our cadets mingled comfortably with Greek students of the same age. As the reception wound down, four "multi-national" groups had formed and were departing to visit Empire State and enjoy the local sights. I can't say how many of the newly formed friendships endured throughout the evening but early indications were promising.
We returned to the ship and quickly prepared for the next engagement; a formal dinner at the Yacht Club of Greece, again generously hosted by Mr. Livanos. He arranged this dinner as yet another opportunity for our cadets and Greek students to become better acquainted. Twenty-five senior cadets and seven officers mixed with equal numbers of cadets from the Greek Coast Guard and the Greek Mercantile Marine Academy. The dinner was lavishly prepared and the wine was excellent. I was told that the menu was chosen expressly by Mr. Livanos' mother. The buffet was at least twenty feet long and the offerings included classic Greek dishes...fish, lobster, shrimp, lamb and pork... all delicately prepared. We were treated superbly and the wineglasses were perpetually full. Both Mr. Livanos and RADM Bresnhan made short and appropriate speeches. Mr. Livanos began speaking in Greek. He explained to his countrymen that they would now hear the "Greek-American boy" that they had come to recognize. Mr. Livanos earned his MBA at Columbia and is an accomplished international businessman. He shifted effortlessly to impeccable English and delivered his simple message...Don't miss opportunities to communicate. Communication among young Americans and Greeks is vital to international cooperation and business success. RADM Bresnahan followed and accepted Mr. Livanos' charge for the young people. The Admiral related his wonderful experiences when visiting Greece as a young Naval Officer. The impromptu speeches were obviously delivered from the heart and young cadets from both countries were witnesses to the genuine sincerity of both very successful men. The long but enjoyable day ended on a high note just as it had begun. Everyone was tired but we can rest this evening. No, not this evening. I am hosting the Captain's reception tonight. We will rest after entertaining our guests from Piraeus. See you tomorrow.
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