After an eventful summer on the island of Elba (and a still partially open wound from the appendectomy to show for it...) I set out to cross the Atlantic on a cargo ship, which on the one hand had been a longtime wish, and on the other represented a convenient means of traveling with bulky luggage, i.e. my cello, which I couldn't get over my heart to check in onto an airplane. The voyage connected very well with my parents, who saw therein an opportunity to remunerate my efforts to graduate from college, and so the project to sail from Montreal to Hamburg (via Antwerp) took shape.

Arrangements duly made, I found myself in Montreal and almost missed the ship because it was sailing a day ahead of scheduled and I had neglected to call the agent earlier. Naturally, the exhilaration of finally climbing up the gangway after a nerve-racking taxi ride to the pier kept me giddy the whole first day. The Chief Officer welcomed me and showed me to my cabin, and in the adjoining passenger lounge I met the only other passenger, Heiner, a Hollywood producer setting up shop in Germany. I was also introduced to our stewards Pradeep and Stanley, who took care of our every need (including a friendly phone call to the cabin if one was appearing to miss breakfast).

A unique experience awaited me and I will certainly cruise on a freighter again someday. The mid-Atlantic queasiness (not eventful, just bothersome) is forgotten and the only thing clouding the memory now is the fact that I lost two films, covering the last stage from Antwerp to Hamburg, in development. Nonetheless, here is the compilation of photographs and memories of this adventure.