Some Bloggers are very prolific. They update their blogs very often, perhaps in a daily manner. These people usually keep thinking about their next blog posts, while walking, or dining, or even when sleeping. I also do the same thing. All the time I involve in my daily affairs, I will be thinking about ways to develop a nice intriguing post out of my experiences. But still, some people are able to make it in a daily manner; some others like me have to really struggle to make it at least once in a month.
Some weeks before, a ship called the Logos Hope, popularly known as the biggest floating library in the world, anchored at Willingdon Island in Cochin. As per the announcement, the ship would be remaining there for some two weeks. You could go there, and purchase books from the vast collection sorted and arranged aesthetically in various shelves. People who know me personally are well aware about my craze for books, though in present times, I don’t read much.
Suddenly it started raining. I pulled the collar of my jacket and covered my head so that I could at least save my head from wetting. None of the bibliophiles in the queue was giving even a damn to the moderate downpour. And somehow, when we all entered inside the tent after nearly half an hour long wait in the rain, I saw a huge crowd rushing within the tent without even know where exactly they could have collected the entry tickets from.
I actually thought about the 1997 classic movie, Titanic. It was in a similar occasion, when Jack Dawson found himself with his friend on the decks of the celebrated ship of the same name. Why should I explain that well known tragedy made based on the real incident took place in 1912? And hey, I don’t like lying; I sincerely expected at least one Rose Bukater somewhere in the vicinities with a beautiful smile.
Once entered the ship, I found not many books capable of being satiating my hunger for literature. The pricing of books was very interesting. Since the ship is travelling all around the world, for the easiness of currency conversion, the pricings were made in Units. In India, 100 units means 80 Rupees. If you find a book worth 300 units, you would have to pay Rs. 240 to get a copy. If the ship is anchored at some other part of the world, the value of the book will be the same 300 units. But, the prize will be different according to the currency of the region and currency conversion rates set by the ship authorities.
I bought two books, which I found interesting to a certain extent, thinking that if my Mastercard was compatible to their system, I could have bought more books. One is about the famous quotations and sayings and the other one is a compilation of biographies of some famous film personalities including Charles Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Akira Kurosowa, Bergman, Tarkovsky, Fellini, etc. While making my exit, the ship boys gifted me another book as a custom, which was dealing with the modern day crisis of broken families.
Though totally wet, I returned to my dwelling place with some nice memories to cherish and some good books to ponder upon.
Though totally wet, I returned to my dwelling place with some nice memories to cherish and some good books to ponder upon.
In Pictures:
Picture 1: Logos Hope in Kochi
Picture 2: Scene from Titanic (1997)
selling books inside a ship..! sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteUnit currency seems to be a smart thing to do. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI think its a great way of doing business by the Ship people... sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteHere they have bookmobiles to service rural communities. But those are lending libraries, which are funded by taxpayers. I'm curious as to the identity of the investors for this ship of books.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you will give us your impressions of your latest literary acquisitions in another post?
nice pic
ReplyDeleteyes one has to think all the time to write post everyday.
interesting way of selling books. I would probably go crazy, as I love books!
ReplyDeletethough lived at a seashore city for about 8 years but never got a chance to see a "floating library".....thanks for sharing it and do expect to have new posts here more frequently now if not on daily basis.....:))
ReplyDeleteDear Tomz,
ReplyDeletethat was an interesting ship that came with the books!
As for writing a post almost every day, I wonder: maybe they use it as a sort of diary? Otherwise it is almost impossible to write so much! (And, come to think of it: to read so much - as a follower of many blogs there is a limit to what I can read and and comment!) Once a week is good - although Mae West once said: "Too much of a good thing is - a good thing". :-)
I wish I was there...to feast on those books ....lovely concept that makes for an interesting post.
ReplyDelete@Harish
ReplyDeleteYes..that was truly interesting
@NRI Girl
That was the first thing which I came to notice
@Tan
yes really
@Walk2write
This is a German ship. They are doing charity works..I hope u will find them at ur closest bay one day
@SM
Like the way u do it :)
@rachna
ReplyDeleteyes, u shud have been here
@Irfanuddin
I think, this ship after left cochi anchored at some other ports of India
@britta
I forgot to mention in my post, that the ship was German. Perhaps u would know about it more than I do
@Rek
Yes, u should have been here :)
interesting .. I use to write very often but now I dont get much time hence post after a few days ..
ReplyDeleteCochin reminds me when i had gone there for my school trip in 10th class it was awesome , we also went to a ship it was a german army ship i think ..
a good book you bought with quatations and all :)
have a great weekend :)
@ITB
ReplyDeleteThank you,
@Biks
Thanks fr sharing ur memories