Andreas looks about my age. Perhaps I am at a stage in my life that I can relate to the trials and tribulations and joys that fathers go through. At least a little bit of resonant emotions.
It was Father's Day Sunday.
I wished Andreas a happy Father's Day.
And handed him a bar of Trader Joe's Belgian chocolate.
I almost never, ever travel without those chocolate bars. When I am alone, they comfort me. When I am excited, they share that with me. When I want to give somebody, especially students, a gift, those bars are awesome.
Once, at a crowded Lufthansa checking-in, a stern young German woman completed the process and handed me the boarding pass. Thankfully, the paranoid self looked at them to make sure it was kosher. It was a surprise--business class. A free upgrade!
That was one of the many free upgrades I have had over the years. The pleasures of a free upgrade are immeasurable especially when flying halfway around the world.
When it was time to board the aircraft, I noticed the same young woman verifying the passports and boarding passes. I dug into my backpack and kept ready in my hand a bar of Trader Joe's chocolate bar.
And handed him a bar of Trader Joe's Belgian chocolate.
I almost never, ever travel without those chocolate bars. When I am alone, they comfort me. When I am excited, they share that with me. When I want to give somebody, especially students, a gift, those bars are awesome.
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| Orosi is quite a picturesque town |
Once, at a crowded Lufthansa checking-in, a stern young German woman completed the process and handed me the boarding pass. Thankfully, the paranoid self looked at them to make sure it was kosher. It was a surprise--business class. A free upgrade!
That was one of the many free upgrades I have had over the years. The pleasures of a free upgrade are immeasurable especially when flying halfway around the world.
When it was time to board the aircraft, I noticed the same young woman verifying the passports and boarding passes. I dug into my backpack and kept ready in my hand a bar of Trader Joe's chocolate bar.
First, I gave her my passport and boarding pass. She handed them back to me when she was done.
I then gave her the chocolate bar and said "thanks." The stern German simply nodded her head as she accepted it. True to the German stereotype, not even a smile!
Now, it was another German to whom I gave another chocolate bar. Andreas was visibly excited, unlike that Lufthansa woman. "Thanks. It is my son who should give me a gift" he said.
Connie, his wife, chipped in: "he is sleeping and won't get up for a while. I don't think he has any gift for you."
So, there was a son.
The following morning, I saw a young man working with Andreas and Connie. "You must be the son" I said.
"One of the two" Andreas said.
"Twins" said Connie.
"Thanks for giving my father a gift on my behalf" said the son with a huge grin on his face.
Now, it was another German to whom I gave another chocolate bar. Andreas was visibly excited, unlike that Lufthansa woman. "Thanks. It is my son who should give me a gift" he said.
Connie, his wife, chipped in: "he is sleeping and won't get up for a while. I don't think he has any gift for you."
So, there was a son.
The following morning, I saw a young man working with Andreas and Connie. "You must be the son" I said.
"One of the two" Andreas said.
"Twins" said Connie.
"Thanks for giving my father a gift on my behalf" said the son with a huge grin on his face.
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| Father and son: Andreas and Sebastian |
1 comment:
sweet
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