h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I have beautiful pinky/purple tobacco plant flowers, and they smell wonderful. Thanks so much for recommending them! I have a corner of my garden filled with evening scented flowers, and it makes it a pleasure to sit out there with my coat on, during these fine summer evenings.

Thanks again.

Hi Mina,
Sorry I haven't replied earlier but I have just got back from the USA and am trying to get rid of my jet lag by reading messages and drinking Jack Daniels.
I'm glad my suggestions worked for you: it's a pleasure to be of assistance. if you are feeling more adventurous next year, go for Nicotiana sylvestris. These have an even more heady fragrance, and huge, emerald green leaves which, at a pinch, might substititute for a packet of Rizlas. Or even allow you to maike your own cigars. Oh, those dusky maidens rolling leaves against their olive skinned thighs.....


FM

Did you have a good time on your holiday?

I'll be sure to make a note of that, and get some in for next summer.

Absolutely fantastic, thanks. My missus' brother has an apartment in Greenwich Village, which is a fascinating place and has loads of brilliant shops, pubs, clubs and restaurants. We used that as a base to explore NY City: The Empire State, Central Park, Natural History Museum, Bronx Zoo, FAO Schwarz Toyshop, Mars 2112, Times Square (garish or what) Tenement Museum (fascinating place, actually), Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty, and of course, Ground Zero . We then went up to Buffalo and visited friends (and saw Niagara Falls), and came back and met my inlaws in rural Pennsylvania for a few days of chllin' out, boozing and fishing.
On the whole, I found the New Yorkers a good deal more friendly than Londoner. It's also a safe city to walk around now. And the trains run on time.
I did nearly have an altercation with a Japanese tourist at Ground Zero. While we were there, looking on sombrely at the place where 2800 people died, this guy and his spouse pushed in front of us so he could take the usual photo of her grinning against the backdrop of the site. Being twice his size, I nearly snatched his camera out of his hand and stamped on it, but luckily for him I thought twice and he got some good old Anglo Saxon invective.
Notwithstanding the more moronic elements you come across, if you get the chance to visit then go. It's a great place for kids too so your son won't be bored: there's loads to do and see. But don't go in August 'cos it's too flamin' hot!

FM

Hello... I just read your letter to Felonious and I thought I might mention to you that the Japanese tourist was probably just using customary Japanese manners.
I've not been to Japan but I live in China and I know Korea and Thailand and they're all the same: it is quite usual and normal to 'push in', queuing is rare - though of course it happens in the more modern places, large big city banks etc.. But even there it has to be enforced by sturdy guide rails etc...
It's just the way they live.
And you're right. It is not the way we live and when in our countries, or when trying to know the world, they should learn about how we live, how others live, what we consider good manners.
regards,
abrogard.

It wasn't the lack of manners in itself that upset me, it's just that Ground Zero is a rather sad place to be going around taking banal tourist snaps. I think I object more to the appropriateness of the act itself rather than the importunate nature with which it was carried out.
Having said that, there are a lot of Anmerican hawkers selling tasteless tat around that site, so perhaps they should put their own house in order first.