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

Once upon a time, a young couple went interrailing in Europe, the way that many young did in the 80's.

After crashing some grown up (married, small children) friends and neighbours who had rented a house in Bretagne for a week, and staying a night or two with them, we stayed not one but two nights at a hotel by Gare StLazare, Paris. "Patron" was so amazed he hollered at the maids for several minutes that we were staying. I suspect that his other guests paid by the hour...

Once we had seen a bit of Paris we decided to go to Italy, and entered a car of the train towards Rome. The signs on the doors clearly said ROME, I am certain to this day.

Somewhere in the alps, the train stopped at a station, there was a lot of talking in the loudspeakers, and most people left our car. But we had read the signs for Rome, and sat peacefully. Until the end station was announced. And it clearly was not Rome. This was Bourg St Maurice. Very pretty. Very quaint. But not Rome.

So we spent the day, and took the evening train back to where we had missed the change earlier. And shared the ride with a sweet little lady. She spoke no English, and my French barely gets us food from a menu, my husbands (brand new boyfriend then...) French is barely above detection limit. But we spoke, and traded adresses, and parted as friends.

My dear and I spent some hours on a station floor (the way Interrailers are supposed to) and continued our way to Rome.

Over the years we exchaged letters in primitive pidgin French (ours) and flourishing poetic French (Henriettes) and recounted wedding and childrens births, and travels and house moves for eachother.

Last year, we got a late New Years greeting, asking us 'just WHEN are you coming to the south of France?' So we went in April, and fell in love with Provence like tourists are supposed to, and met up with Henriette again. She still speaks no English, our French has barely improved and we had a wonderful time toghether.

This year, as Henriette and I had had our birthday (same day...) we got in touch again, and she took us up on our invitation and is coming in August! And she wants to see Stockholm, so I will take her there, and that is why I suggested the 9-10 August!

Another thing - over the years, my dear husband and I got the habit of talking about Henriette as Madame, in the way you would say Grandmother or Mummy, so the tounge still slips now and then, which is quite embarassing when talking to her

So now you know the long story behind the meetup date of 9 August!

Tjing
Milla

Cant wait to meet her

Well, LuckyStar, now you have!

I havent been online since before Stockholm! Henriette is still here, so I won't post much, just check out the latest...

Tjing
Milla

Do send her my regards, it was a real delight to meet her.