Meet Yellow Card Roy. As Bill, Gabby, and I sat in the Amsterdam Airport on our way to Rome, Gabby noticed the man across from us struggling to open his pencil package. He would try to open it for a bit and then take a break and play with his phone or something. Then a few minutes later he'd pick the package up and try again only to set it down unopened. It was like he was attempting to crack a safe and he had to collect himself in-between tries. The process was driving Gab nuts - she just
had to try to open it herself. So she practically bolts over to him and grabbed the package out of his hands. Between the two of them they finally got the offending package torn apart. We told him that we had been watching the whole thing and he was a great sport. We ended up chatting for the next few hours. He is Scottish and was very open about what an emotional and physical soccer player he is (thus the nick name we gave him), all of this in stark contrast to his nice guy demeanor. He's currently in a study program where he was going to Vienna. It was all very fascinating. After that he was meeting up with his wife for a vacation across Europe. They sound like a fabulous couple. I'm sure I butchered his story, but we really found him quite interesting and wish him and his wife well.
On the cruise we made fast friends with a couple of our dinner companions, Britta and Clara. The first night we sat with them I don't know how we even ate because we were laughing so much. I haven't laughed so hard since Cousin Jim told us a story about pigs and hot air balloons last summer. It's one of those "you had to be there moments," but trust me we were all rolling!
There's also tremendous depth to both women, so conversations were also enlightening.
Clara has a fascinating outlook on life that I just couldn't do justice to here. I wish I was more capable. One morning we saw her on our way to an excursion and she called to us, "I hope you have an epiphany!" Love her!
This is Jim and Britta. Have you ever felt an instant bond with another person, like you've known each other before? That's what it was like for me and Britta. Right away I knew I liked her and I was completely comfortable with her. There's no topic we can't discuss, no dance floor too hot, and no emotion we wouldn't share. She is fabulous and I'm sure we were meant to meet on this cruise.
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8 comments:
Dear Amy, I'm so glad you decided to write about Britta and Clara on your blog. They were amazing, I loved them both, we were very lucky that they were allocated to our table. Both strong, independant, well travelled and open minded and great fun to be with. I agree with everything you've said about them. I must look up their contact details and get in touch. I can't even remember what it was we were laughing about on that first night, but I laughed so much that it hurt. I still don't understand though why no one seems to believe me or share my concerns about the dangers of flying hot air balloons over pig farms. It's a well known fact that pigs can't look up. Looks like I'll have to do more internet research to prove it!
i love the pictures, and hearing the stories again, it still all makes me laugh! although i think right now i am laughing at cousin jim's firm position on flying hot air balloons over pig farms, and the consequent dangers. this sounds like an amazing trip and i'm so glad you had amazing people with you to go along with it.
Well BFF Melanie, I must say I'm disappointed, it sounds like you're not convinced about the whole balloon/pig farm thing either. Will nobody believe me? That's it! I'm off to sign up for one of those pig-farming discussion forums somewhere in the murkier regions of the internet....
Cousin Jim.. As amusing as the thought of the panicky pigs is for all of us, I can't help but feel that you need to verify your 'datum' before continuing to disseminate this unlikely theory ;)
I miss you cousin jim! I am still practicing my favorite hobby - lol
-Gabby
Wait i was so ditracted by the pigs!!! Amy, love the blog, and that you are still sharing memories from our trip - I loved it so much. I would give anything to be back on that ship with my family and those wonderful people we met. One of my most memorable moments was sitting on Clara's balcony, watching the ocean roll by while we drank limoncello and just talked. I slept better those 2 cruise weeks than I have at any other time in my life. mmmm, cruise...
-Gabby
somehow this blog post has turned into hot air balloons and landing in pig farms, but i love it! i did do some research cj and it turns out that you are right! my apologies for being skeptical before. it looks though, that we also should be afraid of landing near sheep, are you aware?? i wanted you to be fully informed.
Yes, yes, yes! Recognition and acknowledgement of the facts at last! Thanks BFF Melanie, I can see why Amy says so many good things about you and holds you in such high regard. I didn't know about the sheep problem but I'm very glad you passed that on. It's always good to be aware of these things. Sorry Amy, I appear to have highjacked your blog, hope you don't mind.
Hello Gabby, "unlikely theory"? Hah, proof if ever it were needed I think! No problem with my datum! (don't tell Bill I used the forbidden d-word).
I've missed you too (even your favourite hobby), I hope you're well and happy and look forward to your tour of Dallas' best eating places next time I'm over which I hope will be soon.
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