Sometimes you fine yourself in a situation which should be ordinary but, by some magic, transforms itself into a memorable incident - like our train trip yesterday from Oak Flats to the airport. The train was busy, but we got on at the first stop and settled ourselves and our suitcases in the corner of one carriage. It annoys me that inter-city trains and those going to the airport don't have places to put luggage. By the time we had stopped two or three times, our bit of the carriage had half a dozen people, all with suitcases. At Dapto, a couple got on with two of the biggest suitcases I have ever seen, two carry-on suitcases and two shopping bags stuffed with stuff (excuse my vernacular). They squeezed in beside me with their cases in front. It was certainly getting cosy.
The fellow opposite (his name was Eric) laughed, 'looks like you're going away for the weekend!' The couple were clearly European and the man didn't understand what was being said but his wife translated. It seems they were going to 'Griss' to see their sons. This seemed to amuse Eric too and he asked the Greek gentleman in what year he was born. 1943, was the reply. 'Me, too!,' says Eric, 'what month?' I confessed to being born in 1943 as well which caused Eric much hilarity.
At Wollongong, a worried-looking man came through the carriage. Eric says, 'Are you all right, mate?' 'No, I'm lost,' says the fellow, moving on. 'Were you born in 1943?' Eric calls out. 'Yes!' Is the reply. Eric almost falls off his seat with delight. Five minutes later the worried man, who turns out to be Ken, comes back to borrow a mobile 'phone. I offer mine but he asks me to ring his friend Hilary to see where she is. He had expected to meet her on the train but she can't be found. She's waiting at Wollongong!
By this time, we're all the best of friends. Ken and Eric have the same birthday! Almost too much delight to bear. It seems that Eric's son runs the Gloria Jean's coffee shop in Launceston so he insists that we call in for a free cup of coffee. We hear about his love-life, how much his last girlfriend cost him and the one he met at the Dapto Leagues Club but who lives at Miranda. Ken has never been married and Hilary is just a 'very good (married) friend. Marilyn took pictures to send to Hilary and to give to Eric's son, Garry, in Launceston.
It was almost a relief when we got to Wolli Creek and had to change trains.
The fellow opposite (his name was Eric) laughed, 'looks like you're going away for the weekend!' The couple were clearly European and the man didn't understand what was being said but his wife translated. It seems they were going to 'Griss' to see their sons. This seemed to amuse Eric too and he asked the Greek gentleman in what year he was born. 1943, was the reply. 'Me, too!,' says Eric, 'what month?' I confessed to being born in 1943 as well which caused Eric much hilarity.
At Wollongong, a worried-looking man came through the carriage. Eric says, 'Are you all right, mate?' 'No, I'm lost,' says the fellow, moving on. 'Were you born in 1943?' Eric calls out. 'Yes!' Is the reply. Eric almost falls off his seat with delight. Five minutes later the worried man, who turns out to be Ken, comes back to borrow a mobile 'phone. I offer mine but he asks me to ring his friend Hilary to see where she is. He had expected to meet her on the train but she can't be found. She's waiting at Wollongong!
By this time, we're all the best of friends. Ken and Eric have the same birthday! Almost too much delight to bear. It seems that Eric's son runs the Gloria Jean's coffee shop in Launceston so he insists that we call in for a free cup of coffee. We hear about his love-life, how much his last girlfriend cost him and the one he met at the Dapto Leagues Club but who lives at Miranda. Ken has never been married and Hilary is just a 'very good (married) friend. Marilyn took pictures to send to Hilary and to give to Eric's son, Garry, in Launceston.
It was almost a relief when we got to Wolli Creek and had to change trains.
No comments:
Post a Comment