We, the Coronado Scribes, consist of both professional and amateur writers. We have in common a desire to learn, by sharing our efforts and listening to other writers. We hold pressure-less sessions every Wednesday, at the Coronado Library conference room, starting at 1:30. Often we have guests who wish to just listen. They are welcome, and so are you.
Each week on eCoronado, we feature a different piece of prose or poetry produced by one of our writers. Please feel free to comment or ask questions in the comment section below.
Foreign Exchanges
by Tom Leary
My wife Stephanie and I not only share a love of travel, but also have similar ideas on what to do abroad. We are not primarily interested in shopping excursions, local entertainments, or food and drink. We would rather spend our time in museums and visit the local monuments and historic buildings. This means that we probably do not have as many interactions with local people as other travelers with different interests. But, some exchanges do stand out in memory.
A Surprise in Amsterdam
The historic sights in Amsterdam would be within easy walking distance, if you could do so directly. But, the city is ringed with canals in concentric circles, with different radial connections. So, navigation can be difficult.
One day, when we were lost, I stepped into a small café to see if anyone could help. The middle-aged woman behind a counter had the broad face and blond hair that is typical of the region. So, I started out very slowly: “Excuse me .. do you..speak English?” I was rewarded with a big smile and a crisp reply in a New York accent: “I sure do, tootsie! What’s the matter, are you lost?” When she saw my stupefied expression, she added that she had spent her teen years in Brooklyn.
A Clever Vendor in Cairo
The streets of Cairo were dense with people, and it seemed like most of them are trying to sell us something. One young man attached himself to me, in an attempt to sell a guidebook that I did not want. I kept shaking my head, and saying “no,” but he merely responded with increasingly lower prices. Finally, in evident frustration, he thrust the book into my hand, and said: “Alright, I’ll just give it to you!” Then, he started to walk away.
Of course, he guessed correctly that I would be too embarrassed to keep the book. I followed him and insisted he take it back; he kept refusing; and I eventually gave him a couple of dollars for the privilege of returning his “gift.”
A Warm Reception in France
We were on a family cruise when our ship stopped in the harbor of Le Havre. Members of the family selected different shore excursions. Our second son, David, joined me on a visit to Normandy, to see the beaches where troops from the U.S., U.K. and Canada landed in June, 1944, as well as the American Cemetery for some of the thousands who were killed in that campaign.
A pleasant and eloquent French woman, who was our guide on the trip, said that thousands of local civilians had also lost their lives. In fact, two of her grandparents had been killed when Le Havre was bombed by the Allies on the night before the invasion. Then, she added something I cannot forget:
“I mention this only to remind you that the cost was heavy for all. But, please do not assume that we who live in Normandy have the same cynical attitude that Americans may encounter elsewhere in this country. We still think of you and the other Allies as our liberators, and we will always be grateful.”
For the rest of the tour, she used the word “liberators” over and over again, and the flags of the Allies were flying everywhere.
