Mine enemy is growing old,
I have at last revenge.
The palate of the hate departs:
If any would avenge,

Let him be quick, the viand flits,
It is a faded meat,
Anger as soon as fed is dead:
'T is starving makes it fat.


Emily Dickinson

Together

My sister and her daughter asked if there was enough space in my home for a couple of friends who will coming with them from Paris. I said yes, rooms could be rearranged to fit all.

Sister and niece arrived first. Later, we went to Gare du Midi to meet the friends, but no one showed up.

In the evening we received a phone call. They apologized because they have arrived late and didn't want to disturb us, so they decided to spend their first night in a hotel.

The following day we met. A mother and her 20-year-old daughter. The father had to stay in Paris.

A kindhearted family, as my sister told me, and very attached to each other. With only one daughter the parents were quite protective. They enjoyed a comfortable life and used to travel to Europe every summer.

The mother was a journalist with a monthly article in one of the biggest newspapers. daughter was beautiful, dark-skinned with green eyes and cola black hair. her childish face couple with the dry sense of humor made her company fun.

Moments after they entered the house, the mother asked who arranged the lush plant pots on the bookshelves. She praised my taste. She got closer to read the titles of the books and said "You have the whole series of the encyclopedia on the Egyptian history". "Comprehensive and easy to read" I commented. "I know, my father is the author" she said.

Two years later, three persons holding each other's hands were crossing a busy main road in a touristy east Mediterranean city when an over-speeding car hit them. They all died immediately. A tragic accident that deeply touched their friends, but a probably-insensitive thought was shared though "Leaving together could be sometimes more merciful"

People I Met

-I have a problem.

-How can I help?

-My belongings don't fit in the bag. Is there a place where I can buy a new bag

now?
-At 11 o'clock it is difficult to find somewhere open. What time is your flight tomorrow?
-10 o'clock and I have to be at the airport before 8 o'clock.

-I doubt shops will be open by that time.

-I know, what can I do then?

-I dunno.....wait...we have a suitcase that was left more than one year ago in some room in the hotel and nobody claimed it since. I will ask my boss if we can give it to you.

-That is very kind. Thank you.

-Well, my boss said ok. As if the suitcase was left specifically for you. We kept it in the storage full of women underwear as we found it. Let me empty it first.
-Thank you very much, I really appreciate it.

............................
-We find it a bit strange. So we pay 15 dollars per day to rent a car, but then we have to add like 40 dollars per day for additional costs such as taxes, basic insurance...etc. This is quite unusual where I came from.

-This is how business is done here.

............................
-Do you have a pet with you?

-No.
-So please sign here that you don't have a pet. If we found out you have a pet, the additional charges will grow from 10 dollars per night to 50 dollars.

-No, I assure you I don't have a pet.

.............................
-You speak English well, where did you learn it?

-At school. But I have a heavy accent.

-You do, but it is understandable. So you speak two languages.

-No, three. And I am working on the fourth.

-Wow.
.............................
-May I help you? What are you looking for on the map?

-We want to go to Union Square.

-You go down straight to the bus station. No. 35 will take you there.

-Thank you.

-I like to help, I am a native San Franciscan and lived here all my life. I love this unique city although the economy isn't in its best condition right now. Have you been to the Fisherman's Wharf, Sausalito, and Golden Gate? There is a wonderful exhibition in Alcatraz. You should go and visit.

-Thank you.

-A nice guy.

-He is, but I took few steps back when he was talking. He reeks of alcohol.