Andrea has been my internet-companion from the first time we met on "Search Malta", way back in November 2000. Like 2 inexperienced teenagers, we small talked ourselves into a friendship that necessitated me to visit Vienna on my way to my yearly trip to Malta.
Although Viennese are not particularly known for their height, their average is slightly above my 5'5" height. The hour I had lost arranging for my bag to be delivered to her place coincided with the arrival of other planes and something close to a thousand people faced me as I made my way out of Customs. They were all towering over my head. What seemed like a German shepherd also towered over me. I later found out he was a policeman. I told you I was tired!
Out of the crowd, a beautiful, blue eyed, 5'10" tall lady approached me. She looked similar to the photographs she sent me, or not at all, but a huge hug and big kiss later I was reasonably sure that I was in the right arms. I was taken by the hand and through a series of 3 coffees explained my lateness and complete lack of coherence. The big smile on her face showed me I was forgiven, so I rambled on, as is my nature, about all matters that are as confusing to me and more so to a relative stranger.
Franz, a tall, bearded, friend of Andrea, turned up to join us. He assigned himself the job as driver. The 3 of us nattered long and laughed loud. Two more coffees and it was time to move my weary carcase to the car and unpack the little laptop case I use as carry on luggage in my new temporary home.
Passing through the outskirts of the city made little impression. Little did I know what was in store for me in the next week! Driving to Dreihirten it seemed we had known each other forever. A pleasant weariness came over me and I could have slept for a month.
E-mail to Ray Agius: Ramel@bigpond.com
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