LOL you should write a book turkalies I love these storys!! ele > > > About 2 1/2 years ago, my middle daughter Sandy met a guy on the net. > They had a lot in common and quickly developed a close friendship. It > wasn't long before it was more. One minor problem: he lived in Holland > and he was married. He swore it was a wretched marriage. Yeah, heard > that one before!! > > Two years ago he came to America. They spent 2 weeks together. He went > home and moved out of his house. He got divorced. 1 1/2 years ago she > moved to Holland. I'm so pleased to say that Ben is an honest man, a > great guy! Sandy is so happy where she is. She has a super nice house, a > fantastic husband and a brand new prestigious job. She's one lucky yping > lady! But that isn't the point of this story. > > We in this country are so used to what we have that it just seems > normal. We don't have a clue how the rest of the world lives. I sure had > an eye opener last week. Ben and Sandy came for a visit and they brought > his 21 year old daughter, also named Sandy. I can't tolerate having two > Sandys around, too confusing! She was promptly named Little Sandy, LS, > Ellis. She was quite amused by her new nickname! I'm telling you this > now for clarity sake. > > Sandy said that after they landed in Washington DC, they were hungry and > found a restaurant next to the hotel. They ordered sandwiches and fries. > When the waitress brought the three plates of food out, Ellis's eyes > popped out of her head! Nowhere in Europe do you get that much food! > Sandy said the usual portion is about 1/3 of what we consider normal. > > Next shock to Ellis's system came when Sandy took her to a supper > Wal-Mart. She came to a complete stop and just stared, with an open > mouth. She's never seen so much "stuff" under one roof. Well, that > amused Sandy so much she took her to a supermarket. Ellis gasped and was > in total shock! The meat department completely blew her mind! > > >From DC they drove to Austin, Texas. There is an annual music festival > there, South by Southwest. Ben attends yearly. I should mention here > that he's the head of Munich Records. Poor Ellis was stunned by the size > of this country. You drive and drive and there's still more of it! And > cows! She's never seen so many cows! And horses. Not to mention sheep, > pigs, chickens and dogs! > > After the festival they came here. Now I'm as bad as my daughter. What > can I do that will awe Ellis? After a little thought I came up with > taking them to Golden Corral, a buffet restaurant. It turned out to be > an inspired thought because I got Ben too! > > When Ben and Ellis saw all the choices they were overwhelmed. Ben asked, > "What are we allowed to take?" When they were told they could have > anything they wanted, as much as they wanted, they about had a heart > attack! Needless to say they dove in with gusto! After the meal, Ben was > curious as to the cost. When he was told that for 5 people the bill came > to $40, he thought there had to be a mistake. Most meals in Europe are > $20 per person! > > To say the visit was educational is an understatement, on both sides of > the pond. Now I'm plotting what to spring on them next year. Maybe a > biker bar? > .·:*´¨`*:·..·:*´¨`*:·. *: * Richiele * * *·. .·* `*·-:¦:-*´ ³´`*:»§«:*´`³