[A/S] Foreign Visitors

[hhamp5246@xxxxxxx]

Hi Gang,

Remember a few weeks ago someone forwarded a post about some people from the 
Netherlands visiting the US...... and looking to meet some Airstreamers...?

Well, I dropped them a line that I live near I-40 and if they were coming 
this way they were welcome to spend the night with water and electric.

They called on Wednesday morning and said they would be here Thursday 
afternoon.... no problem, I had company coming on Friday but so what?

I have to tell you, everyone they *didn't* visit missed a great 
opportunity......  

We had a blast...... There was Victor and Stehanie and their two young girls. 
 The adults spoke impeccable english and the older girl did as well.... 

The first night Victor and Stephanie and I sat up drinking wine, after 
dinner, and talking til 1:00 am when I staggered up to bed and they made 
their way to the trailer..... I assumed they were leaving the next morning 
after I made them my famous pancakes....... as I was cleaning up she asked, 
"Would you like me to cook you an Italian dinner tonight?(Stephanie's Italian)

"YOU'RE STAYING!?!" I stammered....

"Great, I have to go to the airport and get my friend......."

I went and picked up Laura and they went food shopping.... and for a swin in 
a nearby lake.

Dinner was superb, she cooked for 5 hours!!!......... we ate until 10:30pm 
and partied late into the evening.... they were so interesting, so funny, so 
bright... just had a blast!

Their story is amazing..... they live in Rotterdam and have a friend who has 
an Airstream or a few (I think)... the friend was in Texas 1.5 years ago and 
spotted a 1960s 24' Safari... called and told Victor he needed to buy it... 
so he did...... They arrived this month to pick it up. The plan was to rent a 
tow vehicle and pull it to NY and put the trailer on a boat to Rotterdam. 
They were told it was in perfect condition.... well, you know how that 
goes.... it's a nice trailer, has some problems... but in pretty good shape 
for its age I guess.......   

They couldn't find any place to rent a tow vehicle so ended up buying a 1/2 
ton Dodge pickup with an extended cab....... it's going to Rotterdam too.

Inspite of their disappointment at the trailer's condition, and having to buy 
the truck.... they have a great sense of humor and are great fun to be 
around... I hope as they proceed east some more of you get to meet them. 

They eldest daughter (age 12) is "horse crazy" so she helped me with the 
chores and brushed the horses each day.... the little one (age 7) sat on my 
computer and played CATZ.

I wish they could have stayed longer...... I'm afraid they will have a mess 
when they get to NY...... no title for the trailer..... getting the truck on 
the ship too..... 

Whatever, I'm much richer for the experience.

Hunter