America Remembers September 11th

Today the American media dedicated all time slots to what happened on September 11, 2001. The countless recollections of stories and of tributes from family members to loved ones who died on that day, made it very real again.
President Bush addressed the nation this evening in a powerful, the Democrats saying a somewhat politically charged, presidential speech from the White House, calling the fight against extremist Islam "the battle of our age".

Even here in Miami, with it's enormous non-American population, the flags were flying high all over the city.
Pics: (Left), the huge gaping hole where the Twin Towers once were, left as a memorial.
The three century-old little graveyard of St. Paul's church, with Ground Zero visible in the background, behind the trees.

Southern Florida Wildlife Rehab Center

Saturday I had the privilege to visit the Southern Florida Wildlife Rehab Center(SFWRC), managed in it's entirely by a passionate elderly German gentleman named Dirk, who dedicates his life to helping/saving/caring for wild animals in need. It was a touching experience.
The SFWRC is a non-profit organization dedicated to receiving and caring for all species of injured, neglected and abused wildlife, regardless of the cost for their care. Every effort is made to return the animals to their natural habitat, but many are not able to survive without assistance. Dirk's organization provides a safe environment for these, mostly exotic and endangered animals to live out the remainder of their lives without fear of abuse.
The SFWRC receives no government funding and are entirely dependant on private and corporate donations. There are Bengal tigers, rare Florida panthers and pumas, exotic birds and monkeys, reptiles, jaguars and other cats, and even a lion, an African leopard and a lynx or "rooikat". Their stories are mostly very sad and some of these magnificent animals are terribly scarred and have been subject to much abuse at the hands of drug dealers, animal dealers, collectors, small rich men trying to prove themselves, and other human animals.

Pic (top): a Great pic of Dirk with one of his Bengal tigers. He has gained the animals trust and walks freely in most of the big cats' cages. This specific tiger grew up in a circus and is tame.

Labour Weekend Excursion To Northern Florida

Waiting for Ernesto

It's lunchtime on Tuesday and we're taking it easy on our day off.
Tropical Storm Ernesto is now completely over the ocean South of Florida. Gas is nearly unobtainable. Our neighbor has been waiting in line since 6 this morning.
The Central Weather Buro says Ernesto should pick up speed until later when it hits the Florida Keys. As it's winds pick up to more than 70miles/h, it should become a category 1 hurricane. The satellite images are certainly impressive.
I'll update with new images throughout the next two days.
Nice Cape weather!

Tropical Storm Turns Nasty

Sunday night saw us returning home to Miami. Home to a city getting ready for Tropical Storm Ernesto which was about to hit Cuba.
The mandatory evacuation of non-residents in the Florida Keys came into effect on Sunday night, with Ernesto expected to hit the open Carribean waters North of Cuba on Tuesday after drenching the communist island. Feeding off these warm waters, forecasters expect it to hit Floridas's shores as a hurricane, probably a Category 1.
All public schools and universities are closed tomorrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday. Gas is already a rare commodity in our area, as everone is trying to fill up.
No-one's expecting this one to be as strong, although it is heading straight for Miami. We're gonna stay put this time and ride it out. Enjoy ourselves and spend some nice time at the pool and next to the bbq-grill!

Three Hundred Miles Away

Time spend away from Miami is always great, and as they say - change is as good as a holiday.
As Sarah's Fam came down from Ohio for a while, we greatfully headed up to the Northern regions of the Sunshine State for a brief reunion.
Had a fab time as usual, the lineage I married into being outstanding - and entertaining - people! And the North-Eastern part of Florida is simply beautiful, as we fished, hiked, basked, and enjoyed the scenery.

South African Rugby Gathering

I tried my hand at Columbian tapioca pudding after Saturday's Tri-Nations rugby test.
Here's Mike (left) and Grant admiring the end result. OK, they're not smiling in admiration, they're laughing hysterically at the blob in the pot!

Driving In Miami - Part 1

This is a topic that makes my blood boil. Miami wouldn't be half as bad, but for it's drivers.

Driving on the Turnpike (soos 'n N1-tolpad tuis) to work in the mornings, I found that it doesn't matter what time of day you go, or how fast you're going, there'll always be some "dear person" trying to overtake you and force his car in front of yours.
And then you have the big decision makers. "Is this the right lane for me? Will I be happier over there?" So he (mostly men) is constantly re-evaluating his lane choice. Tries to "insert" his car in the space in front of mine, and drives me crazy. "Over here pal! We're zooming here. It's the secret lane that no one but you knows about."

Marriage - The Don'ts

Apart from the multiple benefits of being married, it is also a constant learning school, where you get to know your spouse - and yourself! - better as time pass.
Ours is a blessed, blissful marriage, and we've learned that in order to keep it that way, we should not do home improvement or car shopping together.
(I'm spending these days researching and looking for a new car on my own!)

Sometimes guys just do plain stupid stuff. I tried to rearrange Sarah's closet shelves with a drill and some screws the other night, but it hindsight it was not thought through and was pretty dumb. With this in mind, I saw this cartoon and it caused a few chuckles.

School Starts

Sarah officially started her 5th grade teaching year at the new school on Monday.
We found that this school is rated as a top school in Miami, and that she will be working mostly with the cream of the crop in terms of academically gifted kids. It is not a private school, although half-chartered and half-public. The school has a German and French curriculum as well and is truly international. It's great that she's able to continue/close her teaching career there and we're counting our blessings.
Mileage-wise she's slightly closer to work, although her commute takes nearly twice as long as mine.

DREAMS

So last night I'm dreamin' this dude walks into our house and starts eating our food. So I saved the day, my breakfast - and my gal - by showing him who's started to visit the gym again lately.
Brave, brëe, bultende, bonkige, bulderende spiere. Stotterende, swetende, semi-naakte, swymelende, spoegspattende wegvlugtende reus = Afrikaans rock!

Troutfarming in the Everglades

Saterday evening we had exquisite dinner with our friends Mike and Melanie Joubert.
Mike is a specialist trout farmer and his company's farm is situated right on the edge of the Everglades, about 25 miles South of where we live.
We had a great time learning about the business and an ever better time devouring Mel's delicious trout-cooking.

Biscayne Bay

A bunch of us spend Sunday afternoon on Biscayne Bay's South Beach. In Miami's weather every day is a beach day.
The picture of Downtown Miami with the harbour in the background, was taken on the way home, going across the Rickenbauer Causeway. The Miami Rowing Club is very close by and this is the beautiful bayview we have during rowing practice.

Same Same, but Different

Ek voel blessed.
Saterdag het ingesluit 'n pragtige strand, 'n heerlike braai, lekker SA vrinne, 'n goeie rugbytoets (skrywer se nederige mening) en my wederhelf terug aan my sy. Ek woon in die VSA en dis nie dinge wat normaalweg in dieselfde asem genoem kan word nie.
Grant en Megan Ninneman, asook Michael en Melanie Joubert is oor ons pad Gestuur is en dis kuiers wat beide Sarah en ek geweldig geniet. Grant is van Natal en Mike was 'n Kovsie, en ons het al drie "uitlanders" getrou. Ons drie kon Saterdag lekker lag oor ons enersydse huweliks-ervaringe en die kultuur-verskille tussen Afrikaanse vroue en hul Amerikaanse eweknieë.

Fidel or Rahul?

MIAMI - The huge Cuban population here has been restless since the news from the island-nation at the weekend that Fidel Castro is seriously ill. He's apparently been operated on, and has given the reigns over to his younger brother, Rahul.
Since then, there's been no news. A lot of speculation, but only a small trickle of information.
Either way, it's big news in the city and the talk on the street.

Hurricane Season Kickstarted

We've just entered the three crucial hurricane months of South-Florida's Hurricane Season with the start of August. We've already been greeted by tropical storm Chris brewing of the coast of the Bahamas, moving slowly West-North-West.
The CWB were watching it closely to see if it would develop into the season's first hurricane. Last night it fizzled out above Cuba to just another depression and South-Floridians breathed again in relief.
It has been predicted last year that this season will be twice as bad as last season, which saw the likes of Katrina and Wilma. As many as 17 hurricanes are expected this season. And I'm hoping that weathermen stay true to historical form and be shown up again as poor predictors of the future.
Pic: (Palm Beach Post) Chris yesterday showing off wind speeds of about 60 m/h.

Ukraine- Excursion to the Lake

One Sunday after church Tonia put together a group to go to the nearby lake about 30 minutes away. What an adventure it turned into to get there! With 20 of us packed in 3 cars (made for 5) we set off. We didn't get far- the next door down- until we ran out of gas. No worries, up popped the lid, 5 guys clambered around under the hood and miraculously it started up and made it to the gas station. Once filled, we were off again, trailing behind one another at reckless speed, jostling over a multitude of potholes, music blaring, and the occasional scream from Kerry.

Not even 15 minutes into the trip we hit a pothole the size of Nevada- off comes the hubcaps and we see them rolling away in the dust. As we pull over, we check the damage and see that tire rims are bent and if we keep driving the tire will blow. No worries! Someone produces a hammer and they begin to hammer out the bent rim. Once complete, the attention is turned to the 2nd rim, only its not fixable. No problem, out of the trunk is a spare tire, and although flate, they continue to change it. Once on, another person produces a bicycle pump and they begin to pump up the tire.

About 5 minutes after we start off again, the hood pops up so we pull over and slam it shut. 3 minutes later it happens again. After the 3rd time of the hood popping up, it is decided that those in the front seat will have to hold the hood down until we get to the lake.

The lake was, well murky. There were loads of people laying in the fields in bikinis, speedos, and underwear. Remnants of bottles, wrappers, and fires, lay scattered around. After staking out our claim next to the lake's edge, everyone stripped and went in. Originally my idea was not to go in seeing as there's something unappealing about still, brown water. Unfortunately, the rest of the group didn't share my opinion an in less than 10 minutes I was picked up and thrown in!

The water was frigid but refreshing. From chicken fighting to volleying the ball around, it was a great way to spend the afternoon with new friends.

No matter what language you speak, a smile will always make a friend!

Ukraine- Nyum, Nyum!

To help alieve the daily feast of borsh and potatoes, our team had decided to help with the cooking on the weekends. On the weekend Susan and I were to cook we opted for speghetti, garlic bread, and salad.

Early in the morning she and I went shopping for the veggies. The morning market was awesome- all the hustle around, the smells, the deep sounds of meat being chopped, it all reminds me of Taiwan and is something that I miss and wish we had in the US. The older women all look exactly like I expected in their dresses, creased faces worn from time, head scarves covering silver hair, knarled hands giving change....

Admist all of the chaotic order there are these little babushkas who sell this fried bread that is stuffed with potatoes (who would have guessed!?), cabbage, or meat. This fried bread is delicious and after seeing multiple people walk around with them, Susan and I set out to find the little old lady who was selling them. Unfortunately, no matter how hard we looked, we couldn't find the babushka selling them.

As this girl passed by us holding one, Susan tapped her on the shoulder. "Nyum, nyum!" she exclaimed rubbing her tummy. The look the girl gave Susan was priceless! It was as if Susan had just stolen her last 50 kopecs. Susan tried again shrugging her shoulders, "Nyum, nyum!" and pointing as if asking where? The girl gave a fugitive glance and stole off looking at us as if we were theives. As Susan turned to me she burst out laughing, nyum, nyum means "I want to eat that"- hence the girl though Susan was asking for her bread!

Ukraine- Borsh

Borsh is apparently the staple dish in the Ukraine. Made from chicken broth it is home to cabbage, potatoes, garlic, and the occasional tomato. It comes in a variety of colors- red, yellow, green. Served with mayo it is a different fare. One that I can say after eating it for the last 15 meals my enthusaism is beginning to wan.

Don't get me wrong, soup is good. In fact, last I recall there's quite a vareity sitting in my pantry at home. There's the reliable chicken noodle when you have a cold, the creamy tomato for a light snack, broccoli and cheese which is divine when poured over chicken. They say too much of a good thing is bad. With that said, I think Borsh has come to retirement age.

Ukraine- Arrival to Nezhin

It was so sad to leave Tammy. The morning I was suppose to leave was a typical morning for me. The taxi didn't show, we went to the wrong train station, the next taxi got lost, we missed our train and had to rebuy tickets... Tammy swears I must be jinked as she has never missed a plane, taxi, or train and yet things like this happen to me all the time. :)

When we arrived in Kiev (where we were to meet my team) we were met by 2 older men who were like a van taxi service. Seeing these stairs loom before me, I was so glad to see such "strapping" old men. It was like a comedy act for sure, complete with a Robin Williams look alike. My humor quickly faded when they wanted $50US for a 10 minute ride to the seminary, to which they got lost multiple times! Thankfully Tammy was able to talk them down to $25US but still, Kiev is outragously priced.

Our trip into Nezhin began rather late, like 10:45 pm and still not knowing what Nezhin was, a town or village, was rather sketchy. Everything we had been told about the Ukraine so far had been completely false but Tammy had said that what had been described to me was a village so perhaps that was what Nezhin was. We all piled into 2 vans, most of us meeting for the first time, translators and team members alike.

I had to laugh at Kerry, who kept a running conversation with Vladik who spoke a little English but was obviously overwhelmed. Kerry, definately at her most defining moment having lacked 36 hrs of sleep, was hysterical as she was trying to tell him that she was probably the funniest person he would meet, except he would not know that since he couldn't understand her. To prove her point she then began a whole series of jokes beginning with "How do you get a one arm Polish man out of a tree?" Watching her attempt to act and explain that out and Vladik's polite "mm" to something obviously he wasn't understanding was quite entertaining!

Around 2am we pulled onto this rutty road. There was nothing out there except fields and trees and I thought we had finally come to the end of the world. It doesn't matter where you are, things always look bleaker at that hour. When the sun rose a mere 2 hrs later, I was pleasantly surprised to see that we were in a small town that is very similar to where my mother grew up.

The Life of a Teacher

This posting is an ode to my "hard working" wife, Sarah, who still has a week of her summer holiday left to work on her tan, meet up with friends, gym, and other similar really strenuous activities.
She sent me this picture, taken with a cellphone earlier this morning, from Biscayne Bay, where she and friend Jessica Fox are currently laying out.

Sarah love, I'm sitting in my windowless office, up to my arms in work, and I get this pic. YOU'RE cooking dinner tonight! ;-)

Ukraine- Rowing in the Ukraine

Since the day was sunny and hot, Tammy and the family decided to head to the river to go boating. What a fun day it turned into being! Moored to the dock were 3 depledated paddle boats. We decided to wait for 2 rowboats but, patience is not a virtue that seems not to be had in the Long family, so after waiting for a bit we opted for a rowboat and paddle boat.

If I thought the paddleboats were older looking, the rowboats were something from an era past. Now personally, I would prefer to row with a historic antique because you're guaranteed to have some story come from it. We decided to put two of us on the paddle boat and the rest of us, including baby Hannah!, piled into the rowboat. Vlad, in a valiant attempt to show us his manhood, rowed for us and Todd and the boys took turns at the paddle boat. Now theoretically this should have worked- if the paddles on the paddleboat were the correct length. Seeing as they were about 1-2 inches too short to turn water, no matter how hard Todd, Josiah, and Nathan peddled, the turtle on the nearby bank soon overtook them and joined us, way up the river.

We decided it would be best to tie the paddle boat to the rowboat and row that way. Hmmm, again, in theory this should have worked, should being the operative word. However, there's something about towing a 50 pound metal frame using sole arm power. Tammy and I attempted to take over rowing to help out, thinking two is better than one. The guys enjoyed the break, even if we were going in circles. We looked quite silly out there, rowing in cirlces with a paddle boat tied to us but it was great fun!

A Plane from Kiev

I'm picking Sarah up form the airport today, nearly 5 weeks after she left for Eastern-Europe.
It's a happy day for me and the sun seemed a little brighter this morning. It's been a drag without my wife the last couple of weeks and as you can imagine, I'm estatic.

Animal House at Miami Metro Zoo

Today, while discernment slowly dawned on me at the Miami Metro Zoo, insanity was tossed in my direction, fast and humorous.
I don't know why I chose today to visit the Zoo, for as wet as Miami was yesterday, so hot and humid was it today. As I trudged between cages full of heat-induced semi-comatose, exotic animals, I asked myself that often.

I did see a 250 pound Galapagos tortoise mating with a smaller female. It was an eerie sight, like from a Alien-movie, and I was kinda expecting Sigourney Weaver to show up and break up the ol' guy's little party.
I also learned that flamingo's owe their beautiful pink color to the carotene found in their food. It seems that you really are what you eat!

In front of the chimpanzee's cage, an array of colorful - and mostly underdressed (yes, rumors later confirmed someone was in fact wearing a Speedo...) - zoo-goers were gathered, hoping the limp, sleeping chimps would provide some entertainment. Which of course they did not.
But those people sure did! Half-naked would be a better description, if you do not take the thirty tatoos and studs into account. Then there was the couple making out in the hippo's viewing cave, whom the bystanders were watching purely because the Cuban crocs next door were not moving at all.
I find it odd to have a Zoo in a sauna like Miami, especially for animals from arid regions. They were all passed out from the heat, lying in their waterpools, or drinking Budweiser.

Miami's sole Koala was definitely moving, trying to hide! Three moms were slapping on his cage's window for all they were worth, trying to get him to pose for pictures with six snot-nosed little brats pressing their grimy little hands on the clear glass. The same glass on which was posted a HUGE notice - "PLEASE do not knock on the glass."
Luckily for the marsupial from Down Under, their attention was drawn away by the screaming, yelling, middle-aged man racing three teenagers on their rented pedal-powered carts down the pathway towards the Asian display.
That's why I love Sundays in Miami so, for the peace and quiet.

The silver-back gorilla was grinning broadly at me as I passed his encampment on the way out...
Laughing at us.

Dragonboat Antics

Our Miami Puff Dragonboat Team had a PJ party/team building session on Saturday night, in light of the upcoming nationals.

Both pics depict us engaging in activities meant to get individuals to function as a team. I'm not going to even try and explain WHAT we're actually doing! I AM going to hold onto these pics though, in case one of my teammates one day wants to stand for office...

There's no "I" in TEAM!

(Click on the pics to view larger.)

Early Morning Guests

Daar is niks soos 'n stewige bord slappap vroeg-oggend (06:00) om jou murg in jou pype te gee nie!

Two good friends - Art and his daughter Jozanne (they were my family the first two years in Taiwan) made an early morning breakfast call en route from Miami International. Sarah's a FruitPop-eater, so it was fun to have Maltabella with someone who enjoys it!

Oz 49 - SA 0

Saturday was a decidedly sad day. I drove a near 20 miles to watch our national rugby team being obliterated by Australia. 49-0. That's nearly a cricket score.
It'll be like the Michael Jordan-Dream Team of the early nineties losing to a sport's foe like Russia - national tragedy!

Wat 'n debakel.
30-0 halftyd. Gehoop iemand gat my wakker klap en sê ek moet opstaan, die game begin. Maar ek was wakker...
Ons wat saamgekyk het, het nugter en emosieloos (wel, amper) saamgestem dat dit die swakste wedstryd was wat ons ooit gekyk het. Buiten die losskakel is dit moeilik om jou vinger te sit op presies wat SO ERG verkeerd gegaan het. Re die losskakel - oor 'n jaar van nou af gaan niemand hopelik meer onthou wie hy was nie.
Pic (left): A picture that pretty much sums up what happened on Saturday.
Pic (right): Hulle was altyd 'n kortkoppie voor en ons net 'n bier of twee te stadig.
(Pictures from Rugby365 website.)

R&R In The Keys

I spend a relaxing weekend with good friends at a borrowed beach house in Key Largo (Mile marker 100).
It's great to get away from the familiar surroundings and two days is enough to recharge the batteries sufficiently.
The house is built a block from the ocean, next to a canal, with a landing dock for the owner's yacht. We saw the most beautiful tropical sealife in this canal. Pic: Check out the lobster! (Click on the picture.)

En toe gaan bederf ek my naweek deur die rugbytoets te loop kyk!

Religious Prosecution

Two mormons came to visit me soon after I got home the other night.
I find it to be quite true that people who tries to share their religious views with you, are rarely interested in you sharing your views with them....

Far Far Away

I'm now really missing my pretty American! So I looked on Google Earth and found the little Ukrainian town of Nezhin where she is currently staying. It's two hours North-West of the capital Kiev.
I could zoom in much closer, but she likes her privacy...
This technology still amazes me.

Independance Day!

On Tuesday, the Fourth of July - otherwise known as Independance Day - a bunch of us went to the exclusive Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables for the annual fireworks/Miami Symphony Orchestra display. We had picnic on the Biltmore golf course and enojoyed the magnificent orchestra, which later accompanied an incredible 20 minute fireworks display.

Pic: (Above) Many of the older guard came dressed for the occasion.




Friends Curtis and Robin Cooper with the growing crowds behind them on the Biltmore golf course in Coral Gables.







Our friends and neighbors James and Jessica Fox. Thanx for the pic, Jess!

The South African Invasion

I was fortunate enough to receive three old friends of mine this weekend. They all flew in from the Grand Cayman Islands and I had a grrreat time hosting them - in Afrikaans! Hope they enjoyed it.
Juan and Lundi is soon departing back to the Republic, while we're already planning a surf 'n snorkel-trip to Marius on the islands.

Pic: (L to R) Lundi and Juan Koen and Marius and me enjoying Hops's cuisine. Cutler Ridge, Miami.

World Cup Soccer Frenzy

Hosts Germany plays Argentina as soon as I get to the office this morning. Late this afternoon Brazil and France will lock horns in the other WC Quarterfinal. Big games.
Apart from the Cubans, no-one in Miami is working today!

My South-American colleagues are fierce when it comes to their soccer. I'm just loving this soccer-enduced exciting buzz around the office.

Suid-Afrikaanse Watergat Effe Afgewater

Die afgelope Sondag ruk ek toe soos 'n losklong op na Fort Lauderdale om Suid-Afrikaanse geselskap te probeer opsoek - met dat my Amerikaner in die Ukraine is.
Kalaharibar in Fort Lauderdale vertoon altemit 'n heruitsending van die naweek se geploeter op Nuweland. Vyftig myl en 'n oulike klein tropiese storm later vind ek my toe in die mekka van die Afrikanerdom in Florida.

Die rugby was swak, die klandisie net effe, maar my teleustelling is grootliks gedemp deur my eerste Castle in jare!
Kort na halftyd het ek myself toe gewend na 'n gesellige Ierse "poeb" in die omgewing en 'n aanskoulike Holland/Portugal Wêreldbekerwedstryd gekyk.

(NS: Hierdie omgewing in Fort Lauderdale is langs die kus, en is saam met Key West die kern van die multi-miljard Dollar seiljag-gemeenskap in Amerika. Duisende SA'ers wat op seiljagte werk, het hierdie dorp as hul basis.)

Ukraine- Arrival

I didn't know what to expect really when I first contemplated the idea of going to the Ukraine. Not really having any connection with it, the most I knew was that it was next to Russia, a former communist state, and the only images I had of the country were those from the recent films I had seen showing at the Sundance Festival. Needless to say, I have been pleasantly surprised.

Upon arrival, I was greated with only one of the two bags that I had brought with me. So began my understanding of time here. For close to 2 hours I waited in a line to fill out an endless supply of form papers, only to be told I could be waiting up to 4-6 days for my luggage to be located. 4 days might not seem long, but in perspective, a person is officially missing after 24 hours, 36 hours of sleep deprivation and the mind shuts down, 72 hours missing you're chalked up as missing for good... in the light of this I was a bit skeptical as I walked out of the airport lugging a 70lb bag of peanut butter and children's shoes hoping that something in my team bag would fit me.

My cousin Tammy was kind enough to greet me at the airport. It's been close to 13 years since I've seen her but I couldn't mistake her firey red hair when I stepped out of the terminal. Accomanying her was little Hannah, who's 9 mnths, and she is a gem! Such a happy baby who loves to smile and coo at everyone she meets. It was so fun riding home just chatting and catching up. Seeing as Tammy is 9 yrs older and lived in a different part of the US, we have never really spent much time together. However, the Long trait is in both of us and we talked most of the 4 hr bus ride home. I have enjoyed staying with her and her family (all of whom I've met for the first time!)

South Africa vs France

France 36
South Africa 26

Die verskil tussen flair en domkrag...

Ukraine- My flight

Sporadic comes to mind when I think about posting while I'm away. Pics will have to wait until I return but for now, I thought I'd drop a note about whatever suits my fancy.

My flight over was uneventful. There was a charming old British woman sitting next to me on the flight. She was like a relic from the Victorian Era, smartly dressed, with a slight handicap as she had packed her glasses into her suitcase rendering her blind. Thus, I became the seeing eyes for the unseen. I seemed to have done a good job until the very end when she insisted that she could see a beach as we were flying over Heathrow. How she could see this, I don't know as we were located in the middle of the plane. I just murmered, mmm, and when my young eyes could not confirm, she called for the stewardess. "Where are we? What beach are we at?" she asked. The stewardess, without missing a beat, replied, "Where are we? I don't know, somewhere on earth I suppose," and then walked off.

Well, that got the missus riled to say the least and then I began to hear, in her very clipped accent, about what "cheek" young people have today. "Exactly where is the beach you see?" I asked, hoping to get her mind off the steward. She pointed and exclaimed, "Over there! You see, there's the sand, and the water, and it looks like the tide is coming in." Realization dawned on me and I had to stiffle a laugh. The "sand" was really the plane's wings with sunlight reflecting off it, the "water" was the early morning sky, and the "tide" was the clouds drift that covered the wing. "And what a lovely beach it is!" I exclaimed. "Yes, that's what I thought. That stewardess is a bit cheeky I think. I suppose she's just tired as it's been a long flight," sighed my seat companion as she settled back in for the landing. I couldn't help but smile and think, what will I be like when I'm her age?