Satuday Stories - Sharing a table 07-08-17

When Diane was traveling in Australia, about forty years ago, she was on her own most of the time.  She started out with a group of colleagues from work, but had planned further travels after they left for home.  It is a challenge being alone in a foreign country and living day to day without a planned itinerary.   Very exciting and, yet, sometimes lonely.  She discovered that in Australia one need not be lonely, the Aussies were very outgoing and willing to share.  The first time Diane was sitting alone at a table in a medium sized restaurant that was packed, the waitress calmly seated a couple on the other side of the table.  They said hello and proceeded to order their meal.  Then they turned their attention to their table companion and asked questions.  After getting over the oddness of it, Diane not only replied, but posed the same questions back.  They were locals, just out for dinner, and seemed delighted to meet someone from California.  They had lots of suggestions for places to go and what to eat and where she should go in her further travels.   They all paid their own checks and in parting exchanged names and addresses.  Diane rarely ate alone in the four weeks she travel around the country and ventured to the south island of New Zealand.  Even sitting at the counter someone on either side of her would start a conversation.  Always address/phone numbers were exchanged and some of them kept in touch for a number of years.   She always thought she would return to see more of the country and possibly connect with some of those long ago "friends", but it never happened.  It is probably a completely different culture now.  But what lovely memories she has. 

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