Report from Denmark (1)
Meeting with Uncle Ben in Copenhagen
Before I left for Europe, uncle Ben and I had planed this meeting. He chose the time while I would be in Copenhagen to be his journey of Germany of each year so that he can meet me in Copenhagen. How kind uncle Ben is! We finally met each other at the central train station of Copenhagen after nearly five-month-waiting.
When the train was entering into the train station, my heart beat quickly.I sought a man wearing hat, which was told by uncle Ben and his sister, it is distinguish sign to be recognized easily. The train so-called Europecity is not very big, actually there only are three cabins. So there are not many people on it. However, uncle Ben seemed to test my patience. He almost was the lasted one to get off. How excited I was when I saw a tall man with a hat appearing the gate of the train. I recognized him at the first sight. I had viewed uncle Ben抯 picture at David抯 home. That is the reason I recognized him at the first sight. However, I never expected that he is so tall, at least 185 cm. Uncle Ben wore a very beautiful sweater and a green yellow suit which looks comfortable and warmly. He wears a pair of big square shape glasses. He has very beautiful eyes just like sea. Most Chinese envy foreigner抯 blue eyes. His nose is very straight and high. In my eyes, Uncle Ben is a very handsome man. My colleague said the he is just like the former prime minister of Germany, so-called Kerl(I am not sure of his English name ). In my eyes, he is more handsome than that guy. Because that guy is too fat. And uncle Ben抯 figure is only strong not very fat. :-)
I noticed the sign?DOVE?in his hand, but I ran toward him to give him a big hug without waiting him to put on the sign. And I sent him a piece of flower. In Chinese, we call it Africa chrysanthemum, its golden color petals are very like sunflower. I am not sure what its English name is. I really wished that it would bring us sunshine because it had been raining since morning. Though uncle Ben assured me that we would have sun when we talked on phone the day before, it still rained when uncle Ben came. We only had five and half hours to get together. According to my plan, we went to my apartment to have lunch together. Then we looked around Copenhagen before uncle Ben left. We took the bus to get my apartment. I boiled Hun Tun that I had done before I picked up uncle Ben. I also did a dish of very simple Chinese salad which includes Chinese cabbage and carrot. I am not sure whether the taste of Hun Tun is delicious. Uncle Ben said that he liked it very much. I suppose that it is because he was very hungry after nearly five-hour-travel. He even tasted songhua eggs. Its taste is very special. To my surprise, uncle Ben could get used to that strange taste. Finally, we had a cup of tea, some fruit and Danish cake. Uncle Ben has a good appetite. So he has strong body and good health. It is good news, huh? :-)
The following thing we did is to exchange gifts. I passed all gifts to him I took from China, and he passed all gifts from Canada. Opening gifts are most exciting time for everyone. It is just like to unfold the next page of your life. You don抰 know what surprise you will meet. Both of us experienced a series of nice surprises. Please permit to keep the secret for a little while about what I sent to uncle Ben and Mary. I hope to give Mary some surprises. By the way, Uncle Ben and Mary, thank you very much for your gifts. The calendar of British Columbia scenery is so beautiful. I like it most. And I really wish to have a chance to see them in person. I envy that you can live in such beautiful place. The savor of syrup of maple tastes like Toffee. Uncle Ben told me that it is distilled from maples. It is very sweet. The most lovely thing is the shoes for my daughter. I saw this kind of shoes in Scotland. I even bought several pairs for my mother and her friends. But the fur and craft is not as good as this one.And most treasure of it is that it is hand-made by Indian. Please accept my appreciation on behalf of my daughter. I really wish that she would appreciate you in person someday. Still, Mary, the picture of you and uncle Ben is so beautiful. It shows me that you are the happiest couple in the world. How lucky you are!
Although it still rained, we decided to go out for a walk. Copenhagen is a quite small city. Uncle Ben and I had a nice walk along the canals and harbor. We saw the palace which Denmark Queen and her family live. Finally we saw the little mermaid sculpture at the harbor. During the whole walk, raining and sunshine appeared alternatively. We had a nice talk. Uncle Ben is really erudite. He seems to be interested in many things. His opinion on politics and other things is rather objective without bias. But he never lacks of humor not like most German. He is a wisdom and affectionate old man. Being his children is a really luck thing.
Time flies so fast. I can抰 talk to uncle Ben too much because I can抰 express my thoughts in English very well and clearly. I feel shame for my poor English after so many months experience of abroad. Uncle Ben, I do believe that we will meet in future. I hope to talk to you more fluently when we meet next time.
Dear uncle Ben, thank you so much for your visiting that you traveled so long distance to see me. My limited English vocabulary can抰 express my appreciation at all. But I am sure that you can see my feeling through my eyes. I had a really happy time.
By the way, Uncle Ben, you forgot to take the flower I sent to you. It seems a little bit pity.:-( Anyway, we still have chance in future.
Dove in Copenhagen,
September, 9, 2001
