I did something nice - really nice, well beyond the scope of everyday camaraderie, involving a lot of time and effort on my part, although generally an enjoyable endeavor (an interior design project; completed ahead of time and under budget, no less) - for someone, with no thought of any return other than the good feeling that comes from having helped a friend.
This person earlier this evening handed me (a) 1,000 Places To See Before You Die, (b) a Lonely Planet Guide to Belgium: "Europe's most eccentric country...unquestionably a bizarre little place...," and (c) a thank-you card letting me know that I am now in possession of one plane ticket good for any destination that American Airlines flies to in the world, to be used in the next six months.
I had mentioned that I might like to go to Antwerp a few days ago (right when I got back from Paris, lucky greedy me) and said person let me know I had a potential itinerary already booked for next month, if that's what I'd like to do! Well, I could go there, or one of the following destinations that look rather appealing at the moment: Buenos Aires, Sao Paolo, Tokyo, Glasgow, Rome, London, Zurich, or Madrid. Have you any thoughts, gentle readers? Please leave them in the comments section. As for me, I'm still quite speechless.
Goethe said something like: "Without Sicily, Italy leaves no image in the soul. Sicily is the key to everything."
Someone else said that "Sicily is the only Arab country that Italy is not at war with."
Will provide free travel consulation in exchange for restaurant rec's in the city.
Posted by: Marco | December 09, 2004 at 11:41 AM