Champagne
Posts: 356
Joined: 9/28/2004 Status: offline
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The Lake District back then was just barely recognizable as a tourist attraction. There were visitors, and, everyone had a great time, but, it was not crowded. The boat tours were very modest affairs. I was glad to go to Poland and tell the Polish people myself that, as an American and a US military officer, I admired their courage and determination. I was able to express my heartfelt hope that Poland and the USA would be very good friends in the future. One of the lads in the group wanted to fight me, but, the others in the group chastised him in Polish, as though my message was heard and appreciated. This happened during the evening after the days tours, when the tour guide and I went into town to look around and buy a bottle of beer. He was a very good interpreter. He spoke English as well as anyone I know. I think that we were in his home town and the lads were a group of his friends from the neighborhood. We hung out in a park or town square. To be fair, I should say that the combative lad was very drunk, so, I didn't take anything personally. It was a great moment for me. On a side visit, I visited the ruins of the 19th century fortress at Lotzen and also visited the ruins of Hitler's HQ near Rastenburg.
< Message edited by Champagne -- 7/26/2014 3:43:46 AM >
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Only the dead have seen the end of War. -- Plato
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