Please sir, I want some more.
...written on 06.25.02, @ 1:03 a.m.
Tue June 25, 2002
Someone by the name of Oliver left me a comment on my last entry. In that instant, I was reminded of how much I like the name, Oliver.
I mentioned Mexican food, specifically tacos and salsa in my last entry. Oliver correctly pointed out that "taco" in Japanese, means "octopus". That doesn't really tell you why I like the name "Oliver", now, does it?
Flashback:
When: Spring '99
Where: Taco Bell, Athens, GA
Why: I love tacos and I was hungry
There I was sitting in the next to the last booth looking out the window, when a young man with many shopping bags chose to sit down in the very last booth by the window, facing me. Drat! I didn't relish the idea of having to eat messy tacos in front of a stranger, but what else could I do? So, I tucked my chin under and concentrated on the fast food Mexican yumminess before me while the fellow, who was now blocking my view of the traffic outside, burrowed into his burrito.
I cast a curious glance his way every so often and was struck by how gently attractive he was. That is, until the last look when I spied a HUGE glob of sour cream stuck on his chin like wallpaper paste. I quickly averted my gaze, stifled a giggle, and was feverishly debating with myself if I should point it out to him or not, when I heard an accented voice above me say . . .
"Excuse me, could you watch my thinks?"
I looked up to see a hefty dollop of sour cream asking me if I would do it the favor of watching its bags. I nodded my head in the affirmative, too dumb to speak, as the sour cream with the young man attached went to the bathroom. I decided I would tell the young man when he got back, I mean I couldn't let him wander around like that, but there would be no need, as the young man no doubt spotted said sour cream when he looked in the bathroom mirror and flushed it to a timely demise.
He returned to his booth and thanked me for being vigilant as he grappled with the many bags he had acquired while shopping in the area. I watched him go through the glass door, his curly honey colored hair sproinging in the wind.
It didn't take me too long to catch up. I bounded outside and yelled, "Hey, ya wanna ride?" The young man turned around and smiled. I took some bags from him and placed them in the back seat of my car and indicated that he could sit in the front seat.
He told me his name was Oliver and that he was a PhD student from Regensburg, Germany, visiting a friend of his studying at the University of Georgia. I found him to be quite charming and enjoyed his company thoroughly. I took him on a brief tour of the highlights of Athens, which included the State Botanical Garden near my apartment, and since we were so close, I took him to my place.
I made him some coffee and we sat and talked for hours! About EVERYTHING! Interesting how hooking up with a stranger sometimes makes it easier to talk about the deep things in our lives. I was amazed at how much he shared with me and I with him.
Oliver asked me why I offered him a ride and I told him that I had, during my own world travels, met so many kind people who gave of themselves and that I remembered them to this day with much affection, and always wanted to give back a little of what I had received.
It was almost 5 in the afternoon, which meant that my backyard resounded with the chirps of the many birds coming to snack on the goodies I had left for them. He was astonished at the variety of colors.
I let him use my computer to email a friend of his in Germany and then I took him back to his friend's apartment. I was sad to see our encounter come to an end. I found him to be warm and funny, considerate and gentlemanly. I knew I couldn't have him, but I wanted one just like him!
Sigh.
I managed to make email contact with him and we corresponded for a few times before he came back a year later and we met up again. I hope I was hospitable enough and gave him a good impression of our country.
I still want one just like him.