"Hopping the World" drabbles by Richard Hunt

The Empire State Building

Hopping the World #16

“How YOU doin’?” Tony, my Brother in Law asked in his Irish-American accent.

“Fine thanks.” I replied as Marie, Tony’s wife, appeared.

After a catchup, Marie asked: “Anything you’d like to do while you are here?”

“I’d like to go to the top of the Empire State.”

“Today, there won’t be time tomorrow.” Tomorrow I was flying home.

Tony and I went into the City by Subway.

There was a queue to get the lift.

As we queued, idly chatting, I felt a hand on my arm.

“Hello, Richard, I didn’t expect to see YOU here!”

It was Agnetha!!!!!!!

New York

Hopping the World #15

The Conference went on all week, finishing on the Friday afternoon.

After the Conference I planned to go to New York for a visit to my Wife’s brother and his family.

Having mentioned this a couple of times, I was delighted when Gary, who had a car, offered to give me a lift there … I had expected to have to get a bus with all the ‘Gambling Grannies’ as Agnetha called them.

‘Goodbyes’ said, we left on the Saturday morning.

‘Where in Brooklyn?’ He asked.

I was amazed and very grateful when he dropped me right at their door.

The boardwalk

Hopping the world #14

“I’m in 315.” She said as we ate. “They reserved the whole floor for Conference delegates.”

“I’m in 304.” I said as we finished, “I need to clean my teeth, tidy up and collect my things.”

“Me too, will you knock when you are ready?”

We walked along the boardwalk to the Casino - about 2km - and went in. A walkway to the Conference Room was signed at the side. There were all sorts of gambling machines down below to our left. The casino was empty.

“Buses haven’t arrived from New York.” I said.

So we went into the Conference room.

Atlantic City

Hopping the World #13

The gambling centre for New York, but I was there for a technical conference.

I flew to Philadelphia then taxi to my hotel, which was on the sea front, just 10 minutes along the boardwalk from the conference centre … which was in a casino.

The first morning of the conference, having breakfast, I was joined at my table by the MOST GORGEOUS woman, long blonde hair, gorgeous figure, delightfullly dressed.

“English?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“I am Swedish, Agnetha, work in pharmaceuticals … could we walk to the conference together, I don’t know where it is?”

“OK.” I said …

Sydney

Hopping the World #12

On the Saturday morning I took a flight to Sydney. Arriving at the airport I took the bus to the centre, where my Uncle met me.

He lives near Sydney and took me on a tour:

The Blue Mountains, there was an Aboriginal playing some sort of wind instrument.

Bondi beach was not as impressive as I had expected there were no surfers.

The Opera House was very impressive

The harbour bridge is a bridge.

On Monday and Tuesday I went into the office and worked.

Wednesday I flew to Singapore then home.

I had been right round the world!

The reality

Hopping the World #11

I saw the newspaper headline:

SHOCK!!! *** CABIN CREW SACKED

It continued:

The whole cabin crew of the prestigious *** flight were yesterday sacked by the company.

Apparently they were using their position in the passenger areas to offer and deliver all kind of sexual activity and deviancy in special cabins designed for the crew. These activities took place on flights between *** and Auckland.

Both bisexual and homosexual acts were being offered to passengers and carried out during the flight.

The cabin crew have been sacked and the company is considering what legal actions can be taken against them.

Auckland

Hopping the World #10

We landed. A taxi was waiting to take me to my hotel.

Next morning my Plenary to about 50 students, then practical sessions. Everyone was keen to learn and practice.

Tuesday and Wednesday were similar with the course ending with lunch on Thursday when the company representative joined us. He was delighted … although there was no immediate business, it promised well for the future.

Friday morning I went into the office and was invited to return ‘anytime’.

It was there, when I saw Friday’s newspaper that I knew the truth of what had been on offer in the plane!

The reason

Hopping the world #9

My trip is because I have been invited by the University of Auckland to give the plenary and head up a lecture series on ‘Statistics in Organic Chemical Analysis’, a speciality of mine.

My employers were keen for me to do this and paid the airfare.

I decided to make this a ‘round the world’ trip … and agreed to visit our agents in each country on the way. You have already seen the Singapore part. My next stop after Auckland will be Sydney, Australia.

So now back to the flight, where I am tucked up sleeping under a blanket.

The Date Line

Hopping the world #8

I said ‘Au revoir’ to her as our onward plane was announced.

‘I hope so, come on holiday. Ask for me, Antoinette’

We watched as our luggage was loaded, then boarded. The flight was almost empty, I had a complete row of three seats to myself.

The flight would take over eight hours. Time to sleep.

As we crossed the dateline and tomorrow became today, a stewardess came to me:

“Is there anything we can do for you? Anything at all?”

“A blanket, please.”

It was only after we landed at Auckland that I learned what was actually being offered.

Papeete

Hopping the World #7

A cheer as they announced that our ‘plane had arrived. We were ‘escorted’ out by our guards, trusting our luggage was on the plane.

An 8.5 hour flight over the Pacific.

The plane descended ... superb islands, beaches, seaside cottages, yachts.

Into Arrivals. Welcomed by a group of young ladies in hula skirts, swaying, singing to us … in French!

Waiting for the onward flight in the lounge.

“English?” She swayed her hula skirt as she stood there holding two drinks. “On your own?”

She sat beside me, the strands of her hula skirt falling round her otherwise naked legs!

Los Angeles

Hopping the world #6

The plane flew from Heathrow. I knew it was to be a twelve hour flight, and settled down.

Iceland … Icebergs in the sea … Greenland, very white, more sea… Hudson Bay, then Canada, north to south, east to west.

The United States, down the west coast to Los Angeles.

I had slept for some of the flight, but was happy when we landed.

A few of us were transit passengers…in the airport, we were escorted to a room where we were ‘greeted’ by three heavily armed guards and locked in.

The guards stayed, their machine guns ‘at the ready’!

Vatican City

Hopping the World #5

Since we were visiting Vatican City, I decided to wear my little (15mm diameter) Benemerenti replica badge.

I was amazed at the effect it had.

It opened doors which are not open to most people.

Swiss guards lowered their pikes in salute as we went into the Vatican gardens.

A Priest in the Sistine Chapel saw it and gave us a full tour, including showing us where it was best to look at Michelangelo's famous ceiling.

Such a small badge, I didn't even expect it to be seen, let alone recognised.

Only one person in England has ever recognised it

The twin towers

Hopping The World #4

1995 - We were in New York, visiting my wife’s brother.

Wanting something to do, we decided to visit the Twin Towers. When we got there, we found that we could go to the top of the one without the aerials … for a fee!.

We don’t have acrophobia so in we went and up in the lift.

It stopped just below the top and we climbed up stairs to the top.

A walkway. We walked in awe around it. We could see for miles all round. We were well above the top of the Empire State.

A trip worth taking!

Raffles Bar

Hopping the World #3

Singapore - the cleanest city I know. No litter, graffiti or chewing gum on pavements.

I had to go to Raffles bar while I was there.

Raffles Hotel, the bar on the right, a dance floor on the left … a three piece band playing desultory music. Early afternoon, just two couples dancing.

I ordered a Singapore Sling for myself and my colleague. Very similar to what I made at home.

‘Better get you to your hotel’ my colleague said, ‘Heavy rain at three o’clock.’

Off to my Hotel with my cases.

At 3pm precisely, it poured with rain.

How organised!!!

Greenland - Kulusuk

Hopping the world #2

Greenland is white - not green. At Kulusuk there is an airstrip.

We visited. Very snowy and icy … a coach to the village.

Souvenir shops … they take Euros! They are part of Denmark. Bought a souvenir carving in whalebone. A walk to the church on our guided tour. Then on our own.

Down to the lake, filled with icebergs … hired a boat … incredible journey through the ice filled water, avoiding icebergs metres above us. Back to the coach.

Plane takes off inland over the ice and glaciers, before it heads back to Reykjavik.

You should try it!

A town called Alice

Hopping the World #1

The airstrip - so narrow. But we landed.

Coach ride to the centre. We the only two passengers.

'The centre is over there'. The driver said, getting out with us.

A bridge over a very dry river bed.

'That's where the annual boat race is held.' said our driver/guide. 'Same day as the Oxford and Cambridge one in England'. He knew we were from Cambridge.

'But the river bed is completely dry!' I said. There were branches and roots showing all along it.

'Yes, they start up there,' he pointed up the riverbed, 'and they carry their boats on their heads.'