In Italy we stopped at a camp - we were in a motor caravan and we met several other travellers. Several folk were discussing their shopping adventures. The tins of food were labelled in Italian and in desperation they bought some because they needed something for breakfast, but on opening the tin they found beetroot! Looking at the tins in the camp shop I realised that the Esperanto root words gave me quite a clue as to the contents, so the travellers were able to stock up. We travelled on to Benedorm and met some folk from Onehunga who were needing some honey, and although they said they more or less played charades in the village shop, that is buzzing and flapping their arms, they still couldn’t make the shopkeeper understand. So Margaret and I went to the shop. The shopkeeper remembered her and dashed round showing her many products but not the right one. Again I used the root word and the man was so excited he ran to a shelf and with a beaming smile produced the elusive honey. There are exclusively Esperanto camps in various places in Europe and I would have liked to visit but I’m sure my Esperanto would have been insufficient. However, a little knowledge did help! Before we went overseas I had joined a group who were learning Esperanto. It was an evening meeting and as I was not happy about driving in Auckland at night, another member who lived nearby offered to give me a lift. This lady was good company and we had some stimulating discussions as we travelled. One day just prior to leaving for the meeting I took some homemade bread out of the oven. The mouthwatering aroma filled the kitchen and I thought I would give my friend one of the loaves. Everyone likes homemade bread I thought. So when she arrived I got into the car and gave her the hot bread. She thanked me and then was very quiet. Maybe she doesn’t like bread I was thinking. Then she said, “Win, it was such a kind thought you had to give me the bread and I know I shall enjoy it. But I must tell you something otherwise you might hear it from someone else and I wouldn’t like that to happen. I feel I should mention that my brother and I own the .........Auckland bread company.” What a surprise!!! Now it was my turn to sit and let the information sink into my mind. I looked at my friend and we both burst out laughing. She said she was touched with my gift and thanked me many times. What a Faux Pas !! As the saying goes I was literally taking coals to Newcastle! |
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