Entertaining Foreign Guests Leads to Global Friendships

My husband and I agreed to allow a French couple traveling worldwide on bicycles to stay at our house when they came down the Silver Comet Trail near us. My stepson is the leader of the American group of Esperanto speakers. He met this couple at a conference earlier last month, and when he heard that they were coming our way and needed a place for the night to shower and sleep, he asked us if we would be willing to put them up for a night. We excitedly said yes.

They arrived yesterday on their bicycles and the amount of gear attached was mind-boggling. They were hot and tired, as it was 94 degrees when they arrived. We immediately gave them water and let them just sit and recover. Then, we introduced ourselves.

They are about ten years younger than us, and they are retired which is understandable as they are determined to see the whole world, except North Korea and any war areas. This is the third leg of their world tour and mostly covers the parts of the United States, Mexico, and Canada. What a trip to undertake! They started three years ago, and I asked when they would stop. Roz responded when their legs couldn’t take it anymore or they had seen all they wished to visit.

They spoke basic English and could understand me if I talked slower, which is sometimes difficult for me, particularly if I am excited. Neither Douglas nor I spoke French beyond Bonjour and Merci. But, we had great conversations, using Google Translate and pictures on our phones. Douglas prepared nachos for dinner, against my advice for a more regular meal like spaghetti or salmon. They loved the nachos and ate to their heart’s content. Who knew? I imagine riding 50 or more miles a day creates a healthy appetite.

We had beer, sparkling water, Gatorade, and Prime for them, but they wanted wine. Douglas had a couple of cheap bottles of sangria and sauvignon blanc open in the refrigerator from cooking. They welcomed them both! We will work to keep some wine and buy some wine glasses. They drank wine from dessert glasses. It didn’t bother them at all! We all went to bed early because I was still battling a pleural effusion in the left lung and was tired, and they planned to start early this morning to get back on the road to Birmingham, Alabama, and Memphis Tennessee.

When they left this morning, we took pictures on all our phones. They added us to WhatsApp to share photos of the journey with us, so we are officially a part of their friendship group! Our house felt empty without their enthusiasm and laughter. Hopefully, we will have others come. It is great to connect with other people across national origin and see how much we are alike. Boy Voyage, my friends, and may God continue to bless you and keep you safe!