Simply, Around the Globe in 1970

By Monika Danhof

Exhilarating read! Creative and refreshing with a touch of humor throughout! This is a story about two sisters travelling around the world in 1970 without a cellphone, without credit cards and on a strictly enforced rigid budget. They manage, mostly on stand-by flights" starting from New York City, USA via Germany and Greece in Europe, visit India, Nepal, Thailand, Hong Kong and Japan. The many unusual adventures of their journey let the reader take a glimpse into a window of time where strangers could be trusted and were openly welcomed; also, where strangers respected unfamiliar traditions, cultures and all the people of our complex world. A unique, heart-warming story filled with detailed descriptions of some of the most interesting places, temples and cultural sites visited but most of all, about the many wonderful people they had met along the way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LifeRich Publishing
• Release date: Nov 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9781489731739

Monika Danhof

German-born MONIKA DANHOF has been a proud US Citizen since 1974. She also treasures her German heritage and some of her stories based on childhood memories from WWII and afterwards have been published by the 'New Yorker Staats-Zeitung'. As a member of the Clarkesville Writers Society, some of her stories have been included in their latest published Anthology Collection. She does not consider herself as an author only as someone who enjoys writing some of her most interesting life's stories.

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Copyright © 2020 Monika Danhof.

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ISBN: 978-1-4897-3172-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4897-3173-9 (e)

LifeRich Publishing rev. date: 11/06/2020

CONTENTS

Foreword

Part I: Simply, around the Globe in 1970

Part II: New Delhi, India

Part III: Trip to Agra, India and The Taj Mahal

Part IV: Kathmandu, Nepal

Part V: Return to New Delhi, India

Part VI: Bangkok, Thailand

Part VII: Hong Kong

Part VIII: Tokyo, Japan

Part IX: Anchorage, Alaska, USA

FOREWORD

Looking back to the year 1970, this is a story inspired by real life experiences of two sisters travelling around the world the simplest way, without any type of a cell phone or any other electronic devices, without a credit card, on a very stringent budget including stand-by flights most of the time while travelling from New York City via Germany and Greece to India, Nepal, Thailand, Hong Kong and as far as Japan.

Their genuine interest was getting to know the people of many different countries, learning about their lives, their joys and sorrows and seeing some of our earth’s magnificent faces. By respecting the many diverse beliefs and traditions of each country visited, together with the open-minded, friendly attitude shown to everyone by the two sisters, was returned with a happy, grateful response. During their journey, the two sisters had been invited into the homes of strangers in different countries, were introduced to their families, were taken on sight-seeing trips – shown places were only the locals go- and were trusted by many to share their life’s story. Thus, the two sisters could experience the real life of real people in a real world!

It is written just as remembered, highlighting some of the most interesting and also humorous adventures which let them realize that "THE WORLD IS NOT S0 BIG AFTERALL! *ITS PEOPLE NOT SO DIFFERENT AT ALL!

PART I

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SIMPLY, AROUND THE

GLOBE IN 1970

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Sisters Anneliese and Monika in 1970

HURRY UP, JOE IS WAITING I called to my sister Anneliese in panic. We need to leave now to make it on time for our flight I continued my plea when she finally appeared, closed the front door behind her and placed herself in the front passenger seat being slammed closed in a hurry by Joe. Then he threw himself into the car, started the engine and with squealing wheels drove off to reach the Long Island Expressway as quickly as possible, the fastest route to the J.F.K Airport, New York.

This was the beginning of a long journey ahead. In 1970, my sister Anneliese had completed 10 years of loyal work as an employee of the German Airline LUFTHANSA and was rewarded with a free flight around the world. As her sister, I was offered to accompany her by paying only 50% of the airfare (according to company’s policies at that time) and I took advantage of this ‘once-in-my lifetime offer’ as I called it. It took tedious planning for both of us. My sister worked many hours over-time at her company, while I took a temporary job, in addition to my full-time banking job, for the past sixth months. Now, after all that time and hard work, my sister, with many years of experience in accounting, has established a stringent budget for our extra ordinary undertaking. Knowing her, it will be strictly enforced. Our good-hearted neighbor Joe took one half day off from his job to drive us to the airport today. According to his expression on his face when he helped me stuffing large suitcases, carry-on bags, etc. into his Volkswagen Beatle, I think he had regretted his offer already and was trying hard not to show his frustration when my sister took for-ever, to come out of the house. At last, we are on the way, I thought.

Just as Joe had turned on to the expressway, my sister, while nervously looking around in the car, suddenly yelled I forgot my coat! I need this coat! Joe, please you must turn around to get my coat! I noticed Joe’s face turning dark red and he yelled back Hang on! Then, with a quick turn and all wheels loudly squealing again, we were on the way back to the city to get my sister’s coat. It was a constant race getting back to J.F.K. airport and in the very last minute my sister and I were able to board the plane Europe-bound on stand by. How much luckier could we get? We asked ourselves, after having been seated and saw the plane taking off. Looking down from this 737 Jet, recognizing the Long Island Expressway, I wondered if Joe had finally been able to calm down after having gotten rid of both of us. I, myself, felt relieved by knowing that my sister cannot look-around for another thing to pack, at least not for the next ten hours.

We arrived in Frankfurt, Germany, very early in the morning. We felt ‘right at home’ and enjoyed a big cup of German coffee with freshly baked rolls at a table in the airport cafe. Suddenly, I said to my sister Where is your coat? I don’t see you carrying it. Her face turned almost white when she admitted I left it in the overhead compartment of the plane, oh my God! Right-away we went to the Lufthansa Service Counter and were informed that her coat is on the way back to New York, were it may be picked up at her convenience at the Lost & Found Center at J.F.K. Airport. Okay, you just don’t have a coat! Case closed! Let’s walk over to the check-in counter for the next flight to Athens I said calmly not to upset her anymore. We were told we would not have any problem to be taken along on stand-by at this time. Knowing that we will be meeting two good friends of us in Athens, I suggested to my sister to look through the elaborate gift shop here at the airport in Frankfurt and pick up a few items, like the well-known 4711 German cologne for Zena and a carton of American cigarettes for Aris. which we knew he liked.

LH 1278, the flight to Athens left exactly on time Frankfurt, Germany and arrived at the ‘Hellikon Airport’ in Athens just around 1:30 PM. As soon as we stepped out of the plane, we saw Zena and Aris waiving at us. We all were happy to see that everyone was doing well and talked lively during the drive to our hotel, which was located directly in the center of Athens’ called the Plaka. My sister and I had visited Athens before and were familiar with some of the great restaurants in this area. Since we stayed only one night, a short stop-over before continuing our trip to New Delhi, we all agreed to meet for dinner at ‘O’Thanacis’, known for the best Souvlakis in Athens.

It was great enjoying good food while remembering old stories about some adventures we all did together at some of our previous visits to Athens. The best one was the time when Aris showed up in ‘Lederhosen’ to impress my sister and me from Bavaria, Germany. He urged us all to have a pick-nick on top of ‘Lycabetus Hill’ located almost in the middle of Athens and used by many locals as a great spot for hiking and other out-door activities. We all agreed and, the next morning dressed in shorts, comfortable tops, wearing heavy walking shoes, we loaded our backpacks stuffed with food and drinks into Aris’s old jeep. The plan was to drive to the bottom of the hill and then to tackle the long, winding way up to Lycabetus Hill and have a great picknick with a beautiful view over the city of Athens and the Mediterranean Sea. It sounded very exciting and we were ready at the time when Ari and Zena honked the horn at 7:00 A.M. the next day and picked us up in front of the small guest house we stayed at our last visit to Athens, about two years ago.

In an adventurous spirit, we drove through some of the narrow streets of Athens and were heading straight to its beloved Lycabetus Hill. At only a short distance away, we noticed a line of cars ahead of us, all making a right turn. As we came closer, we saw a man waiving and directing us to follow the cars. We noticed a long driveway with stately palm trees and exotic plantings along both sides. Then a gigantic home appeared up front and a cluster of smaller buildings could be seen to its sides and back. Everyone had stepped out of their cars in front of us and was being greeted, then was sent into the home, we observed.

Come, come! A young butler now waived to us as we had no other choice than to stop our car. Aris did not want to be seen in his ‘Lederhosen’ amidst a very festive looking crowd around. We finally convinced him and stayed close by him as he dared to step out of his jeep. We all were surrounded by butlers serving champagne and then sent into the reception hall, filled with an unusual crowd of people. Some dressed elegantly, some very plain, even some in their work uniform. Greek music was playing loudly and then a tall, dark-haired man with an aristocratic look, dressed in a white suit greeted us and said "Welcome to the ‘Theonopolous Estate’. We thank you for coming! I want everyone passing by my home today and the whole world to be happy! We are celebrating the wedding of my daughter Akina. After five boys, we finally were blessed with a daughter, some 20 years ago. Eat, drink, enjoy life with me, he called out to everyone! All of us were shocked by the selection of food, prepared by great culinary experts and artistically displayed. Butlers where constantly refilling empty glasses and this happy crowd was getting happier by the minute. The music started playing louder and louder and the host was seen throwing the first plate on the floor. According to Greek customs, stacks of plates (china) are being thrown on the floor while singing wildly. Every broken piece is said to bring luck and happiness to the newly-wed couple, we were told. This is where we ended up that day, not as planned on top of the Lycabetus Hill. We all will remember this funny incident the rest of our lives.

Time went by very quickly, after a hearty good-bye with our friends Zena and Aris, my sister and I returned to our room at the hotel by walking through the very lively ‘Plaka’, Athen’s entertainment area, and started packing up for