Categories: austria, postcards
Date: 30 October 2007 22:19:12
My main reason for visiting Vienna on this occasion was to meet up with friends. I had originally met E in a seminar series on “Language used in Austrian newspapers” at the university. [We both found it a bit tedious but were obliged for different reasons to continue attending]. E is a New Zealander and was researching for her doctorate when we first met. J is an American whom I met at church there. After some months, E and J became acquainted through me - and eventually married in the US. I am now godmother to their daughter, Miss M, whom I haven't seen since she was a toddler as the family moved to NZ a few years ago.
On arrival at the hotel, I received a text from J to say that they were all in a shop just around the corner. I dashed downstairs and J and I quickly made a plan to surprise the children (J and E also have a son, Master M). J assured me that Miss M would recognise me from photographs, although she had no idea I was due to meet up with the family. J and I walked into the shop separately pretending we didn't know each other. I managed to signal to E not to say anything and approached Miss M.
Me: Hello, do you speak English?
Miss M: Yes, I do. [No recognition]
Me: Well, I wanted to tell you that I know a little girl who looks a bit like you.
Miss M: Oh really? [Still no recognition - Just who is having the surprise here?]
Me: Yes, her name is Miss M.
Miss M: Oh! That's funny. My name is Miss M. [Still no recognition]
Me: [Running out of ideas of what to say] My Miss M lives New Zealand, so I don't suppose you would know her.
Miss M: But I live in New Zealand too [smells a rat...purses lips, raises an eyebrow]
Miss M: [Hesitantly] You're not... “Kerensa”, are you?
Me: [Relief] Surprise! Yes, I am. Hello!
Big hug from a little girl. Aaaaah. We all went to Master M's favourite café to become reacquainted over Kaffee und Kuchen. Master M and I had never had any contact before but he seemed to take a shine to me because it took him less than 5 minutes to decide that I might be Miss M's godmother, but he was officially declaring me to be his god-auntie. The pleasure's all mine, Master M!