Kathy, Sean, Rick, John, Tiffany, Craig, Steven, Jeremy, Juan, Becky, Brenda ...

Once you are through immigration and customs, Americans usually are the most friendly, enthusiastic and interested people on earth.
People in Europe often as me, if waitresses, cashiers, motel employees, volunteers at a state visitor center, and all the others, really mean it when they ask you how your doing, where you come from or just tell you to have a great day. Well ..., I don't know if all those people really mean what they are communicating, but who cares? It's not important if waitress Tiffany is really interested in where we're heading or if ranger Brenda is really interested in the German words on a pillow at the Holzwarth Lodge. Fact is that all those people are making CONTACT. A friendly word costs next to nothing, but makes an other person's life more pleasant. We should learn something from America in that respect.

There are some extraordinary people, we met on our trip that I want to point out.

Sean: we met him in Jackson, WY. He works at Jenny Lodge in Grand Teton NP. We had dinner together, watched some drunk soccer moms and a soccer dad, who was giving away Jim Beam baseball caps. From Sean we learned a lot about seasonal work in the tourist business.

Rick: Rick lives with his partner Derek in Butte, MT. Too bad that Derek was "on a mission" in Texas and we could not meet him. But John, a friend of Rick and Derek's from outside Butte was filling in for him. We had the most funny evening, not only because of all the stories John told us about his career as an undertaker. Both were making us laugh with so many anecdotes about their lives and the people of Western Montana. We were supposed to meet Rick and Derek in Denver before we would fly back to Amsterdam, but unfortunately that didn't work out.

Craig: also called Steelhead since our visit. Craig is the most caring man we experienced during our tour through Idaho. He took all the time to show us around in Boise, had a fantastic lunch in an Asian restaurant (with an annoying waiter) with us and played his role as reporter Steelhead from "Salmon, Trout & Steelhead International Magazine" at the press conference after the resignation speech of republican Senator Larry Craig. That was so hilarious (I mean what could have happend, don't worry we behaved well at the Boise Depot)!

Becky: is a ranger at Arches NP. She gave up her job as an English teacher in Virgina to be a ranger at Arches. She took us on the most wonderful hiking tour through the Fiery Furnace. She gave us a lot of information you can't read in the official publications of the park. She took us to a secluded area in the park and made us listen to the wind, she encouraged us to crawl, crouch and jump through, along and over the most frightening rims, cracks and holes. Thanks to her we had an amazing afternoon.

Jeremy: is the bouncer at the Denver Wrangler. He is an amazing guy with an enormous potential of general knowledge that would serve him well in quizzes like "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" or "The Weakest Link". In that respect he reminds me lot of my former lover Kirk. It was very interesting chatting with him two nights in succession. His lover must be very proud to live with a man like Jeremy.

Juan: is the vice president of th Front Range Bears in Denver. We met him through Jeremy on our second evening in the Wrangler. Juan is a very outgoing person and I understand completely why he is the vice president of the FRB. He is such a laugh in his direct approach of people. Very funny! (By the way, what was the name of that special welcome greeting with the triangle, the salt and the tequila?)

Guys we had a great time with all of you! We hope we will see you again soon. Come to Europe and keep in mind that I will be more then happy to host you at my house in Zwolle. There's a (small) spare bedroom with a double bed for you (and your lover/friend). ... And yes, I can get you from Amsterdam Airport.