“Hi, how are”?, I said.
“Oh fine”, he replied.
“Good Christmas?” I said.
“Great thanks. I spent it in Bruges.”
“What”, I said.
“Bruges. I went to Bruges”, he said, emphasising where he had been for Christmas.
“How interesting”, I said.
He explained he likes to go there so he can practice his French and Portuguese.
“You must be very clever”, I said.” You must have a big brain”.
“I do agree with you on that”. His response surprised me. He said it in such a matter-of-fact way. I don’t think he was being big-headed.
He went on to explain. “As well as learning languages, you learn about the people”
Me:“So, you must know a great deal about many different people.”
Him: “I guess I do”
“And, in different places”, I said.
“Yes, in different places; across two continents”.
He then told me he was learning a fourth language. “It’s called Amarik”. I had never heard of it. “I am learning it so when I go over to do voluntary work I can communicate properly with the community over there”
Just then, he saw he saw the Gym manager coming so he indicated to me that our little interaction was at an end.
The next time I went to the gym, I saw him from a distance. He looked very different. He wasn’t in his uniform- that funny plastic hat they have to wear- but in dark trousers, long coat and an old fashioned brief case. He looked such a business man.
እንኳን ደህና መጡ! Welcome!