"A PLEASANT SURPRISE"

Rosalie and Sally lived in Heidelberg, Germany temporarily. Rosalie provided nursing care to the military personnel. Sally taught the children of the military dependents. They decided to visit Cortina, Italy during the Christmas holiday to enjoy the snow sports. Prior to their visit the Italians were hoping that it would start snowing for the ski season, but to no avail. On their way to the hotel, they noticed the area was lacking the beautiful snow. However, just before they checked in, it started to snow. The desk clerk informed them that they brought them luck. They called them the "snow angels." It snowed and snowed. The next day, they went for a horse and sled ride. They were covered with blankets to keep warm. The trip through the area was like going through a white fairyland. It was breath taking and it was still snowing.

That evening they dressed for dinner and had a delicious meal. Later they joined the people in the lounge where they served drinks, and a band played dancing music. They enjoyed an after dinner drink and listened to the pleasant music. Sally was tired. She returned to their room. Rosalie had no intention of doing likewise, she enjoyed the music and remained.

There were many college students enjoying the semester break. One of them asked her to dance. It was pleasant. One never knows how young men in a foreign country dance, many times their steps are not easy to follow. Another young man named Roberto, asked Rosalie to dance. He was tall, handsome, and debonair but very nervous. They danced for a few seconds, then Rosalie talked to him in Italian, and that overwhelmed him because she spoke to him in his native tongue. He did not speak any English. That was his concern because he did not know how he would communicate with her. He was pleased and happy that she planned to stay for a while. He made all kinds of promises. Oh, the spirit of the young, it was delightful. We joined the other young man. Roberto lit a cigarette and motioned that Rosalie blow out the flame, upon doing so, he leaned over and kissed her. That was a pleasant surprise, when he was questioned, he claimed that when a lady blows out the flame she is kissed. A custom practiced by the Italian men. How true this is remains to be a moot question. Nevertheless, it was nice!