From: lyled@pnet05.cts.com (Lyle Davis)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
Subject: Our Visitor. . .
Date: 30 Jul 92 09:40:06 GMT
Organization: People-Net [pnet05], Carlsbad CA

NOTE:  The following was transmitted by me to a Writer's Conference
on the RIME network about one of Denmark's finest.  I thought perhaps
some of you in Denmark would like to see how one of your own is
making out on what appears to be a rather pleasant holiday:
 
        Many thanks to those of you who sent the most welcome e/mail
messages.
 
        I have not forgotten you nor am I ignoring you but have
simply been rather occupied on an interesting and fun project.
 
        I am entertaining a young writer from Denmark who is on a two
month visit to America and chronicling his adventures for the
"Jylland Posten", Denmark's largest newspaper.  HIs name is Morten
Sillesen.  He is writing both about his journey and his view of how
Americans use their computers.  Copenhagen, indeed most of Denmark,
has not gotten into computers the way most of America has.  They use
them in business but the bbs world is just emerging there.  
 
        I had not met the lad until last Saturday.  All I knew was
that he was a 21 year old Dane from Copenhagen; a first lieutenant in
the Danish Army Reserve (field artillery) who had only recently
completed his two year military commitment, and that he was seeking
hosts for his journey.  He will have had approximately two months in
America, having arrived in New York, then to Frederick, Maryland, W.
Virginia, Atlanta, Georgia, New Orleans and then Los Angeles.  He was
to have had two weeks in Long Beach and one week with me but,
somehow, his Long Beach host evaporated and he was stuck.  A young
kid without a lot of money.  So, we decided to host him for his three
weeks.
 
        It was a bit disconcerting at first.  I could host most
anyone for a week; but three weeks is a long time to be with someone
you've never met and don't know.  I seldom entertain family for three
weeks!  (Someone once said family visitors are a bit like fish.
After three days they both smell).
 
        I didn't know if my unmet guest was going to turn out to be a
dork - a cold, standoffish type, a bookish character, or some type of
demanding individual.  Happily, the answer turned out to be none of
the above.
 
        He is a handsome lad.  About six foot, blond, brown eyes.
Sturdy build.  An engaging smile, pleasant dry wit, good sense of
humor.  Smiles easily.  He had taken a Super Shuttle from LAX to John
Wayne Airport in Orange County where I had agreed to meet him.  We
found each other without too much difficulty.  (Incidentally, the
John Wayne Airport is absolutely *beautiful*!  I've been in many
airports all over this planet; this is the most attractive one I've
ever seen.)  We had a pleasant drive back to San Diego as we got
acquainted.
 
        My two sons, who are only slightly older than him, told me
they knew many young Southern California ladies if he would like to
date (he doesn't; he has a movie star quality beauty back in
Copenhagen named Bettina).  They both have volunteered to teach him
to surf (I taught my kids how to surf and now I won't go surfing with
them.  They are too damned good!  Shows the old man up whenever we
get to the beach.)
 
        I suspect that he is having a good time.  He practically
lives in my swimming pool, raves about the blue skies and sunny, warm
weather.  Today we took him jet-skiing in the ocean, taught him how
to boogie-board at Moonlight Beach, showed him La Jolla Cove and the
tidepools.  We've given him a tour of La Jolla and Rancho Sante Fe
(for those outside the area these are the two very, very posh and
expensive areas of San Diego)  We have driven him throughout downtown
San Diego and the various bays and waterfront districts.  Naturally,
he has been on a tour of my resorts at Dixon Lake and at Moonlight
Beach and has enjoyed each of them.  He has visited the Wild Animal
Park and will soon visit both Sea World and the San Diego Zoo as well
as spend a few days with my kids as he learns how to become a "surfer
dude".
 
        During the balance of his trip we will plan on a trip to
Mexico (this coming Monday and Tuesday), probably hit the wineries up
near Rancho California, drive to the top of Palomar Mountain, visit
Julian (again, for those outside the area, this is a pleasant little
village in the mountains, famous for its apple orchards, applie pies
in the fall, and a kicked back bucolic area).  He has watched me take
a couple tennis lessons and I think I can persuade him to take up the
sport.  (He thinks it looks easy.  I told him us pro's *make* it look
easy.)
 
        He would also like to take a tour of Camp Pendleton (the big
Marine base) and the Seal Team Trainig Center on Coronado.  I have
contacts at both places so we'll see he gets his tour of the military
facilities.
 
        In any event, that's what I've been up to.  I believe Morten
will be dropping in here for a visit.  His English is excellent; in
fact, were you to meet him and I had not told you he was Danish you
probably wouldn't pick up on it.  (He does occasionally use a "w"
instead of a "v" (as in "I would like a wodka). . .)  I have noticed,
however, in his writing that he occasionally gets his tenses mixed up
a bit (such as, "You has showed me many exciting things today," or,
"He have a driver's license.")
 
        He has access to RIME in Denmark.  In fact, that's how we
met.  He is a regular on the Global Conference, where I serve as
Conference Host.  Hopefully, he will be comfortable here in this
Conference and continue to participate here after he returns
home on Saturday, August 15th.
 
        Enjoy him.  Let him enjoy you.
 
        Any questions about Denmark, fire away.  He's an engaging
fellow and will, I'm sure, be happy to help.

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