To preface this title, I must add that I have been hit by the travel bug since learning to walk in La Grange, Ill. where I would see the Burlington Zephyr's race through town during mom's trips to the store. My love of trains and train travel (passenger type- not freight) were further impacted by Puerto Rico at 9 selling newspaper subscriptions ( if you have been following this blog, you know this timeline) introduced me to a world outside of the US and air travel on Eastern Airlines- three tail " Constellation"- a classic plane.... but a fuller story of that will come later..with pictures that sent teachers out of the room in total hysteria. But I digress.... again...
On weekends in the mid 60's ,when things were a bit dull around Hacienda Jensen, I would chirp up, "Hey, let's go to O'Hare ( International Airport - Chicago-for first readers) and watch the international flights arrive!" Wasn't hard to pull mom and dad to go and occassionally, Lou. Seeing as how I would sit on the roof of our house in Barrington for hours with binoculars and watch them on "final" for two great hours: Air France, Lufthansa, British, Aer Lingus, Olympic, KLM, SAS, Swissair, Sabena and lastly, Alitalia...it seemed a safer way to go. The insurance company loss prevention guy agreed.
Well, I needed to go there. I loved it's history, it's architecture, every and anything with Eurpoe was me. Months of watching travelogues at the high school- especially on Europe and taking NOTES!!! My teachers in attendance were very impressed.
I saved for two years, every dime, quarter and dollar I could make. I planned the trip from top to bottom. Where, when, how long, 3 month Eurailpass, Icelandic over, Cunard's Sylvania back. Thirteen countries, three months, $875. The CIA and GAO would have been impressed.
As the time grew closer, I could see apprehension in mom and dad as I was 16 and going alone. They suggested that maybe one of my (suckers) friends might be interested. My close friend, Stan Holzwart, was very interested, but his parents needed convincing. Stan was taking German and I was taking Spanish. PERFECT.. That should get us through Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy (kinda), Spain and we can wing it in France. Well, we went before both of the "tribunals" with indisputable rationale. Stan's mom and dad thought they had an out- my parents had not indicated their OK. They were still unmoved until we went with Plan B- have them talk with mom and dad.
A swell dinner was arranged and a full review ensued. Yes, Stan and I were our MOST ADULT behavior that night- something that has yet to occur again in this universe. Well, it went well and his parent were OK. We would leave after school was out in June, 1967..... June 12, 1967 to be exact......................
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