Excursion

In July 1997 my wife, my grandson and I went on Cosmos Tour to Europe. The tour lasted 14 days and our fellow travelers came from different countries: Spain, the U.S. and Asia.

During the excursion on picturesque Lugano Lake, Switzerland, the handsome captain made the passengers roar with laughter at the following jokes.

Pointing to a hotel located on a hill surrounded by beautiful scenery, he said the expensive hotel was jokingly called a "brolly hotel" because when an affluent guest arrives, he instantly exclaims: "My God, how beautiful," but at the end of his stay, when the bill is presented to him, he will undoubtedly cry out: "Jesus Christ!" meaning that the hotel charges are too expensive, of course.

Then there is the palace-like dwelling of Heineken, the owner of world-famous Heineken beer. Pointing to the building, partly hidden by trees, he quipped: "Certainly, I donated a minuscule part to that building." Naturally this was another way of saying he was fond of drinking Heineken beer.

To the statue of Jesus with his out-stretched arms, which is meant to say: "Come to me, ye that are heavily laden, for I will give you rest," the captain interpreted: "This is the size of fish that has been caught in this lake." When parting, I said to him: "I do admire your great sense of humor." He was visibly pleased.

The lady tour guide in Rome, while pointing to a building that looked like a monastery, she exclaimed in a matter-of-fact tone: Ladies and gentlemen, that building over there is the most inexpensive hotel in the world. It is call a prison!"

A. DJUANA

Jakarta