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MUMBLINGS September 8, 2005
Sometimes you can learn by listening…for an example,
how to take advantage of Uncle Sam's generosity.
In visiting 100 countries throughout the world, it has
been my privilege to see many beautiful sites and learn much about history,
economics, etc. This was no exception in visiting Glacier National Park in
Montana recently.
When my traveling companion, Matt Metcalfe, and I end a
trip we ask each other, "What was the most interesting thing we encountered?"
He asked me this upon leaving the Park and I smiled and said our guide. He
readily agreed.
His physical description is interesting, about 5'7' tall
and weighing 313 pounds. He always wore a cap with the bill turned backwards.
Finally, I asked him why he did this and he immediately removed his cap and
showed me his bald head. I would politely mention that my mother would not
allow me to wear a cap while eating or even inside the house. He paid no
attention.
You probably have guessed by now his hair came down below
his ears and had a beard.
He met us at the airport in a car which belonged to his
tour company. We soon learned that he was courteous, thoughtful and knew a lot
about the area, including Glacier Park. Already tired, he told us we had
another four or five hour drive to our hotel…this was over a dangerous,
but very scenic Going-to-the Sun highway.
Not knowing how good a driver, or not knowing how well he
could see we were naturally concerned…we knew the road was crooked, high
with high banks, and in addition, it was raining… part of the time we were
in the clouds with the possibility of rocks falling.
Originally living in Houston, Texas he had been in Montana
for the past ten years and proclaimed its many advantages. He was 49 years old
and according to him he had led a fast life. Astonishingly, we listened how he
took advantage of Uncle Sam's welfare programs.
He admitted to having a sexual disease. In his youth, he
had been a cab driver in Houston, as well as other positions, which put him in
touch with a lot of girls, of whom he took advantage, apparently.
In addition to diabetes, he admitted to being HIV
positive. As you can imagine, this somewhat upset us but we didn't do anything
about it.
He was being paid something over $800.00 a month in
disability. He also lived in low rent housing and was very proud of the fact
that he had a dog, called Rocky. He was of Belgium descent, somewhat like a
German shepard.
When he wasn't talking about scenery, sex, and other
matters, he was fussing because he claimed Uncle Sam owed him more money.
To demonstrate his love for his dog, after driving 95
miles to our hotel the first night getting there about 9:30 or 10:00, he drove
95 miles back over the same dangerous roads and then returned the next morning
early to our hotel. He went back to take care of Rocky.
He was unmarried and apparently never been married;
although he had made an effort to get a wife that was well educated and able
not only to make him a good living but take good care of him. In attempt to do
this, he went to the Philippines to look for such a lady, but was
unsuccessful.
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