Memories of Denmark – The Best Welcome

Le cœur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît point

At times we doubt familiar people, sometimes we trust perfect strangers. I, for one, have been fortunate to have trusted the right ones most of the times.

Guy sitting next to me on the way from Dubai to Copehangen was an ex-army Dane named Lars. He was working with some NGO in Kuwait and was coming home after six months to his wife of twenty years and two daughters. Since this travel opportunity came suddenly, I could not do enough research on how to reach the hotel from the airport. While talking to him, I said one of my colleagues – whom I had never seen before - is coming to receive me. He inquired if I had a Plan B, meaning what if my colleague does not show up. I didn’t have one and I told him that. Our flight landed, we went through the immigration check. Since Lars was a Danish citizen, he got through easily while I was questioned for a couple of minutes. After I passed through the doors, I found him waiting for me. I was quite surprised as asked him what held him back. In reply, he started walking and I followed him to the conveyor belt to collect our bags. He got his bags and helped me find mine. I wished him luck and expected him to leave.

Will I stick around with a perfect stranger by choice if I haven’t seen my wife and two daughters for six months?

I wont.

But Lars did.

I told him he need not wait; he emphasized that he will stick around till my colleague finds me or the other way round. If that does not happen, Lars wanted to escort me to the hotel. After about fifteen minutes, my colleague found me chatting with Lars. All the three of us were relieved. Lars picked up his bag, wished me luck, walked for a couple of steps, came right back, hugged me and said, “Welcome to Denmark!”

Thank you, Lars, no welcome would have been better.

Or warmer.