May 31 - AWOL, the boot has gone AWOL ...

Remember when I mentioned in some of my previous posts that I was looking forward to coming to Taiwan where the Murrayville boot that I have with me would get the opportunity to have a photo taken with its partner? Well, I was disappointed to learn that Elaine's boot never made it to Taiwan! She thought she had packed it, but it fell behind a desk while she was packing ... unfortunately, it didn't fall into her suitcase!
Thankfully her dad found it, so I'll have to get a picture of it before it gets sent to Taiwan with David, who will be visiting Elaine the end of August.

Let me go back to my preparations for leaving for this trip ... When I had asked Elaine if she wanted me to bring anything for her, she listed a few things like chewable vitamins and some things she couldn't get in Taiwan. She also mentioned that she would love to have her winter blanket, but she knew it was too big and she totally didn't expect me to bring it. When I picked it up from her dad, just in case I thought I'd be able to bring it, I saw that her 'blanket' was a Queen-sized duvet/comforter! I did not think I'd be able to fit it. I had mentioned to her that I could buy a twin-sized one when I was in Denmark and would be able to squish it down to a really small size that I'd be able to bring. She thought that would be fine, but she still didn't even think that would be feasible for me to bring. She was not expecting anything like that to come with me.

Her reaction was priceless when I opened my little black suitcase to reveal that I had actually been able to bring her own comforter! There was a long silence and a look of shock! I'm not sure if she was more shocked at the fact that I had found room for it and brought it, or at how small it was ... she said, 'I've never seen it that small before in my life!' I had put the cover on it, folded it in half (lengthwise) twice and rolled it up tightly. Oh, did I mention that it was down-filled? That is why I was able to compress it so small and hold it together with a strap. It was priceless ... unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of either the comforter or Elaine's reaction. Oh well, I'll just have to rely on my memory this time. :)