Travel Reference
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looked and smelled delicious. “I'll be right back with the fresh orange juices,” the server
continued in Dutch as he headed back down the half flight of stairs to the main level of the
restaurant
.
“Wow, baby, these both look amazing,” Mark said after the server was gone. He and Han-
nah had just finished their visit to the Anne Frank House, and they were both worn out by
the experience. Hannah in particular seemed down, and Mark hoped to help pick her back
up. He tried to engage her by adding, “I don't know where to start, sweetheart. Do you
have a preference?”
“Well, I don't really feel like eating, but these both look amazing. And we better get some
food in our stomachs to make it through the rest of the day.” Hannah reached across the
table to take the bacon, banana, and chili pepper. “Maybe something hot will get my ap-
petite going again, if that's okay with you. Then we can switch halfway. Sound good?”
“Sounds great, sweetheart.” Mark was starting to get concerned that Hannah was going
to have trouble recovering from the morning. It had been an intense experience but also
an important one. In a continued effort to connect with Hannah, Mark offered, “And what
a day it's been already. That Anne Frank House was such an intense experience. It's hard
to believe that happened in real life.” But before Hannah could respond, the server re-
appeared with their juices. “
Dank je wel
,” a somewhat mechanical Hannah thanked the
server in Dutch. “
Graag hedan
,” the server replied—the service had been gladly done, and
he slipped back down the stairs
.
“I know, sweetie.” Hannah restarted their conversation. “I'm still recovering myself.”
Hannah had started to cry in the very first room of the museum, shaken by the experience.
“Anne was such a talent, and what happened was so wrong. And the most incredible thing
is that she was just one of millions. How something so evil could happen is beyond me.”
“I know. It was just so wrong,” Mark replied. And trying to change the subject, he added,
“But I'm glad you knew to get tickets in advance. We must have saved at least an hour
thanks to you.”
Hannah nodded and said, “Yes, that's right. The guidebooks were helpful. But, baby, I
think I need a moment to get some air. I'll be back in a minute. Don't worry. I'm fine.”
With that, Hannah excused herself and left a concerned Mark at the table as she scampered
