In 1995 I attended Camp Buckskin (Ely, MN) as a camp counselor. As from the Netherlands I was able to do this because of a program called Camp America. At Camp Buckskin I met this lovely lady, Michelle. She truly was one of the people that made my time over there one to remember.
After camp I (and Dundee) got the opportunity to travel with her and her parents all the way back to Fort Lauderdale. When I first met John and Marlene Prosje, it was like having relatives from the Netherlands very closeby.
On our way to Fort Lauderdale we dropped of Michelle and headed on our way.
There are three moments I remember very well.
1. We stayed at a campingsite and when the next morning when we drove off, the antenna dish wasn't put down, so when driving by some overhanging trees, it did a little damage. There were some words that I won't put down.
2. On our way we had to get some diesel, so we entered a gasstation. When filling it up, it did not go that well and John's arms and hands got covered with diesel. We smelled it driving some miles.
3. Our journey to Fort Lauderdale wasn't straight forward. John had heard of an auction of cars, A person named Ed Weaverly passed away and his car collection was 'for sale'. He asked me and Dundee if we wanted to come along. We were eager to do so. The entrance fee was a lot to me, but he payed for it. The hallway was huge and he could tell us a lot about all the cars there. He was such a good storyteller.
Later Dundee and I had the privilege to live in one of the appartments. Every day we could come over for breakfast, lunch and dinner. One day he took us both to the antique shop, there was just room for 1 person in the front next to John, so I sat in the back of the truck. At the Antique shop he told us many stories, he showed us many wonderfull things. The Honda Goldwing was amazing to me.
Then in 2001 I went back with my wife. And again we were very welcome to stay at an appartment, we had lots of talks, also about the Netherlands.
I'm very grateful to have known John. I wish Michelle, Marlene and the rest of the family all the best.
Kus en knuffel van Martijn
