The Great Traveler – Milton Diehl
If you learn English in Németh László Grammar School, I suppose you have already met him. He’s always smiling, and goes to the classrooms so happily that his happiness sticks quickly to every student. If you haven’t guessed it yet, I help a bit. He’s from the USA, he’s over 70 years old and he always tells you things that you have never heard before. I have interviewed Milton Diehl (or just Milt), everybody’s friend from the USA.
Hi Milt. First of all I would like to ask you to tell me a few words about yourself. When and where were you born? What had been your job before you retired?
Hi Petra. I was born in Madison on March 8, 1938. Madison is the capital of the U.S state of Wisconsin. I don’t have any brothers or sisters. I am married, I have two daughters and five grandchildren, I live in Sarasota, Florida with my wife. Before I retired I was a teacher. I attended University of Wisconsin.
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Would you be that kind to speak about your family?
My younger daughter lives is Sarasota, she’s 45 years old, and the older lives in California, she’s 49 years old now. I got married in 1994 and my daughters were 6 years old and 9 years old when I met them and then I adopted them.
Is it okay to your wife that you are always going to long trips? Why doesn’t she come with you?
She has accepted that and got used to it. She does not want to teach and she has some health problems so she can’t travel with me.
In Hungary it’s not really common that retired people travel around the world. In the U.S. are they that adventurous?
Of course it depends on the people. Some of them travel because they want to, others feel more comfortable if they can stay at home.
When was the first time you came to Hungary?
I came here in February, 2005 with global volunteers. I stayed for 3 weeks and I had the chance to teach students in the high school that you attend, too.
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What was so powerful that made you want to come back?
The friendships I have developed, the support of the community, the people who live in Hódmezővásárhely and of course the students. It’s very very comfortable here in this town.
When will you come back to Vásárhely again?
I would like to come back in March or April and I want to stay for 6 weeks. Before that time I will stay in the United States, I won’t travel a lot.
I am so thankful you answered my questions. I hope we’ll meet soon. Goodbye.
It gave me a great pleasure. Goodbye.
Kiss Petra
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