Dearest Doris,
There are no Kangaroos in Austria as we used to joke. I am writing to you from Australia however the distance was never an impediment to our friendship.
Your visits to Australia were always highly anticipated, you loved Australia so much and we had a great time showing you around but we always had to hurry you along as you were taking in all the differences and details. I still remember the golfers at Angelsea golf course shouting at you to get off the course as you were trying to pat a Kangaroo.
Foremost you were Austrian and very proud one at that. I visited you many times and your hospitality and generosity is a credit to you and all Austrians. We would meet at Cafe Landtmann where I would have an Strudel and coffee as if it was some part of a ritual, now you are one of us. You really were a great ambassador to your country. During Eurovision or the Olympics many texts and messages were sent - it became a competition which country won the most medals or gathered the most points or was it Melbourne or Vienna which was th best place in the world to live. Always with fun, humour and grace but also with great pride.
I do remember on one occassion it did get a little heated when I placed some coffee in the fridge - well that was an internation incident, we laughed and laughed but I could see that teacher side of Doris came out and she wasn't impressed.
Doris, you were always fun and kind, your generosity and just general pleasant and pleasing nature made you a very special person in my life. Even though there was so much distance and cultural differences between us it seemed to just make our friendship just that more special.
Now the distance seems real.....
You will really be missed!
Bussi Bussi,
Eugene.
