Ok, I will attempt a very rough and basic translation for the family members that can’t read German ,and I will take some editorial license. Those that can read German please forgive the mistakes.
How Friends reunite
Ilona Konietzko and Peter Gebel visit a Classmate in Australia
What was a long time coming was eventually made good. Three classmates celebrate in Australia after 40 years. We were the first year to be released from High School after Year 9 in 1963 said Peter. Ever since then there have been class reunions every five years which have been organised by Peter.
However there was always one face missing Hans-Joachim Hahne. After leaving school Hans became a plumber, got married and immigrated to Australia. After twenty years we got back in touch with each other and have been writing and speaking on the telephone since then, but Hans still didn’t come to the class reunions.
So it was decided to visit Hans in Australia only a short 22 hr flight and half way around the world. When Peter and Ilona arrived at Melbourne air port they walked straight passed Hans, because he thought he would a bit of fun with them first. So he wore his dark leather hat that he pulled down over his face and waited at the arrivals section to see if he could fool them. After Peter and Ilona walked passed him he came up behind them and tapped them on the shoulder.
Hans still knows the names of all of his classmates, and we recalled the good times we had at school all the while eating and drinking far too much. Hans is going to try and make it to the next class reunion which will the 45 year class reunion. Every one has their fingers crossed that he can make it to this one.
Rough translation by Jeff Hahne