Did you ever sit by a famous person on an airplane?
Jul 29, 2019 2:19:19 GMT
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Post by Sulla on Jul 29, 2019 2:19:19 GMT
On a plane? No. On a train? Yes. I feel like I've told this story before, so forgive me if you've already heard it.
In 1990 a Lit student and I sat at a table for a couple of hours and made small talk with Harper Lee. Her age at that time was about 64. I didn't recognize her.
Every year Lee spent the Summer in NYC and returned home to Alabama for the Winter. She didn't like to fly, so she took Amtrak's 'Crescent' there and back. She had a private compartment until Birmingham where a couple of cars peeled off and headed south. Then she was forced to sit with us.
She was very polite and charming. Among other subjects she asked about our favorite books and authors. She even spoke about what she was currently reading, but the title and author were unfamiliar to me. When we arrived at the tiny stop of Evergreen/Monroeville there were about 30-40 people to greet her. They cheered when she appeared. I thought "wow, she must have a big family!"
The Lit student had recognized her and told me after Lee debarked. Lee had asked her not to tell anyone because she wasn't comfortable with all the attention that comes with being a celebrity. When I got home, I pulled out my hardback first edition of To Kill A Mockingbird and on the back sleeve was a portrait of the same woman about 30 years younger.
In 1990 a Lit student and I sat at a table for a couple of hours and made small talk with Harper Lee. Her age at that time was about 64. I didn't recognize her.
Every year Lee spent the Summer in NYC and returned home to Alabama for the Winter. She didn't like to fly, so she took Amtrak's 'Crescent' there and back. She had a private compartment until Birmingham where a couple of cars peeled off and headed south. Then she was forced to sit with us.
She was very polite and charming. Among other subjects she asked about our favorite books and authors. She even spoke about what she was currently reading, but the title and author were unfamiliar to me. When we arrived at the tiny stop of Evergreen/Monroeville there were about 30-40 people to greet her. They cheered when she appeared. I thought "wow, she must have a big family!"
The Lit student had recognized her and told me after Lee debarked. Lee had asked her not to tell anyone because she wasn't comfortable with all the attention that comes with being a celebrity. When I got home, I pulled out my hardback first edition of To Kill A Mockingbird and on the back sleeve was a portrait of the same woman about 30 years younger.
