Airport Memories in Sydney, Australia, October 16, 1991
I recall with pleasure how I first met Mr. Johnny Huang, Secretary General of the Parents Society of Overseas Students （PSOS）, Taiwan. He is sophisticated in international relations and always amiable, generous, and helpful in contributing to overseas students and their parents. Furthermore, he is enthusiastic in sponsoring and supporting social welfare legislation.
During Apr - Oct 1991, I studied English in Sydney, Australia. One month before I left Sydney, my landlady ‘Paula’ was disturbing me every night. She would get drunk, and then tease me, shouting malicious verbal attacks. One night she insulted me by climbing on my back, as if I were a horse. Perhaps, I was too innocent, putting me in such a weak position; a naive boy of just 23 who didn’t know how to cope with a 60 year old New Zealander woman. All I did was complain to my classmate. I should have found a mediator, but I didn’t.
She refused to cease her noisy harassments, night after night, and so I took back the bike I had allowed her to use, giving it to my friend instead. This made her furious. There was no easy way out, and she continued to abuse me through the end. On the day of departure, Oct 16, 1991, I escaped by jumping through a window as she slept in the early morning. My friend Mike escorted me to the Sydney Airport that afternoon. Unfortunately, she awoke, realized what must have happened, and chased me to the airport. While the unavoidable quarrel was going on, several police came to resolve the conflict.
Johnny and his wife were among the onlookers. Due to my poor English language skills at the time, I couldn’t clearly communicate, and so the police had a difficult time understanding me. The situation aroused Johnny’s sympathy, and he came to my rescue. He briefly spoke with the police and explained the problem. I was lucky in that Johnny and I both come from Taiwan, which I believe made Johnny more willing to help. He showed his business card to the police, and once they understood his job they allowed him to interfere between I and Paula, assisting to uncover the truth.
Paula accused me of stealing her IC chip plus spoiling her computer. Johnny asked me “did you take anything from her? Can you open your luggage to prove your innocence?” I replied that I didn’t take anything from her, and there would be no problem to check my luggage. Johnny told Paula that he knows computers well, so he questioned her about the computer’s condition. Also, Johnny indicated that if Paula were lying, she could be accused of making a false charge. Paula paused a moment, and couldn’t answer the question. She withdrew, wiped her nose, and said “never mind”. Then Johnny asked the police to make sure Paula would leave me alone. She signed the renunciation and left. The whole conflict was over in less than one half-hour.
Because Singapore Airlines flight was delayed fours, and British Airways substituted. Johnny, his wife, Mr. Hsu, a good friend of Johnny and I were on the same flight. After arriving in Singapore, Johnny’s appeals on my behalf got me one night free in a hotel. Since then, we have kept in touch. He wrote me regularly to encourage my studies in the States. during this period, he is always very kind to keep helping me when ever I ask him for a favor, After obtaining a BA from the University of Utah and returning to Taipei, I found chances to visit with him, even though he’s so busy. I Appreciate Johnny’s cordial friendship, over the past seventeen years. I’m not sure what would have happened to me if he hadn’t stepped in to help me so long ago at the Sydney airport. Still, I admit to having difficulty in handling problems whenever I confront bad intentioned, strong willed people trying to take advantage of me. With Johnny’s help, I’m learning to stand up for myself when my savior Johnny is not around.
