BUTTERFLY LOVE IN SPACE
CHAPTER 10
In the evening before starting to work Daniel phoned Daniella and they spent almost half-an-hour on the phone. He told Daniella how Ottawa looks like a very nice city, and about tree colors in autumn, while she was only missing him. Daniel said her:
-I will come for my first possible weekend. I miss you too. I love you very much, from here to Toronto and back. As a reply she sent him a kiss.
When Daniel arrived at the National Research Council, Department for Chemical Engineering he first met the department secretary, who gave him necessary instructions and showed him the place where he will have his computer. A few minutes later came department director Dr Edward Cook, who took Daniel through the department, introducing him to the others. At the director's office they spoke about Daniels projects. Director Cook suggested to him to first spend some time with a few leading experts in the department, to get the full idea about the department activities. When asked what Daniel had in mind for his research, Daniel answered:
-If I can tell you what was in my mind before coming, I would like to tell you and get your opinion. Am I right at all?
-Of course, go ahead!
-Since the time when I was doing my diploma work at the university I was thinking many times about finding out an effective solution for the prevention of forest fires. That is one project. Another one could be also finding out an effective solution for the prevention of hurricanes, and the third can possibly be the project of cleaning Canadian rivers with building embankments around rivers and finalizing those into promenades. That way, rivers will be prevented from flooding. As you know, all these projects, if successful, will save billions of dollars to the country. An old experience shows that every river needs to be cleaned at least once in a century. While water flows it carries sand, tree branches, all sorts of things, which settles down and the river floods. All three of these events create tremendous damage, which cost billions of dollars. Forest fires happen every year, while hurricanes and river floods, so often. Hurricanes are more frequent in the United States. We are a bit fortunate, at least, where hurricanes are concerned.
The Director listen Daniel carefully, without interruption, and added:
-I absolutely agree with your ideas. They are great, and we can take them into consideration for the near future, after we apply through the government for the financing. I will definitely keep that in mind. For your start you will cooperate with our leading engineers on the existing projects, and by that you will pass through all stages of the research and development of the business-led-research and its successful commercialization.
Daniel got his cubicle with a computer, and that’s how his first day was spent. When everybody was leaving offices he also left, and walked home, as his apartment has been relatively close, only a walking distance away. He still didn’t know about city bus routes and rates.
Arriving home he first prepared himself a meal, and that was the first time in his life too. His mother had taught him to cook at least some simple meals. After having his own meal he phoned Daniella, telling her about his first day at work, and also about his cooking. He added her:
-I definitely need you. I’ll marry you as soon as you finish university. Ask your mom to teach you to cook well, before you marry me. She laughed, and said: -I love you, as such.
Two weeks later it happened to be a national holiday, Thanksgiving Day, when all employees have a long weekend, three days including weekdays Saturday and Sunday. Daniel bought a train ticket a couple days in advance, and went to Toronto. Arriving at Toronto Union Station, from there he took a subway train and didn’t go home, he first went to Jenssen’s. Daniella was expecting him, and when he appeared at the door she jumped and hung at his neck. Her smile was like a ray of sunshine. They were kissing, while her mom Erika watched them being so happy. At their home Daniel stayed about half-an-hour, while Daniella got ready, and then they both went to his home. At home were both of his parents and a brother. Daniel told them how he had started, and soon he and Daniella went out to have a romantic dinner. When they got a table, Daniella was still shining, feeling happy. The first sentence Daniel said her was:
-I want you to be my wife.
She hugged him and started kissing. Then she answered:
-I feel safe with you, so I want to be your wife, too.
That night was romantic for both of them. The weather outside was still relatively warm, with the moon shining and making shadows of trees on the street. One couple has been waiting on the bus, also hugging and looking happy. Daniel and Daniella walked to the subway station hugged too. They went to her home, where they met her dad Dennis, at the time. He also spoke with Daniel a few minutes, asking him how he had started at work, and how he likes Ottawa. When he was about to leave, Daniel asked Daniella to come the next day to his home, since his parents would like to see her, which she accepted. Her mom Erika added:
-We might come both together, if you don’t mind. –Not at all, answered Daniel, -You are very welcome.See you tomorrow!
The two days being together for loved ones were greatest. They enjoyed it tremendously, but those days seem to be very short. When he sat on a train for Ottawa, Daniella’s tears filled her eyes, and began to slide down her face. She was waving at him and wiping her face. The train slowly moved and she disappeared from his sight.
At the university she is in her third year of Biochemistry faculty. That year she had to travel by subway alone, and she was mainly quiet, usually reading a book while sitting. It happened many times that she met her friends from the year Blanca and Elvira. They would ask Daniella each time how Daniel is doing, being alone in Ottawa. Daniella was studying very hard, her third year was the hardest, and she wanted to erase boredom by learning. Finally, that paid off, she had the best marks that year, average (A=98%). Honest love was her greatest stimulus. For her parents and Daniel it was proof that she really loved him.
While she was studying, her father Dennis had agreed with prosperous investors in Quebec City to visit them and negotiate building a complex of a few business buildings with private apartments in it. When he fixed his appointment he asked Erika and Daniella if two of them would like to join him and spent a couple of days in Quebec City, sight-seeing it. They both accepted it and Daniella added that they may stop in Ottawa on the return to see Daniel. Dennis commented about it:
-I have nothing against it. Then, we have to leave Toronto on Thursday early in the morning. My meetings will be that day late afternoon, and Friday morning. Saturday we will sight-seeing the city, and in the evening leave for Ottawa. Daniella jumped, all happy, with scream: -I’ll be with my dearest Daniel.
-Yes, added her father, we all will be with him.
Daniella instantly phoned Daniel that they will be coming to see him on Saturday evening, and two of them will go out. She was happy, happy, the happiest.
While sight-seeing in the city they have learned that Quebec City, capital of Quebec, is known as the cradle of French civilization on the continent, and the Gibraltar of America, established by explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1608, and is predominantly populated by French people.
Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is spread across the Upper and Lower Town of Quebec and contains the city's most historic buildings. The Lower Town, along the St. Lawrence River, is the site of the original settlement and home to the outstanding Chateau Frontenac. The Upper Town rests on 100 meter-high cliffs and is home to the Citadel,the Plains of AbrahamPlace. This area is one of Canada's most popular historical areas and is well developed for tourism. In addition to the historical sites, visitors will also find artists displaying their works on Rue du Trésor, interesting museums including the Musée de la Civilisation, and all kinds of shops and restaurants.
With a population of about 600 thousand residents, Quebec City is the second most populous city in the Quebec province after Montreal. French explorer and diplomat Samuel de Champlain, also called “The Father of New France “established Quebec City, located at the intersection of the St. Lawrence and the St. Charles River. The city’s name is derived from Kébec, an Algonquin word meaning “where the river narrows”. During the American Revolution, troops from the southern colonies attempted to ‘liberate’ Quebec City in the Battle of Quebec, so that Canada would join the Continental Congress and become part of the original United States of America. The American revolutionaries were defeated and it resulted in the split of British North America into two distinct political entities. The area inside the 4.5 kilometers of city walls was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985. The massive Chateau Frontenac Hotel dominates Quebec City’s skyline from the top of Cap-Diamant. In front of the Chateau Frontenac Hotel is the Terrasse Dufferin (Dufferin Terrace) walkway along the edge of the cliff, offering picturesque views of the Saint Lawrence River.
Today more than 95 percent of Quebec City residents speak French, with a third of the population speaking both English and French.
At 84 meters high and 46 meters wide, the Montmorency Falls, located between the town of Beauport and Boischatel, is 30 meters higher than Niagara Falls. -We got a written list of important geographic facts about Quebec City, Canada, said Daniella. Most of the economy is based on transportation, tourism, the service sector and defense. A large portion of the city's jobs are also through the provincial government since it is the capital city.
-We have stayed in a hotel in the attached picture, added Daniella.
When they arrived in Ottawa and met Daniel, at his apartment, Daniella reported to him about everything. After having a drink, they all went outside to a nearby, nice, restaurant, to have dinner. Her parents, Erika and Dennis, permitted Daniella to stay overnight with Daniel, while two of them went to the hotel. Dennis and Erika came to Daniel’s place about ten on Sunday morning, picked the young ones for lunch, and about two o’clock left for Toronto.
Daniella and Daniel had a great evening, and were both very happy. They were speaking about their marriage after she finished her faculty. On the way home, Daniella told her mom Erika, who was happy to hear it.
CHAPTER 11
It was Thursday morning about 8.30 a.m. Daniel was walking the street, on the way to his work, looking at his wireless telephone, when suddenly he heard a noise. He looked and saw a man running towards him, looking backwards. In order to avoid a collision with him Daniel leaned to his left and stretched his right leg towards the running man. The man had a trap over his leg and fell down on his face, by all his length. The bag that he was carrying flew far from him. Daniel didn’t even realized what was going on, and thought of helping him to get up, when suddenly he saw that two men were running after him and screaming:
-Hold him, hold him!
Then Daniel jumped on his back, kneeled on him, and held his arms, not giving him a chance to get up. When the two other men arrived they helped Daniel to keep the man on the sidewalk. Meanwhile the TV arrived and they started to film the scene. A moment later police arrived and they hand-cuffed a man and took him to their car. Daniel was totally confused about what was happening, and what he had done. Then those two men who arrived to help Daniel were giving an interview to the TV, saying that the man was a bank robber, and he robbed money, which was in the bag that he dropped. When TV people approached Daniel congratulating him for his bravery to attack a robber, Daniel actually didn’t know that the man was a robber. He only had heard those two screaming and calling for help, so he overthrew him the way they, as boys, did it to each other when they were small. He didn’t even realize that by doing that he became a hero.
When he arrived at his work he only mentioned that to a few of his colleagues, not expressing it as an important event. At that moment nobody had paid attention to that, and nobody spread it as the news.
In the evening during important CBC news it was shown as a prevention of a bank robbery, and Daniel was named as a hero. The next day his director Dr Edward Cook called his whole department and among all the staff congratulated Daniel, and rewarded him with a week of paid vacation. Everybody applauded and personally shook hands with Daniel. By that, as a relatively new employee, he became known to everyone.
Daniella called him as soon as she heard the news, congratulating him and telling how she was proud of him. Her parents congratulated him too. Then Daniel mentioned to them that he was rewarded with a week's vacation and he will come home for the coming weekend. Daniel’s parents called and congratulated him, as well. His mom Una was scared but, as it had a safe ending, she was proud. His brother Akan was proud of Daniel too, and expressed his wish to see him soon.
When Daniel arrived in Toronto, he even visited his faculty of Chemical Engineering, and was surprised that they all had been informed of his event. They also have expressed their pride with him as their student. The most beautiful time Daniel spent with Daniella. And she wanted to show him to all her friends, as her boyfriend's hero.
Arriving back home on Sunday evening Daniel found a message on his home phone. The bank manager had asked him to come for a short time, when he would be available. A couple days later, when the bank was open until 7.00 p.m. Daniel dropped by, according to the appointment he made the previous day. The bank Director Mr. Morison had informed him that the bank robber had taken 6,240.000 dollars, which Daniel had saved. For his bravery he wanted to award Daniel 10%, and asked him first to open his bank account in their branch.
-Mr. Morison, said Daniel, I want to thank you for your generosity, but I don’t think that I deserve it. I am new in Ottawa, and recently had opened an account in the other branch office, so honestly I do not need it. I am employed in a good company, with a good income, so I can manage my expenses, and since my childhood my parents have educated me and my brother not to take anything that we do not earn. What I did is a duty of every citizen, but if you feel obliged to me I can recommend you better give that money to the hospital for sick kids, or some others who honestly need it.
The director remained silent. He did not expect such a decision from a young man. He only congratulated him once again and thanked Daniel, adding that he was greatly educated by his parents. They shook hands, and Daniel went home.
The next day there was news again, with added information about the case of bank robbery, telling that two bank robbers were involved, one who was robbing money from the bank, whom Daniel had knocked down, and the other one waiting in the car with an opened door. When the one in the car saw what had happened he ran away. The news also informed everyone about Daniel’s decision to not take the bank reward.
Days were passing by all in good order, with Daniel regularly in contact with his parents and his girlfriend Daniela. Winter in Ottawa was severe, with lots of snow, sometimes even icy rain and cold winds. Everybody in the streets were wearing warm coats or parkas with fur, and gloves. Even when it was sunny, it was very cold. The windchill temperature, beside the regular one, was calculated and given in the news. Global warming has completely destroyed the regular climate. Frequent floods, winter storms, hot summers with droughts and destroyed agricultural crops. Even hurricanes or at least very strong winds were blowing, damaging many different things all over. Street walkers were all walking with bowed heads.
Just before Christmas holiday Daniella arrived in Ottawa, to spend the New 2035 Year together with her boyfriend Daniel. Before that she learned to do some cooking and brought many recipes in order to do it for two of them and prove to Daniel that she is ready to get married. She arrived by plane and Daniel had waited on her at the airport. They went to his apartment and on the way home they bought lots of food. At home, first they were kissing and hugging for an unlimited time. After having a light supper that she prepared, they went to bed early, enjoying their love. They both enjoyed their bodies, while making love, for an unlimited time before they fell asleep. He was kissing her all over her body. Her skin shined like polished marble and smelled of jasmine from every pore. Even early in the morning they woke and continued making love again, hugging each other firmly. They wanted it to never end. They didn’t want to get up, until they became hungry. Both of them had to take care that she would not get pregnant, before they are ready to get married. When they finally got up she made breakfast, and after that they watched the TV News, interesting mainly for the weather forecast.
For Christmas Eve they did not have any visitors, they wanted to be alone, to enjoy each other. They were young, healthy, energized and eagerly missing each other. The days between Christmas and New Year they spent going to concerts and in the theater. They also visited some exhibitions in the National Gallery, which Daniel wanted to show his darling guest.
Getting ready for the New Year’s Eve after Daniella dressed in a full dress and Daniella dress-coat they exchanged gifts which they had prepared for each other. Daniel gave her a diamond ring, as a sign of engagement, and Daniella brought him a Swiss wrist watch. They kissed each other, hugging each other firmly. Daniella was the happiest in her life. She screamed very loudly. Daniel told her:
-I am engaged to you, but we will marry after you finish university.That was our plan from the beginningand we have to follow it. It is for your and my own good. That’s for our future. She kissed him and said: -I love you.
At the celebration of the New Year they went to a restaurant together with Daniel’s colleagues from the National Research Council. The atmosphere was very nice, joy lasted until dawn, with good music so they danced and enjoyed good food and drinks. Daniel had introduced Daniella to all his colleagues, boys and girls. All together like a merry company they enjoyed it very much, expressing best wishes to each other through the coming New Year. And when at sunrise, they went home a bit tired but happy.
One more day after New Year they spent time together and then came time for her to return home. When they sat in the car, on the way to the airport, a bitter wind was blowing and a chill rain started. The cold went right to the bones. But they were well dressed, and they had to be on time. At the airport, information said there was a flight delay of about half-an-hour, according to the regular time. That gave them time to be together longer, which they did not mind at all. While Daniella was entering the plane Daniel waved to her non-stop, and at the last sight he sent her a kiss by hand.
Arriving home she spoke with her mom, and the next day went to the university, continuing her study. Mom and dad were satisfied with her information about time spent with her boyfriend, and the ring she got from him. At the faculty she shoved her ring to her girlfriends Blanca and Elvira, and both of them congratulated her and kissed her, wishing her happiness in marriage. The second semester of her third year was hard work, but she had finished it with the best marks. She had considered her good success as a gift to Daniel and her parents.
When Daniel appeared at the National Research Council his director Dr Edward Cook called him into his office, to inform him that he had a chance to meet people from the government and speak about Daniel’s suggestion for the research projects. To investigate the methods of forest fire prevention they are willing to finance it. As far as the hurricanes are concerned, the director mentioned that the government's opinion was that that is more of an American problem, so they are going to recommend it to them. Chances are only that NRC can participate in cooperation with Americans. And, finally, regarding cleaning of rivers for the prevention of floods, he explained that it is a project for private companies to deal with. –We can help those with good engineering advice only, the director added.
Before letting Daniel leave to his office, director Cook asked him:
-Would you be interested in joining me at the conference in St. John’s in May? Certainly, replied Daniel.
–What will the conference be about precisely, and what are the dates? –I will let you know in a few days, when the full profile will be done! –OK. Then, I’ll see. Thank you. –Thank you Daniel, see you soon.
At the end of last week in March the director had informed Daniel about the subjects at the conference, and added:
-Get ready for May 18th, tickets will be arranged, my secretary will call you on time.
All five of them, all together, traveled. Director, Daniel, two research leaders from the department, and one more younger coworker, like Daniel himself, who participated in the research and had shown some good results. They flew from Ottawa to St. John’s, arriving there at about five p.m. After taking rooms in the hotel, they went for the brief walk, exploring the town a bit.
During their spare time, after conference hours, Daniel went with his younger colleague to the local museum, where he got lots of information about the city.
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador. St. John's was incorporated as a city in 1888, yet was considered by some to be the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of over 220.000, the St. John's Metropolitan Area is the second largest Metropolitan Area in Atlantic Canada after Halifax. It is one of the top ten Oceanside destinations, according to National Geographic Magazine.
St. John’s is the oldest city in North America. And Water Street in St. John’s is the oldest street in North America. John Cabot was the first explorer to sail into St. John’s harbor on June 24, 1497. The first permanent residence was established in 1528. In St. John’s almost 97% of the population report English as their mother tongue. Only 0.4% report French only as their mother tongue. The St. John’s metro area is home to the offshore crude oil business and accounts for about 50% of the province's gross domestic product.
Memorial University is the largest university in the Atlantic region with 18,000 full and part time students attending. There are more pubs per square meter on George Street in St. John’s than anywhere else in Canada. For the best traditional food Candice Walsh, a local, suggests trying Velma’s on Water Street. Newfoundland and Labrador is the kind of easygoing place where, despite your best-laid plans, what you want to do and where you want to do it before you arrive. The capital of Newfoundland occupies a spectacular site on one of the finest natural harbors in the world. Entered through "the Narrows", a 200-meter-wide passage flanked by cliffs, the harbor widens out into a protected basin.
The city is undisputedly the oldest "European" town in North America, and from about 1500, the harbor was used as a base by fishing vessels from various countries. Signal Hill National Historic Site sits on a rocky hill at the harbor mouth and provides fantastic views over the Atlantic Ocean. This is where Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal on December 12, 1901.
Daniel’s intention was to introduce readers to the fact that the real father of the wireless transmission was Nikola Tesla.
He said: -Please read the book of Marc J. Seifer, Wizard, The life and Times of Nikola Tesla – Biography of a Genius, highly recommended by the American Academy of the Advanced of Science. It is known that Nikola Tesla has filed patent application number 645576 and 649621 for basic radio, on September 2nd, 1897 and those were granted him in 1900, Marconi’s application number 763772 of November 10th, 1900 was turned down.Besides that and Tesla’s lawsuit for fringed patent law, Marconi was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1911.The US Supreme Court decision, Case No 6369 of June 21st, 1943 was that Marconi’s patent was invalid and favored Tesla’s patent which had priority.Unfortunately, for Tesla, himself, the court decision was too late. He died five months before that, on January 7th, 1943 (Read this in the latest book of Margaret Cheney – Nikola Tesla Master of Lightning).Tesla knew that Marconi’s achievement was predicated on the use of his coil, oscillators and general design which he had spelled out in lecture years earlier.
Dramatic cliffs and two lighthouses mark Cape Spear as the most easterly point in North America, located just southeast of St. John's. People like to watch the sunrise from the cliffs here. With its many restaurants and patios, George Street is a popular city center rendezvous in St. John's. In the evenings, George Street is closed to traffic making it a pleasant and lively area to walk around. Regardless of the season, the City of St. John’s is a hub of activity, innovation and culture. With a variety of annual events and festivals, unique attractions, breathtaking land and seascapes, there’s something for everyone. Bannerman Park is a Victoria-style urban park located in historic downtown St. John’s and contains a public swimming pool, playground, and many large open grassy areas. Memorial University's Botanical Garden is located near the heart of St. John's. Now, in the nearest distance from St. John’s are huge discoveries of oil and natural gas, where from the platform Hibernia one can see an Iceberg Alley, over 10,000 years old. Whales in these waters play their game, and thousands of birds are breeding around. The local village’s economy is predominantly fishing, and their gastronomy mainly is based on fish and wild animal meat.
Hibernia is an oil field in the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately 315 kilometers east-southeast of St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, in 80 m of deep water. The production platform Hibernia is the world's largest oil platform and consists of a 37,000 t integrated topsides facility mounted on a 600,000 t gravity base structure. On the way back to Ottawa Daniel’s colleague John Pushkin informed the others what they had learned, and only director Cook knew about Tesla’s discovery and Marconi’s fraud, for which he even got Nobel’s Prize 1911.
It will be continued