Christmas in Sylt (4)

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Claas-Erik Johannsenat talks about FDNY story at the bar (Photo by Nam Nai Choi)

The "Santa" I met in the hotel back office is Claas-Erik’s father who is fire-fighting enthusiast.

In the bar, "Santa’s" collectables of more than 50 fire truck models aroused my curiosity. Claas-Erik told me a story of his father.

Like many traditional villages, Keitum still relies on volunteer fire fighters. Claas-Erik and his father are one of the village's fire fighters for many years.

Some years ago, during a prolonged stay in New York, Mr. Johannsen paid a visit to the New York Fire Department (FDNY) and made friends with a duty officer.

One day, Mr. Johannsen was still in New York and having tea with his American friend whom received a fire rescue call from FDNY. Mr. Johannsen was invited to join his friend for the mission.

"My father was so excited that he forgot about himself not a professional fire fighter."

I looked at Claas-Erik, wondering how things would turn out.

"The mission was called off before they arrived. My father was very disappointed."

"A year later, FDNY sent this medal to my father honouring him as a German fire fighter taking part in fire rescue mission for America."

Claas-Erik passed around Mr. Johannsen’s medal and a book. The FDNY story and clips of heart-warming moments of the Johannsen family are put together into the book. I saw a photo of the father and son in fire fighter's outfit and realized that Claas-Erik had inherited his father's dream both as hotel operator and fire fighter!

We spent Christmas Day for an island sightseeing tour on the coach.

Unspoilt nature is the treasure of Sylt

At Kampen, we listened to narration of our driver/guide about the 8,000-year-old sand dunes of this coastal region. At about 57 yards above sea level, the Uwe Dune near Kampen is the island's highest. The Red Cliff, the Wadden Sea and heathlands form interesting colour composition of north-western Sylt in winter time.

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