After closing their flagship restaurant in Chicago, the Moy family opened up a Chinese restaurant in Valencia, Spain.
Going back there to visit my older children, who were studying at university, I was excited to try the new Kow Kow and made a reservation.
I arrived early and was the first one to show up for dinner service.
I entered the restaurant, which was beautifully appointed in white marble and leather.
As I rode my bicycle to the restaurant, I walked it inside and parked it next to the booth that I had reserved for me and my children.
Just then, a male employee approached and politely informed me that I wouldn't be able to leave my bike in the restaurant and that he'd be more than happy to put it in a secure place for me.
I became slightly annoyed at his suggestion insisting that my bike remain with me at my table adding that I lived in the Netherlands where everybody cycles and takes their bikes with them everywhere.
The discussion took a nasty turn as both the maitre'd and I became loud and incensed and the restaurant manager and members of the kitchen staff all came to see what the fuss was about.
I began a long rant repeating how Don Moy was turning over in his grave knowing how one of his old customers from Chicago was being treated.
The restaurant staff stood by in utter dismay.
At one point, I approached two men in clean white chef's uniforms and was face to face with the bald, older of the two men and said, "if you can't work in service to your customers, maybe you're in the wrong business and should just close your doors."
I continued expressing my ire at the chef by saying, "I was a teacher for 25 years and when I felt I was no longer making a productive contribution to my profession, I just walked away. Just like like that and completely changed professions."
Calmly, he looked at me and said, "To become a barber."
I was astonished that he seemed to know who I was and immediately changed my demeanor and quietly took my bicycle and left the premises just as a crowd of dinner guests were arriving.
Next, I found myself sitting on a park bench in the River Turia park just outside of the concert hall when the man with whom I was first arguing walked up to me and noticed I was crying.
He apologized about what had happened and insisted I returned to the restaurant with him.
He said my children had just arived and that he prepared a nice table for us in a private dining room and that I would be very welcome to bring my bicycle with me.
Then I woke up.
*Originally manifested on August 22, 2019.
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