Former French diplomat returns to Taiwan to thank elementary school principal (2014/03/13)
A former French diplomat found a special way to thank a Taitungresident who helped her out 37 years ago. Follow this heartwarming story of an act of kindness that inspired a return trip to Taiwan.
Monique Dodinet produced a yellowed airline ticket from 37 years ago. Seeing this surprised the former principal of Lanyu’s Dong-chinElementary School, Chen Ching-cheng. This was a ticket that Chen had presented to Monique Dodinet, allowing Dodinet’s passage from Lanyu back to Taitung.
Chen Ching-cheng Former Principal At the time a ticket for the boat was NT$110 and an airline ticket was NT$450. For several days the weather was quite bad, with large waves preventing the boat from making this trip. She kept waiting for better weather. When I heard about this I gave her NT$1,000 to buy a ticket.
Dodinet was on a solo trip to Taiwan, and had taken a boat to Lanyu. Chen not only helped arrange accommodation for her but also used his own money to purchase the airline ticket.
Later, Dodinet returned to France and began working as a diplomat. The two maintained correspondence, but Chen moved his residence and they lost contact for 10 years. In 1990, they regained contact but had no chance to meet. Instead, they shared a photograph of the two together at Lanyu Airport
Monique Dodinet Former French Diplomat It’s just to thank him, you know. It means a lot
After retiring from diplomatic service, Dodinet undertook this special trip from France to Taitung to express her gratitude for Chen’s act of kindness performed so many years ago.
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