Andrea and Alexander Campagna had everything planned: a full fridge and a warm Christmas weekend in their home in the suburbs of Williamsville, New York State in the United States. Ready to wait for the winter storm to hit the United States, they didn’t expect to welcome nine South Korean tourists into their home.
Reported by the “New York Times”, this beautiful story contrasts with the heavy (first) toll of the snowstorm that hit the United States. Thirty-two deaths were confirmed in nine states, including 13 in Erie County, where Campagna’s home is located.
The sequel after the announcement
“Accidental innkeepers”
It all starts on Friday December 23rd at 2pm. Two men knock on the door and ask for shovels to get their vehicle out of the ditch. They explain that they were part of a group of nine South Korean tourists who were on their way to Niagara Falls (Canada) before being caught by surprise by the storm.
With the wind already blowing hard and the snow falling abundantly, the couple decides to help the group in another way: by welcoming them into their home. “We are accidental innkeepers”Alexander Campagna tells the American newspaper.
The house is getting ready for the Christmas weekend to spend together. Visitors – seven women and three men – occupy the spare room, sleeping on couches and air mattresses. Luckily three young Koreans speak English, so the exchange is easy.
Especially since, to the surprise of the guests, the couple is a fan of Korean cuisine. They therefore have all the necessary ingredients to prepare typical South Korean dishes such as jeyuk bokkeuma spicy sauteed pork dish and the dakdori tanga chicken stew.
The sequel after the announcement
Meals, American football and stories
Christmas Eve is therefore sharing and good cheer, telling stories, watching American football and eating delicious homemade Korean food. The hosts were “the nicest people I’ve ever met”Mr. Choi, one of the South Korean tourists, told the “New York Times”.
Finally, the tour group departed on Sunday, December 25th. If their vehicle was still stranded, drivers would pick them up to take them back to New York, where most would get back on their planes.
Arriving in NYC on Dec. 21 to visit the Big Apple and Washington, there’s no doubt this unexpected weekend will be the most memorable memory of their (not quite) package trip.
