Posted on 08/22/2005 7:58:26 PM PDT by Army Air Corps
HOLIDAYMAKER Ali Smith was enjoying a quiet break with her family in Tenerife when she bumped into the former US president Bill Clinton.
The lab support technician, of Mountain Ash, Marlow, was dining with her sister and niece in one of the elegant Monasterio restaurants behind her sister's apartment, when President Clinton walked in, followed by an entourage of security staff and businessmen.
Mrs Smith said: "There was a party of five of us and we were sitting at the table, deciding whether to have pudding. A ripple of excitement went around the room and somebody on our table said there's Bill Clinton'."
The charismatic former head of state,turned on the charm for diners, going up to each table and stopping to chat.
Ms Smith said she had seen his helicopter arrive the day before but never guessed she would get the chance to meet him.
She said: "He was out there for a few days on a tourism conference and to play some golf. He is very handsome in the flesh. He came over to our table and put his arm around me for a photo with my niece. I think he asked me where I came from and then we talked about his book and the book launch at Ross-on-Wye."
The surprise meeting took place on the penultimate night of the holiday in July and Ms Smith said she has been entertaining her friends with the tale ever since. She added:"It was the perfect ending. But to think of all the bars, in all the world, and it happened to me."
Well, you know what they say... you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
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