The Germans

              THE INVASION OF THE GERMANS                      

Since Miriam is from Germany, she invited her whole German family to Sara's Baptism.  And everybody came.  Just when I was getting the hang of understanding a little of a conversation in Italian, now I have to listen to and try to understand German!!

First there's Grandma (Sophia) who is 88, speaks NO English, knows I do not speak or understand any German but will continually try talking to me in German.  She's sweet, always smiling.  She is little Sophia's namesake.

Then there's Miriams' mom.  She too cannot speak or understand English.  She's very, very nice and always happy no matter what's going on.  She really loves being with her two granddaughters.  She's 63.  She will be staying until the middle of October and going back to Munich with Miriam, Roberto and the girls.  She's a huge help with the children when Miriam wants to get to the garden.  She can speak German to Sophia.  I cannot.

Christain-Miriam's brother.  Up until yesterday I thought her did not understand or speak any English.  But he was fooling everyone.  As soon as he laughed really hard at something I said (I called Roberto Mr. Clean),  I shouted "You do speak English".  So now since he knows of some extra things I want to do on the computer and he is a computer wiz, he's helping me and the language barrier is down.

Sylvia is Miriam's sister-looks almost identical to her.  She came all the way from Vancover for 2 weeks.  She is a horse trainer there so we had some things we could talk about and understand.  She speaks fluent English and of course German.

Miriam's dad and wife (stepmom) are here in Italy too but staying in Maratea.  I met them at the Baptism but just for a few minutes.

So the Germans are here until Tuesday.  Then they will get back in Christian's Audi and drive back to Munich.  16 hours later they'll be home again.

All very, very nice people