Barbecue Update

I've been busy this week with several writing assignments and am late in posting.  Our barbecue went off without a hitch despite the oppressive heat that baked our stucco-tiled roof and turned our flat into a kind of roemertopf.  

Our neighbors arrived with armfuls of food and hostess gifts (homemade cherry marmalade!). Our German neighbors brought two cold potato salads, one dressed in a vinaigrette and one dressed in mayonnaise, bread laden with kräuter-butter, and salad.  Our Palestinian neighbors brought traditional Arabic food:  a spicy beef sausage, Kefta (a kind of meatball), pita bread, spicy feta cheese, and a whole chicken.  J and I made ribs and a lattice topped pie as requested.  

Conversation at dinner was at times impeded by language difficulties.  Kathe was quick to remind those speaking in German to switch to English for Jeff's benefit.  There was quite a lot of, "How do you say...?"  None of our neighbors have traveled to the U.S. and asked myriad questions and spoke of preconceived notions.  We were asked if any aspect of German culture had crossed over into popular American culture (maybe Rammstein, Nena and Falco), what items were less expensive in Germany (none), and if we like American Idol (we don't watch television).  We spoke of political subjects (Do all Americans like Obama?), tolerance (one of our guests asked if homosexuality was accepted in the U.S.), and what J and I like about Germany.  

We learned that our neighbors have interesting life stories:  H's father came to Germany alone at the age of 14, completed his arbitur, and went on to become a surgeon.  K and her family lived in Eastern Germany, and she felt/feels the country operated more smoothly prior to its inclusion in the EU stating that prices were driven up by the Euro.  P was a child model in East Germany, has five siblings (a large family by German standards), and makes all varieties of beautiful things with his hands.  

The barbecue lasted six hours and culminated in a walk along the Rhein that was cut short by pesky mosquitoes.  We had a great time and plan to have a monthly supper-club kind of gathering.