Jim flew from Houston (but was a day late and missed the wedding due to visa delays) and I flew from Thailand, to our friends' wedding in Bavaria, Germany -- in the village of Euzerdorf, near Passau, Germany.
Wolfgang is German and Ilaria is Italian. Because they both worked for (Wolfgang just retired) the very international company for whom Jim works, the wedding was so international that it caused most of the villagers from many of the villages to hide in the balcony of the church before the service so that they could witness it! A busload of Italians -- 35 of them -- arrived from Milan. Cars of Italians and Germans arrived. Others arrived via plane -- one friend of Ilaria's, a manager in the company, flew from Rio just for the weekend. It was like a great reunion for many of us who had all met each other while we were in Nigeria.
Here are dear friends who currently both work in Moscow. Thomas is from Austria and Patricia is from Venezuela. Later in our vacation we stayed in their home near Vienna (even though they were back in Moscow). Photos will be loaded later of that area.And here's a sweet family from Myanmar. He's now working in Paris.
The bridal couple arrived on Wollo's 25 year old motorbike.
The service was mainly bi-lingual, German and Italian; the priest was fluent in both. The only English was my short prayer -- which wasn't very Catholic, to the dismay of the priest, I believe!
This traditional organ grinder pumped out German and Bavarian tunes for a few hours! Ilaria (an accomplished pianist/organist/harpsichordist) hated it but Wolfgang was thrilled!
Jim arrived the next day ... the party was still continuing, though many had left!
Great friends who were just on their way out of Nigeria. He's French and she's Argentine. They will be working in Rio, next.
