LOL! "stashing things out of sight"

I'm so glad to know that I'm not the only one who does this!

You did a great job Nina with your company -- if my cousins come to visit and want to stay in SF, you have it all planned out.

Thanks for sharing (reports are a lot of work).

Your comments are the frosting on the cake.

The kids commented on the Jerimah O'Brien, but not on the Pampanito. They were disappointed that there was nothing in German - only English.

In actuality, as much fun as they were and they did appreciate (I think) everything that they saw and did, they are not very emotional people and we had to almost pry things out of them. They constantly thanked us for everything, but rarely commented without us prompting them.

DH who is 100% German on both sides, says that it is a 'cultural thing'. They were warm, but not gregarious. The kids came to life in the Exploratorium and at Treasure Island - mainly places where they had more freedom.

We told them at the very beginning that it was their vacation as well as ours' and that we wanted them to enjoy themselves. We asked that they tell us what they wanted to do, or tell us when it was time to leave something if they weren't enjoying themselves. This never happened. Whatever we suggested, they went along with.

I know that most polite company would have done the same thing, but they are quiet people, much like DH's mother (their aunt).
and followed, rather than instigated anything on their own. We constantly asked if they liked what we were doing at the time and they _always_ said yes.

DH's mother, father, and sister said exactly the same thing, so it wasn't our imagination. That was the only hard part about their visit, we would have loved any kind of feedback. Sometimes it was like pulling teeth to get a response. As far as regular conversation, they were fine and we did enjoy being with them as they are lovely people.

Their reactions or non-reactions went beyond politeness or shyness. They just seemed to want to follow along wherever we took them, no questions asked. It was the same when we would reach our destination - they rarely commented on their surroundings. Language was never a barrier as DH speaks fluent German and they spoke quite a bit of English. It was frustrating for us, but as I've said, they were really really nice and we loved being with them.

Nina

Carrabella, September is a great month to visit SF. It is our Indian Summer and the weather is usually warm and mild. Be sure to bring a warmer jacket for the evenings as they always cool down. Enjoy your stay here and let us know how you liked it.

Scarlett, Starrsville and anyone else coming this way, we could have an SF GTG on Wheels. Faina can drive the bus, IF she wears her Mare Island baseball hat.

We could swing by Vaccaville and pick up LoveItaly or at least compare her limoncello to mine - that's a challange.

I'd like nothing better than to tour my City with other Fodorites, but you have to promise to jump up and down everytime I gleefully point out Alcatraz! Tour guides need love too.

Nina

Hi Nina, I was smiling about your comments about the German relatives because all of my Italian friends are the complete opposite!! They are so animated, so enthused, and always have a list of "can we do's?" that would take a month to accomplish, lol. But it does make it lots of fun.

Nina, we will have to meet up one of these days in SF. I always take the ferry into SF. So much easier and certainly less expensive than driving.

I am sure that your relatives had a wonderful time Nina. My maternal granfather was from Germany. All of my family from that side were wonderful people but they were rather quiet and reserved even though they were raised here. I know they thought I was the noisey one. An aunt by marriage and I always had so much fun together as she got a bit bored with the reserved family she married into. Just a cultural thing I guess. But I have a cousin who married a woman from Munich and you couldn't find a more outgoing person so it is not true regarding all Germans of course.

Anyway Nina, you certainly were a wonderful hostess!!

LoveItaly, we could meet at the Ferry Bldg. for lunch. It's easy for me to get there on BART.

I didn't mean to put a negative spin on their stay. They were warm and constantly thanked us. I guess all of us were just hoping for some lively feedback.

Our little dog Monsieur Zebulon, (Zebby), stole the show. The kids couldn't get enough of him and he just loved all of the attention. They telephoned from Ukiah to say goodbye to him and were thrilled when I told them that I had emailed them some pictures of him.

My relatives are open and VERY VERY opinated - so we would have known exactly what they were thinking - good or bad. Between the two of them, I'll take DH's Germans any day!

They are so good to us when we visit them in Germany. We stay with their parents, my MIL's brothers and their wives. They wait on us hand and foot and every minute of our stay is planned - whether we like it or not They take such care to make sure that we don't miss a thing and that we eat every half hour. It was a pleasure to reciprocate for their kindness and generosity.

Nina

Hello Nina, I understand exactaly what you are saying. My maternal German side of the family were so caring, not just as talkative about everything as other parts of the family!

Nina, this coming weekend I am meeting some friends in SF but a couple of weeks after that I could meet with you. I usually walk from the Ferry Bldg to "whereever", Union Sq., North Beach etc. Let's do it! I would love to meet up with you. I wish I felt comfortable putting my email address here on Fodor's but I don't. But we can make arrangements to meet at a mutual place..maybe Union Sq? Take care and have a relaxing Sunday.

LoveItaly, perhaps we can figure out a way to get in touch. I too am leary of putting my email address on line. I did have a Hotmail address, but I don't think it is good any longer.

If we put our heads together, we can find a way. Maybe someone who posts their address or has a Yahoo account will help out.

Nina

I could be the go between. I have LoveItaly's email address. Nina, you could email me at starrsvillega at yahoo and I could forward to Lovey. (IF it's okay with both of you)

Ask and you shall receive. Thanks Starrsville. Either I am joining an elite society of very bright and interesting travelers or we are all in the Witness Protection Program.

Personally, I didn't mind being relocated to San Francisco, but this new job as a waitress in a diner is killing my feet and back. I much preferred being a mob wife, with really big hair and lots bling.

Starrsville - you've got mail.

Nina

ooooops, should have been lots of bling.

Because of my corny sense of humor, DH says that Henny Youngman's spirit lives on in me.

When DH said that his cousins will probably return to Helmstadt and open a Taco Bell because they liked the Mexican food we served them, naturally Henny & I responded -

"Nope.. Taco Schnell."

Nina

Hi there Nina, sooo you are in the Witness Protection Program too! Oh won't we have a lot to talk about, lol.
I received your address and I will write to you.

We Fodorites are clever don't you think? Thanks Starrs! And when I finally drag you to SF the three of us will have to get together.

Sounds great to me!

Sounds good to me too Starrs, so GET out here!!!

I second the motion. Waiter - a pitcher of limoncello please.

Nina

A pitcher or bottle of limoncello along with some charming Italian waiters Nina, that is a must. I think I know the place! Does that tempt you Starrsville?

Thanks very much Nina for a special TR, I feel the same way about visiting relatives, planning is 1/2 the fun, most of my relatives we visit are that way too. It helps greatly when everyone does their homework, communicate well and have realistic expectations.