uh... pass the pepper?

ann and dabney are now in the big apple, escorting ann's aunts and uncle around the city. and by escorting they mean putting them on the gray line bus for a day of sightseeing, then meeting them at the hotel in time for dinner.



all three of them are exceedingly kind. two of them are from the philippines and this is their first trip to the u.s. YOU'D be visibly excited, wouldn't you? but good lord, are they ever impassive and quiet. trying to figure out what the three of them want to eat, let alone what they would like to do each day, is an exercise so futile it is easier to get feidler out of bed in the morning after missing a day of arthritis medicine. ann went to the bathroom during dinner last night, and the only words exchanged during those three excruciating minutes was uncle rene saying that he had chapped lips.

even worse, one of ann's aunts fell down their apartment stairs while in boston, sprained her ankle, and currently limps. so she is not only quiet, she is quiet and SO SLOW. each new york block seems like an entire freakin' mile when you are walking less than 1 mph and NOT SAYING A SINGLE WORD.

the five of them are headed down to florida on friday. the plan is to go to disney world for a couple of days, then just hang out (you know, chatting casually while laying out on the beach or by the pool) for the remainder of the time. in st. pete of all places. so, instead of comments this week, we are pleading for conversation starters. the advice of any age 50+ filipinos is especially welcome.