Gary and Kathy Bluemel from Loudon, Tennessee.
When you see a group of people with eyes as big as saucers and wearing name tags, gazing in wonderment at the sights of the market in Mainz, it’s a fair bet that they’re Boat People on a Rhine cruise. Mostly Americans, but a fair few Australians and Brits, too
Their visits used to be more frequent, but a few years ago the tourist people in Mainz put the tour operators’ noses out of joint and the latter said “Well, there are other old cities on the Rhine – we’ll go somewhere where we’re wanted”
Speyer got the nod, I believe – what’s Gutenberg against a UNESCO World Heritage site..?
But this group was here the other day, bemoaning the fact that they couldn’t take any flowers back to the USA and thoroughly enjoying themselves until I asked if I could take a group photograph.
Some very uncertain looks followed by rapid drifting away until only Gary and Kathy were left, splendidly kitted out in the local costume.
And having a really good time.
Mainz Daily Photo 
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Oh I can’t believe you couldn’t sweet talk them into it. Perhaps they saw the photo of moi that you posted a while back and thought better of it.
Did this nice couple say , “Ya’ll?” LOL
V
I am sure you made up for any lack of diplomacy by the Mainz authorities, making everybody feel welcome. Ditto Kate’s query: the Mainz mystery objects – all the more as there seem to be more on the next table.
Glad Gary and Kathy stayed on. They will live to tell the story: it was safe after all 🙂
I wonder what the tourist people in Mainz did to upset the cruise operator ?
I wonder what you said that scared the boat people away ? I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t LOVE to be photographed by you. Maybe they thought you were an alien. You’re from AWAY after all 😉
Pray tell, what did you do to scare the others away? Can’t imagine an American turning down a chance to be photographed by you! I’d like to know what those round gray objects are on the table in the lower left corner. PS. I’ve gone up and down the Rhine in the past and have loved it. I’d like to become one of the boat people again!
Sounds great! Don’t know why people didn’t want to take a photo though.