The people of Santa Margherita speak a polyglot mixture of French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and German mixed with Creole which is virtually incomprehensible to outsiders.Hmmm. Henry pondered that. This trip could be challenging.
He read on:
The spoken language is so complex that even native speakers find it incomprehensible. Fortunately, the natives gesture a lot and are quite good at reading body language.Henry sipped his beer. That sounds better. If you want something in a restaurant, just point.
Official records are recorded in Latin.Henry smacked his forehead. Damn, he thought. I've always wondered why we should learn Latin.
Santa Margherita natives are known for their loose morals and promiscuity...Wow, thought Henry -- great country.
...but that friendly woman in the hotel will expect payment for services.Of course, Henry would never consider cheating on June
Meanwhile, in Beauneville, Roderick reviews the list of gifts he's giving this year:
Mr. Smith: book on investingRoderick figures Molly thinks very highly of her vijayjay -- she's constantly offering it to him, an offer he has not yet accepted as he and Molly have sworn to be each others' "first", though Molly doesn't seem to be in any hurry. Roderick isn't either, but the situation with Megan is getting slightly awkward. Hopefully, the matter will resolve itself next year, when he and Molly will attend Old Ivy. Megan strikes Roderick as more of a Lake City type of student, or even Enormous State University.
Mrs. Smith: cookbook
Molly: complete Beethoven piano sonatas recorded by William Kempff
Mary: not sure
Natasha: not sure -- maybe something by Felix Mendelssohn
Bibi: not sure
Megan: easy -- gift certificate for "Bejazzle Your Vijayjay" at Lady Gaia's Beauneville Salon
