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Many cultures have a particular herald that alerts them to the coming of spring. As the snow melts and we look forward to the coming pleasantness of spring, we look for the familiar signs of nice weather.

Groundhog Day is a popular festival where people consult the behavior of giant rodents to determine if spring is really here. Likewise, many people look in their yards, seeking the first robin of spring, foraging for its nest.

However, in my culture, we have another herald of spring, Germans. Yes, that’s right, German people. It is said that when you see Germans, spring must be truly here. And last night we were fortunate enough to have three Germans come to visit us.

One of them had been doing research work for his schooling here in the US, and his brother and father had come from Germany to visit him before the three of them returned to Germany. Not wanting the ‘canned’ experience of a motel, they contacted me through the CouchSurfing website, and requested to sleep on our couch. Three is a bit more than we can normally handle, but they understood the space we had, and had brought a camping mattress and plenty of sleeping bags, so the space was sufficient for them.

We went out and tried some American/Midwestern food, and sampled some local beers, which gained their approval. We talked about the similarities and differences between Germany and the US, and other such pleasant discussion.

Today they are touring the city, seeing the sights in St. Louis, before heading up to Chicago to continue their tour. They were very nice and interesting people, and I’m glad we had the opportunity to host them.

And better yet, this, the day after their arrival, is a full-on spring day, with a high of 77F. I suppose the old adage really is true, “See ye some Germans three, and spring-time is upon thee.”

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