There is hope for this country after all. I was sitting on the u-bahn yesterday on my way to work. I was reading re-reading one of my favorite books when I got to the end of the chapter half a stop before my exit, I opted to dog ear the page instead of forging ahead to the very last second of possible reading time. Well I am glad I did because I started to do the I-am-board-so-I-am-just-gonna- look-at-all-the-people-around-me-but-its-cool-cause-everyone-stares-in- Germany glances. Then in the lap of the man sitting diagonally across from me it catches my eye, and I think ‘hey I recognize the font and page lay out.’ I pretend to have an itch on my leg so I can move my face closer to said mans lap in the hopes of being able to read the text. Just then he turns the page and immediately my eyes dash over to the chapter title. “Everyone has ‘that’ friend” . . . I KNEW IT!!! After a rather loud gasp I ponder my options 1. Say something to the only other person in Germany who appreciates comic genius 2. Let him continue reading his book and not be the rude American. Well of course I decided to go with option number one but first I though it would be wise to remove my head from his crotch so as not to draw attention to myself as a pervert. Unintentionally choosing the least direct rout to start a conversation I say “I hope you know that you are one of the lucky few who have been selected to cross paths with what could be the funniest book to be published within the last 5 years if not every.” His response: “Ummmm huh?” At this point I am not sure if he understands English and I know he is Italian so speaking German wont help. Still, I have this nagging urge to communicate with my comedic brethren in this wit wasteland. I look him dead in the eyes and say very slowly “That is a good book!” Much to my luck he was able to understand and responded with, “ohh, I know.” Continuing in my tactless manor I say, “You have no idea. From the looks of it you are about 30 pages in, and trust me hilarity will ensue.” I then proceed to ask him if he has seen the website that the book originates from. He has no idea what I am talking about and thus I mentally subtract points from his awesomeness tally. I take it upon my self to yell out the address and boast of its abundance of stories as I squeeze out of the closing u-bahn doors. This interaction left me thinking that maybe if enough of us emigrate from funnier nations there could be some laughter in Germany. The Von Traps brought music and I will bring laughter (although I think they brought music to Austria, but its the same thing right? Say Austria is not a part of Germany is like saying that Canada is not America junior.)