It was early Sunday morning, Mother's Day, when I met quite the handsome couple for my Savannah Architectural Ramble on Johnson Square.  During the initial introductions the husband was a bit guarded about his heritage, saying he was from Washington D.C., his accent said otherwise, but I let it go - no point making a guest feel uncomfortable.  His bride was more open, speaking of her Chilean homeland in a Spanish cadence which bordered on musical.  I was snapped out of a momentary trance by the realization that there could be a communication problem here as I was about to talk for the next two hours about Savannah's architectural heritage in American English using American concepts.

    Memorial Day was originally observed on May 30, 1868 when flowers were laid on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. It's meaning was expanded after World War I to include the sacrifices of American soldiers throughout it's history.  Therefore, I was somewhat disturbed when a couple of ladies from New York on one of my walking tours made the statement: "What do people in Savannah do this weekend since you don't observe Memorial Day"?