1961 Walter Berger, Karolina - Taken around the time when Opa Meyer decided to clear the jungle in Germantown, Phila. PA.

Growing up in the USA I developed a fascination, almost an obsession, with all things Spanish. Some time in the 1960's mother took me to see Jose Greco and a troupe of Flamenco dancers at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. In high school I wanted to learn Spanish. My first year of work I bought a guitar and took lessons. I bought Spanish guitar records and was a huge fan of Mañitas de Plata (Spanish classical guitarist). The "thing" I had for Spanish music and the "sound" of Spanish continued all my life. I often wondered why I was like that, but just accepted that it was another weirdness of mine.
In 1992 I think it was, knowing I had never been back, Aunt Gretel (Kamm) got a good deal on a 2nd ticket and so she invited me to go over to Germany with her for 3 weeks. Tante Lina, Erika, and Lydia had made arrangements with people I remembered and wanted to see again. One of those people was Manfred Yanka. I didn't know him well, because he was older than I was, but I remember him hanging around the farm from time to time, and I remembered being at his mother's house and watching either her or his grandmother tat.
I went to visit Manfred and his wife at his house. He makes his living making the most beautiful hand-carved wooden clocks. During the course of the conversation we talked about music and he said he played guitar. I got goosebumps and asked him if he ever played guitar at our house. He said, "Oh, sure, me and Walter got together and played quite a bit". I must have been hanging around you two when you got together.
All I can say is, thanks for putting up with me. Your influence added a joy to my life I doubt I would otherwise have had.