Geeky Talks
The One Where I AM In Germany
I can’t begin to explain how much fun I’ve had here in Germany. There are no words.
It’s a home away from home that I’ve known intimately, not in any small part to my hosts Betty and Christoph. It it without hesitation that I can confess this has been the best possible experience I could have hoped for. Germany, a home I am familiar with in ways I could not have touched until this very moment in my life.
Today as Betty and I sat at the Hotel Schloss Berg, we practiced my German. I said, over and over and over, “I would like Mint Tea with Rum, Please.” “Ich Hata Gerne Ienen Tee Mit Rum.” I noticed a very handsome man two tables away laughing. “I think he’s laughing at me!” I confide. Indeed, a second later, he says, “Your German is quite good.” I laugh. “Oh?” “Well, the Age makes it difficult.”
“DID YOU JUST CALL ME OLD?” I quip.
He and Betty both laugh heartily. “THE ‘AITCH’ THE ‘H” makes it difficult!” Betty laughs. I blush. OH! I say. “Donka?”
We have a good laugh and are both corrected with our German. He smiled kindly as another group sits between us and an old couple talks a casual German between friends. Betty and I speak English most of the time but turn to analyze the German conversation at random intervals.
I learn German. I fucking learn German. In two days, I am learning German.
I am complete.
Betty tells me it is the space of my brain programmed from childhood. I know pieces of Germany from in the womb or unconsciously, as a young child. I recognize the Glockenspiel, I climb St. Paul’s Tower, I see the same German ornaments I have hanging on my tree since I was a baby. It’s not unfamiliar, this world. It is a cross between Seattle and a life-time ago, a childhood of German stories and tales.
I am not unhappy to be returning home in the morning, but I am not unsure I will return. In fact, I can say with a level of certainty, I will be back. And I will speak in German. A tongue nearly as native as my own.
If I can find it.
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I am *so* jealous. So.
isn’t she fabulous? that picture of you two is sooo cute!
It was amazing how fast Flinger would learn a phrase or word and then use it in context. Her accent was spot on too. Of course we were doing everything phonetically, so learning how to spell it was not yet in play. But I can assure you that Leslie was saying “Ich hätte gerne einen Tee mit Rum.” Even on our way to the airport she was asking me what that sign meant etc. We had a good laugh with the word “Ausfahrt” which is Exit and of course at every exit off the highway in huge letters “AUSFAHRT”. It is pronounced aus-fart….and here when someone is driving off on vacation it is quite polite to say “Gute Fahrt!” Which means have a great trip - but of course sounds so close to good fart. Of course I broke down in uncontrollable giggles as Leslie dutifully repeats these new german phrases. : )
Sounds like a wonderful trip!
I am so happy that you got to have this experience! What an amazing opportunity…
Also, I had a pint at 6am in Heathrow but I’d been travelling since 5am in my home timezone and it was midnight there so….. Travelling shifts one’s emotional and psychological perspectives on alcohol. Plus, it takes the edge off not being able to poop for a few days when your circadian rhythms are upset.
HAHAHA! Betty explained it to me on my last morning there, on the way to the airport. I asked her what Ausfart was. She said “EXIT” and then explained how in some cases you use it to say goodbye to someone who is exiting on a trip.
Dude. Fart? Always funny.