But I kind of felt that way yesterday.
I spent my final full day in Frankfurt walking around looking for things, but rarely finding them. Though my command of the German language wasn’t the worst in this city, it certainly didn’t help me be confident yesterday. While hot, the day was beautiful outside so I decided to skip the museum scene and walk in preparation of a high caloric day.
In an effort to kill some time until lunch I found myself muttering my words at a bar. While sitting there a guy came in asking for a Heineken, which I knew the bar didn’t stock, so I handed him a beer menu. One thing led to another and I sat chatting with “Eddie” from Chicago for a few too many beers. I got bored talking with “Eddie”, who was on a layover, so I left him to fend for himself and walked back to my hotel room to call my mother (the time of day in Frankfurt guaranteed that she’d be home). After getting off the phone with my mother I passed out on the hotel bed for a few hours.
Upon waking up I walked my way back near the bar and searched for a restaurant that looked really good at lunchtime. I entered the small restaurant and immediately knew that my German would not suffice. I somehow managed to order the day’s special, pork with red cabbage and boils potatoes, and a Coke. Sadly the woman running the restaurant asked me a question that I couldn’t answer, so I paid and left immediately with my tail between my legs.
I think my day drinking took the wind out of my night drinking sales so I returned to my hotel and prepared for tomorrow’s journey (in addition to penning this post).
ITP Flickr Pics
“A View From A Room”
The view from my hotel room, well before the heat started to rise.
“A Cold Beer On A Hot Day”
One of the many beers I drank yesterday afternoon.
So far my photo talking has been limited to iPhone usage because all attempts at using my Nikon 1 V1 have been fruitless.
Off I Go To Another Air Conditioner Less Hotel?
Dear god, what’s wrong with me? The other day I made up my mind to spend two days in a small German town called Bamberg, which is a little north of Munich. Last night I tried to secure a hotel room and was shocked to find out how hard that was going to be, at least without spending a small fortune.
Because I need this hotel to be within walking distance of things I wound up getting a room that doesn’t note air conditioning as one of its amenities. 🙁 Here’s to hoping that this heat wave breaks quickly.
I am also hoping my confidence with German rises too because I think that I am going to need it.
Have a great weekend all.
Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]
Don’t let your German skills get you down. Not all German is the same, there are significant regional dialects, especially in the South (Just like here 🙂 ). Just keep trying, in my experience most people appreciate the gesture (except the Parisians)…
I recall several memorable ‘conversations’ where no one spoke a common language, just lots of pointing and smiles.
As my mother used to say, “Du bis Verruckt mein kin.” Go out, enjoy, don’t let your “embarrassing” skills in a foreign language stop you. I think as long as you are staying in little “pensiones” you won’t have AC. And I’m not sure all the big ones would have it… I bet the museums are air conditioned. 😉
It’s my Friday off, so I’ll be enjoying it by pulling up more poison ivy and weeds and then there will be painting! I figure I’ll do what I can outside today, as the rain is coming tomorrow. Sunday, I’ll be in the office for a little while.
Have a great weekend!
-FP
AC just isn’t as common in Europe as here in the states. They just don’t need it as much/often, electricity is expensive and so many of the places are just too old/difficult to retrofit.
Younger folks in Germany should have pretty decent English, use it as an excuse to chat up some pretty girls.
That’s been the plan Martha, though my “American good looks” have as much impact (read “none”) here as they do in The States.
Sadly this hotel has no AC and tomorrow’s high is going to be 91° F. I think *somebody* will be sweating out a lot of beer.