Language Barriers
We finally figured out why the German we're learning from the books isn't translating out in public. We live in southern Germany, and they have what the locals call "farmer-speak." In other words, "hick." We have been studying high-German, which is a very proper way of speaking, and they just don't talk that way. I guess it's similar to the southern U.S. where we have our own way. The proper thing to say might be something like, "In a few moments, I will venture to the store for sustenance." What we REALLY say is, "I'm fixin' to go get some grub." So, I don't feel so bad about my inability to communicate effectively. On the way to Cochem Castle we stopped to go to the restroom. We had learned, "Wo ist Bad" for "where is the bathroom," but when Joe walked in and said that, the guy behind the counter said, in very broken English, "I no speak English." I said, "We're speaki...