Language

Sheila had taken German in high school and college, and as she has a gift for language, she remembered much more than she realized that she would.  She could understand much more than she could speak, and she could understand what she read more than what she heard.  However, it was still pretty limited, so we were both relieved to learn that almost everyone spoke some English.  Accepting the humiliation of being bilingually-challenged, we were able to navigate directions, purchases, and pleasantries with little difficulty.  (Well, with just a little difficulty.  Connie will never forgive Sheila for the horrific lunch of tuna pizza. Never.)  Certainly almost everyone who works at the train stations, the tourist offices, the restaurants, and shops in the heavily tourist towns can speak English, probably in addition to German, Italian, and French.  

Donauworth, Germany

As if we weren’t already humbled by our inadequacy, we once needed to buy tickets at the train station before the desk designated for English speakers was open.  When Connie asked the woman at the help desk if any of the other 7 or 8 clerks might be able to assist us, the woman responded, “Anyone can speak English.”  We don’t think she meant to be condescending, but still.  English is HARD.  That’s why Americans can’t learn any other language.  Really. 

Innsbruck, Austria

Here are just a few tips to ease your discomfort if you find yourself similarly challenged.

·         Grüss Gott– A common greeting in Bavaria meaning hello.  It literally means “Greet God,” and is an abbreviation for something like:  “May God greet you and bless you.”  Almost everyone we met said this to us; luckily it is one of the scraps of high school German Sheila remembered (thank you Frau Thompson, native of Bavaria).

·         Mineral water without bubbles (i.e., “gas”) is “Stilles Wasser.”  Neither of us cares for water that bites.

·         “Herren” is male and “Damen” is female for when you are faced with a choice for bathrooms not designated by familiar logos.  (Connie insisted we put this in.  Sheila thinks any information regarding bathrooms is vital, so she agreed).

Cemetery in Hallstatt, Austria