Thursday, December 3, 2009

Lost in Translation

     So after more than 12 hours of travel we finally arrived in Erlangen, Bavaria, yesterday morning. The rest of the day yesterday was spent trying not to fall asleep. When you are trying to adjust to the time change, the best thing to do is to sleep on the plane as much as possible. I got about 4 hours. Then when you arrive, it seemed like 6 am but it was noon here, stay up until a proper time in your current location. So we finally fell asleep around 10pm (German time), but we had only had about 4 hours of sleep in the 35 hour prior. Basically I was in a fog yesterday.
     Today is my first real day here. So far I have learned how to ask for still water instead of sparkling, Stillen Wasser, how to order a coffee, Milk Cafe (I know, this one is impressive), and that German pillows suck!
     I love learning languages. I think that is what I am most excited about. I want to speak German, like NOW! Obviously it isn't that easy. I think my love of language combined with my strict grammatical upbringing (my dad is a grammar nazi) has led me to strange love of finding mis-translations.
     Yesterday in Paris's Charles De Gualle airport, I found myself taking a picture of a sign written in both French and English, indicating the ingredients of a sandwich. I warn that I have a little 12 year old boy that sometimes takes over my sense of humor. I hope it was supposed to say duck. Otherwise the French have strange taste in food.


     But this isn't my first time taking a picture like this. When I lived in Miami, finding a sign that was mis-written in English made my day. I guess I am easy to please. Here is my favorite picture of this phenomenon taken in Miami.

Out of Order :D
     Tomorrow we go apartment hunting with an agent that JP's company is providing. Look for an update to follow that trip around the city. I will be sure to take pictures!

<3 from Germany,
Andi