Lost In Translation

Yep... I've started a blog folks. I don't even really know where to begin. I guess I'll start with the purpose of this blog...I suppose it is to publish my life experiences, hardships, memories, thoughts, etc. Since my move to Germany, there have been several times I have wanted to write down something funny that has happened, or even something frustrating so that I can look back on it. I haven't made it a point to buy a journal yet, so maybe the blog will do the job! I have also had numerous people tell me to start a blog so they can keep up with me. So... here goes...

So, my first full day here in Amberg, Germany was September 15th. Kirk didn't have much food in the house yet which meant I needed to venture out in our new town and find some breakfast. Because of my anxiety related to the language barrier, I probably walked past 6 different bakeries until I had enough courage to go in one and try to communicate with them. Luckily the word for "croissant" in German is"croissant"... Why I was so worried? I don't know.. maybe because it was my first day in a foreign land alone.. but I look back and laugh at myself now.. so it's ok if you do too.

Anyways, occasionally we run into Germans who know some English. The younger people typically do because they have to learn it in school. This past Monday, I went to the bakery across the street to order a croissant of course. I confidently told the worker, "ein croissant bitte"...meaning "one croissant please". I also pointed to the one I was referring to. She then replied, "that has ham and cheese in it."......Oh.... Good.... She knows English. My first day here I would've been ecstatic that she knew English! But this time I was thinking, hey! What makes you think I'm American? I just spoke German to you! Is it the fact that I'm wearing athletic clothing and no German women here ever wear baseball hats and workout pants? Or is it because of my non-European looking face? Or perhaps my not-so-perfect German accent?! I wish it were my clothing...but I'm pretty sure it was my accent and she just decided she would do me a favor... That's what I get for trying to fit in. All I get is their pity... they just spare me the trouble and talk to me in my own language. Tell me how this will help me learn German. It won't. Anyways, we continued our conversation in English...I figured since she was on a roll with her English I'd get her to describe another pastry for me. And she did...very well actually. Good for her.

Another language doozy: I wanted to try the "caramel frappe" from my new favorite coffee joint: The Beanery... and I tried to ask them if there was coffee in it. I don't know how the cafe's work in Europe...their drinks could be all different for all I know.. My point in asking this was to MAKE SURE there was coffee in it... He took it the wrong way of course along with thinking I wanted not one frappe, but TWO. And he whipped me up two frozen drinks without coffee in them that tasted like caramel milk. And when he put two up on the counter I was like, "two?" (with a confused face, and held up my fingers because two fingers means two in every country.. right?) hah. anyways, he then understood that I only needed one... I mean duh dude! I'm not gonna drink two huge frappes BY MYSELF... This was actually my first "lost in translation" episode... I'm sure there will be more to come.

So many people have told me to just dive into the culture and that's ALWAYS the best way to learn the language...false. I haven't learned a lick of German by having Germans talk at me. They can talk at me all day and I'll never know what they're saying unless I study the language.. anyone else with me? I guess I'm not an auditory learner...

Anyways, I am finding it very humbling to be here in Deutschland. It is definitely odd to walk around and not understand what people are saying around you. I guess it makes it easy not to eavesdrop... It's hard to walk into a store and not really feel comfortable asking for help. It is frustrating and discouraging to be talked to in German and literally not have a CLUE what they are saying. It's easy to take for granted the ease of communication in America. That is one thing I look forward to when I go home for Christmas... being able to walk into any store, restaurant, or person's home and be understood. It will be refreshing. I look forward to the day when I don't have these anxieties or problems with the language. Thanks to a computer program similar to Rosetta Stone that my sweet mother-in-law gave me, I am on my way to learning German! Let the journey begin...

-MB