Chasing Ideals

It has been interesting for me attempting to learn some basics of the German language. At first I felt that because of similarities in the sound to English and because many words are the same that I would have an easy time picking it up. This has not been the case. Much of the pronounciation of words is very different and though some words are the same it seems most others aren't even kissing cousins. Apart from learning to count to one hundred (which one person here pointed out won't do much for me) I don't think that I have learned very much at all. Something to know is that when counting you say the number 23 in German as three and twenty. This can lead to some confusion when a German person who has learned English accidently reverses numbers for instance telling you the price of something as 92 euros instead of 29 euros. I would recommend that anyone planning a move to the land of bratwurst and biergartens seriously plan on taking German courses on arrival unless of course you move to Koln where many I've met get by hardly speaking a word of German.

Some of the few and the proud words and phrases I have picked up are as follows:
badehose-- swim trunks for men (euro style of course so not recommended for anyone wishing to maintain their decency.)
das schmeckt gut-- that tastes good
ich bin am hacken-- i am chopping/hacking
verrückt-- crazy
nein-- no (indepensible for any and all situations)
natürlich-- naturally

One thing that makes it more difficult to learn is that Cathrin and fam have a reason now to practice their English so I haven't needed to learn much. It is funny that many times a German will tell me they don't speak English well but when they try to they speak it better than some high school grads in the USA.

Tomorrow or Wednesday I shall be hitting the road again and driving south east along the Rhine. The plan is to be in Berlin for the final of the World Cup but I have until July 9th so will take my time and see more of Germany in the mean time. Part of me hates to leave here as I have had such a wonderful time with Cathrin, Maria, and Andre and all those I have met through them. Being here has given me the opportunity to settle in to the fact that I have really left home and allowed me to prepare emotionally for what lies ahead. It has also reminded me of the grace of God in my life that I got the support I needed in my time here.

I know also that my road will not end so soon and so I must press on and continue the journey I have set out for. After Berlin my plan is to travel on to Poland, to Russia if possible, and then on down through Eastern Europe towards Greece and Turkey. I don't know yet that I will make it that far before I get tired of being on the road. Whenever I see a world map I realize how much of the world I have yet to see, perhaps places more suited to the life I want to lead in the future. I am excited to be searching for the place that I want to settle down for my future.

I have added some new pictures to Lovable Quirks here