Oh dear, I feel like I've got a giant clock ticking on my back. I've got a plane flight to Germany at 7:15am on Friday... and I've just realized that I don't speak German. Now this may not be a surprise to most people, but for some strange reason I thought that my German language skills were more proficient than they actually are. Simple requests like, "I need a train ticket to Essen" won't be so easy anymore, because I don't know the words to say it!!!
I've only traveled in countries where I've had no problem speaking with the locals. In France I was able to get by reasonably well. There was only one incident in a small town in Normandy where I had trouble. I was asking for stamps, and I think that the lady asked me what kind, but she said it so quickly I couldn't understand a word.
Here are a few german words I can say:
ein Farrahd - a bicycle
ein Flugzeug - a plane
bier - beer
I think thats sufficient...
I can also experiment with Ich bin (I am...) and wild arm gestures or facial expressions until I am able to make my point clear. Actually, I'm not totally screwed. I can say that I don't understand, that I can't speak German well, and can make a mild attempt at asking for directions.
Even though I'm slightly anxious about the language barrier, I've got a lot of cool museum hopping planned. Cologne has a Kathe Kollwitz museum and renowned modern art collection, Essen is home to the Red Dot design Center, and the Kunstmuseum in Bonn looks spectacular. Duesseldorf also has some interesting attractions, including some Frank Gehry creations. I never realized what a modern art hub Germany is, and although most of the major attractions are in Berlin or Munich, I think that I've still got plenty to work with. If I have a little extra time, I may try to make my way to the Bauhaus epicenter in Dessau.
The only thing that could put a damper on this adventure is my sore throat. Tonsillitis is swarming through the Margaret MacDonald house, and I've got a throat that hurts... I'm crossing my fingers...
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