My Lufthansa seat mate was understandably proud of Germany’s technological prowess (they invented the mp3, among other things), status as a financial and political bulwark for the European Union, and its compassion and support for the down and out. The outstanding food, beautiful scenery, and dramatic, tragic history are nothing to sneer at either. But…
Don’t Call Her Fräulein
One of my major goals on my trip to Germany was to polish my German. It’s been nearly 25 years since I’ve had a real conversation in German, and what German I did have was understandably rusty, vaguely accented, and as I found out, a little old-fashioned. What I wanted to avoid was what I…
Let’s Mock Liechtenstein Day
I happened to arrive in Germany on unofficial Let’s Mock Liechtenstein Day. As far as I could make out, Germany had just discovered that some people had been able to set up bank accounts in Liechtenstein under fake names, stick their money and avoid getting taxed on those assets. I was like, what, this is…
The White Rock Oh It’s So Pretty
My Lufthansa seatmate had gone to school in Heidelberg, and he was surprised that I wasn’t going to be staying in the town, but rather in the little suburb of Dossenheim. “What’s in Dossenheim?” he asked me. “The White Rock,” I burblingly replied. “I’m going to go hiking to the White Rock.” “Well, what’s up…
In and Out of Airports
I was very surprised on this trip to find out how much easier it was getting in and out of Germany than it was doing the same thing out of my very own country. The lines through the security checkpoint at SFO were long and slow-moving and person after person had to virtually disrobe: off…
Back From Germany
I just got back from Germany and I had an amazing time! Everything was great, though it’s changed a lot, and I asked the Germans a lot of questions about things that they took for granted, like “how do I buy a ticket for this streetcar? Am I on the right streetcar/train to (destination)? How…
Germany Here I Come!
At last, my flight for Germany is about to be called, and I’m off to to fairy-tale land, er, Germany. For all my intentions of winging it (or as the Germans would say “driving in the blue”), I find myself pretty well-scheduled. I’m starting off in Dossenheim, a suburb of Heidelberg, where I spent my…
Cupertino Whole Foods versus Austin Whole Foods
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of visiting my friend Shelly in her town of Austin, Texas. One of the places she lead me to was the Whole Foods store, which also happened to be the headquarters of the worldwide holistic-substenance Whole Foods chain. In a word, it was mind-blowing. I had never…
How Comic-Con is Like Oktoberfest or Mardi Gras
I had a fit today when my hairstylist told me he’d lost my appointment, so I’d have to reschedule my haircut. In short, I’m having issues about reservations these days, especially about them getting lost or botched. I sat in shock for a day after receiving confirmation that our company actually had reasonable hotel rooms,…
Happy Chinese New Year! (and the Girl Scout Cookie Intrigue)
Last week Neil asked me if we could go to a homeschoolers’ park day again, and I was delighted to oblige. We usually go to a San Jose group which meets on Thursdays, but regrettably usually only has teen boys. But on Tuesday I was feeling stir-crazy, and another group, which happens to have more…