Where are the Rapaljes?

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

The first day was completely overwhelming. Of course, I got lost and arrived 30 minutes late. I was already embarrassed and then the teacher felt she had to catch me up. She went over every question and answer she had already taught the class, in GERMAN (surprisingly, a lot of information). With the pressure on and my very elementary background with Rosetta Stone, I still managed to embarrass the Rapalje name. My pronunciation was terrible and I sat there with my mouth open for seconds trying to figure out what she was saying. Remember, no English, only German.

The class is made up of about 10-12 other women from lots of different countries - Russia, Poland, Iran, Brazil, Spain, Japan, Thailand, Turkey, Iraq. The teacher speaks to us in German. Not many people in the class even speak English and I am the only American, so this is only fair.

We've had two classes so far and the teaching goes something like this:

Teacher: German jibber, german jibber, german jibber.

Class: mouths completely open, confused, having no idea what she is saying

Teacher: writes a frage (question) on the board.

Class: mouths open, still lost

Teacher: writes how she would answer the question on the board.

1/2 of Class: nods, gets it

Other 1/2 of Class: mouths still open

Teacher: tells us to write it down, in German

Teacher: Points to a random person, German jibber German jibber (telling us to go around asking the question we just learned).

Class: goes around in a circle, asking the person next to us, then answering.

Teacher: CONSTANTLY correcting our pronunciation.

After the first class, the teacher came up to me and said, ahhh an American! I just love English, let's speak in English! Turns out, she lived in Asheville, North Carolina for a few years for her husband's work (VW - pronounced in German "fow-vee"). Germans LOVE to practice their English on the Americans, but have very little patience with Americans practicing their German on them. Luckily, in this class, only German is tolerated, so I'll actually learn!

With heading to Venice tomorrow, I was worried about missing the class and being behind. Luckily though, it's a German holiday and class has been cancelled for both Friday and Monday - Fasching/Carnivale!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Shut Down

When you move to Europe, you learn quickly to prepare for shut down on Sundays. While some major tourist attractions may remain open in larger cities as well as SOME restaurants, everything else excluding churches, is shut down.

This takes some major getting used to and most learn the hard way. Make sure your fridge is prepped before Saturday at noon, otherwise, you'll be dieting for the day. No grocery stores are open, the markets close, bakeries close, as well as all of the stores in the walking platz. The Germans make Sunday a family day and I've grown accustomed to it.

Just consider Europe closed on Sunday.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Out with the Old, In with the New

Our last portrait on the old couch:)

New set-up

And again. The love seat finally arrived!

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Hard Workin' Space Cowboy

'Working' in the French Riviera - tough life.

Alex is in the French Riviera, specifically Istres, France, this weekend for the NASA Shuttle Launch. He is with a team of about ten others, on call and ready, should an emergency landing need to take place. Of course, an emergency landing has never happened before, but hey, what a nice, free vacation he gets to go on courtesy of the United States government.

Interesting fact about the launch: the crew, after taking off in Florida, has 3 minutes to decide whether they will have to emergency land. If they decide to, they land all the way in France or Spain, within 8 minutes! I think it's crazy how far they go in such a short amount of time.

Short news article about the launch: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TECH/space/01/28/space.shuttle.endeavour/index.html?iref=allsearch

Friday, February 5, 2010

die Toilette Fakten

(The Bathroom Facts: What Everyone Should Know Before Visiting Deutschland)

The two key phrases everyone needs to know:

1. Wo ist die toiletten? (Where is the bathroom)

2. Darf ich die toiletten benuntzen, bitte? (May I use the bathroom please?)

Never, I mean never, spend your 50euro cent pieces. Save them all up for the bathrooms. The majority of the toilettes (gas stations, public toilets, etc) in Europe cost. Ladies, I promise, the price is worth it. Gentlemen, I can't say either way. But the last thing in the world you want is to really need to go, have no change to do so, and be unable to communicate (in German) the complete and utter emergency you are experiencing.

'Dusche' in German = 'Shower in English.' This creates instant jokes for some Americans, including my husband, who now, as an insult/joke will sometimes call you a 'showerbag.'

When in the presence the Germans, or just Europeans in general, if you excuse yourself to the 'bathroom,' jokes will immediately ensue. To the Europeans, using the bathroom is using the actual bathtub. They will begin joking about how and why you need to bathe in the middle of dinner or whatever event you're in the midst of. Instead, excuse yourself to the 'toilet.' This will save you from being the butt of many jokes.