Struggling With Launguage

In preparation for this trip, I made a detailed packing list, got a new backpack with straps that stow in a pocket as to not get caught in the airport conveyors, made sure that I had a card with an EVM chip, called my bank to put a travel notice on my card, and tested to make sure that my pak towel (which folds into the size of my wallet) could dry my entire body. In our pre-departure meetings, we talked a bit about language learning, but we were reassured that many people spoke mostly English where we were going. While this has been mostly true, and we have suffered from nothing more than trying to communicate when Frustration and some embarrassment, I was not prepared for the challenge of the first few days.

When I applied to study away from this experience called "Music Capitals of the World", I did not know that it should have been called, "Music Capitals of the World: amazing music accompanied with a constant battle to understand every sign, person , and the menu ". You might be laughing, or thinking to yourself that I and the rest of my fearless comrades should have done more to prepare to be in countries where the native language is not English, but alas, among a hectic fall Semester, first went to the priorities making sure we had the right gear and clothing for our trip.  

My sister gave me for Christmas a German Phrase book, which has been extremely helpful, and occupies free moments breakfast, and when we try to figure out how to say something like "dog" or attempt to count to 10. We have not been without help, as Lynda has taken German in high school for a few years as well as PLU, and is always a good sport in Answering our questions about pronunciation, as well as Kaja, who has had some experience with German and a whole host of other languages ​​too!

Getting to the point, we are doing fine without knowing much of the language. We have been able to get food at every restaurant (sometimes without knowing exactly what we ordered), and have been having an incredible time exploring the city. We are generally understood in the basic interactions such as ordering food and asking for a menu in English, but reading anything and talking with anyone is extremely challenging.

Just to elaborate on a few experiences from today, this morning Collin, Austin, Annalise and I were playing hacky sack before meeting our group. A few people passing by said something in passing by our little circle. Judging from the tone and from the chuckle that they gave when we made a flailing attempt to save the hacky sack from falling to the ground, they probably said something like "that looks fun" or enjoy your day ", but we had no idea what they were trying to say to us. Also, this afternoon, Austin, Lydia and I went to lunch, and because we couldnt read the signs, we were in a state of confusion for about 10 minutes, and didn't know what the lady at the cash register was saying to us. This is my first time being in a place where English is not the native language, and it is a very interesting experience. It is a feeling that is only possible in such an intense immersion into a different culture. I guess that being a non musician trying to play where the Berlin Philharmonic with about 5 minutes of prep time to learn your double bass part to sum up the feeling of not Knowing German in Germany.  More to come soon on the contemplations of Europe!