<![CDATA[PETER J. MEEHAN

June, 2025. Somewhere in Osterreich

In my partner's hometown, I'm reminded of Mark Twain's memorable thoughts on the German language*, though he was referring to high German, not local Austrian dialect, or Wienerwurld German.

The hills are alive (Julie Andrews/ Chris Plummer)

Of German prepositions (masculine, feminine and neuter), Twain rematked:
"In German, a young lady has no sex, while a turnip has. Think what overwrought reverence that shows for the turnip, and what callous disrespect for the girl." *A Tramp Abroad, Mark Twain

As I sit in the midst of Erika's extensive family's hospitality, the talk and laughter remind me that my two years as a guest worker in Vienna, wasn't remotely similar. With Austria's European Union entry, the country has opened remarkably, though Vienna license plates, like Parisians' in Provence, are hardly welcome here in Styria.

Valencia's Tower walls, boarding on the Med
Earlier in the trip, traveling throughout Spain and popping across the border to France, my partner endured the same language barriers. Erika's fluency in German and Austrian dialect doesn't extend to Spanish or French. If I'm not careful, my skill at faking accents gets me into trouble when natives think I understand their reply because my limited phrases are accompanied by my local accent.

Sagrada Familia Beauty at Barcelona walls
Eight plus days hiking in Castell and visiting Valencia and Barcelona (the former far superior to my memories of the latter from 20 years ago) reinforces my love of Spain, particularly smaller towns, away from touristy beach spots, though Peniscola's Templar castle was worthy of our 2 night stay.

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