June 20, 2025. Somewhere in OsterreichThe hills are alive (Julie Andrews/ Chris Plummer) dirndl-wearing electric skateboarders In my partner's hometown this past week, I'm reminded of Mark Twain's memorable thoughts on the German language*, though he was referring to high German, not the local Austrian dialect, or regular German as spoken in Wienerwurld, far to the east. Speaking 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, M. Twain We've been welcomed by Erika's extensive family, to their homes. As I sit in the midst of warm hospitality, talk and laughter, my thoughts wander back to my two years as a guest worker in Vienna, prior to Austria's European Union entry. The country has opened remarkably since then , though Vienna license plates, like Parisians' in Provence, are hardly welcome. Resting by the pool, 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 as I found in Austria. Erika's fluency in German and Austrian dialect doesn't extend to Spanish or French. I know Spanish phrases (more than high German), as well as high-school French. If I'm not careful, my best skill (faking accents) gets me into trouble when natives think I understand their reply because I've faked their accent. Loved ones resting place Sagrada Familia Beauty at the walls
Saying goodbye to 8+ days hiking in Castell and visiting Alicante, Valencia and Barcelona reinforced my love of Spain, while acknowledging that I prefer smaller towns (excepting Valencia which has surpassed the Barcelona of 20 years ago as my favourite Spanish city) away from touristy beach spots, though Peniscola's Templar castle was worthy of our 2 night stay.
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AuthorPeter J. Meehan is the author of Return to Pamplona (available through FriesenPress) and That Weekend in Albania! Check back for more blog posts soon! ArchivesCategories |
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