Vocabulary, vocabulary

Hi All

Am back from Germany. What a lovely time we all had. I was sad to leave, as just loved speaking German and did at the slightest chance. 

I was so surprised that so many people initiated conversations with me. I was reluctant to start conversations with people, as understood that Germans are formal and not chatty. I met some lovely people. From a lady who owns a yarn store in Meinz to a 2 hour trip in the Spreewald on a boat. 

I actually found it better when people spoke no English. That way I had to scrabble for words, and many times made a complete hash of grammar, but was understood and could understand. I need to spend more time on those pesky adjective endings too. I also learnt that vocabulary is just about everything. I could construct sentences, but lacked vocabulary in conversation. 

So back to the lessons and I am ready to take it to a new level.

Maxie

Congratulations! It sounds as though you had a great time and It must have been very motivating to find you can have good conversations with a restricted vocabulary.

If you want to get more conversation practice, you can book half hour conversation practice lessons on italki. Some of the community teachers speak very little English and the lessons are not that expensive.

Hi Simon

Good to hear from you. One thing that astounded us in Germany was how many people smoke. It was difficult to sit on a patio and not inhale secondaty smoke. Frankfurt was 34 degrees and no airconditioning, so slept with out balcony door open. It was horrible, as so many people smoked on their balconies. I guess at the ned of the day a small price to pay, as the advantages outweighed the disadvantages by far.

One thng I am considering is spending 6 weeks in Germany at a language school and staying with a local family. At the moment am so jet lagged travelling is not appealing. Normally I don't suffer from jet lag, but this time has been quite severe.

Take care

Sharon

What we did like, was how dog friendly Germany is. Our little dog would love it

Yes, I’ve heard that Germany is very dog friendly. It’s a shame that it is not easy to travel with dogs any more. You used to be able to take small dogs with you in the cabin, but they make it very difficult now even between the UK and Europe.

Going and staying with a German family sounds like a wonderful idea and you would certainly lean a lot especially if they didn’t speak English. My sister recently spent a year in Berlin when her husband had a job there. She did a course at the Goethe Institute and found it very tough, but she thought she ended up in a class that was too advanced as she did speak some German after working for a winter in a ski chalet when she was young. In the end she didn’t learn that much as so many people in Berlin speak English and it was easy to slip into English and her husband doesn’t speak German.

I’ve been hearing about the heat as my partner’s daughter lives in Bavaria and we get regular WhatsApp video calls with her plus two year old daughter. We have had a long period of warm weather here in the UK but not higher than 33C so far, but mostly upper 20s. London can get very hot and uncomfortable in the summer.

So good luch with your German learning.

Morning Simon

Here in North America small dogs and cats can travel in the cabin with you. provided their crate fits at your feet. The problem is that the seats are so tight now, that unless you are travelling with a small child it would be horrendously uncomfortable. Premium economy is an option too. 

I have been on a flight to Germany on Lufthansa and they allowed dogs in the cabin. Not sure if their policy has changed.

I know that Maxie my Shi Zhu would be deeply offended if she was stuffed into a crate. Would want to sit on her own seat and get fed too. Quite the princess and Philip totally indulges her. 

Bavaria is lovely, but then I think most of German is lovely. Not a city person, but loved the smaller towns. Stayed in a village called Grainau. Right next to Garmisch Partenkirchen. So pastoral and the views were amazing. 

Sharon

I like Bavaria too, I have stayed in Bad Tolz and Geresried and also visited Gramisch for skiing. It's beautiful country. My present partner worked as a translator at the American base in Bad Tolz and I used to visit, we knew each other as friends for a very long time.

I think Bristish Airways is the worst about dogs and there are a lot of expensive formalities at Heathrow. It's easier to drive.

Sounds like you had a great time in Germany and that you have made many special memories with your family! And so great to hear that you were able to have good conversations with the locals. 

I hope your jetlag wears off very soon!

Viele Grüße

Julia