Notes from Germany
I am an American expat living in Germany. It's a far away land on the other side of the ocean. It's interesting and often weird here. If you read this and want to comment then email me at nate(the at symbol)chillmost.com. If you find any spelling or grammar mistakes, you can keep them.
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
War of words Interesting article about English words invading the German language. Sometimes I hear words that are obviously English but I have no idea what they mean because they are used in a completely different context. This is especially common in the IT sector, in which I work. Often I have no idea what someone is talking about and half of the words are in English. Kids on the street here are all about cool English phrases. "Whazzup" They often sound like they are trying sooo hard to be cool and I just laugh at them with bored amusement. I also hear tough guy english phrases translated directly into German. For example: aufsteppen for Step off! or "Ich werde dich kappen" for "I'm gonna cap you." German kids with blue eyes and blond hair dress to the nines like hard-core thuggin' gangstas but they have no idea that if they were to be seen like that in SouthSide Chicago or in Compton they would have their lilly white asses handed to them so fast. It is so weird how American pop culture is so prevalent everywhere. Not a put down. Just an observation.
Tuesday, September 09, 2003
There is not much new going on here. I've been having a couple of hard weeks at work. I wish I could get into it here but I can't. I've been putting up with way more than I have to. I've been pushed real close to getting up and walking out. There is a stupid little stamp in my passport called an "Aufenthaltserlaubnis" that won't let me do it.
Hello Rock. Say, do you know my friend Hard Place?
I did go to the Handwerkerstrasse in the Aldstadt here in Lüneburg on Sat. The Altstadt (old city) is the oldest part of Lüneburg. All the buildings and houses are carefully restored and they look really good considering they are all like 600(!) years old. Anyway, they blocked off the streets and even covered up all modern street signs and lights. The local craft guilds set up traditional workshops and hawked their wares. There was local brewed beer, traditional medieval food (uh no thanks, the chunky mustard looks a little too traditional. I'll pass), and even a witch being dragged through the streets. Fun for the whole family.
I finished the Harry Potter book. Not bad, not bad. Little bit more psychologically dark than the others. Lots of British sayings like nutter and blimey!. They even say "Damn" and "Hell". Sweet.
