Language Barrier

So it was a given that I would inevitably have issues communicating since I don't know any German. But, I didn't expect to have such a problem with my own language. Like reading our handouts properly.

Wednesday (July 10), proved to be such a situation. 

Beautiful Courtyard

We had our first breakfast at Gösser, the restaurant across the street. It was delicious: Sausages, Eggs, Bacon, Rolls, and Juice. After breakfast, my roommate (who is awesome by the way, deserving of her own post later) and I went on the guided city walking tour. 3 hours later, and I was completely turned around as to where I was, not to mention exhausted. I was definitely feeling the jet lag. The guide ends the tour by taking us to our lunchtime cafeteria. None of us have any idea where the dorm is in relation to where the cafeteria is. 

I sit with some brass people (look at me broadening my social horizons!) and a cellist during lunch. I mention how I would really like to go the Survival German class at 1:30. Everyone else shows interest and I ask if anyone knows how to get back to the dorm. No one has a clue. 

We ask another AIMSer for directions to the dorm and we keep track of the turns and street names thinking we can do it. 35 minutes of walking later and we successfully arrive, whew! We arrive right at 1:30 and I'm looking around the lobby for any sign of people. Confused, wondering where everyone is, I'm thinking weren't we supposed to meet in the lobby? I ask one of the office people, and they don't know what I'm talking about. They pull out the official schedule, and it’s not on there. So, they don't know anything. 

Okay, not helpful. I find someone else who tells me that I was supposed to meet at the cafeteria at 1:30 and walk over to the rehearsal building (which I have not been to yet). *facepalm* Dang it. Not only am in the wrong place, but I would have been in the right place if I hadn't walked half way across town. Now, I'm late. 

Ancient Jesuit School

Someone gives me directions to the tram depot, what line to take, and what stop to listen for (sounds like this...as I frantically write down my phonetic comprehension). Somehow, I manage to get off at the right stop and spot some AIMSers walking. I run up to them and ask if they know where the building is. Thankfully, yes, they do. I know I wouldn't have found it on my own (I had no idea which direction to go after I got off the bus). 

By the time I get to the class it's 2:10. I grab a German vocab sheet and sit down as they're discussing restaurant customs and how to order food, tip, etc. I was too tired to be upset that I missed most of the class, and just happy that I at least made what I did. It was really too bad, I was looking forward to the class. I'll just have to ask other people who know German a lot of questions and study my sheet a lot. I wrote whatever the teacher wrote down on the blackboard, some of it about how to ask for your check and dealing with tips (more on this later). 

I tried to have a private tutoring session with the German 1 teacher, but at our designated meeting time, she didn't show up. I keep striking out, but it's certainly not from a lack of trying. 

This evening (12th) topped the cake, however. At this point, with this next story, I've learned you just have to laugh at yourself. Otherwise I would just want dig myself a hole and hide in it. I went to Gösser this evening to have a beer (I'm starting to find some that I like). My roommate and I decided we need to start saying any words in German we know as much as possible to practice. As we finish up we decide it's "my turn" to ask for the check. I look up what I wrote down from my Survival German Class and I practice a couple of times aloud to myself, clear my throat and say what I think is "check, please". I apparently got it wrong and the waiter thought I wanted another drink. I'm like "Ja, ja! *smile, smile* oblivious of the miscommunication. Thankfully my roommate interjects "Nein!" He figures out we want to pay our tab, and after he hands back our change I confidently and proudly say what I think is, "keep the change". 

That is not. at all. what I said. 

With a straight face, the older gentleman leans in to the table and starts quietly talking in German. At this point we both think he's conjugating, or teaching us grammar. Then we're like, wait, what? We recognize a few of the words he uses to describe the word I actually said. We're like "oh, no! nein!" Let's just say I was beet red and completely mortified. I think he actually told us what to really say, but I was so embarrassed I've completely forgotten my much needed pronunciation lesson. 

So far, I've learned it's possible I take worse notes than I thought and maybe my roommate should do the talking. At least for a while, while I practice.