I'm blogging from the Munich airport where I am stranded till about five this evening (it is now eleven in the morning). I got in a little while ago to find out my flight to Dresden was cancelled. I got my new reservation, called Dresden and left a message, and began to wander around the airport. No cell phone, no internet, no German to speak of. Of course many many people speak English, but it is embarrassing not to be able to speak more than a few words of German. To have to ask people if they speak English. I dont like it.
First I go to change money and feel quite triumphant when I use the machine and get some Euros. Then I go into a book store and wander around the whole place, much bigger than any airport store in the US, and I find a small English section, and two of my favorite mystery authors, so I treat myself to two new paperbacks. Standing at the cashier, I debate greeting the person in German, at least I know how to do that. But find myself muttering the words under my breath. He tells me the price in German, which I understand and hand him some of my recently acquired Euros. On to food, and again reluctant to talk to anyone at all. I find myself just wanting to not say anything to anyone, in this strange half empty, very clean, airport where everyone around me is speaking German. I have my books, about five, my computer, my food that my daughter made me bring, and about six hours to kill. I just found a little spot where Lufthansa dispenses surprisingly good coffee for free, so I should be set. I don’t mind this strange impersonal, time. No one can reach me or talk to me. But it is interesting to watch myself and see how silenced I am by not really speaking German.
After all I grew up hearing German all the time, and the sounds are familiar, as are greetings basic questions and answers. But I am reluctant to say a word. I have to force myself. Maybe I'll just go back to my book. Yesterday afternoon i spend several hours in the Newark airport waiting for the first leg of my flight. I was thinking about a conversation we had at a little pre school where I have been consulting in NY. Somehow the question of what we each would wish for came up. One girl wanted a peach tree that bloomed all the time. Another wanted flowers. Another child wanted a dog. (These are all New York City kids). Sitting in the airport yesterday, I realized that I wish that I could speak German, Swahili, and Kipsigis. That's all I want. Languages for the places where people I love live. However for now, I have several good books, coffee and chocolate and an excuse to read all day long. It's not so bad.
Well, I have obviously arrived. It continues to be interesting not to speak German. More soon.
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