Some might find it odd that I do this on my own and have done for a while but the plain simple truth is it’s better this way for both myself & everyone I know.Over the years I haven’t lost many friends and that’s mostly by us giving each other space.I know myself well enough to know that a month or two travelling around Europe with me would be a death knell for any friendship.With age comes the realisation that I can be a twat to be around for any length of time and so can most everyone else…I have to admit writing these blogs helps too.I like to be a bit jokey & irreverent mostly but occasionally it’s good to get serious thoughts down on paper,or whatever this is…
Anyway that’s enough of that nonsense…a dyslexic walks into a bra…
Anyhoo.A couple of things to remember being a Brit conversing with a German is that they can be very literal.So if for instance you do the Brit thing of saying “ you alright?” Which in the UK means “hello” we don’t expect an answer save from “ yea,you?” What we don’t expect is honesty,ie “ no,Infact my life is falling apart,the wife left me,I am being sacked from work and the council have changed the day the recycling bin goes out” However in the unlikely scenario where that does happen then us blokes spend about a minute discussing said problems then go to the pub and talk football for five hours…many Germans will see “ you alright?” as an invitation to unload their myriad worries in your direction…
Also we leave someone’s company it’s customary to say something like “ see you soon” or “ see you later” of course in the UK this means there’s a 25% chance we will meet again in the next six months depending on if I can cross the road in time to avoid you or not.However in Germany after this diary’s might come out and cross references made for availability on any given times & days…you have been warned.It’s a jungle out there…
I have noticed a fair few youth wearing the shirt of the local football team Werder Bremen,which is a good thing and to be expected in a one team city,a fairly sizeable team at that.On the flip side I’ve also seen lots of Real Madrid tops being worn too.I suppose that’s a result of our game becoming more global…
My hotel does that thing about hanging a sign outside the door if the room doesn’t need a clean.It’s a good thing as it shouldn’t need seeing to after one night.The sign usually includes some guff about saving the planet too whereas Infact you’re helping to ease already stressed cleaners by giving them less work…the one in this hotel is a little bag and you get a voucher to take to reception for either a snack or a bottle of water.Very nice and a free bottle of water in this weather is very handy…
Ok then,gonna take a stroll by the river Weser which will eventually take me to Werder Bremen’s ground.It’s a lovely day for a river walk…I take it back.It would be a day for a lovely walk if there was shade,there’s not.Myself and direct sunlight really don’t belong in each other’s company.Lord knows how people lay out in the sun eight hours a day.It’s beyond my ken,Ken…
Ah well happy July 1st and laters all…
