We're sitting here cheering, "You go, RMS!" But you had it figured out all along!
Mrs. Alura and I met in Germany; both of us were working for the same import/marketing company. We're hoping you won't mind a little bit more advice.
Go to your local library right away and check out a "German on Cassettes" course. You can also buy them at any large book store. The language can be fairly quick to learn because the vocabulary is a lot like English. (Bier = Beer, Licht = Light, Brod = Bread, Milch = Milk, Kaffee = Coffee, Haus = House) If you learn the first tape you'll be able to shop and find your way around. It you learn the course you'll be able to carry on a conversation. Once you've mastered the different sentence structure and learned to mimic the accent of the Germans through practice, people will be asking if you're German. Then when your husband or one of your boyfriends takes you out to dinner, you can translate.
Michael's right. Mannheim is pretty well located. Heidelberg is really nice and not far south is Baden-Baden, the gateway to the Black Forest. There are casinos, spas, lots of fun resort stuff. Farther south is Switzerland. Drive west of Mannheam, through Kaiserslautern, and Paris is just a few hours away. North are Frankfurt and Wiesbaden. Find out if the Balalaika (a bar) is still in business in Frankfurt.
As a woman, you don't have to hide that military haircut, and from your modest description of yourself, you'll be a knockout, real whistle-bait on the bases and an exotic beauty with a wonderful American accent in the Gasthauses. Careful of those Germans who ask you to drink "Schnapps und Bier" with them, though.
If I were a gambling man, RMS, I wouldn't be betting on your husband winning this battle of wits. Keep in touch with the board after you get to the Vaterland. We wanna know how it goes!
Alura |