Hi Michael,

 ML> > He probably did know English as it's required to be taught in
 ML> schools, > starting in the lower elementary grades. He was probably
 ML> just trying to > intimidate you.

 ML> Agreed, but intimidation in the Berliner sense (personal)
 ML> rather than the police sense (official), I've found the
 ML> easterners way impolite and unpleasant compared to the

Quite possible this officer was a former easty.

 ML> Bavarians and Swabians, though those southerners are
 ML> probably more likely to stab you in the back, which the
 ML> Berliners and Dresdners would not dream of doing (they'd
 ML> stab you in the front instead). This guy, I suspect that

Not to our knowledge. We did encounter skinheads while we were in
Berlin; they were a bit surprised when Steve spoke to them in perfect
German. (G)

 ML> he'd been reassigned or rotated from a real police job and
 ML> was just being a bit frustrated. Maybe there was a racist
 ML> undertone, who knows, I didn't care and just wanted to get
 ML> where I was going. Maybe I should have said Sprechen Sie
 ML> Italienisch, and then we'd be on a more level playing field.

It's all water under the dam (or beer under the table?) now.

 ML> >  ML> Global Entry, which I ended up using only about twice
 ML> >  ML> before it expired. There, they went out of their way
 ML> > Sigh! Due to the corona virus or just not travelling that way?

 ML> Mostly just not entering Schengen via Germany. Before, I'd
 ML> come in through Frankfurt or Munich, but it just happened
 ML> that I entered through France or England several times
 ML> running, so the Germans forgot about me.

Our travel has been limited to NC since we got back from FL in mid
March. Steve is talking about a local trip some time next month; have to
try to scout out a new (to us) bbq place.

 ML> >  ML> to understand, though their English was no better than
 ML> >  ML> the tourist desk guy's no doubt was. When my passport
 ML> > But they tried, a big plus there.

 ML> They were actually aware of the importance of fostering travel
 ML> even in a fully industrialized country. Something, I will
 ML> note, that the US is not - there are all these tourist bureaux
 ML> here with lots of municipal and state obstacles to their
 ML> doing their job. And now, of course, there's a national-level
 ML> xenophobia whose justification is even more bogus than usual.

Beauocracy!

 ML> >  ML> actually saw a German official, saving my energies for
 ML> >  ML> the American consular personnel the day after.
 ML> > That was a help. If I was with Steve, he usually did most of the
 ML> talking > but I could get by if I was by myself or a non German
 ML> speaking friend.

 ML> In most of my company, I'm the designated talker in whatever
 ML> language, partially because I can fake it quicker, but it
 ML> has been an irritant when Lilli just gapes when we're in
 ML> the blonde countries, as she is Nordic-looking and does know
 ML> some German, not as many words as mine, but enough.

Have you tried keeping quiet, forcing her to talk?


 ML> >  ML> Having characteristics of a white fish and an oily one
 ML> >  ML> as well, it has something to please anyone, except
 ML> >  ML> Swisher and Lilli.
 ML> > Can't win over everybody, tho we can try. (G)

 ML> What's the point. More for me, as people often say.

Works for some things, but not everything.


 ML> >  ML> >  ML> Puffin with Quinoa
 ML> >  ML> > But I doubt I'll try this. (G)
 ML> >  ML> If you did, you'd be puffin about it.
 ML> > Not to be keen over wha-t I did?

 ML> Sparrow me.

Shall I wren-ch it out of you?


 ML> The ontopicizer I had lined up for you had wine in
 ML> it, so here's this substitute, which has coriander,
 ML> which as I understand it you don't have moral
 ML> objection to, just aesthetic. Can substitute parsley.

 ML> Beef a la Will Moreland
 ML> categories: British, violinist, main, beef, roast
 ML> servings: 4

 ML> 900 g fillet or sirloin of beef
 ML> 2 Tb oil
 ML> 1 bn spring onions, chopped
 ML> 2 cloves garlic, chopped
 ML> 2 in fresh root ginger, chopped
 ML> 1 Tb soya sauce
 ML> 1 bn fresh coriander, chopped
 ML> 2 fresh chillies, chopped
 ML> 1 stalk lemon grass, edible parts, rough chopped
 ML> 2 cn coconut milk
 ML> 1 lime, juice of

We'd pass on this--cilantro and coconut milk. Steve doesn't mind the
latter but I don't like it. I can take very small amounts of cilantro;
to him, it tastes like soap so he doesn't eat it at all.

---
Catch you later,
Ruth
rchaffly{at}earthlink{dot}net  FIDO 1:396/45.28


... Even I don't understand what I just said...

--- PPoint 3.01