Date: Oct 1, 2006 1:32 PM
Subject: Ich bin ein Wiener*
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* Wien, german word for Vienna..a person from Wien, a Wiener….

this is great, because you see the word “Wiener” fifteen times a day
walking around Vienna…and if you, like me, enjoy giggling at
juvenile things, like Wiener, this makes for a rich and full life

also, “Gute Fahrt”, means “Have a good trip”, but in English it means
something much sillier…this expression isn’t as prominent in Vienna
as “Wiener”, but still scores high on the “stupid things I laugh at
living abroad” scale…

…on that note, yesterday, I was at a cafe, poaching some free
wireless internet. I had to go poo, but didn’t want to take all my
stuff with me so I asked an older man sitting next to me,

” Entschuldigung Sie, konnen sie meine Schiesse bitte uberwachen? Ich
muss toiletten gehen.”

What I thought I said,
” Excuse me sir, can you watch my shit please, I have to go the bathroom.

The man gave me a dirty look, and said “Ja.” I did my business, came
back, and made my way home not long after. Later that day, reflecting
upon the dirty look the man gave me, I wondered if “Scheisse”, “shit”
in English, isn’t used as liberally as it is in English, rather, and
in this case, unfortunately literal in German. So, I asked my german
speaking flatmates what I said..apparently it was this…

“Excuse me, can you come and watch me shit please? I have to go to the toilet.”

“Lost in translation” rears its ugly head, once again.

It was at this point that the germans unanimously decided there would
be nothing funnier than following me around the streets of Vienna
chuckling as I stagger through my busted german abilities, thinking
I’m asking for directions, when in fact I’m asking an older Austrian
woman if I can take her pants off…hasn’t happened yet, but wouldn’t
be surprised…

So, I’m here–Vienna. Home sweet home? Things are looking good here,
employment opportunites abound, my german is getting better, and feel
like I’m settling into Wienerdom nicely. It really is a beautiful
city, the food is good, the beer is very cheap, and very delicious,
and this, being my third visit to Vienna, feels somewhat homeish.
Sonja has braved the wilds of Ecuador and Colombia for the last two
months, and I’ve been fattened by tapas and cheap Spanish wine in
Spain. We’re both happy to be here, together, after almost two years
of international relations. Sonja has a huge flat and her roommates
are very cool, very fun, and thankfully, speak very good English.

Ill be here somewhat long term, at least another six months…I hope
everyone is well, and keep sending those emails. Also, download skype,
its free (www.skype.com) Sonja and I used this for the last year or
so, all you need is a microphone on your pc. Its a free online phone
service…Its a hell of alot cheaper than using calling cards or god
forbid, calling someone internationally on their cell phone $.35/per
minute…
you can search for me on skype by name or by user name, “prizzle2002?
or by email, prizzle2002@yahoo.com
Keep in touch everyone.

Check out the last of my Spain photos here:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=5hfwaq5.974paiuh&x=1&y=-rjpb77

Odelay

Shaan