Tuesday, November 11, 2025

The Language Barrier

 

       Walking down an old cobblestone street in Wiesbaden, I couldn’t help but notice how my steps echoed between the rows of shops.  Everything was so quiet except for me.  It made me feel very conspicuous.  I felt like all of the pigeons along the rooftops were watching me because of the noise I was making.

       If I didn’t do something to quiet my steps, I was sure some impending doom would befall me.  I stopped momentarily and slipped my shoes off.  I tucked them into my backpack and continued on in my stocking feet.

       A very old man stepped from his doorway and lit a small hand-rolled cigarette.  He squinted at me through the smoke, looking at my stocking feet, then back up at me.  He said something in German, I didn’t know what.  Probably - another stupid American.  I kept walking.

       As I passed him, he said it again, only a little louder.  It didn’t seem to have a cruel tone, like if he were calling me a bad name or something, it seemed more like an announcement or…

       Just then I stepped in dog poop.  The old man laughed and looking at me, shrugged, like I tried to tell you.




 

 

 

1 comment:

Pauline said...

Always good to learn the language of the country you are in! And never ignore people who are trying to tell you something. Jokes on you! Ha ha