Family and friends, the last couple days have been low-key around Haus Kuterbach, except for yesterday, when we spent the day in Rothenburg ob der Tauber (pictures and post to come).
But I have to impart a story about our trip back from Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Brittany and I were on the platform in Garmisch waiting for our train, and I noticed a few English-speakers also on the platform. They happened to sit in our compartment on the train as well, a few seats away. Brittany and I were facing one another, and the English-speakers were also facing one another, so I had a clear view of two of them. A few stops into the trip, a large man who was sweating profusely came into our compartment, gestured to the seat next to me and asked in German if it was available. I automatically said "Frei"("free"), but a moment later regretted it tremendously as that man reeked. I almost gagged as he sat down, and then almost wept as I realized what I'd done. How long is he going to sit here?! I didn't want to hold my nose, but neither did I want to inhale the funk that I'm surprised wasn't visible around him, like the cloud that accompanies Pepé Le Pew.
Minutes later, one of the English-speakers approached us and said to Brittany, "Hey, we couldn't help but notice you're American! We were wondering if you would like to come and sit with us... and talk about America...?" Brittany laughed nervously and said, "Um, maybe." The guy had not once looked at me, even though it was obvious that Brittany and I were traveling together. When the man returned to his seat, Brittany turned to me and made a skeptical "Do-you-want-to?" face. I leaned forward urgently and said "Yes. Yes, I do. Please let's. I will tell you why later." I could tell Brittany was confused, because the guy had seemed odd, offering to "talk about America" and not acknowledging me at all. She also hadn't smelled my neighbor (much to my surprise and envy). But she went with it because I was adamant. Once we sat down with the others (two boys and a girl), the one who had invited us leaned to me and said in an undertone, "I smelled him as he walked by and you looked like you needed saving." The girl next to him nodded fervently, adding, "You did not look happy!" The boy explained that he hadn't looked at me because he didn't want to raise suspicion with the malodorous German and embarrass him.
Our new friends, Justin (my savior), Cici, and Charlie, were all with the Navy, learning Russian in a language course in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. They were all very friendly and, of course, had my eternal gratitude.
What with men helping me with my wurst unbidden (top that phrase, readers), and now young Navy enlistees swooping in to save me from stinky situations--what will I do once I leave Germany? How will I get by on a day-to-day basis? Will the Danes be this benevolent? Does Denmark have these superheroes in street clothes, waiting for the chance to help a foreign national in distress? I don't seem to remember any spontaneous assistance from the locals eight years ago... although trying to assist me in social situations at 16 was a fool's errand. Not to brag, but I was pretty adept at fitting my entire foot into my mouth. And I've only gotten better!
What were we talking about?
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