European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 16, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse Newcomer s adventure by Mark wonders staff writer it it inst you Don t suited try try again Respet when you re learning How to get around in West Germany. I had Heen Here a scant three weeks arid feared becoming a Quot Barracks rat Quot so i decided to set sail on my Solo voyage on the German rails. It was time to severe the Quot Cavern umbilical Cord Quot arid Start fending for myself. Armed with a phrase Book a pocketful of Marks and the cockiness of a rooster i made Oft on my adventure. A the things would set1, the lessons i would learn. My goal was to make it to main by rail and then to Catt h a northbound cruise ship on the Rhine to Kohlen. I lie lust anxiety Attai k c aim at the Darmstadt i or main railway station. At the to Hei i counter i Frantu ally thumbed through my trusty phrase Hook searching Tor the right thing to say. I found it and confidently asked Vul in a sit Derr a in it huh Mineff Quot i was mentally patting myself on the Back for pronouncing the phrase and not injuring myself in the process. Quot i full Quot asked the confused attendant. I repeated my butchered phrase but got the same results. Abandoning for the moment my goal of becoming speaking German like a native i made my request in English Quot could i please have one ticket on the next train to main Quot Quot certainly Quot the attendant replied in English. Seizing the opportune i asked in English where i should get off the train to Catt h a Rhine River boat. \ it1 suggested Mainz Sud. The City s Southern train station f to advised to to head straight out of the station toward the River turn left and keep walking until i Reat bed my destination. I had roughly an hour before i was to Hoard the train so i decided to grab a bite to eat i was Happy to Lind a Mcdonald s restaurant in the station. After some debate i decided that although it was Quot american food Quot it would still be of since the signs above the counter were in German. I made my move to the counter but before i could place my order an american youngster darted in. Front of me. I was upset but decided to watch him make a fool of himself before i followed suit. Not a Chance. At least not today. The brat spoke fluent German. After placing his order he whirled around and gave me the most sarcastic smile i be seen in some time. Then he Hung around die counter apparently waiting to see How fluent i was. Not to be outdone i boldly ordered a bag of trem h Fries pointing to lire sign above the counter to go along with my big Mac and coca cola which i also ordered by pointing to the appropriate signs. Miss in accomplished. I or Good measure i added Quot tin Ketchup Odfer Quot and received it with no funny Long
