One of the things I like to take a holiday from is speaking German. On this trip, I had the transfer to the hotel with a German couple. We spoke German at the airport and on the journey to the hotel. They asked where I came from. When I told them, he said "Bad place. Bad weather. Narrow roads" I did not see them for days after that and so I could enjoy my holiday eavesdropping German conversations without anyone knowing that I am understanding what they are saying.
Not that they were saying anything interesting. I was treated to a detailed description of a forthcoming home cinema installation; a rant about how children should not be allowed to go on holiday; a conspiracy to persuade (left behind) children to become vegetarian; a recommendation for christian religious music in the Malayalan language. You have to eavesdrop a lot of conversations to harvest anything more interesting than cheese purchases.
Towards the end of my stay I bumped into grumpygermanman again. "We shall be leaving together" he informed me in a tone that inferred that that would be something for me to look forward to. As I settled my bill (just INR 125 for some laundry) the receptionist took a telephone call. "I am sorry sir, they will finish by around 9.15pm" the receptionist said. By that I realised that someone was ranting about the "infernal noise" from the music and dance presentation on the open air stage. Go too far back on that stage and you are over the cliffs into the sea. Somehow the face and voice of grumpygermanman flashed through my mind.
Sure enough at 1.30 am when we met for our departure that was one of his 1001 points to complain about. His litany lasted all the way to the airport. I took my seat in the plane. Who was right behind me? Oh yes. There he was. At the end of the flight he presented his addendum of complaints. Worst flight ever apparently. I fly a lot. I had my tempur transit pillow (best thing ever) and my ipod (even better thing ever). I had an on demand entertainment system. I had a comfy seat and great service. grumpygermanman had 101 things to complain about.
Poor grumpygermanman. We had the same holiday. I came home relaxed and happy. Grumpygermanman, I fear, returned to his office on the Monday morning to be renamed evengrumpiergermanman.
Not that they were saying anything interesting. I was treated to a detailed description of a forthcoming home cinema installation; a rant about how children should not be allowed to go on holiday; a conspiracy to persuade (left behind) children to become vegetarian; a recommendation for christian religious music in the Malayalan language. You have to eavesdrop a lot of conversations to harvest anything more interesting than cheese purchases.
Towards the end of my stay I bumped into grumpygermanman again. "We shall be leaving together" he informed me in a tone that inferred that that would be something for me to look forward to. As I settled my bill (just INR 125 for some laundry) the receptionist took a telephone call. "I am sorry sir, they will finish by around 9.15pm" the receptionist said. By that I realised that someone was ranting about the "infernal noise" from the music and dance presentation on the open air stage. Go too far back on that stage and you are over the cliffs into the sea. Somehow the face and voice of grumpygermanman flashed through my mind.
Sure enough at 1.30 am when we met for our departure that was one of his 1001 points to complain about. His litany lasted all the way to the airport. I took my seat in the plane. Who was right behind me? Oh yes. There he was. At the end of the flight he presented his addendum of complaints. Worst flight ever apparently. I fly a lot. I had my tempur transit pillow (best thing ever) and my ipod (even better thing ever). I had an on demand entertainment system. I had a comfy seat and great service. grumpygermanman had 101 things to complain about.
Poor grumpygermanman. We had the same holiday. I came home relaxed and happy. Grumpygermanman, I fear, returned to his office on the Monday morning to be renamed evengrumpiergermanman.
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