The Heist of the Goose!

Gutentag! So for my German class, we have been making a film (I now realize that no matter where you are or what language you are learning, language classes are all the same). The plot is basically thus: two thieves steal the goose from the Goose Girl Statue (the Gaenselisl) and so the Gaenselisl recruits these girls to help her get it back. They, with the aide of the Polizei, find the theives and recover the goose. As simple as this sounds, it took us forever and a half to all get on the same page (across English, Italian, and German) as to what the plot would be, how to script it in German, casting, memorizing lines, and then the filming process. It has been really fun though- we finished filming today. Afterwards, we went on a field trip of sorts to go to a local Burg (castle). It was about a 20 minute bus ride and then a half hour walk to get there. It was really cool and had a great view from the top of the Turm (tower), but more memorable to me than the castle was the company and conversation. It really is quite comical how we communicate with each other: it is me speaking in German when I know the words, and when I don't know a word, I substitute in English words. Even when they ask me a question in English, I respond in as much German as I can because I am thinking in German... cuz I am in Germany. It is probably really confusing for them to switch back and forth so quickly between what are both secondary languages for them, though they tell me they like it because it helps their German AND English. Today they asked me a lot about American music and if I had heard of so-and-so, or if I had been to New York or Hollywood and if I had ever met any actors. They also, once again, asked me about countless American TV shows, movies, and actors. At first, like Tom, I was annoyed at how they must view America and American life, based on shows they have seen that are unrealistic of what it is really like, but it doesn't really seem like there is cause for that, now that I have talked to them more and more, as the only TV they have is American shows. It is just like us watching the variety of shows we have here. Not just the obscene shows are piped over there; they all are, so they have the same spectrum as us. Anyway, they have this weird cultural thing here that I am pretty sure is Europe-wide (at least in both Germany and Italy) that everyone carries a pencil case around with them. You know, like the little oblong zipper cases that you used in elementary school? Anyway, everyone has them over here- kids and adults alike. It is like, horrible if you don't have one. When I questioned them on this, they thought it was so weird that we didn't widely use them and they were confused as to where we put our writing utensils. "Ver do you keep pencil then? Pocket (hahaha)? Behind ear (chortle)?" They laugh, as if it were completely ridiculous. Hmmm. Telling them Tom actually does indeed keep a pencil behind his ear probably would not have eased their giggling at that point.

Holy cow I need to go to bed. Bis morgen!