Oktoberfest
Have you seen European Vacation with Chevy Chase? The segment in Germany is hilarious. Chevy attempts to dance with the Germans on stage. They take advantage of his lack of knowledge.
I adopted the Oktoberfest nomenclature to describe our active October. A seventh Maine adventure at the beginning of the month and a visit by Marcy and Brock tomorrow. It is my 67 birthday Thursday.
Old folks enjoy fun.
I recall the German Club members raving about Oktoberfest when I was a lad.
‘Oktoberfest is going to be awesome this year,’ Jane said. ‘We have the traditional German dress including the Lederhosen,’ Jane continued. ‘This year I am going to drink some beer,’ Jane laughed.
‘I have not witnessed such a large crowd for Oktoberfest,’ Chet observed. ‘It seems everyone has turned out for the festivities, he continued. ‘The military component is troubling but the pageantry is stunning,’ Chet said with concern.
‘Look at the sky…the leader is flying in to give his speech…he is coming from the sky to save us,’ Frau Heinz said with tears in her eyes. ‘Nations fear us now…we are no longer crushed by the terrible debt of the Great War,’ Frau Heinz exulted with a manic expression of adoration.
‘I hear concerning comments regarding the Jews,’ The Cobbler said. ‘My friend Aaron has not been seen for a month,’ Cobbler continued. ‘First Aaron and now perhaps me,’ Cobbler mused.
‘Hush now…don’t you want to be great again,’ Heir Muller said as he saluted the Leader…
Paris
Recently my wife Mary Jane, my son Jonathon, and I were privileged to visit Paris with our dear friends of over forty years Margo and Jeff. I have been intrigued by Paris most of my life. Having read about it and being an avowed lover of French movies I thought I was prepared. Also I would be remiss to not mention Woody Allen’s classic Midnight in Paris. The reality of actually being there was surreal.
To see the Eiffel Tower first in the evening light in its’ large majestic glory was overcoming. You do not get the imposing effect from pictures. Then to observe the grandeur of it totally lit against the Parisian sky at night is striking in the originality of the sight.
Life in Paris is on a different time-table than the United States. There is a comfort with a slower more enjoyable and more human pace. The elders walked with dignity of purpose while those with dogs seemed to have no greater calling than to care and wait patiently for their loving charge. Each day I felt as if it were the weekend as chatting, laughing, eating, and drinking were the norm at the sidewalk cafe with no apparent greater purpose to attend to.
Margo is fluent in french. What a beautiful language. I only understand a few words but I could listen to it all day. It was amazing how well Mary Jane and I were able communicate with the lovely people we interacted with and I must attribute our success to the universal language of humanity. You see those that tell you the french are somehow less than friendly are misleading you. On the contrary they are a thoughtful reflective people who compel you to re-think your hurried life style.
The Happy Traveler 