While I am indeed trying to "get my German on," nothing could have pleased me more than getting in touch with some of the other American ('murcan) expatriates here. There are actually three partners from the Chicago office here and I they were kind enough to have lunch with me today and share with me some of their lessons learned. For example, where to get money for one's recyclables, the best Mexican restaurant near my new apartment, and that I may have difficulty finding herbs and spices like cilantro and coriander. Say it ain't so! Really nice to meet them and I fully intend to tap their knowledge going forward.That handsome vehicle (who knew I'd ever say that about a BMW?) in the slightly-fuzzy BlackBerry photo is Bonnie. We had a (slightly) more direct route this morning than last night, but ran into some severe traffic, during which her low fuel alarm sounded. Uhhh....? Apparently the BMW dude dropped her off with less than 1/4 of a tank of gas. Nice!
So, recalling from yesterday's posting that I have no food at home, I wanted to leave somewhat early so I could get home before the grocery store closed. Of course, I found myself really pressed for time when I left and was balancing my needs for food for me versus food for Bonnie. Hmmm.... Fortunately, Bonnie and I still are working out our disagreements through the navigation system and I stumbled upon a true supermarket on one of the scenic side trips. So many fascinating things there that I hope to try going forward (or at least to translate the labels and figure out what they are). After that, Bonnie continued to try and direct me to the highway, but I saw the unmistakable glow of a yellow sign in the distance. No, not McDonald's. A Shell station! Wahoo!!
There was no pay-at-the-pump station, so I went inside to prepay. The attendant looked at me really funny and asked where I was from. Turns out, they actually trust their customers and you pay AFTER you pump. Nutty! So I went back to the car to fill 'er up with diesel. Fuel door didn't open like my former A4 (I so hate to say that), so I played the ever-popular game, "If I were a fuel door button, where would I be?" No, not inside the driver's side door. Not to the left of the footwell (though I now know how to open the hood). Not in the glove box. Not in the trunk. Hmmm.... No worries -- I have an owner's manual. Hmmm... Anyone know how to say gas, fuel or petrol in German? Alas, not I? The attendant is, of course, watching me with amusement through the window. Dumb 'murcan on display. Delightful. Back at the fuel door, I pushed again on the right side. Still nothing. But the left side made it pop right open. Grrrr..... And that was my attitude BEFORE I had to pay for the fuel -- a whopping EUR 58,02. And diesel was the cheapest option available (EUR 1,079/liter). Hurt me!
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