A wise traveller never despises his own country.

- Carlo Goldoni -

The Comedies of Carlo Goldoni

On this rainy Saturday we ventured by U-Bahn into Frankfurt, so our daughter could see the movie New Moon.

As her brother did not want to see the movie, nor stand in line with us, I gave him a 20 euro bill to go across the street to Subway to have himself a sandwich, while waiting for me.

Then I gave my daughter a 20 euro bill so she could buy some of this overpriced popcorn and a small soda from the concession stand at the English movie theatre.

2:07 p.m.

At the theatre, I had to wait  behind the roped-off section so my daughter could hand me back the change. She was shortchanged by 10 euro and I told her immediately to turn around and make a claim. She still had everything in her hand, the same way she had picked it up. Popcorn in her left arm, soda in her left hand, and an open hand reflecting the coins. Her total came to € 6,40 and her change should have been € 13,60. There was a bit of a discussion, she had to state three times that she had paid with a blue 20 euro bill, and not with a 10 euro bill.

2:12 p.m.

I go across the street to meet up with our son and I remember thinking I might have a sandwich there too. When I got there, he proceeded to take out his change and mentioned that it did not look right, but thought he would wait for me (he knows better now). Again – he had been shortchanged by 5 euro.

We went up to the cashier, he said it had to be right, he was not willing to pay it out of his own pocket. Of course, my son should have made a claim right away, but this was not the issue. I had an issue – both of my kids getting shortchanged within five minutes of arriving in Frankfurt.

I mentioned calling the police. Then the cashier proceeded to graciously count the till and voilà, somehow the till was 5 euro over. I had worked in retail before, so I knew this little show was just a demonstration for saving his face.

There are honest mistakes as well, of course. But after these incidents, of course, all the others come to mind. Like shopping in Bad Homburg where I sent my daughter in with a 10 euro bill to buy some little hair accessory for herself and she comes out shortchanged by five euro. Again, I have to go in the store and spend my time and energy just for my rightful change.

Later on I took the time to explain the facts of life to my kids. Another lesson learned – one for myself, one for them. They know now to ask for a receipt, to double-check the change right away, and to confront any doubtful transactions immediately.

It is a sad fact of life that kids sometimes get the shorter end of the stick.

That’s right – we are not celebrating Thanksgiving this year as the American half of the family is in the States right now.

Also, it is not a holiday in Germany, it is business as usual.

The kids asked me earlier whether we would have a turkey feast today. You can tell they have never gone through the preparations in regards to shopping, stuffing the bird, oven time, etc.

Nevertheless, I showed them the bird… using this plate:

Our inedible Thanksgiving dinner

This beautiful plate is gracing our dinner table right now. I think we will call out for pizza later.

A true Hessian dish is the infamous Handkäs mit Musik. I had it once right after I moved here eons ago and the second time was just a couple of weeks ago at our favorite bar Zum Adler in Oberursel.

What is Handkäs mit Musik (literal translation: hand cheese with music)?

Traditional Hessian dish: Handkäs' mit Musik

It is a patty, or two, made of sour milk cheese, topped with lots of marinated onions and optional caraway seeds, sitting in a vinegar dressing and served with slices of dark bread.

In the picture I am sitting where the infamous Red Baron used to sit, accompanied by the airplane engineers of the local Motorenwerke Oberursel, to enjoy his Dämmerschoppen (sundowner).

Ebbelwoi price list "Zum Adler"

I had my usual beer. Even after 14 years of living in Hessen, I have not become a friend of Ebbelwoi.

The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway.

- Henry Boye -

Selling Songs Successfully by Henry Boye