Funny events on your trip in Europe
Jun 6th, 2010, 06:15 PM
#21
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My late husband spoke French but loved that i different to hear my faux pas. In one of our favoite Provencal bistros,
We had a server we knew through the years who was always upbeat but this one day he was sullen so I said SOURIS, which means mouse
thinking I was saying Sourire which means smile.
The Guy broke out in laughter and had to tell everyone that I called him a mouse.
Another time my poor French we were staying at the Nord Pinus in Arles. I called it the North Penis much to my late husbands delight.
We had a server we knew through the years who was always upbeat but this one day he was sullen so I said SOURIS, which means mouse
thinking I was saying Sourire which means smile.
The Guy broke out in laughter and had to tell everyone that I called him a mouse.
Another time my poor French we were staying at the Nord Pinus in Arles. I called it the North Penis much to my late husbands delight.
Jun 6th, 2010, 07:10 PM
#26
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Crime in Venice is not common, but we were in the right place at the right time to witness a police chase, Venice style, straight out of the Keystone Cops. Alt! Ladro! ( Stop! Thief!), blowing of whistles. African hand bag seller (specialising in fake Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton bags) runs through the campo at high speed, hurling bags behind him as a diversion, closely followed by policeman with whistle. That endurance training on the Veldt paid off for the chased, and he got away. Closing scene – cop returns, spends time kicking and stamping on the bags.
Priceless.
Priceless.
Jun 6th, 2010, 08:15 PM
#27
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Our 4 months in Europe with two children did see many hilarious events occur. One very special memory we do have is when my husband was told by a Moroccan Berber that I was worth 20 000 camels.
We'd done a day trip up throught he Atlas mountains. On our way, we stopped at a gem/precious stone roadside shop. After having spent the week in Marrakech, we decided not to bargain too much with the hardworking mountain dwelling Berbers. We bought the most beautiful handcrafted chess set that must have taken many days to make. In appreciation of his work, my husband paid the craftsman top dollar. My job involved taking a photo of the two of them shaking hands on the deal - this was when my hubby was offered 20 000 camels for me!!
Just beautiful......
We'd done a day trip up throught he Atlas mountains. On our way, we stopped at a gem/precious stone roadside shop. After having spent the week in Marrakech, we decided not to bargain too much with the hardworking mountain dwelling Berbers. We bought the most beautiful handcrafted chess set that must have taken many days to make. In appreciation of his work, my husband paid the craftsman top dollar. My job involved taking a photo of the two of them shaking hands on the deal - this was when my hubby was offered 20 000 camels for me!!
Just beautiful......
Jun 6th, 2010, 08:36 PM
#29
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We were married in 1969 and promptly took off for Europe with the intention of living there for two years out of a Volkswagen camper. Since it was the beginning of winter we headed south to Nice. One afternoon we wandered around the old port and my husband had need of a toilet. In his improvised French he asked three unknown males "Ou est l'avotoir? They looked rather bewildered but gestured that we both should go with them in their car. Not too many toilets around the old port I thought. And we drove. And we drove. Finally on the outskirts of Nice they pulled over to the side of a road and told us we had arrived. We got out and they drove away. It took us some three or so blocks of very strange buildings to realize we were in the stockyards and in the midst of slaughter houses. It was a very long walk back to town.
Then we got a job with Radio Monte Carlo selling cowboy hats. It was a hot summer and we ended up on afternoon high in some hills. We also had an African Gray parrot. As it was hot and deserted, we sponge bathed and retired very nude to the camper. In the middle of slumbers two police opened the doors and shouted "no fires, no fires" We didn't have any fires going, the bird was freaking out and my darling husband grabbed the only protection against total nudity, a small washcloth. We struggled for control of the washcloth while the police are explaining about fire control and the parrot is yelling obscenities. It is very hard to have a conversation in another language while one is nude.
And then there was the bladder infection. In a campground during the rainy season after the gypsies have arrived. But we won't go there.
Then we got a job with Radio Monte Carlo selling cowboy hats. It was a hot summer and we ended up on afternoon high in some hills. We also had an African Gray parrot. As it was hot and deserted, we sponge bathed and retired very nude to the camper. In the middle of slumbers two police opened the doors and shouted "no fires, no fires" We didn't have any fires going, the bird was freaking out and my darling husband grabbed the only protection against total nudity, a small washcloth. We struggled for control of the washcloth while the police are explaining about fire control and the parrot is yelling obscenities. It is very hard to have a conversation in another language while one is nude.
And then there was the bladder infection. In a campground during the rainy season after the gypsies have arrived. But we won't go there.
I just want to add that the boudini di riso is the rice pudding in a crust.
Jun 8th, 2010, 02:34 PM
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20,000 camels! Wow! I was only offered an oriental rug for my three year old in Istanbul. Actually the man also noted that if my son had a mustache he would look just like his brother-in-law. Made me look twice at my son and wonder how I would get the rug home.
Jun 8th, 2010, 02:59 PM
#34
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<<African hand bag seller >>
Peter, we witnessed a similar thing in Rome. Honestly the poor guy looked just like road runner. One minute peddling his fake Fendi, a double take as the cops rounded the corner and I swear his legs did an on the spot cycle thing before he grabbed the lot and scarpered. I could almost hear the cartoon sound track with a pchew! as he ran off.
Peter, we witnessed a similar thing in Rome. Honestly the poor guy looked just like road runner. One minute peddling his fake Fendi, a double take as the cops rounded the corner and I swear his legs did an on the spot cycle thing before he grabbed the lot and scarpered. I could almost hear the cartoon sound track with a pchew! as he ran off.
Jun 8th, 2010, 03:18 PM
#35
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Tourists are fair game for scams in Rome. We are tourists, so naturally fair game. We were stung in the most memorable fashion a couple of years ago, when we managed to purchase a pair of leather jackets (“I’m on my way home from the Milan fashion shows, where are you from?, my sister lives in Adelaide, I’ve lost half my map of Rome (shows half map), can you direct me to the bank, my Visa card is broken (shows Visa card with broken corner), here take these two leather jackets – they are just samples, I don’t need them, could you spot me 50 Euro, I’m about out of petrol (points to petrol gauge)”. 50 Euro for two leather jackets – unbelievable, and they had an Italian label – pasted over the other label that said “Made in Beijing”. A few polyvinyl chlorides were killed and their skins tanned to make those jackets. And he was right when he thanked us for our help – “you’ll never forget me”, he said. We haven’t.
So we were chuffed this time when a guy pulled up, asking to be directed to the Tiber – all of 50 metres away, bridge in full view, jackets in plastic bags on the back seat. Anticipation of sweet revenge. Same dialogue, up to the point when we were advised that his sister lived in Perth. And then he drove off – he must have spotted Lou’s grin as she poked me in the ribs. Damn. Hate that.
So we were chuffed this time when a guy pulled up, asking to be directed to the Tiber – all of 50 metres away, bridge in full view, jackets in plastic bags on the back seat. Anticipation of sweet revenge. Same dialogue, up to the point when we were advised that his sister lived in Perth. And then he drove off – he must have spotted Lou’s grin as she poked me in the ribs. Damn. Hate that.
Jun 8th, 2010, 04:58 PM
#37
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Fashionista: After reading some of your recent posts on various threads, I have decided to nominate you as funniest person of the week (and best storyteller -- next to Peter, of course).
[Stuff like this is the reason I'm not getting my work done.]
[Stuff like this is the reason I'm not getting my work done.]
Jun 8th, 2010, 05:50 PM
#38
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Hi cigalechanta,
During our visit to Bacharach, Germany we decided to take a Rhine Cruise for a few hours. We stopped in the local grocery store to purchase some picnic supplies so we could have a lovely picnic lunch on the boat. We decided on the usual: bread, salami, fruit and drinks. As we stood in the checkout line I made a last minute decision to grab some soft cheese. My husband said he didn't want any that day so I quickly ran back to the dairy section and picked up a small cube of soft cheese.
By the time we boarded the boat it was almost lunch time. Boy did that cheese sound good right about now. I was starving. We carefully opened our picnic set. Set the table with silverware, plates and wine glasses. Everything was beautiful. We cut up the fruit and salami and finally it was time to eat. Good I thought, cheese time! I proceeded to peal off the foil from the cheese. Well, the cheese was slightly darker than I thought it would be. No problem I thought, probably just some kind of unusual cheese. I'm game. After all when in Rome...
I bit into the cheese. The next five seconds seemed like an eternity...I didn't know what it was, but it definitely was NOT cheese. I didn't know what to do...I didn't want to be rude and spit it overboard (which I seriously considered). I looked up and straight into the face a little old Chinese man who had been watching us set up our picnic. Oh gawd I thought I can't spit it out now. What will he think?
I couldn't keep it in my mouth any longer. I spit it onto a napkin while my husband stared at me in disbelief. I gasped..."It's not cheese!" What IS it? My husband picked up the small piece still wrapped in foil and smelled it. He started laughing hysterically. It was yeast! Ughhh!!! I couldn't get that taste out of my mouth for the next hour. That will teach me to be in a hurry while shopping for food in a foreign country.
Michele
During our visit to Bacharach, Germany we decided to take a Rhine Cruise for a few hours. We stopped in the local grocery store to purchase some picnic supplies so we could have a lovely picnic lunch on the boat. We decided on the usual: bread, salami, fruit and drinks. As we stood in the checkout line I made a last minute decision to grab some soft cheese. My husband said he didn't want any that day so I quickly ran back to the dairy section and picked up a small cube of soft cheese.
By the time we boarded the boat it was almost lunch time. Boy did that cheese sound good right about now. I was starving. We carefully opened our picnic set. Set the table with silverware, plates and wine glasses. Everything was beautiful. We cut up the fruit and salami and finally it was time to eat. Good I thought, cheese time! I proceeded to peal off the foil from the cheese. Well, the cheese was slightly darker than I thought it would be. No problem I thought, probably just some kind of unusual cheese. I'm game. After all when in Rome...
I bit into the cheese. The next five seconds seemed like an eternity...I didn't know what it was, but it definitely was NOT cheese. I didn't know what to do...I didn't want to be rude and spit it overboard (which I seriously considered). I looked up and straight into the face a little old Chinese man who had been watching us set up our picnic. Oh gawd I thought I can't spit it out now. What will he think?
I couldn't keep it in my mouth any longer. I spit it onto a napkin while my husband stared at me in disbelief. I gasped..."It's not cheese!" What IS it? My husband picked up the small piece still wrapped in foil and smelled it. He started laughing hysterically. It was yeast! Ughhh!!! I couldn't get that taste out of my mouth for the next hour. That will teach me to be in a hurry while shopping for food in a foreign country.
Michele
Jun 8th, 2010, 06:16 PM
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I have so many of these stories that I don't know which to tell first. Here goes- My wife and I go to Sardinia every year. Her sister, who is Neopolitan, owns an apartment on the beach in the lovely town of Golfo Aranci. It seems that every year we meet the same people. We seem to be the only Americans there, consequently, we make many friends wanting to know about the USA. The first year we were there, my wife struck up a friendship with a young woman from Milan, named Consuelo. Consuelo went to the beach bare-topped, as do many there. After a while, they made no impression on me. The second year we went, I was laying on the beach, on my back, and Consuelo came over to greet my wife. I really did not recognize her. She sat on the beach, next to me, and proceeded to converse with my wife, who was sitting on the other side of me. Consuelo leaned over to speak with my wife and her boobs were about two inches from my face. I blurted out to my wife, "Now I recognize her"!
