This is in response to a request for a hotel reservation -- request was for two rooms for three people: <BR> <BR>vielen Dank fur Ihre Reservierung, <BR> <BR>Arrangement "Sonnenschein" fur 3 Tage -- Preis 300 -- incl. Halbpension, <BR>Nachmittagskaffee, Kuchen nach Tagesangebot, <BR>Aufschlag fur Panorama-Studio 14, -- DM pro person. <BR> <BR>Mit freundlichen gruben <BR> <BR>

Thank you very much for the reservation. <BR> <BR>Packet "Sonnenschein" for 3 days. Price 300. includes half pension (i.e. breakfast and dinner), <BR>in the afternoon, coffee and cake of the day. <BR>For Panorama-Studio 14, per person an additional fee of -- DM is demanded. <BR> <BR>With friendly greetings <BR> <BR>

Here's what Babelfish came up with: <BR> <BR>"thank you fur your reservation, Arrangement " sunshine " fur 3 days -- price 300 -- inclusive. Half-board, in the afternoon coffee, cake according to daily supply, impact fur panorama panorama-Studio 14, -- DM per person. With friendly dug" <BR> <BR>It's kind of rough, but you get the idea! This website is a great tool: http://babelfish.altavista.com/tr

Many thanks for your reservation. <BR> <BR>'Sunshine' package for 3 days. <BR>Price 300 DM inclusive of half board, afternoon coffee and cake of the day. <BR>Supplement for Panorama Studio: 14 DM per person. <BR> <BR>Yours sincerely

If babelfish failed to translate "grußen" correctly, it's because you interpreted the "ß" as a "b" - - not the "double-ess" that it actually is (actually pronounced "ess-zet"). <BR> <BR>It may have translated it correctly if you had substituted "ss" - - and I believe the word is actually "grüßen" - - which in turn, should be transliterated as "gruessen". <BR> <BR>For more on the German characters not found in American English - - and other diacritical marks, see <BR> <BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/crossro...messagesframe& <BR> <BR>- - or someone could top it, I guess. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

Translation: The Americans are hiding in the barn. Call the Gestapo.

Thank you to all but the most recent poster. Of course, now I am more confused than I was before as the hotel proprietor did not answer my questions. <BR> <BR>May I ask you for more translation assistance: How do I ask them how to confirm the reservation. Do they require credit card for guarantee? Do we have reservations for two rooms? What is their cancellation policy? Can we not have dinner included (if it is included)? <BR> <BR>Thanks all.

Diane: <BR> <BR>As far as I understand, you have a confirmed reservation for the "Sonnenschein" package for three days, it will cost you DEM 300 and includes breakfast, dinner, and afternoon coffe and cake of the day. There is an additional fee of DEM 14 per person for the panoramic studio. <BR> <BR>As for your questions try this: <BR> <BR>"Vielen Dank fuer Ihre freundliche Antwort. Ich habe noch einige Fragen: <BR> <BR>Umfasst die Reservation zwei Zimmer für drei Gaeste? <BR> <BR>Waere es im uebrigen moeglich, nur Zimmer und Fruehstueck zu beziehen? <BR> <BR>Benoetigen sie zum Bestaetigen der Reservation eine Kreditkarten-Nummer oder eine Anzahlung? <BR> <BR>Schliesslich: Wie sind Ihre Storno-Bedingungen? <BR> <BR>Mit bestem Dank für Ihre Bemuehungen und freundlichen Gruessen." <BR> <BR>Hope this helps, enjoy your trip <BR> <BR>Phil.