Category Archives: Language
Your name in Lithuanian
Each time I receive a message from my bank in Lithuania, I am reminded of the insistence of that language to Lithuanianize foreign names, although I don’t quite understand what’s wrong with my first name, which already ends in a … Continue reading
“The Dark Valley”, a Western from Austria
Yes, Austria. Not Australia. That cute country with castles and Kaiserschmarrn, waltz and Waltz, Mozart and marzipan? But Austria has winters, too. Tough winters, like in Wyoming. And mountains like in Montana. Valleys like in Yosemite. And reclusive communities deep … Continue reading
Random Thoughts (20)
If you care neither about the deficit, nor about providing public services, it’s actually quite easy to cut taxes. When I saw books by Džon Grišam at the bookshop in Montenegro, I was happy that my name wouldn’t have to be … Continue reading
Random Thoughts (19)
But what will become of James Bond if we don’t tolerate sexual harassment anymore? Trying to cash in on crypto-currencies, I have now invested all my savings in Paypal. I always find it strange when people say “I am writing … Continue reading
Serbo-Croatian
Dear ex-Yugoslavs, without any intention of being disrespectful to your dramatic break-up, I am not going to have time to learn Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian and Montenegrin separately. No, I am going to stick with good old Serbo-Croatian. At a used-book … Continue reading
The Sad Future of Catalonia
In some conflicts, you don’t need to pick a side. Because sometimes, both sides are wrong. Between the Catalan and the Spanish governments, it’s impossible to keep tabs on who has committed more grave mistakes. Even for supporters of self-determination, … Continue reading
The third stage of life
In Spanish, there is a nice expression for seniors or old people: tercera edad, the third stage of life. Once you have held out that long, you are rewarded with reduced ticket prices. (Photographed in Humberstone in Chile.)
How to annoy people who study languages
Somebody proudly showing off: “I am making good progress with my Greek. I am already at B1 level.” Me: “Do you study north or south Greek?” They: “??” Me: [speaking several sentences in German] “Did you understand that?” They (insecure): “No.” … Continue reading
Random Thoughts (16)
Finland has some weird sports competitions. Each time I return to Europe, rents have doubled. Tweets cannot change laws, regulations or rules. Each time Donald Trump tries to do so, he should be laughed at. Why can’t Microsoft Windows move … Continue reading
Romantic Graffiti
“If nights were as long as I love you, dawn would never come.” (Photographed in Podgorica, Montenegro.)
The Happy Hermit 