Vol, Vérité

n. - flight
n. – truth

We arrived exhausted in Hamburg for my husband’s work seminar after a 7am flight. He hit the ground running. I retreated to the room for a nap. I’m happy to report the shower curtain has also not made its way to invade an otherwise pristine, yet at bathing time, wet bathroom! However, as the Germans have a reputation for being more efficient than the French, there was no tub and if you stood cautiously in the corner of the shower, you could avoid major spillage.

I was outnumbered by blondes and kept thinking whenever I heard German that it must be someone from my husband's company. Then I remembered that I was in Germany and that's the language everyone speaks. Among the international group, there were also Dutch, Spanish, Italian and of course French, so my international background was put to shame. Born in Spain got trumped by born in Peru and my two languages were often outnumbered by three or four at least.

The hotel was great, with spectacular views right on the water, but actually located near the red light district. So I was a little apprehensive about wandering even if my blondeness made me blend in. The first night some of us walked home from dinner. Our small group included my tri-lingual husband, French born and therefore more lean in stature as is convenient for his homeland; myself, barely bi-lingual and Swedish by heritage, but not exactly of true Viking stature; and the head of the Italian office, fluent in six languages and Dutch born, therefore rather well built and tall.

I only point out all of these details because at one point mid-way through our excursion in the middle of a completely isolated street surrounded by abandoned buildings, two men stood together facing us on the sidewalk. I thought that was going to be it - after all the pick pocket warnings in Paris and looking over my shoulder with my purse clutched white knuckled at my side - I came to Hamburg only to get mugged! Fortunately, they let us pass, perhaps intimidated by the international-ness of us all if not by our strength singularly or collectively.

But above all, I have to say that I was enormously touched by the warmth and inclusion shown to me by my husband’s new supervisors and colleagues. I was honored to be seated next to his boss and directly across from the CEO at the first dinner and even more so to be included in the former’s gracious toast.

So while my blog may be at times a bit tongue in cheek, I hope that whoever reads it (whether inside or outside my immediate circle) understands that in order to be funny, one must make fun, but in order to be genuine, one must remain true.