So, I made it to Brussels this morning. From Pittsburgh I flew to Newark, where I had a pretty long layover that involved drinking overpriced beer and talking to strangers--after being in Brussels for a few hours, I've realized that talking to strangers is much easier if they speak your language. My French is terrible (nonexistent might be more appropriate) and in a jet-lagged stupor, I thanked a vendor for a sandwich by saying, "Bonjour" (as any good local would, he laughed at me and sent me on a Tourist Walk of Shame). Oh well, people have said, "Please" to me instead of "You're welcome," so I'd like to say the score is Belgium 1, USA 1.
I took some pictures today while walking around the city, but am currently trying to get a decent internet connection on my laptop, so for the time being I'm posting on the hostel's computer without pictures. Be patient, they will be here as well as a more detailed account of what's gone down in Belgium so far.
My flight has left me running on fumes and I still haven't been into my room, so I think I'm going to see what it's like. Bonjour!
Get psyched for pictures in the near future!
A quick French lesson...but I can't help you on your accent...
ReplyDelete1) How much does that cost? C'est combien?
2) The menu please. La carte, s'il vous plaît.
3) A (draft) beer please. Un demi, s'il vous plaît.
4) I would like to pay. Je voudrais payer.
5) Do you have aything cheaper? Avez-vous quelque chose de moins cher?
6) Do you accept credit cards? Vous acceptez la carte de crédit?
7) Where are the toilets? Où sont les toilettes?
Men / Women Hommes / Dames
8) Where is the (nearest) bank, please? Où est la banque, (la plus proche,) s'il vous plaît?
9) Where is the nearest ATM, please?
(bank machine) Où est le distributeur, le plus proche, s'il vous plaît?
10) Where is the post office, please? Où est la poste, s'il vous plaît?
11) Where is the train station, please? Où est la gare, s'il vous plaît?
12) Where is an internet cafÈ, please? Où y a-t-il un café internet, s'il vous plaît?
13) Where is a telephone, please? Où y a-t-il un téléphone, s'il vous plaît?
14) Where can I get a taxi? Où est-ce que je peux trouver un taxi?
15) Straight ahead. Tout droit
16) Take a right. Tournez à droite.
17) Take a left. Tournez à gauche.
18) After the stoplight. Après le feu.
19) Across from (the hotel). En face de (l'hôtel.)
20) Exit sortie
21) Entrance entrée
22) At the corner. Au coin.
23) Behind (the church). Derrière (l'église.)
34) In front of (the museum). Devant (le musée.)
25) Next le prochain (male)
la prochaine (female)
26) First le premier (male)
la première
27) Last le dernier (male)
la derniere (female)
Your Dutch lesson will come when you travel to Antwerp!
Good Luck - Love, Dad
And the most important phrase:
ReplyDelete"Je ne parle pas Francais" - I don't speak French (real meaning - didn't you the "tourist" sign on my forehead).
Dad
-Thank you.
ReplyDelete-PLAISE!
That will never cease to entertain me. Have fun and I hope you avioded all the illness that is spread on transatantic flights.