I've been devoting more time to learning colloquial German for the last couple of weeks. Naturally, it's because I'd like to enjoy the trip in Germany and I feel absolutely delighted to learn German though I'd got through a tough time in learning German in my student days. The German was nothing but a pain those days. I wonder what's the difference. It must be due to being with or without a motive. There's one more thing that surprised me. I didn't know, but I remember many German words and grammar deep in my mind. Is this my subconscious awareness? The word "imprinted" might be used on such an occasion. If I didn't dig these words out from the depths, the hard work I'd done in medical school would be useless. Also in this sense, this trip will be fruitful.
I've already got my round ticket to Frankfurt and reserved the Savoy hotel in Frankfurt, and now I'm looking for a hotel in Freiburg. The main destination is Freiburg and places around the city like Basel, Strasbourg and Lake Constance (Bodensee). I'll stay in Frankfurt just a night when I get to Germany, so I will have only three to four hours for sightseeing in Frankfurt. I'm wondering where to go and have dinner now. I prefer the local cuisine.
(Vocabulary)
devote sth to sth (時間・努力など)を(…)に傾ける, 注ぐ
devote your time/energy/effort to sth
自分の時間[エネルギー,努力]を<…>に注ぐ
devote yourself to something <…>に専念する
devote something to something <…>を<…>に充てる, 割く
The author devotes a whole chapter to the subject.
existence or nonexistence / with or without 有無
subconscious / subconscious awareness 潜在意識
fruitful 実り多い, 有益な, 効果的な
a fruitful discussion 実り多い議論
Thank you for your advice.
I'm going to report in my blog. Please check it.
Posted by: KUMO | Sep 10, 2009 at 01:00 PM
Hi there Doc!
Well, there is so much to eat. I am sure in Frankfurt you could enjoy the "Frankfurter Wuerstchen", cheap, good taste and completely different compared with the sausages over here in Japan. Of course the beer - so many choices. Frankfurt itself - well, not too much sightseeing options, the shopping street "Zeil" (but be careful!!), the "Roemer, but elsewise, Frankfurt is "just" a very big city.
Freiburg - to be honest, I myself have never been there. But the area is nice, and I am sure you will have a great time.
As for me, I am making plans for a trip to Germany during "Golden Week" next year - of course not the Savoy hotel, but interesting and the (in my opinion) most beautiful places, including Mosel and Rhine river, of course the Romantic Street and so on.
Well, enjoy your German studies and if there is anything I can help you with, please get with me.
Posted by: Klaus | Sep 10, 2009 at 08:19 AM
Have a great time in Germany!
My cousin is in Bonn (neighbouring Frankfurt), and a great guy for tips or to hang out when he is available and not traveling. I will share your blog with him (he is the same one who is a raving fan of the Bose Comfort headphone).
Posted by: Abhishek | Sep 09, 2009 at 01:05 PM
Komo, have a wonderful time in Germany and try the 'wiener schnitzel' washed down with some good German beer. Peter
Posted by: Peter | Sep 08, 2009 at 09:05 PM