June 25, 2024

My German vocabulary!

Anyone who knows me can attest that I have no aptitude for foreign languages. The other night, while half heartly watching the German commentators after Game 3, I remarked to Tom and Stephan how many times they used English words while speaking. This lead to a whole conversation about how many words in the English language are copied from German. The first one they took credit for was Kindergarten, I never thought about that one. Gesundheit, I agreed was more common but I had no idea how to spell and don't hear it used all that often these days. Noodle,  was also claimed by Stephan, but I thought he was stretching things now. Foods that are German origin like Bratwurst, Strudel, Gingerbread, Schnitzel, Sauerkraut and Pilsner Lager I wouldn't count in the list. But I didn't think Hamburger ( even though I am in Hamburg, where it was supposedly invented) and now that I think about, is a major item on most menus I have seen here, was of German descent. Other's that are have German roots are Frankfurter, Weiner, Pumpernickel, Bundt Cake, Delicatessen, Pretzel, Foosball and they are even claiming Seltzer and Gummy Bears! 

SINGAPORE & DUBAI AIRPORTS

By Pat Patrick • November 13, 2026
I have wanted to see the famed Singapore Changi Airport for years to see the world's largest indoor waterfall. Turns out the waterfall is in a part of the airport, outside the Departure Terminals, so I still have yet to see it! The Terminal does have some interesting architecture and houses a huge shopping mall, with some very high end stores and Christmas decorations are up everywhere, the day after Halloween ( which sadly, they don't celebrate here ).

SINGAPORE - Katong -Joo Chiat area

By Pat Patrick • November 11, 2026
While I was in Singapore this time I was on a mission, downsize my belongs and pack my life into hopefully four or less 50 # suitcases! The only time I took a break, was for meals and thankfully we were in a new area of town, for me, so I got to see some of Joo Chiats charm as we walked to restaurants. The area is Signapore's first heritage town known for it's vibrant Peranakan culture, pastel hued shop fronts and diverse food scene. Built in the early 1900's by Chinese families, they blend Chinese, Malay and colonial influences that reflect that area's rich multicultural roots. The land was once owned by Chew Joo Chiat , the King of Katong.

CAMBODIA - SIHANOUKVILLE - Eviction city

By Pat Patrick • November 10, 2026
Sihanoukville, Cambodia is a city I will long remember! On first look, you really wonder what is going on here. There are over 350 unfinished "ghost" buildings in the skyline and another 170 completed, but empty structures and it's not that big a place - so you really wonder! Apparently there has been a mass exodus of Chinese Real Estate and Casino investors. Back in 2019 the Cambodian Government banned online gaming and this collapsed the City's casino driven economy. Then Covid hit and the resulting slump in China's Real Estate funding stream has hit this coastal town hard. You would never know the hard times from the people. They are friendly, energetic and so happy to help.