Souvenir from Germany
When I was a college student I spent six months
in Germany as part of a work/study program. The
program included a bus trip for the 26 of us
Americans from Hamburg to Rothenburg and then
through East Germany to West Berlin. (I realize
I'm dating myself!) We stayed at youth hostels,
which are wonderfully inexpensive, for they
provide only the minimum of one's basic needs: a
light breakfast and shelter. The traveler was
expected to bring a sort of sleeping bag which
amounts to a twin sheet folded in half and sewn
across the bottom and the side. A wool blanket
was provided on each cot. Since the blanket was
relatively small and pretty much worn, I thought
it would be a great souvenir. The best part was
the word "Fussende" on the blanket.
Now, in Germany then as I'm sure is true today,
folks don't bathe the way Americans do,
especially while traveling, and this blanket
contained a warning. The monogrammed "Fussende"
was not the name of the hostel, nor was it the
name of the town we were in, but means "foot
end." Because the blankets were used by many
travelers and were certainly not washed between
hostel visitors, it was recommended that you not
put the Fussende near your head.
I think the blanket is in storage now. The kids
are appalled that I ever "lifted" anything. But
this blanket, more than anything I could have
purchased, brings back more memories of those
days.
--Patty
{ Previous Letter
| This Week's Index |
Next Letter }
{ Main Letters Page }
