Showing posts with label Bavaria: Kallmünz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bavaria: Kallmünz. Show all posts

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Oskar 'the Kellner' (waiter - in English)

It is a typical June day here in Germany (Kallmünz to be exact!!).  It has been raining on and off throughout the day, but now – in the early evening – the sun is shining. I leave my pension, walk across the small, one lane bridge to one of the only two restaurants in the village. It appears to be  occupied by locals, no tourists, or other visitors. It is small with perhaps 5 tables inside and an equal number on the terrace (which overlooks the small river  - which is just a bit bigger than a burbling brook). The terrace tables are almost full… with couples and small families. I take a table and soon the waiter comes to take my drink order. As he brings my wine, my mobile phone starts to ring. I answer it. It is a colleague whom I met with earlier in the day. I know that the conversation will be long-winded so I interrupt to give the kellner (waiter) my order. The conversation goes on and on – interminably. I say very little. I just listen. My responses are mono-syllabic.  I am thoroughly embarrassed, chagrinned that I am talking on my mobile in a restaurant. I sense, perhaps it is only  my imagination, that the other patrons are totally annoyed. (I, myself, have been known to rant about such behavior when other people do it!!) The food arrives so I politely end the conversation and hang up.
the restaurant ...the terrace is the pink area under the flag

After dinner, I order a second glass of wine and ask for my bill. The kellner brings it. He stands – quietly - at the side of the table holding in his hand his traditional dark brown, slightly bulging, leather kellner’s purse. It looks surprisingly similar to my wallet. I pay the bill, he gives me change, places the money in his purse and leaves. I place my wallet on the table directly under my Blackberry which is also in a dark case. I continue to sit for a while enjoying my glass of wine and my view of the river.
Soon a small tow-headed, blonde boy – perhaps 5 years of age – approaches my table. He stands directly behind the chair which is directly across from me. He looks at me and smiles a bit, but does not say a word. I smile back and try to engage him in ‘rudimentary’ conversation. (Rudimentary, because I have not a clue what one says to a 5 year old … in either German or English!!)  He moves from behind the chair to the side of the table and reaches for my Blackberry. I say, “No, no honey, you cannot have that, it is mine.” He looks at me quizzically… (or is it an expression of annoyance[??]), … still not saying a word. In my mind, I am convinced he has overheard his parents discussing the rude American who was talking on the phone. I am sure of it!! I am sure someone has said my mobile (as well as all others in restaurants!!) should be confiscated! Our little tug of war over that thing in the black case continues for a minutte or two  - wordlessly on his part, a bit vociferously on mine.

Finally a blonde woman approaches. She bends down and speaks to the boy. Then she turns to me, apologizes and explains that Oskar likes to pretend he is a kellner (waiter). I smile, had I known that I would have given him a tip as payment for his attentiveness AND cute smile!!´

                                                    The other restaurant in Kallmünz 

Kallmünz: almost in Munich, not quite in Regensburg

Well, it started out as a trip to Munich to attend a trade fair… the week before. But Munich is devilishly expensive and incredibly overcrowded during trade fair weeks, so I decide to stay in Regensburg (about an hour  or so away). But of course, when I check out the places to stay in Regensburg, they do not seem too inviting…. probably just my imagination.  So, with a bit more internet searching, I find what looks like a charming pension located about 25 kms north of Regensburg in Kallmünz. I assume Kallmünz is a town. I arrive quite late, it has been raining and the drive from the autobahn to Kallmünz is foggy. The roads are hilly, windy, twisty… thank goodness for my navi-system. I never would have found this place without it.  Finally I see the sign, turn left and drive over the bridge as instructed… and as the voice on my navi says - "You have arrived”.  Really??? Where? I see two cars parked on one side of this tiny narrow street and a small nondescript,  totally dark building on the other. So I drive on… well not really drive, more like roll on. The street is narrow and only goes for another block. The entire town… oops, I should say ‘village’… seems to be no more than 4 interconnecting, windy streets - in total. Finally after making 3 complete circles around the enclave, I stop the car get out and walk around. My navi was right I “have arrived”. I park the car and approach the darkened house. I ring the bell, lights come on and a woman answers the door and thus begins my Kallmünz adventure. Well, to be honest, it actually started the next day when the sun comes up and I can see all that this adorable little village has to offer.

                     My pension in Kallmünz ... notice sign leaning on the building ( at the back of the trailer)

The view directly across the street from my pension.... actually I think I was standing in the same spot when I took this and the previous photo.

                                                              Another view of Kallmünz 
  
For more photos of Kallmünz , please be sure to check out Pinterest... Roaming-thru-Europe.
According to Wiki, the municipality of Kallmünz has more than 2000 residents and stretches over 169 klms (or 169 people per sq mile). What Wiki does not mention is that there are a zillion more trees and rocks than people. The landscape is absolutely beautiful. But drive out of the very small village and that is all you will see … there seems to not be a soul around. But that is deceiving. There are bicyclists, hikers and even small camping grounds … hidden in the hills. And the next village over (about a ten minute drive) even has a small general store, a Greek restaurant AND a beer garden. Everyone seems to ‘have just enough English’ to ask a few questions in order to make you feel at home... but not enough to be intrusive.