Ultimate bummer--the ONE time this happens to me, I'm traveling alone
Due to the train strike in Belgium today, I booked a hotel room in Paris for Tuesday and Wednesday nights. The train down here was over an hour late, so I didn't even get to my hotel until after 9:00 PM. There were two women at the reception desk. One came to me to check me in, but her French was not good at all, and she looked blonder than French woman usually do. I asked where she was from, and she said she was from Holland.
I told her that if it would speed things up, she could speak Dutch instead of French, as I didn't care which. She looked at my American passport and thought I was putting her on. I told her again to please speak Dutch, as I was having trouble with her French. She finally switched to Dutch, and broke out in a BIG smile when she heard that I could really speak it.
She then turned to my reservation and noticed that the hotel had already given out all the rooms for normal mortals (the price class I had booked). She said, tell you what, we have this big suite that isn't booked for the next two nights. I'll put you in there, how about that? I said sure, not knowing what to expect.
I got to my room. Or, rather, my luxury condo. I swear, they should have provided a GPS to find my way around this place. Marble corridors, plush carpeted huge living room, office, bed big enough for a wife and a mistress, neither of which would notice the other was there. Marble bathroom, discreetly off to the side. Immense breakfast buffet included with the suite (of course). This thing must go for $1500 a night when people ask for it. So, I'm all alone in this fabulous suite I'll never have again, my wife didn't come with me this time 
= new reply since forum marked as read
All deaf cruise 
But still, you can train to become an interpreter and get on the cruise and interpret for us! 
The cruise director's name is John Maucere - he's a very funny deaf comedian. Website: www.johnmaucere.com
I was booked into a very nice airport hotel at SFO for a week long seminar.
It was a company event and rooms were paid for. Food and drinks were on my nickle.
Because of a problem scheduling flights, I had to arrive a day early.
I explained to the woman at the desk and apologized. Didn't have a reservation for that night.
She joked that I must be an eager beaver arriving so soon.
We made small talk while she checked the computer.
"Tell you what. You're gonna be here a whole week. Why don't we put you on the Executive Floor?"
"Um...okay, fine."
"This is your special key card for the elevator. Gotta have that for the floor. There's a complimentary breakfast and complimentary hors d'oeuvres and drinks in the evening."
"WOW! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!"
The room was very nice and the free food and drinks were GREAT!
And since it was all free, I tipped LIBERALLY.
Found out that even if they couldn't get off on that floor?
The STAIRS worked just fine
They all joined me on the second day and for the rest of the week.
Last edited Thu Nov 15, 2012, 08:50 PM - Edit history (1)
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No way I'm risking losing her
That pic was from our wedding 30 years ago. But today, at age 60, she still looks mighty fine to me:
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We understood each other.
All that marble and space would make for some cool acoustics. 
Hey, chalk one up for the good guys. Enjoy your stay DFW.
When I've traveled to other countries, people usually speak some English. It's common for those in other countries to speak more than one language. We're the snobs who rarely do. When I was in Russia, we visited an English class at a local school and the children were quite young. I had French classes starting in Jr. High, but most places it isn't offered until high school. My French came in handy when I made friends with a Russian girl who only spoke fluent Russian, French and Italian, but kept apologizing that she "didn't finish" her English. 
