Bing translator to the rescue- in the purgatory between Slovakia and Hungary

Sitting at the border between Slovakia and Hungary (taking a minute to checkin on Foursquare actually) and I see an enthusiastic blonde woman approaching the car. Did I mention I’m sitting at the border checkpoint between Slovakia and Hungary? It’s not like I know anyone there.

Crazy lady approaches the car door, actually grabs the handle to open it (good thing I had already locked it!). I roll down the window to see what she wants. She starts jabbering off in German. Whoa nelly. I know some German, can read it quite well for sure. But, she needed to slow down. And why the heck was she throwing her GPS at me? And leaning in the car, almost sitting on my lap?

She kept pointing at the top line on the GPS, Montenegro. We’re sitting between Hungary and Slovakia. I asked her in English what she was trying to do. That wasn’t going to work. She was pointing to the GPS and saying Montenegro and then waving all around saying Hungary (in a German sounding way).

Ok, light bulb! GPS is stuck on Montenegro, she needs it to be in Hungary. Woohoo. Lady can’t figure out her GPS. It’s a gadget, I can do this, right?

Ok, touch all around the GPS to try to find how to change the location. GPS is German. GPSy German is not the German I know. Food, I know. Ok, so I find the way to change the countries, but “Hungary” is the ENGLISH word for the place.

Here comes Bing. I asked Dave to find me the Hungarian word for the country Hungary. That word is Magyarorszag. And that word was not on the country list.

Ok, this is a German lady, German GPS, what is the GERMAN word for Hungary? Ungarn. That WAS on the list of countries!!! I change the location on the GPS and save the day! (just give it to me, it was a looooong day)

It was then I realized why she picked me. We got our rental car in Germany, we have Germany plates. She assumed I could help her.

Previous Post

Around the World day 7- Prague (but mostly we worked)

Sep 21
Today was a designated work day, not driving or flying or training or boating anywhere. We left for lunch and dinner and a quick walk to the St Charles Bridge. All of today’s photos come from my phone. Lunch was...
Next Post

Around the World day 8 Prague

Sep 22
This was again mostly a work day, with our breaks for food and wandering around. The day started thankful that the hotel had breakfast for us (thank you Sheraton Prague). It was a nice place, they took good care of...

Comments

BizPaul

Haha! I love this story. Being European can be quite bizarre sometimes, but this is why I love being it! Crazy. Keep relaying these tales - I'm loving it!

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Working...
Your comment could not be posted. Error type:
Your comment has been posted. Post another comment

The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.

Working...

Post a comment

Your Information

(Name is required. Email address will not be displayed with the comment.)