Its weekend,at night suddenly we come up with a plan to visit Munich next day.As usual most of my trips are unplanned. I like it that way as it adds a surprise element to the trip.I didnt know much about Munich.It is famous for the Football club and is the headquarters of BMW.We started early morning by train from Stuttgart and reached Munich in four hours time.My first impression was that there were many young people in the city.Munich is more cosmopolitan compared to other German cities.
We had decided to take a bus tour of the city.We went to the tourist information center to find out about the bus tour.A tall handsome man was sitting at the counter.I was wondering how to communicate with him.Many a times English doesn't work in Germany.We enquired about the bus and zoom come the reply," namaste aap kaise ho" (Greetings! how are you doing in Hindi).I was shocked.Then he asked us," kya apko sabji Mandi dhekna hai"(do you want to see the vegetable market).We were shocked and didnt know what to reply.A German speaking Hindi?.Then he gave us a detailed information about Munich mostly in Hindi.We asked him how much time it will take for us to see whole city?.He said three hours for an Indian and a year for an European citizen.His name is Stephane!!!
Stephane enquired about our place in India.We told him we come from Bangalore.Then he started talking to us in Kannada.We were shocked as we dont understand Kannada.He was fluent with Kannada.I told him I can understand English,Hindi,Marathi,Malaylam and Tamil.Then he started talking to me in Malayalam,Tamil,Hindi and Urdu.He told to me," Kerala Devathinde sondam nadaa.(means Kerala is Gods own country in Malyalam).Devan ningale anugara he ke te" (god bless you in Malayalam).I was shocked and over joyed.Malayalam is one of the most difficult languages to learn and speak.
I asked him was he trained or how he managed to learn so many Indian languages?.He replied that he had previously worked in Dubai and had encountered Indians there.I took a picture with Stephane and invited him to visit India and Kerala.He replied Insha allah(God willing in Urdu).Finally he guided us to an Indian Hotel in Munich and I wondered what an experience.I am reminded of a line from ancient Tamil literature"We are global citizen and all the people of the world are our kith and kin".
We had decided to take a bus tour of the city.We went to the tourist information center to find out about the bus tour.A tall handsome man was sitting at the counter.I was wondering how to communicate with him.Many a times English doesn't work in Germany.We enquired about the bus and zoom come the reply," namaste aap kaise ho" (Greetings! how are you doing in Hindi).I was shocked.Then he asked us," kya apko sabji Mandi dhekna hai"(do you want to see the vegetable market).We were shocked and didnt know what to reply.A German speaking Hindi?.Then he gave us a detailed information about Munich mostly in Hindi.We asked him how much time it will take for us to see whole city?.He said three hours for an Indian and a year for an European citizen.His name is Stephane!!!
Stephane enquired about our place in India.We told him we come from Bangalore.Then he started talking to us in Kannada.We were shocked as we dont understand Kannada.He was fluent with Kannada.I told him I can understand English,Hindi,Marathi,Malaylam and Tamil.Then he started talking to me in Malayalam,Tamil,Hindi and Urdu.He told to me," Kerala Devathinde sondam nadaa.(means Kerala is Gods own country in Malyalam).Devan ningale anugara he ke te" (god bless you in Malayalam).I was shocked and over joyed.Malayalam is one of the most difficult languages to learn and speak.
I asked him was he trained or how he managed to learn so many Indian languages?.He replied that he had previously worked in Dubai and had encountered Indians there.I took a picture with Stephane and invited him to visit India and Kerala.He replied Insha allah(God willing in Urdu).Finally he guided us to an Indian Hotel in Munich and I wondered what an experience.I am reminded of a line from ancient Tamil literature"We are global citizen and all the people of the world are our kith and kin".
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