Went into the corner store. “Do you have olives?” “What?” “Olives.” “Oil?” “No, um, olives.” “What is that?” “It’s a kind of… tiny vegetable. I’m looking for the kind that come pickled in a jar.” “What would you do with it?” “Well, you might put it in a drink.” “Is it a medicine?” Actually, yes. […]

Proud of a conversation I had, in German, with the guy in the corner shop just now. He met me just inside the door, and rolled his eyes vehemently. “I was just about to close!” With a sigh he swung his swag of chains – yes, chains, that’s how you shut up a shop in […]