Michael’s friend Jesse came to visit from L.A. a couple of weeks ago. He was instructed to take the ICE Bahn from the Frankfurt airport to Mannheim main train station, which is the next stop from the airport. He exited, as instructed, but sent a panicked SMS: “I got off the train, but I’m at the wrong stop. I’m in Ausgang City!”
Ausgang means “exit” in German.
He was in the right city, by the way.
I would like to add that the sign does not say Mannheim on it. 
WOW! I learn all kinds of nifty things by reading this Drivel.
Okay....but how come I always see signs for a city called Friedhof but never can find that actual city?
Poor Jesse to be mocked so. Having taken the same train ride it’s daunting to be traveling alone in a country where you can’t read or speak the language, to be surrounded by signs that you know would be helpful if only you knew WTF they said. They look just enough like English to guess, but in my case-- almost always wrong. 
Somehow it was easier in Japan, I think because my brain didn’t even try to make sense of the signs.
I’d have SMS’ed too if I’d had a working cell phone when I hit Mannheim. Took me 30 mins to navigate the public pay phone to call Christian. Freaked out? Yep.
Good times though.. that was a great visit once I got over that one and only panic moment.
BTW, what’s up with the tease on twitter? US? When are we going to hear more about that?
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