Leipzig at Night
When I was changing planes in Zurich, I had to go through some of the Customs run-around. It turns out that the customs officer was German. He asked where my ultimate destination was, and I said, "Leipzig". I pronounced it "Leap-zig".
"What?" he asked.
"Leap-Zig" I repeated, careful to enunciate each syllable.
"I have never heard of that." he asked, regarding me suspiciously.
I was in a pickle. This guy was clearly German, as I could tell from his accent. I was a bit surprised because he was in Switzerland, but I figured that all nationalities come there to work. No big deal. But, still, how could a German not know about Leipzig. It's not the biggest city, but I think it's in the top 5.
I tried again and again. He seemed to be serious and not joking.
Finally, after about four more back-and-forth sessions, he said, "Do you mean Leipzig?" He pronounced it "LIPE-ZEEG".
"Yes!" I exclaimed.
He gave me a little self-satisfied smile and signed my paperwork, sending me through...
- Trey Ratcliff
Click here to read the rest of this post at the Stuck in Customs blog.
"What?" he asked.
"Leap-Zig" I repeated, careful to enunciate each syllable.
"I have never heard of that." he asked, regarding me suspiciously.
I was in a pickle. This guy was clearly German, as I could tell from his accent. I was a bit surprised because he was in Switzerland, but I figured that all nationalities come there to work. No big deal. But, still, how could a German not know about Leipzig. It's not the biggest city, but I think it's in the top 5.
I tried again and again. He seemed to be serious and not joking.
Finally, after about four more back-and-forth sessions, he said, "Do you mean Leipzig?" He pronounced it "LIPE-ZEEG".
"Yes!" I exclaimed.
He gave me a little self-satisfied smile and signed my paperwork, sending me through...
- Trey Ratcliff
Click here to read the rest of this post at the Stuck in Customs blog." href="javascript:openLB(824138749,'',XLarge,'',1024,680);">
Leipzig at Night
When I was changing planes in Zurich, I had to go through some of the Customs run-around. It turns out that the customs officer was German. He asked where my ultimate destination was, and I said, "Leipzig". I pronounced it "Leap-zig".
"What?" he asked.
"Leap-Zig" I repeated, careful to enunciate each syllable.
"I have never heard of that." he asked, regarding me suspiciously.
I was in a pickle. This guy was clearly German, as I could tell from his accent. I was a bit surprised because he was in Switzerland, but I figured that all nationalities come there to work. No big deal. But, still, how could a German not know about Leipzig. It's not the biggest city, but I think it's in the top 5.
I tried again and again. He seemed to be serious and not joking.
Finally, after about four more back-and-forth sessions, he said, "Do you mean Leipzig?" He pronounced it "LIPE-ZEEG".
"Yes!" I exclaimed.
He gave me a little self-satisfied smile and signed my paperwork, sending me through...
- Trey Ratcliff
Click here to read the rest of this post at the Stuck in Customs blog.
See photo in original gallery.