Paella!

[Xabia Jim]

Well I AM British - kind of, originally

Well I AM British - kind of, originally....
............Ok, sounds like there is a story here Frances.....

I can say that too.....Well I AM British - kind of, originally.....Born in Singapore, grew up in CaNaDa eh!, had a british passport.....Is that why I'm happy as an expat here in Spain?.....

I've not spent much time in Switzerland but I do love the mountains.

[Frances]

Re: Paella!

Nah, not really.

My Dad found work with Ciba in Switzerland years ago, my Mom joined him when they got married. I was born, brought up English, learnt Swissgerman in School, finally married a Swiss guy. Talk English with the kids, Swiss with my husband. I suppose I'm as bilingual and bi-cultural as you can be. But not much of a story really, is it?

I must say, its really cool to have such a multi-cultural (if single minded) forum here.

(Single minded = WFO, beer, fish and more WFO)

[jeff]

Re: Paella!

XJim,
Your 'Guide to Paella' is compelling. Thank you.
Frances, your vocabulary would dwarf mine: (Tallyho chaps, what.)
Agree that topics discussed should be expanded to include Wine, Women and Song. (Now I bet that comes as a surprise, eh.)
Jeff.(From Australia)

[james]

Re: Paella!

My Dad found work with Ciba in Switzerland years ago, my Mom joined him when they got married. I was born, brought up English, learnt Swissgerman in School, finally married a Swiss guy. Talk English with the kids, Swiss with my husband. I suppose I'm as bilingual and bi-cultural as you can be. But not much of a story really, is it?

We had the pleasure of being invited to a Raclette party in Switzerland a number of years ago, where everyone spoke English, French and (Swiss)German -- with a little Italian thrown in. One of the neighbors was the host of a children's TV show (it sounded like PBS without Barney), and he jumped from language to language during the show. The audience (aged 6) loved it.

I guess that's how a country with three native languages makes it work. I'm impressed.
James

[gjbingham]

Re: Paella!

I too was impressed with the number of Europeans that speak 3 -5 languages. You quickly realize that all that eduction you suffered through over the years wasn't that impressive after all. Sometimes, you'll feel outnumbered by just one person.

[Xabia Jim]

Re: Paella!

Yes, it's really a different world....but it's old world.

the new world is bilingual....either american/mexican or english/french

In europe, you find yourself playing a game "What language is that?"

In a restaurant, in the market or even outside of someone's walls......Spanish?, English?, Moroccan?, French?, German?, Scandanavian?, Slavic? ... lots of guessing!

[CanuckJim]

Re: Paella!

XJ,

I've had a similar experience in St. Lawrence Market, Toronto, on many occasions. Can be bewildering, especially because my ear for far eastern languages isn't very good. Vietnamese? Chinese? Thai? Still, it can be fun, if chaotic.

Knackered is an interesting leftover. The Knacker was the guy who picked up old, worn out animals for disposal (read animal feed), although it originally meant saddlemaker. Hence, the Knacker's Yard. Guess, "I'm knackered" came into the language to mean worn out, tired, falling down.

Shambles is another example; there's a fairly common English expression, "It's a bloody shambles." Well, I guess, the shambles was the abattoir or slaughterhouse.

Thus far the word from today's trivia collection.

Jim

[gjbingham]

Re: Paella!

CJ,
What about "wanker"? Can you give us a lesson on that one

[jeff]

Re: Paella!

George,
Just a stand-in comment from a dyed-in-the-wool wanker, while the Academics do their research. (I'd love to know too mate, now that you've raised the issue).
Meanwhile see 'ambidextrous'.
Hahaha. Good onya GJB.
Jeff the Dextrous.
(EH?)

[CanuckJim]

Re: Paella!

George, Jeff,

Not a problem. Picture the inside of an old pub within hearing of Bow Bells in London. One yob turns to another and yells out over the din, "Dgya see 'im, Charley? Bloody two handed wanker just poured my pint down his neck."

Nothing to it .

But if you REALLY want to know, go here: Wanker - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Jim

[gjbingham]

Re: Paella!

Great! Hilarious! Funny stuff Jef and CJ. This thread gets funnier all the time! I love the Wikipedia entry. It even shows a hand gesture!

[Xabia Jim]

Re: Paella!

Okay you wankers....time to quit hi jacking my paella post and get back to the pan.

[CanuckJim]

Re: Paella!

XJ,

Humble apologies from Canuckland. No more jacking, hi or otherwise. Paella looks absolutely mouth watering. You da man.

CJ

[Xabia Jim]

Re: Paella!

CJ

That's the kit I'm going to bring to your bread bash. We'll cook one just like it!

And don't worry, if it's a long winter
...I can still do them in the snow!

XJ

[gjbingham]

Re: Paella!

Beautiful! Looks just like I remember.