Hello 411, I'm Nina from Malaysia

[Lucien_Librarian]

Hi Nina

Well.. Germany has some beautiful spots, yes, but in my eyes other places -like Japan or the U.S.- always appear to be more beautiful, landscape-wise. "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence" as they say.

Our shops don't close at 5 o'clock, no, neither in the morning nor in the afternoon (you didn't make clear, which one you meant) <g> In fact, closing times have just been made less restrictive in many areas, including mine. Now stores can stay open as long as they want, except on Sundays or national holidays. In practice most shops close around 20:00 (8:00 PM) during the week and a couple hours later on Saturdays.

How is it in Japan? Are stores open 24/7? Outside of areas like Roppongi, I mean.

I'd like to travel to Japan but I am not a student anymore (too old) and I have responsibilities <s> But vacation is still possible.

origato

Ralf

[prezbucky]

Ralf

How large is the Black Forest?

(yep, I'm too lazy to look at a map. hehe)
_________________
Billie Jean is not my lover. Hee.

[Lucien_Librarian]

Hey T..

Hmm..in what sort of units do you measure the size of a mountain range? Normally what you want to know is how high is its highest peak. Wikipedia has this to say:

"The highest peak is the Feldberg with an elevation of 1,493 meters (4,898 feet)"

[NinaZara]

Ralf,

A friend of mine went to Germany for a year, I`m not sure specifically where but she told me that shops there close at 5 in the evening.She did mention that the place was quite rural.Anyway, we close at 20:00 too here,some 21:00,except for 24/7 supermarkets.

So you`ve been to Roppongi. I went to a movie theater there once, quite a lively place...and many many foreigners. I`m in Fukuoka(Kyushu island) now, will be moving up to Nagano(Honshu) this April to start working.I never worked before.So, I`m nervous, scared but otherwise excited.

Tell you what, I nearly went to Germany before. Back then, I was given 3 choices, France, Japan and Germany. I chose Japan and nearly regreted when I started learning kanjis..ha ha ha.But now I`m glad I chose Japan.Now I am about to realise my dream to work in Japan, who knows someday I`ll be working in Germany and have the chance to learn your language.Amen!

[Lucien_Librarian]

Hi Nina

Your friend was right, some years ago closing times were restricted more by our government and it could well be that in rural areas they were especially early. That has changed now.

And no, I've not actually been to Roppongi -or Japan in general- as of yet. It's just that I'm reading a lot about Japan and Roppongi is often portrayed as the place where "the action" is. <s>

You've never worked before? It's an exciting step in one's life when you earn your own money for the first time and start building a career. Good luck with that!

If you'd like to learn German, feel free to PM me I might be able to give you some pointers.

Take care
Ralf

[prezbucky]

Ralf

Danke.
_________________
Billie Jean is not my lover. Hee.