Bier Bitte

"Kann ich ein Bier bitte haben?" huffs and puffs Uncle Evo, a native of Deutchland who just finished mowing a week's worth of fresh grass. He staggers to the patio table and collapses. Uncle Evo has earned his beer well after tackling an overgrown lawn with absolutely no prior experience mowing or operating dangerous machinery. Can you imagine being 65 years and never once pushing a mower because there's not enough land to own property with your apartment or house? In German, land is a premium that only a few, very few privileged enjoy.

My Aunt and Uncle are experiencing several firsts this weekend including enjoying Indian fare at Shalimar restaurant and listening to jazz at Albany's Riverfront festival. They've taken in the great Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza, the State Capital, the Palace Theater, the State Museum, Quackenbush Square, the SUNY Administration Building, City Hall and even Washington Park. Being the 4th oldest city in the U.S., Albany's a treasure to history buffs and admirers of great architecture. Not only am I gaining a whole new appreciating for this city but I'm also discovering that good local Pale Ale is a great alternative to Bully Hill's best.

"Kann ich ein Bier bitte haben?" again asks Uncle Evo. This seems to be an expression I'll be hearing more of as weeks progress...