One village house is run as a very basic pension. This is Michael, a German hiker heading the opposite direction.
Our hostess, Fatima, spoke a little English and no German. Michael spoke to her mostly in German, despite the fact that he knew she didn't understand him, and he couldn't understand her. (Like most travellers, Michael's English was very good.) His theory is that if he responds in English or with the little English he knows, the person speaking to him believes he has understood what the person is saying. So, responding in German makes it impossible for the person to believe he has understood.
