1936 On the Continent

exists solely for the cyclist and the wanderer. He brought me a list of Youth Hostels which, in every town and at every place of interest in this great State, open their doors in the most friendly manner to foreigners, and, according to the pictures he showed me, are often more beautiful than the finest hotel. This is, of course, youthful enthusiasm, but I can quite well imagine the pleasure with which a youth learns that for two shillings or even less, he can stay the night in an old castle or a water-mill turned into a Youth Hostel. All these Youth Hostels belong to one great organisation and are recognisable by a special distinctive sign. I could get their addresses from the local travel bureaux, but I certainly shall not do so, as I prefer a comfortable hotel to the most romantic castle; also I think I should look rather comic in a Youth Hostel, although Jim says that older people also frequent them.
    The rest of my programme I shall leave to chance. The office of the State Railways in London has so arranged the tickets for my tour that I can break my journey anywhere without further trouble, and on payment of a small supplement can also make any excursions I like in the district I happen to be in. I was also told about the Foreigners’ Travel Bureau, which is unknown here and which is to be found as a rule at the railway station or the Town Hall. One can obtain there gratis information as to the best accommodation to suit every purse, also a guide should one wish, while prospectuses and descriptive literature are provided and any other requirement attended to.
No need to know German
    In this way I shall be relieved of my greatest worry, as in the smallest town I shall be able to find someone through the bureau who can understand my English, though I have been told that many more Germans speak English than I should ever have expected. It is almost a passion with the Germans, the learning of foreign languages, a passion, I must confess, that I am unable to understand. I speak only English and have been quite satisfied with it. Now I am told that I shall still feel quite satisfied with my English in Germany, so why learn foreign languages? Apparently I shall be able to talk happily with many of the young people in Germany, especially school children and students, as in the last few years German youth has set itself feverishly to learn our language. I know that in the Kaiser’s day there was a definite feeling in Germany against the English, though this had no political foundation, it was simply we did not understand each other. Now, however, all who know Germany tell me that this has completely disappeared, rather is reversed, for every German seeks the friendship of every Englishman, is delighted if he can speak a couple of words of English, and believes that through his friendliness the bringing together of the two peoples may be somewhat furthered.
Golf
    I do not intend to trust entirely to chance, and am going to write down the most important events of the next month. Naturally, this year everything centres round the Olympiad, which by all accounts is to be by far the largest and themost crowded of all previous sports festivals. As regards my personal interest in it, I used to be keen on rowing at school, but for twenty-five years I have played nothing but golf. In the programme of the Olympiad, golf has no place, which, perhaps, is all for the best, as the intense competition might disturb the serenity and charm of my favourite sport. In addition, I have heard that in Germany golf is peculiarly the game of the so-called higher classes of society, and is not a pleasure enjoyed by the people as a whole. In this connection the Germans have something to learn from us. Even more peculiar to me is the fact that they hardly play cricket at all, a thing we cannot imagine here. But I am happy to learn that I need not be deprived of my golf, as I see from my list that there are two clubs in Berlin with good 18-hole links. Altogether there are forty-nine golf courses in the different watering-places, and in Hamburg, where there are two, I shall certainly play. In Cologne I shall probably not have time, but must certainly not miss the famous course at Baden-Baden, which is supposed to be one of the most beautiful. Munich, Wiesbaden, Bremen, Bad Nauheim, also have golf courses. In all these places I can obtain visitor’s tickets without any formality, and shall find fellow-countrymen everywhere, as the professionals in