An American Comedian Lost In Bavaria

By Lois Bromfield

Travelling is one of the great pleasures in life. You are completely anonymous which means you can act like an idiot, say stupid things, wear a big ugly T-shirt, then go home and brag about how savvy you are. But when you live in a foreign country, you’re an idiot 24 hours a day. The language is the first hurdle, good luck with that. The few things you get right celebrate them, post them on FB for your friends to see. So they think you’re doing well in your new life living abroad. After a few years, your friends will say things like “I could never live in a foreign country” and you will become defensive. “Good, then don’t move here.” But don’t give up on acclimating, over time things will get better. You will start to learn new words in another language, then use them inappropriately which will make people laugh. You’ll make new friends who you can’t talk to because a simple sentence takes forever, and no one has an hour to listen to you. People will start to wave to avoid talking to you. If you’re lucky some will speak your language and you’ll stick to them like glue. You’ll know you’re beginning to fit in when you stop asking for ketchup. But no matter what you do or how long you stay, you’ll always be a fish out of water.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Oct 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9781398407176

Lois Bromfield

Lois Bromfield is a comedian and television writer, born in Canada. She soon moved to the US to pursue a career as a comedian. The Comedy Store in LA was her home for many years where she was able to hone her stand-up act. She headlined in comedy clubs nationwide and made many televisions appearances. In 1990, she turned her attention to television writing. Roseanne was her first writing gig, a big break in the world of comedy writing, from there many other sitcoms followed. Lois worked as a writer at HBO in New York City. She also produced a national talk show in Toronto, Canada. In 2007, she met her partner then moved to Germany where she lives today. She continues to work as a comedian in London and Berlin, also finding a new career as an author.

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About the Author

Lois Bromfield is a comedian and television writer, born in Canada. She soon moved to the US to pursue a career as a comedian. The Comedy Store in LA was her home for many years where she was able to hone her stand-up act.

She headlined in comedy clubs nationwide and made many televisions appearances.

In 1990, she turned her attention to television writing. Roseanne was her first writing gig, a big break in the world of comedy writing, from there many other sitcoms followed. Lois worked as a writer at HBO in New York City. She also produced a national talk show in Toronto, Canada. In 2007, she met her partner then moved to Germany where she lives today. She continues to work as a comedian in London and Berlin, also finding a new career as an author.

Dedication

My partner, Andrea `Krapf, who put up with a crabby-old writer. Max, my silly-little dog, who interrupted me constantly while writing this book.

A very special thanks to my friends at The Kellerberg who make Germany feel like home.

Copyright Information ©

Lois Bromfield 2022

The right of Lois Bromfield to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

All of the events in this memoir are true to the best of author’s memory. The views expressed in this memoir are solely those of the author.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781398406070 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781398406087 (Hardback)

ISBN 9781398407176 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2022

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Acknowledgement

My fabulous wife, Andrea, who had to put up with me and to all immigrants who brave the challenges of a better life in a different world.

Chapter 1

Coming to Bavaria

I was 52, single and looking to start dating after a nine-year relationship. I had to meet someone soon; I didn’t want to be in my 60s searching the internet for women then having to post a photo on dating site along with my profile. I like to sit on the couch, watch old television shows, then sleep, walk to the bathroom, then back to the bed.

Being a comedian and television sitcom writer for more than 30 years, I lived a Hollywood lifestyle most of my life. So I never dreamed that one day, I would be living in a town of 12,000 people in the countryside of Bavaria, Germany. But love dragged me across the world. I was a fish out of water, far away from the comforts of my home, language, traditions, and friends. But this wasn’t my first time leaving my country. I was born in Canada; then in my twenties, I went to the US to pursue a career as a comedian. After living in the US most of my adult life, I think of myself as an American. But I still have a little Canadian left, like my love of snowmen. The only men I really ever loved, mostly because the love affair is short-lived. My life in Germany is hilarious, confusing, and sometimes terrifying. I blame the storks, wild pigs, and the Autobahn! Not to mention having to learn an impossible language, finding friends, eating scary food, and learning to drink German beer. But the biggest challenge was trying to stay funny in a country that’s not known for its sense of humour. But I fell in love with a German