35th Challenge for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers: Week of 10/13–19/2015
Word limit is 100 – 150 words (+/– 25 words) based on the photograph provided.
Deutschland
We’d prepped for weeks. Language lessons, cultural lessons. I remember Frau Lehrerin telling us not to be surprised to see woman didn’t shave their legs. She challenged the girls to leave our razors at home. None of us did.
I remember my host father asking why Americans drive such big cars. We were in the family Mercedes on our way for a day on the Baltic Sea. They also had a Fiat. It fit through the city better. I was offended. Those big cars were the cars of the seventies. We didn’t drive those big cars now.
When I returned home my parents picked me up in our Lincoln Continental. I flushed. We did drive those big cars now. We still do. I think of that conversation every time I see an SUV XL or a 4-door truck. I wish I could go back and tell him he was right.
~
150 words: True Story
More stories behind the blue frog:
Photo Credit: Sonya
Featured Image: FFfAW badge
Gypsie Georgia 
Interesting exercise, I like what you did. Fleeting memories of razors and the size of the cars instead of one specific thing. I have also told you this several times by now I think but I absolutely admire you for the economy of words you are able to utilize. I know that probably comes from editing but it also comes from good writing. Well done.
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It’s funny the things we retain in our memories.
Thank you. The economy in this was dictated by the word limit of the challenge. It’s why I like these very short short story challenges I’ve found here. It drives me to express a complete idea and force every word to carry significant weight.
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Yes I can see the inherent challenge to an exercise like this. Someday I must try this type of challenge myself. As to the memories I still get fleeting thoughts in my head every day. It might be 1974, or 1983, or 2002. It is certainly a funny old thing.
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Sometimes the strangest things will remind me of something. Sometimes they don’t even seem related. It’s craziness. 🙂
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Oh I know right?! Glad that isn’t just me!
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I really like your take to the prompt. Americans drive big boat cars. They may be something from the 70’s but some people aren’t willing to give them up because of their luxury. Great story! I really enjoyed it and even more so when I found out it was a true story. Welcome to Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers! I hope to read more stories from you in the future.
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Thank you!
Oh boy do we ever. It seems they’re either gigantic (like the Expedition) or tiny (like the Mini).
Thank you for your kind words. I look forward to more practice with these itsy-bitsy stories. 🙂
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Just a warning — they are fun and addictive! 🙂
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Oh good! I’d like to have something to do every week. 🙂
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Wonderful! Make sure you are following
https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com
And also, that you are receiving the emails when the post goes out each week. There is only one post a week and that is the challenge post so it won’t fill up your email, I promise.
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Great story, interesting about the cars.
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Thank you. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
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People still think we ride horses everywhere and drive cattle through town in Texas. 😆
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Funny how people stick to ideas even when things change. 🙂
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