I just returned from a fantastic evening in Düsseldorf. Two former students of mine that I have kept in touch with invited me for dinner at the allegedly "best burgers in Germany" joint. Being an American, I was intrigued and accepted the invitation. The burger really was quite delicious and I enjoyed it. The drive was not too bad (I've never driven there, only by train and it was so much faster!) and the ride home was beautiful as we were returning to Aachen as the the sun was going down.
I loved sitting outside in the comfortable weather enjoying my meal and Düsseldorf Alt bier. Being away from Germany is going to be harder than I thought. I'm already beginning to feel it hit, the finality of it all. This time next week I leave Aachen for a two week tour of Germany (Dresden, Munich, Rheinland-Pfalz and then ending in Aachen again) before departing on the 19th. I wonder how long I'll be away from Deutschland before I feel compelled to return.
My apartment is beginning to resmble slightly the shell of my former abode. Things off the walls, two boxes shipped (€65/$90 each) luggage slowly being packed, etc. I guess the good thing about moving is the catharsis associated with purging out the old and inviting in the new. Last day of work Friday (Thursday is a day off due to a visitor). Only two working days left. Saturday my 'abschiedsparty' or goodbye party and then taking care of the business that comes with living in Germany for two years.
I'm going to miss going for burgers in Düsseldorf.
Showing posts with label Germany. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Germany. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Dear Germany
Dear Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland),
I don't know what I'm going to do without you.
Our time together (for now) is coming to an end in August. My heart aches already. I find myself longing for your bad weather and stingy bakery ladies already. No country replicates bureaucracy and stamps the way you do.
You've taught me more about myself , Europe and the world than I ever could have imagined. Its almost as I don't want this learning process to end. This evening I spoke with four fellow speakers of Germany effortlessly for two hours. It was fantastic....einfach toll.
You are expensive and old-fashioned (but yet more modern). You insist on tradition but break it all the time. You are in the middle of Europe and are more multi-cultural (multi-kulti) than you care to admit. And while life isn't perfect, its good.
Oh, brötchen, coffee, €3,50 cocktails-to-go and good music...what will I do without you.
Do I really have to go back?
Love,
Globalnole
I don't know what I'm going to do without you.
Our time together (for now) is coming to an end in August. My heart aches already. I find myself longing for your bad weather and stingy bakery ladies already. No country replicates bureaucracy and stamps the way you do.
You've taught me more about myself , Europe and the world than I ever could have imagined. Its almost as I don't want this learning process to end. This evening I spoke with four fellow speakers of Germany effortlessly for two hours. It was fantastic....einfach toll.
You are expensive and old-fashioned (but yet more modern). You insist on tradition but break it all the time. You are in the middle of Europe and are more multi-cultural (multi-kulti) than you care to admit. And while life isn't perfect, its good.
Oh, brötchen, coffee, €3,50 cocktails-to-go and good music...what will I do without you.
Do I really have to go back?
Love,
Globalnole
Monday, May 4, 2009
Joooooooooob hunting
Dear Jobs in German-American foreign policy and Transatlantic studies,
Please make yourself known, immediately.
I prefer that you need me in Berlin but would also accept jobs in Vienna, Zürich and maybe Washington. Really anywhere in Germany I'd accept.
Come out come out wherever you are!
Love,
Christopher
ps-Don't require a masters degree. I don't have one...yet...but tis on the way
Please make yourself known, immediately.
I prefer that you need me in Berlin but would also accept jobs in Vienna, Zürich and maybe Washington. Really anywhere in Germany I'd accept.
Come out come out wherever you are!
Love,
Christopher
ps-Don't require a masters degree. I don't have one...yet...but tis on the way
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Die Entscheidigung
The job hunt is on.
Next week marks my personal count down.
My contract for my current employer expires on 31.7. Four months.
I've decided that I want to stay in Germany. However, I've also applied for a job in Brussels.
The Foreign Service Exam is in June and I plan to register for the exam and take the exam. However, I'm currently in the process studying for my German exam in May so that will take the majority of my gray matter the next few weeks.
Goal: Berlin-job in research/writing/etc foreign affairs.
Some variations from this goal would be acceptable but I'm really shooting for Berlin. As a last resort I'll extend my contract an additional four months until the end of the year here, better a job I don't like than a job I don't have. I'm also looking for jobs Stateside, but mostly here.
Next week marks my personal count down.
My contract for my current employer expires on 31.7. Four months.
I've decided that I want to stay in Germany. However, I've also applied for a job in Brussels.
The Foreign Service Exam is in June and I plan to register for the exam and take the exam. However, I'm currently in the process studying for my German exam in May so that will take the majority of my gray matter the next few weeks.
Goal: Berlin-job in research/writing/etc foreign affairs.
Some variations from this goal would be acceptable but I'm really shooting for Berlin. As a last resort I'll extend my contract an additional four months until the end of the year here, better a job I don't like than a job I don't have. I'm also looking for jobs Stateside, but mostly here.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Deutschland noch ein Tor!
This evening, Germany advanced to the final stage of the 2008 European Cup. The Turkish played very well but the Germans came through with three amazing goals!
I'm very excited to see Germany going to the European Cup this Sunday against Spain or Russia.
Los gehts Deutschland!
As of right now, 30 minutes after the game, cars are honking their horns and people screaming in the streets. I don't even live in the middle of Aachen. Crazy.
I'm very excited to see Germany going to the European Cup this Sunday against Spain or Russia.
Los gehts Deutschland!
As of right now, 30 minutes after the game, cars are honking their horns and people screaming in the streets. I don't even live in the middle of Aachen. Crazy.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Football Frenzy
In Deutschland everyone has soccer fever. Germany has advanced to the semi-finals for the Europe Cup in Soccer for this year. I am reminded of a familiar sensation from 2006 when Germany took home 3rd place in the World Cup. The Germans have been out in full force to support their national team. Germany is normally a country where national pride is not something to be expressed with such gusto. However, when the national soccer team advances to the finals, the Germans come out with their t-shirts, flags, hats and so much more.
I for one am glad to see the Germans unified on such a front. This country of 83 million suffers from a general malaise when it comes to self-perception. If winning a football game and advancing unites them and gives them a bit of national pride, I'm all for it. It's been more than sixty years since the Second World War and many Germans, including those of my generation, continue to carry the burden of the Holocaust and two world wars. The German born in 1985 has no responsibility for the events of the 30's and 40's and therefore shouldn't be forced to carry this cross. Naturally, I support continued education on the subject and a sense of awareness but its time that Germany recognizes its role as the center of politics and more on the European stage.
With that being said, I'm rooting for Germany. Wednesday is the next game against Turkey. I have my Germany t-shirt out and will be wearing it on Wednesday. This however poses so many cultural problems for this country. In Germany, some 7 million immigrants of Turkish descent live and work in The Fatherland, many of which were born in German hospitals, attended German schools and universities and speak the language fluently. This question of cultural identity perplexes many who feel at home in Germany but also embrace their cultural heritage. I've seen many cars with both German and Turkish flags, however, I suppose one will be forced to make a decision on Wednesday. I'm hoping that Germany will avoid clashes after the game. Its unclear why (and I don't understand) but European soccer stir such strong emotions that fans often fight with other fans in the streets. Riots, beatings and more are not uncommon scenarios in cities around the country after a game. In Vienna after the Turkey-Croatia game, one person was killed and several injured after a fight broke out. I hope this doesn't happen here.
Its quite apparent in Aachen how many immigrant communities exist in Germany. After each game, I hear cars in the streets honking their horns or people shouting their national songs. This was most certainly the case when Russia beat The Netherlands in overtime last night and after the Turkey-Croatia game (won in double overtime). And Spain just won an amazing 11 meter shoot-out 4-2 over Italy. The Italian team (2006 World Cup Champions-and a team I despise) should have been out long ago they've played horribly during the entire event.
To prove Germany's love for the sport, I present to you some raw video footage I captured after Germany beat Portugal in an impressive display last Thursday. I only got two short clips (this is the better of the two). I felt like a journalist during a riot taking the footage. My video card was almost full which is why it is such a short video.
Some pictures from the streets:
Silly Germans celebrating in the streets blocking traffic. Gotta love it.
I for one am glad to see the Germans unified on such a front. This country of 83 million suffers from a general malaise when it comes to self-perception. If winning a football game and advancing unites them and gives them a bit of national pride, I'm all for it. It's been more than sixty years since the Second World War and many Germans, including those of my generation, continue to carry the burden of the Holocaust and two world wars. The German born in 1985 has no responsibility for the events of the 30's and 40's and therefore shouldn't be forced to carry this cross. Naturally, I support continued education on the subject and a sense of awareness but its time that Germany recognizes its role as the center of politics and more on the European stage.
With that being said, I'm rooting for Germany. Wednesday is the next game against Turkey. I have my Germany t-shirt out and will be wearing it on Wednesday. This however poses so many cultural problems for this country. In Germany, some 7 million immigrants of Turkish descent live and work in The Fatherland, many of which were born in German hospitals, attended German schools and universities and speak the language fluently. This question of cultural identity perplexes many who feel at home in Germany but also embrace their cultural heritage. I've seen many cars with both German and Turkish flags, however, I suppose one will be forced to make a decision on Wednesday. I'm hoping that Germany will avoid clashes after the game. Its unclear why (and I don't understand) but European soccer stir such strong emotions that fans often fight with other fans in the streets. Riots, beatings and more are not uncommon scenarios in cities around the country after a game. In Vienna after the Turkey-Croatia game, one person was killed and several injured after a fight broke out. I hope this doesn't happen here.
Its quite apparent in Aachen how many immigrant communities exist in Germany. After each game, I hear cars in the streets honking their horns or people shouting their national songs. This was most certainly the case when Russia beat The Netherlands in overtime last night and after the Turkey-Croatia game (won in double overtime). And Spain just won an amazing 11 meter shoot-out 4-2 over Italy. The Italian team (2006 World Cup Champions-and a team I despise) should have been out long ago they've played horribly during the entire event.
To prove Germany's love for the sport, I present to you some raw video footage I captured after Germany beat Portugal in an impressive display last Thursday. I only got two short clips (this is the better of the two). I felt like a journalist during a riot taking the footage. My video card was almost full which is why it is such a short video.
Some pictures from the streets:
Silly Germans celebrating in the streets blocking traffic. Gotta love it.
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