Year: 2014
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Red Wine & Fiesta
Long full day with many observations. But, frankly no time to write about it because World Cup madness has begun in Germany. So, just a couple of things. One expert today, a leading German journalist, talked about the difference in the economic policies in the Eurozone between Northern Europe and Southern Europe. Some extol the…
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From Prison to Freedom
Dizzying day in Berlin as we went from the former Stasi prison to Berlin’s City Hall to the largest remnant of the Berlin Wall that remains. It really was from prison to freedom. We spent several hours on the morning of our second day at the oppressive Hohenschönhausen Memorial. It was at a location that was once…
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New Kitchen! Sure
Our first full day of activities found us in the “old” part of the Reistag building – the German parliament building – that has seen so much history in this city and in this country that I will send you to Google to find its history. Some observations — above a picture from the back…
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The Adventure Begins
Busy schedule for us 13 American journalists in Berlin. We met this morning over breakfast and learned a little bit about one another. It is a very diverse group: nationality, racially, age, workplace. We have television producers, a couple of anchors from big and small markets. Lots of public radio folk, from DC and the…
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Ambivalence
There is no getting around the fact that Berlin evokes feelings of ambivalence — you can’t ignore (nor do they) its history. Case in point, my hotel is very close to a site called the “Topography of Terror.” It was a place where prisoners were taken, the headquarters of the Gestapo. It was mostly destroyed…
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A Leg Up
Hopefully, this will be my last mention of the “suitcase” — packing was made to be a big deal for us participants of the RIAS journalist exchange. And as I have mentioned – I’m a casual (at best) packer. I found myself comparing luggage on my flight to Berlin from America. Is his bigger than…
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Night Before the Day After: Preceding Next Week
Well, it appears I have succeeded in packing what I need for a two-week business trip into a carry-on bag. Not just any suitcase. I got it into my mind that I would go with an international-size bag. Which, in case you don’t know (like I didn’t until 3 weeks ago) means it measures 19″ x 14″ x 9″…
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Tic Toc
Suitcase purchased. Check! Clothes bought, pressed and altered. Check! Books read, documentaries viewed. Check! Shoes broken in. Check! Socks and undies washed. Check! Rick Steve’s packing list studied. Check! Mani/Pedi. Check! This chick is ready to fly. Germany, here I come. Check!
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New Adventure
Time to pack the bags and experience something new. I have had the good fortune and, yes, the honor, to have been included with a dozen other journalists to travel to Germany, and learn about that country, its people, its Identity. A perfect opportunity — I have spent a few days in that city (in…
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Ah, Rome. A Roma.
Ah, Rome. In Rome. One would not expect Rome, being centuries old, to change that much. But, this visitor can certainly look at the Eternal City with fresh eyes. I see two styles of travellers. Those who explore new cities every time they set out, and those who return to the place(s) they love. That…