Tag: RIAS
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Time for Reflection
I have always regarded travel as a chance to learn about myself by seeing the reflection of who I am through the eyes of strangers. So, for me this has been a time of self-awareness. And, also a time to see what it means to be an American at this particular moment of history. I…
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A Day at the EU Commission
You could not find a better time to visit the European Commission. The crisis in the Ukraine being front and center of their attention — the signing of the “association” agreement happening a little over a week from this post. We are coming to the end of our two-week adventure, we 13 U.S. journalists…
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An Eye-Opener
I have certainly heard about Radio-Free Europe, but in Prague, I learned how very little I understood about that service. Right up front, RFE, as it is often called, does not even broadcast to Europe. Instead, it aims its signals, its journalism to Asia. I and 12 other journalists were given the chance to…
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Don’t Head to ATM without your Friends
Our group of 13 journalists arrived in Prague rather early for check-in. Which meant some of the group got rooms, most did not. And so we set out in small groups for a quick lunch and a bit of exploring. “I”m going to a cash machine to get my Czech Koruna” (the euro likely works…
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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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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!