Can I be a temporary international diarist? I would send pictures from Wiesbaden, but in typical unorganized packing fashion, I left my camera’s USB cable at home… The weather is wonderful here, with about an extra hour almost of springtime daylight. It will be on to Namibia on Tuesday! After staying up almost 48 straight hours and sleeping well last night, hopefully jet-lag will be gone today…
I am writing today to tell everyone of an eye opening experience that I had yesterday… Discussing politics(how else does a geek stay awake for 48 hours?!) with my in-laws yesterday, I found that the German economy is not as stable as I once would have assumed. Documented unemployment is up around 10%. It seems that their national debt has surpassed a ratio to GDP that was established as ground rules for all countries joining the EU… France and Italy are in the same trouble as well… and have the theoretical risk of being tossed out of the EU. Ironically the former socialist members seem to be doing well. I apologize if this is old news and simplistic to some of the tribe, but I am a moron when it comes to this stuff, and I mostly am good at at snark…
The real eye opening experience came yesterday when I attended a Catholic mass in Erbenheim, a small outlying village of Wiesebaden. It was Mayday yesterday, May 1, which represents a significant type of labor day for Germans. So here I am watching a special presentation… during mass in which the parish priest is condemning unemployment at the hands of corporate profiteering… extolling the virtues of unionization and sacrifices which must be made by all to continue progress for the common man… and above all, condemning the psychological trauma which happens to people as a result of unemployment. Wow! Talk about a trip to Bizzaro-land… Compare and contrast this with the “separation of church and state” in America and the messages of pursuit of personal wealth from the pulpits of many of the Evangelical Christians…
In closing, per my in-laws, much of the compare and contrast Bush with Hitler, and Republicans with Nazis is not lost on them… they are very fearful for our country, and have a unique perspective, having been through this themselves…
I hope that I haven’t grabbed too many third rails in one diary entry! Tcheuss aus Deutschland… The Dood Abides
Guten Tag or Guten Abend? What a gorgeous picture and we expect more.
Gee and I didn’t even know you were gone. I bet listening to that priest was rather surreal…it sounds that way just reading about it.
Hope by the time you happen to read this your jet-lag is gone and you’re having a wonderful time.
Thanks for the update! I’m a regular at the Catholic Newman Center on the local university campus. The college parishes here in the states are notoriously “liberal” in their preaching and community involvement so it makes me smile to read your surprise regarding the sermon. Luckily our priests and nuns stick to justice issues such as caring for the poor and the call for humane treatment of illegal immigrants. I guess I’m one of the lucky ones who has his liberal views reinforced by the Church rather than squelched for sex and gender-related issues. Happy travels!
for a private wine tasting this morning(its about 10:15 AM here)arranged by my brother in law… this ought to wipe out any vestiges of Jet-lag!(or make them worse… who cares!)
that will be a pleasure of lasting memories. I have been through Germany, and parts of France, and visited the vinters there. A truly remarkable experience, and one that you will remember always.
You’ll find yourself seeking those unique wine shops when you come home, looking for the taste you will enjoy there.
Have a safe and wonderful holiday. Kudos
as always, great to hear your reports.
Have a wonderful time! Please post more pictures and stories of the trip!
Wow sorry but I have to chime in.. Namibia? You must speak some excellent German.
I’ve heard nothing but good things about Hifekepunye “Hot Samba” Pohamba… what’s your take on the political situation there? And will just be in Windhoek or will you go out in the desert areas to see the cheetahs?
Pax
My brother in law has planned a trip that will take in most of the desert, and showcase most of the wild life there… we will only be about a day in Windhoek. All that I know of the politics is that there continues some racial unrest related to inequality… after tomorrow I probably won’t have internet access until we return to America.
Bood/Dood! Send more pics and info. Had no idea we share a common experience: in-laws from Deutschland. Are you traveling with Frau Bood/Dood? My in-laws are also extremely tuned-in to the Fascism of our current administration. Father-in-law is especially aware, since he spent WWII (and 3 years after) in a Russian prison camp. The Nazis told him that if he enlisted, he wouldn’t have to serve to the Vaterland as long as the conscripts…