Category Archives: Economics
Two Bakeries, two Countries, two Cultures
Zur deutschen Fassung. Today, at the bakery in Germany: I purchase three pieces of cake. They cost 5 euros and 13 cents. I have 12 cents in coins, otherwise only bills. “That’s not enough,” the bakery lady says with mathematical … Continue reading
A Postcard from Málaga
Zur deutschen Fassung. Outside the town hall, Antonio stands with a sign, no, with several signs against high taxes and levies. Against which ones, I ask. “All of them!” I am probing further and learn that it’s about something like … Continue reading
Hermit for Hire
Zur deutschen Fassung. Of the name of this blog, the hermit part actually suits me better than the happy part. Or, to be more precise, happiness often depends on hermitness. It’s becoming increasingly harder to become hermity, though, not least … Continue reading
Film Review “Capital in the 21st Century”
I am usually an advocate of reading the book before the movie – or indeed of only reading the book and not spoiling it. But I haven’t yet been in the mood to delve into Thomas Piketty’s 570-page book analyzing … Continue reading
Film Review: “Minimalism”
Seeing guys with houses, cars and expensive phones talk about minimalism made me laugh. And there’s the minimalist version of my review of “Minimalism: A Documentary about the Important Things” already. Seriously, though, this is an important subject wasted on … Continue reading
The Asparagus Airlift
Zur deutschen Fassung dieses Artikels. To fight the Corona virus pandemic, Romania has imposed a very strict curfew, which is being controlled by the police and by the military. Now, the happiest people are those living in the countryside and … Continue reading
How to become a Millionaire (Quarantine Edition)
One of my more popular posts is the one on how to become a millionaire. It has helped hundreds of readers to fulfill their dream! But what now, in times of the Corona crisis? When we can’t go to work, … Continue reading
What does the Corona Virus mean for Tourism?
It’s no surprise that a rapidly spreading and rather lethal virus wouldn’t be conducive to tourism. Not enough people were considering the option of using travel as a way to get to safety. Too many believe – often erroneously – … Continue reading
A Little Loan
Zur deutschen Fassung dieser Geschichte. After an exhausting, but sunny day on Pico, the way back to the quarantine cloister leads past a bowling bar. In front of it, a scruffy and shady-looking man approaches me, all agitated, asking for … Continue reading
Film review: “Parasite”
Usually, I am a few decades late with my film reviews, but this time, I manage to recommend a movie that is still playing in cinemas: Parasite. A cleverly constructed thriller, fast-paced, humorous, but also a social critique. Too much … Continue reading
The Happy Hermit 