Category Archives: Economics
Money in Politics
In his autobiography My Early Life: A Roving Commission, Winston Churchill recounts his first attempt to run for a seat in the House of Commons, the democratic half of the British Parliament. Early in November [1898] I paid a visit … Continue reading
Where God takes Cash
Hier könnt Ihr diesen Artikel auf Deutsch lesen. Whenever material things, money, worldliness, become the center of our lives, they take hold of us, they possess us; we lose our very identity as human beings. Pope Francis, 29 September 2013 … Continue reading
Cerro Rico: The Mountain that eats Men
Hier gibt es diesen Artikel auf Deutsch. My breathing is heavy. Never before have I been to a place as high in altitude – at about 4,300 meters – and as low in oxygen. But neither can I rest, nor can I … Continue reading
Prisons in Bolivia
Hier könnt Ihr diesen Artikel auf Deutsch lesen. Oops. My tourist visa expired and I am still in Bolivia. Well, one more country whose prisons I will experience first-hand. In the case of Bolivia, the prison system is particularly interesting. … Continue reading
The Economics of Christmas
Christmas Presents On first sight, presents sound like a wonderful thing. You receive a surprise or something that you had always wanted, and you receive it for free. An economic benefit, surely. But it’s not that simple, because most people … Continue reading
It’s not my fault if I am cold and aggressive.
As confirmed by the Harvard Business Review in an article about negotiation styles, this is the German national character. Although I wouldn’t call my style confrontational, but direct and honest. With me, you will at least always know my sincere opinion. … Continue reading
“How can you afford to travel so much?”
I get this question so often that I could launch into a speech explaining that traveling doesn’t need to cost much. In my case, I actually save money by traveling because I can live more cheaply in most countries than I could if … Continue reading
Is Romania a Third-World Country?
No, of course it is not. But one could be lead to believe so, looking at the list of projects carried out by an organization that donates shoes to poor children. Besides Cambodia, Laos, Nicaragua and Timor-Leste, they have a project in … Continue reading
Easily Confused (56) Water
Where we find water: on Mars, between 34 and 250 million miles away Where we can’t provide safe drinking water to around 750 million people: our own planet Sorry, poor people, but this whole space thing is much more exciting.
Brazil is becoming more affordable
You know that a country is going through an economic crisis when your friends from Brazil don’t begin their days by posting photos of their morning coffee, but by commenting on the exchange rate between the Brazilian real and the US … Continue reading
The Happy Hermit 