Category Archives: Germany

Just a Cup of Tea

Posted on 2019-08-09 by

It’s really mystifying how Aachen could once have been such an important city. Charlemagne, Holy Roman Empire, coronation place of kings, and all of that in a city without a river. I am only here for a few days, not … Continue reading →

Posted in Germany, Life, Love, Travel | Tagged | 7 Comments

Does the Federal Republic of Germany even exist? A discussion with a “Reichsbürger”.

Posted on 2019-08-07 by

Many years ago, someone walked into my law office, showed me a notice about some traffic fine and explained, confusing our respective roles in the attorney-client relationship, why he definitely wouldn’t need to pay the fine. According to him, the … Continue reading →

Posted in German Law, Germany, History, Law, Military, Politics, World War II | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Random Thoughts (24)

Posted on 2019-03-08 by

Good news: the days are getting longer. Unless you live in the Southern hemisphere, then you are doomed to darkness. And unless you live on the equator, in which case you are missing out on something fabulous. My sister asked … Continue reading →

Posted in Austria, Books, Brazil, Canada, Economics, Elections, Facebook, Feminism, Germany, Iran, Language, Politics, Religion, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Travel, UK, USA | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

East Germany and West Germany, seen from the outside

Posted on 2019-03-07 by

In the old days, before Erasmus, academic exchanges were still complicated: visa, health insurance, exchanging money. And then there was no internet, so you couldn’t start looking for accommodation before the move. The first week was usually spent at a hotel, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cold War, Education, Germany, History, Media, UK | Tagged , | 2 Comments

German Migration to the USA

Posted on 2019-01-07 by

Debates on migration often center on whether it is a good or a bad thing. I rather view migration as something completely normal. Migration has been a permanent component of human history. Over centuries, Germany, or rather the territories that … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Germany, History, USA | Tagged , , | 19 Comments

Random Thoughts (23)

Posted on 2018-10-07 by

Sure, World War II had some bad sides to it. But at least it got the Oktoberfest suspended between 1939 and 1945. Many times as I entered Israel, I was questioned thoroughly about the origin of my last name by … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Books, Economics, Germany, History, Israel, Maps, Romania, Terrorism, UK, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Eastern Germany, the unknown Germany

Posted on 2018-10-03 by

The headline is not universally true, of course, but merely a reference to my own limited experience. But let me tell you how I came to it. Last winter, when I lived in Montenegro, I met a woman who was either … Continue reading →

Posted in Cold War, Germany, History, Travel | Tagged , | 14 Comments