Category Archives: History

A Walk along the Semmering Railway

Posted on 2019-07-19 by

At first glance, the landscape in the Vienna Alps looks idyllic. But the expert’s eye realizes immediately that something is missing here: a railroad! Because how are the people supposed to enjoy the picturesque landscape if they can’t get there … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Travel, Photography, Technology, Video Blog, Austria | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Ceaușescu in North Korea

Posted on 2019-06-19 by

When I lived in Romania, some people said about the long-term dictator, who was overthrown in 1989: “You know, in the beginning, Ceaușescu was not even that bad. After he came to power in 1965, he distanced Romania from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cold War, Economics, History, Music, North Korea, Politics, Romania, Travel | 13 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

A Walk around Tbilisi

Posted on 2019-02-22 by

Each year for my birthday, I like to travel to a new country, preferably alone. In July 2017, I treated myself to a trip to the Caucasus (and ended up celebrating my 42nd birthday with the former president of Azerbaijan). … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Georgia, History, Islam, Military, Photography, Religion, Travel, World War II | Tagged , , , | 51 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

Venta Micena – Day 26/30

Posted on 2018-10-19 by

Signs of the Civil War are everywhere in Spain.

Posted in Andalusia, History, Photography, Spain, Travel | Tagged | Leave a comment

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