Category Archives: Travel

Kyiv – Day 2/21 – Cats

The reason for my stay in Kyiv are two young kittens, Stella and Stuart, about half a year old. They are full of energy, very sweet, always ready to play, but equally interested in my work. And when I am … Continue reading

Posted in Photography, Travel, Ukraine | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Kyiv – Day 1/21

Zur deutschen Fassung dieses Blogs. During the following three weeks in Kyiv, I will probably gather so much material that the resulting article, should it ever materialize, will be too long for most of you to read. For those more … Continue reading

Posted in Photography, Travel, Ukraine | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Our Prisoner of War

Recently, I stayed with my father in Bavaria, where life is informal and one can put the feet on the table and smoke inside the house. We were both preoccupied with reading, my father with the newspaper and me with … Continue reading

Posted in Germany, History, Military, Russia, Travel, World War II | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Next house sitting: Kittens in Kyiv

After spending last winter in Canada, I could have been forgiven to choose a warmer place this year, like Barbados or Morocco. (Although Alice, the cat in Calgary, will remain in my heart as the loveliest and most affectionate cat … Continue reading

Posted in Travel, Ukraine | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

A gloomy morning and a beautiful afternoon

Zur deutschen Fassung dieses Artikels. Under the bewildered eyes of those going to warm offices, schools and shops, I am the only one to exit the bus at Signal de Botrange. Because the clock went crazy the last weekend, the … Continue reading

Posted in Belgium, Photography, Travel | Tagged , | 13 Comments

Day of the Open Road

Deutschsprachigen Lesern empfehle ich die ebenfalls deutschsprachige Originalfassung dieses Artikels. Sunday, 8 September. Day of the Open Monument. Today they are open, the castles and cloisters, buildings and bunkers that are usually hidden from the people. You’ve got to use … Continue reading

Posted in Belgium, Photography, Travel | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Belgium goes into extra time

Those who are familiar with the weather in Belgium will understand why everyone here wants to leave for vacation as much as they can. That creates an enormous demand for house sitters and cat carers. Hence, immediately after house sitting … Continue reading

Posted in Belgium, Language, Politics, Travel | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Just a Cup of Tea

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

Next trip: Antwerp

Another cat has contacted me, requesting me as her sitter. This time in Antwerp in Belgium. I am happy to oblige, because I have never been to Antwerp. And hardly to Belgium either, to be honest, where I have only … Continue reading

Posted in Belgium, Travel | Tagged , | 4 Comments

A Walk along the Semmering Railway

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 Austria, History, Photography, Technology, Travel, Video Blog | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments