Not From Here

Old Darkness That Germany Revisited | Hamburg

November 24, 2015April 18, 2016 First Person ForeignGermany

November 15, 2015 1:45am Altona, Hamburg I remember the darkness setting in in Seattle and I am being reminded of that time now. It becomes haunting, chilling, when the sun appears for only willful spurts[…]

Refugees In Germany And My Privileged Response | A Day in Hanover, Germany

November 24, 2015April 18, 2016 First Person ForeignRealizations

Written on November 14, 2015 So. I suppose I’ve more or less decided that I am here “hanging out” for 2 more months. Fall in Europe, there are far worse options. I want to ask[…]

Should I Stay or Should I Roam Now? | Hamburg, Germany

October 28, 2015April 18, 2016 First Person ForeignGermany

The Interview: I sat across a coral-lipped bilingual Brit, who was born in Germany, wearing high-waisted pinstripe “trousers” with a coiffure like Selma Blair’s. I’ll never be cool. I was meeting with her to get[…]

Ordering with Hand Gestures and Basic English | Hamburg, Germany

October 27, 2015April 18, 2016 First Person ForeignCultural Difference

On The Way to Coffee. This is How Transactions Go: Server: Bitte Schön! Me: Hi, Cappucino Please? Server: Cappucino. klein oder groß? Me: (gesturing) Big Server: (Gesturing back) Groß. (I nod). Mit Kakao? Me: Yes please.[…]

Starting Over in Germany and Sunshine | Hamburg

October 20, 2015April 18, 2016 First Person ForeignMoving

As a young hamster bred on the West Coast of Florida, I learned early and often to curse the oppressive sun. Not only did it greet you, it stole your joy with it’s glaring beams[…]