Everything is organised........... everything in order........ Europe: The Germannen             -                The Germwomannen This is where they all come from....! Of course they are not all "mannen" there exist "womannen" as well! I have to be rather careful what I say on this subject, after all, I'm privileged to receive my Pensions from this wonderful country, but objectivity (and humour) is allowed, although the "Germannens" are not well known for their sense of humour! This isn't really surprising, in view of their overall history, one would think of them as mainly a war loving race, but in fact it's a strange thing about the Germans' - they have provided some of the World's most loved painters, composers, writers as well as the most hated Dictators! In the more recent past, the Germann has come from this: to being one, if not THE pillar of Democr...

<a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/germany" title="Germany" rel="lonelyplanet">Germany</a> 2009. About Germany, France and.... Europe ....! Soon it will be the "Tag Der Deutschen Einheit" - (“ Day of German Unity ”). So what - you may say - Well, it was an important moment in Europe's history, even if the nuclear threat has moved theatre, towards the Asian and Oriental parts of the World. Nuclear threat became more remote in Europe, and that's probably worth celebrating. I lived in Germany, East and West for more than 40 years, and I'm now a German Pensioner! For the Germans', the fall of the borders, peacefully, was not seen by ALL Germans as a welcome event. I recall, at the time, hearing often, in Western Germany, many people saying that now life would become expensive. The whole Eastern Zone needed complete and total "reinstalling...

Image via Wikipedia Without doubt Germany is in the news at the moment. After the 20 year celebrations of the falling of the Berlin Wall yesterday, today is (I bet you all knew it) the 250th anniversary of the death of " Friedrich SCHILLER ": (If the name doesn't say anything click here to find out more): http://images.google.fr/images?ndsp=20&hl=fr&safe=off&rlz=1C1GGLS_frFR291FR353&um=1&sa=3&q=Schiller&btnG=Recherche+d'images AND - just to undermine the opinion of those people who say the Germans have a split personality problem, tomorrow, when almost everyone else in the World is celebrating the Armistice of 11-11- at 11hr 11 min, the Germans will be celebrating the start of what they call "Der funfte Jahreszeit" (The fifth season of the year)  - the start of the Karneval season at 11/11 at 11hrs 11 min......! No poppies and solemn marches in Cologne , Dusseldorf and Mainz tomorrow! It's just this attitud...

http://www.viamichelin.fr/viamichelin/fra/tpl/mag6/art200910/htm/tour-evenement-mur-de-berlin-diaporama-archives.htm Here - thanks to " Michelin " and "mr le marquis" is the link to a slideshow on the subject of the Berlin Wall , the 20th anniversary of it's downfall is coming very shortly. I had the "pleasure" of being stationed in Berlin in the 1960's, and I recall "guarding" this wall and riding around the perimeters in Scout cars. Why - I don't really know! Image via Wikipedia I also had the pleasure in the 1970's and finally lived, as a civilian, in Berlin in the late 70's and early 80's, together with my wife. The Germans say "Berlin ist eine Reise wert" (Berlin is worth a visit) and to have "Ich habe einen koffer im Berlin" (I have a suitcase in Berlin) is used frequently in German to show one's continued attachment to this City. We left Berlin in 1982, well before the fall of th...

Germany 2009. Today is the " Tag der Deutschen Einheit " (Day of German Unity). So what you may say - Well, it was an important moment in Europe 's history, even if the nuclear threat has moved theatre, towards the Asian and Oriental parts of the World. Nuclear threat became more remote in Europe, and that's probably worth celebrating. I lived in Germany, East and West for more than 40 years, and I'm now a German Pensioner! For the Germans ', the fall of the borders, peacefully, was not seen by ALL Germans as a welcome event. I recall, at the time, hearing often, in Western Germany, many people saying that now life would become expensive. The whole Eastern Zone needed complete and total "reinstallation and renovation" and who was going to pay for it....? Well, 20 years later, it's still not all done, but it's all being undertaken, and the money was found. Sure, there were hardships, particularly in the East, ...