Not much to read...

Since my years in Germany, I 've been somewhat of a Germanophile. Living there, finding the towns that my family came from, making friends, it was hard to leave. I've always been interested in learning the history of Germany and its people, back to the beginning. I'm talking the days of the Roman Empire, and the subsequent years of the many kingdoms that made up the Holy Roman Empire. But, it seems that each and every bookstore that you visit, you don't get much of a selection to choose from. Due to frustration and impatience, I decided not to ask Barnes &  Noble why they don't stock more books about Arminius and Goethe, but to send my inquiry straight to the German Embassy in the USA. Let me know if this may help!


Dear Sir,


For as long as I can remember, I’ve enjoyed reading. I can spend hours reading a book cover to cover, and equal amount s of time in a bookstore, if time permits. Being of German descent, I am interested in the history of the places that my ancestors come from and love to look up and read of these places and their history.

However, it never fails, when I enter a bookstore or library to find a book relating to Prussian history, German economy or the Henseatic league, I’m hit with shelf after shelf or books about World War II or East Germany under communism. I believe that it is important for people to learn about the tragedies that occurred in Germany during the 20th century, but I’m also upset that a fifty year period has overshadowed a country and culture that goes back thousands of years. Why can’t a person, interested in Germany, find a book about Arminius, the leader of a Germanic tribe that defeated the Roman Legions at the Battle of Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD, or about Gutenburg, the inventor of the printing press?

Germany and the German speaking people have brought art, music, invention, and culture to the world for centuries. Many American foods, drinks and traditions originate from places that Germans inhabit. Nearly 60% of the population of the United States can trace their ancestry back to a German speaking land or person, don’t they deserve to k now more about where they are from than the dark years of World War II and communism? Sadly, many of German origin are reluctant to learn of their history, due to a lack of media exposure that exemplifies the contributions that Germans have given to the world.

Unfortunately, many readers will form their opinions of Germany, based only on what they have available to them to read. The Germany that is represented on the book shelves, is not the Germany that I came to love, when I was posted there in the 1990’s.

Bookstores and libraries should follow the example of the Goethe Institute and the German Embassy’s www.germany.info campaigns and give their visitors a variety of material to learn about, and not only a couple of topics accentuating a difficult time in German history.

I do not know to what extent that the German Embassy engages book sellers, but perhaps there could be an initiative in which the German government could recommend or assist in putting books, with German subject matter, into distribution. I understand that this may be a far-fetched idea, but I believe without encouragement, the books that we find on shelves are going to represent only a small part of the overall German history. I don’t work in sales or the government, I am only an interested person, however, I am would be willing to help in any way possible to ensure that readers have access to all that Germany and its culture have to offer.

Kind Regards,

Matthew J Lang

Belarus Part II

While working today, I was listening to a radio station from Minsk. I like to do this, because it keeps me current on the local news and helps with terrain association if you actually know of the places that they are talking about. One of the songs that played was recently performed  by Belarus' competitor at the annual Eurovision contest in Dusseldorf, Germany. For those who don't know what Eurovision is, it is like American Idol, but with the entire European continent sending contestants, and there is a lot more "bling". 

This year Belarus sent 20 year old Anastasia Vinnikova to Germany, and she kicked it off with "I Love Belarus", take a look.

illy: espresso coffee meets the arts and opens the mind

illy: espresso coffee meets the arts and opens the mind

Matt...In Search Of: Belarus

Matt...In Search Of: Belarus: "When we read a travel magazine we are taken to exotic locations, often near turquoise water with white sand, or to Alpine ski resorts that c..."

Belarus

When we read a travel magazine we are taken to exotic locations, often near turquoise water with white sand, or to Alpine ski resorts that cater to the rich and famous. I think that sometimes, In this day and age of competition, we take for granted, the natural beauty of wheat field or undisturbed forest, the silence of agricultural village at dawn, or the smell of chimney smoke in the air at dinner time. These may conjure up memories of old times, for some, but in one corner of Europe it is the way life goes on. Welcome to Belarus.




I am not a sentimental person, by any means. And it takes a lot to move me, but for some reason, when I leave Belarus each time, I choke up a little. Perhaps I should start from the beginning. My relationship with Belarus began in late 1996 when I received orders to the US Embassy as a Marine Guard. From then on, Belarus has been a part of my life. I lived there for 16 months, and married a wonderful woman, with whom I have two gorgeous daughters. If you had told me at the age of twenty-one, that I’d be as connected to Belarus as I am, I’d have called a damned fool and walked away.



Sadly, what most people know of Belarus is what they read, hear from others or see what’s on the TV after a demonstration. Politics seem to overshadow anyone’s positive impressions of any location. This holds true in Belarus as well, but if you’re smart and can put the seriousness of the current situation behind you, I would encourage you to get out and enjoy the scenery. The people of Belarus are warm and giving and you’ll never leave a table hungry.



For the art lovers we have the birthplace of Marc Chagall, military historians would be interested in seeing the birthplace of General Tadeusz Kościuszko, there’s something for everyone. Occupying the crossroads of the geographic center of Europe, Belarus is a door from east to west. Sharing its western and northern borders with the European Union nations of Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, and its southern and eastern borders with Ukraine and Russia, Belarus could not be any more centric if it tried. When I visit, I often take short trips to nearby countries, and it’s as simple as buying a train of short plane ride. In a matter of minutes you can change between three languages, and hear at least three more from travelers coming from the far corners of the old Soviet Union.



I am often impressed by the amount of goods that I can buy when I visit Minsk. Fruits from and vegetables from Uzbekistan, wine from Georgia, fish from the Baltic Sea, caviar from Siberia, and to wash it all down, fresh beer from local Belarusian breweries. A trip to the local market, and parting with ten dollars and you and three friends can have a nice picnic in the forest. Hell, who needs a market? During the summer, the intersections of any road become small farmers markets, with villagers peddling fruits and veggies, fresh sour cream, and catch of the day from the nearest lake.



I’ve spent many hours sitting outside of my in-laws house, at a makeshift table, eating slow cooked meats, fish, and salads, while talking, arguing, laughing, crying, but never walking away upset. No rush, no problem, this is the mantra that I hear again and again, and that I wish I could replicate in my hectic life in the States. I’m often asked whether it’s worth it, to work each day from morning until night, to put your kids in a daycare, and to rush home to cook dinner, so that I can repeat the process the next day. I haven’t been able to answer that yet. I’m impressed, jealous actually, that I visit other countries and see people who have far less than I do, and even less opportunity, and they are more content and happier than I am, why? I hope that I find the answer some day. In the meantime, I have my respite in knowing that my version of heaven is only a day away by flight. I think I’ll call home now.

Matt...In Search Of: Back to life, back to reality

Matt...In Search Of: Back to life, back to reality: "I have left the lands of Mohammad and am now back in Northern Virginia, what a difference 36 hours, and eight time zones make! Dubai was an ..."

Back to life, back to reality

I have left the lands of Mohammad and am now back in Northern Virginia, what a difference 36 hours, and eight time zones make! Dubai was an interesting experience, kind of like an enourmous sim city, or an Arab version of Las Vegas, minus copious amounts of booze and showgirls. I was impressed by the enourmous buildings and the amount of construction. During the mid 20th century, Dubai as a small port on a creek, and consisted of nothing but small clay building and walled compounds. It has certainly transformed itself into a fincncial and commercial powerhouse. The fact that is rather tolerant of others makes it a springboard for regional businesses, and an expat friendly city. My good frined, Dan and his family, have called it home for the past two years, and have a lifestyle that you won't find in the US. It may take getting used to, and the summers are unbearble, but the quality of life is second to none, and you'll have some great memories.

I wish that I had more time for sightseeing, but unfortunately, spent a majority of the time in meetings and conferences, I suppose I wasnt' sent there to play. I hope to make it back there, again, I've already developed my list of things to do. First and foremost is to finally take the desert safari that I missed. Secondly, to go skiing inside the Mall of the Emirates. I saw the mountain, but didn't get in, damned appointments!