Saturday, March 19, 2011
Matt...In Search Of: My Frankfurt
Matt...In Search Of: My Frankfurt: "I have some time to kill before my next flight and wanted to give an update of my morning. The flight from DC was uneventful. I flew on Unit..."
Friday, March 18, 2011
My Frankfurt
I have some time to kill before my next flight and wanted to give an update of my morning. The flight from DC was uneventful. I flew on United Airlines, nothing sectacular there, standard, standard, "no sir, we already served juice, you'll have to wait", typical US airline.
I arrived in Germany at approximately 6:30 am, cleared immigration and took the train downtown, nothing has changed, except the ticket machines are now touchscreen, but it all came back to me! I decided to get out at the Hauptbahnhof (Main Station) and walk, it was only 7:30 and I forgot that nothing opens until at least 9:00 here. No problem, I had plenty of time to walk around and see the city. I was posted here as an Embassy Marine in 1995-1996, in my opinion, those were my definitive years. I had already been a Marine for 2 and a half yars, but this was different. I had more freedom, more money, and a schedule. I lived here with nine other Marines, in a house, just north of the downtown. We worked, worked out, and partied hard, and met some great people, friends for life, as you may have seen from some of my postings.
Though we may not see eachother for years on end, there is no doubt that we pick up where we left off once we meet. For many of us, Frankfurt has an attraction that we can't shake. Most Germans will tell you that it is a horrible place, and not the "real Germany", but for those of us that lived here, it was like home. Whenever I come here, I am comfortable, I know my way around, and I feel attached to it.
This morning I walked to many of my old places; the pedestrian shopping quarter (Zeil), the Roemer Platz (where the city hall is), and various places that I was fond of. You saw many of these pictures online, on my facebook page. I sill log into web radio stations from Frankfurt, and listen to the traffic report and know exactly where they are talking about or read the online newspaper from the city, and know what the reporter means. It is strange, but there is a kindred spirit here. Unbeknownst to me at the time I lived here, but my Great Grandfather came from a town just north of Frankfurt, Oberursel. Ironically, during my time in Frankfurt, I would visit this town many times a week to see someone that I was dating here. I walked past a cemetary each evening, that most likely had my family in it, and never knew it. Maybe there was some strange force at work, telling me that I had made it home.
Or maybe it's the fact that I haven't slept in over 23 hours that I'm carrying on like this, who knows? I suspect that some of you reading this have a similar feeling about some place special as well. This should not be ignored, but explored, think about it.
I arrived in Germany at approximately 6:30 am, cleared immigration and took the train downtown, nothing has changed, except the ticket machines are now touchscreen, but it all came back to me! I decided to get out at the Hauptbahnhof (Main Station) and walk, it was only 7:30 and I forgot that nothing opens until at least 9:00 here. No problem, I had plenty of time to walk around and see the city. I was posted here as an Embassy Marine in 1995-1996, in my opinion, those were my definitive years. I had already been a Marine for 2 and a half yars, but this was different. I had more freedom, more money, and a schedule. I lived here with nine other Marines, in a house, just north of the downtown. We worked, worked out, and partied hard, and met some great people, friends for life, as you may have seen from some of my postings.
Though we may not see eachother for years on end, there is no doubt that we pick up where we left off once we meet. For many of us, Frankfurt has an attraction that we can't shake. Most Germans will tell you that it is a horrible place, and not the "real Germany", but for those of us that lived here, it was like home. Whenever I come here, I am comfortable, I know my way around, and I feel attached to it.
This morning I walked to many of my old places; the pedestrian shopping quarter (Zeil), the Roemer Platz (where the city hall is), and various places that I was fond of. You saw many of these pictures online, on my facebook page. I sill log into web radio stations from Frankfurt, and listen to the traffic report and know exactly where they are talking about or read the online newspaper from the city, and know what the reporter means. It is strange, but there is a kindred spirit here. Unbeknownst to me at the time I lived here, but my Great Grandfather came from a town just north of Frankfurt, Oberursel. Ironically, during my time in Frankfurt, I would visit this town many times a week to see someone that I was dating here. I walked past a cemetary each evening, that most likely had my family in it, and never knew it. Maybe there was some strange force at work, telling me that I had made it home.
Or maybe it's the fact that I haven't slept in over 23 hours that I'm carrying on like this, who knows? I suspect that some of you reading this have a similar feeling about some place special as well. This should not be ignored, but explored, think about it.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Road Trip!
It's been an extremely busy week, and I haven't had the time to write about anything, at least anything cheerful. I've been tied to the computer, since last week, assisting our employees that were affected by the earthquake in Japan, and consequently, the troubles of the Fukushima nuclear reactor. It's a shame that such devastation can occur in such a quick time, it really makes you think about the good things that you have in your life; family, friends, good food, you get the point.
Which brings me to the cheery side of this posting. I've managed to keep it rather quiet, but I'm gearing up for another road trip this afternoon. This time I leave from DC, fly to Frankfurt, Germany and then onto Dubai, UAE. I will enjoy an eight hour layover in Frankfurt, you heard me EIGHT!, where I'll take a few walks down memory lane and see what's changed in the fifteen years since I worked there. Then off to Dubai. This is my first trip to the UAE and based on the footage I've seen, I'm already under dressed and have been outblinged!
I hope to post as I go, and will be uploading some pictures along the way, stay posted to the facebook page, and feel free to interact! Half of the fun of traveling is telling others about it!
Which brings me to the cheery side of this posting. I've managed to keep it rather quiet, but I'm gearing up for another road trip this afternoon. This time I leave from DC, fly to Frankfurt, Germany and then onto Dubai, UAE. I will enjoy an eight hour layover in Frankfurt, you heard me EIGHT!, where I'll take a few walks down memory lane and see what's changed in the fifteen years since I worked there. Then off to Dubai. This is my first trip to the UAE and based on the footage I've seen, I'm already under dressed and have been outblinged!
I hope to post as I go, and will be uploading some pictures along the way, stay posted to the facebook page, and feel free to interact! Half of the fun of traveling is telling others about it!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Matt...In Search Of: Some light reading on a cold grey day
Matt...In Search Of: Some light reading on a cold grey day: "Here it is, the second week of March, and I'm still sorting through Christmas gifts. Most family members know that I love to read, and I ine..."
Some light reading on a cold grey day
Here it is, the second week of March, and I'm still sorting through Christmas gifts. Most family members know that I love to read, and I inevitably receive several books or bookstore gift cards throughout December and January. This is a great tradition, and I hope it never passes. The only drawback is finding the time to read so much. By the time I come home, have dinner, play with, wash, and put the kids to sleep, the last thing that I can do is concentrate on a page of words!
One of the books that I've been putting off is the "Sagas of the Icelanders", as I said, who has the time to read a magazine or small book, let alone a Saga! Well, I wish I started it sooner. This book is fantastic! I can't pronounce half of the names without butchering them, but this book is a gold mine of historical information. If you ever wanted to read about Viking history, and don't want all of the Hollywood imagery, you'll be happy with this. Many of the names and locations are historically significant to those in the Northern countries, and throughout the Baltic rim.
Many of us have ancestry from this region in the world, and it's interesting to see how the tribal differences centuries ago, helped to shape Europe and the modern difficulties that still continue, regarding languages, religion, and land claims.
Politics aside, if at any time you think you've had a difficult life and you're not being treated fairly, than read through this, to give yourself a new positive outlook on life, you won't regret it!
One of the books that I've been putting off is the "Sagas of the Icelanders", as I said, who has the time to read a magazine or small book, let alone a Saga! Well, I wish I started it sooner. This book is fantastic! I can't pronounce half of the names without butchering them, but this book is a gold mine of historical information. If you ever wanted to read about Viking history, and don't want all of the Hollywood imagery, you'll be happy with this. Many of the names and locations are historically significant to those in the Northern countries, and throughout the Baltic rim.
Many of us have ancestry from this region in the world, and it's interesting to see how the tribal differences centuries ago, helped to shape Europe and the modern difficulties that still continue, regarding languages, religion, and land claims.
Politics aside, if at any time you think you've had a difficult life and you're not being treated fairly, than read through this, to give yourself a new positive outlook on life, you won't regret it!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The Price of a Footnote
Well this is an interesting change of events! For all of you academics out there, who thought that no one would ever notice that you cut and pasted some one's work, take a look at this guy! 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12608083
Photo: Reuters (This is me, properly footnoting photo!)
Talk about a fall from grace. Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg is a thirty-nine year old lawyer, descended from a noble Bavarian family. It was openly talked about, in the German political circles, that we would someday become the Chancellor of Germany. Now, in the course of two weeks, he's been publicly denounced as a plagiarist, renounced his PhD from Bayreuth University, and following the protest of nearly 50,000 legitimate German academics has decided to resign his post as German Defence Minister. The way I see it, he has a couple of choices; 1) return to the family homestead, as a recluse, and live off of the wealth that your forefathers built for you, 2) move to a different country, and write a book about how everyone is out to get you, or 3) prove yourself, the right way this time, by working on a PhD that you did yourself. Admit your mistakes and move on, he's already hit bottom, unless someone runs over his dog tomorrow.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12608083Photo: Reuters (This is me, properly footnoting photo!)
Talk about a fall from grace. Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg is a thirty-nine year old lawyer, descended from a noble Bavarian family. It was openly talked about, in the German political circles, that we would someday become the Chancellor of Germany. Now, in the course of two weeks, he's been publicly denounced as a plagiarist, renounced his PhD from Bayreuth University, and following the protest of nearly 50,000 legitimate German academics has decided to resign his post as German Defence Minister. The way I see it, he has a couple of choices; 1) return to the family homestead, as a recluse, and live off of the wealth that your forefathers built for you, 2) move to a different country, and write a book about how everyone is out to get you, or 3) prove yourself, the right way this time, by working on a PhD that you did yourself. Admit your mistakes and move on, he's already hit bottom, unless someone runs over his dog tomorrow.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Weekends in Virginia
Despite we have some of the worst traffic in the country, and housing prices will make you sick, there is a lot to be happy about living in Northern Virginia. The proximity to Washington, DC appeals to many of us, as does the high turnover rate of jobs, based on government and military transfers, but those are only a few of the benefits.
For a history buff, such as myself, this area is an endless source of early US history. The old seaport of Alexandria, founded in 1749 by Scottish merchants, is my favorite town in the country http://visitalexandriava.com/. I've lived here since 1998, and and impressed by it each time I visit the downtown area. Every street, church and building has some historical significance and if you look closely, you'll find the plaque or marker telling you which colonial founder or civil war officer slept there! A walk along the Potomac waterfront is a history lesson for any child, from the colonial founding all the way up til the making of torpedoes during WWII http://torpedofactory.org/. Throw in a snow cone and a balloon animal, you'll have some pretty contented children.
Running through the center of the city is the George Washington Parkway, as you drive south, you'll drive along the Potomac shoreline, through some of the most sought after addresses and zip codes in the country. Large estates line the shore, and quiet neighborhoods cover the hillside. The parkway ends at the front gates of George Washington's Mt Vernon estates. http://www.mountvernon.org/ Any person with an interest in history, colonial life, or the founding of the country will be amazed and inspired by this location. I have spent hours walking the property, and trying to imagine how it must of looked at the end of the 18th century. The on site museum will give you a sense of pride in your first President, and a wish to learn more.
As with most tours, the last stop is the gift shop, and rightly so. No visit would be complete without buying a new book, or stocking up on some mature Virginia wines. I like to visit during the holiday season, to get some new decorating ideas or to feel a connection to how Christmas must have been spent in the 1700's.
I'll digress for now, and let you draw your own conclusions. If and when you travel to Washington and are wondering "what is across the river?", make the trip to the "fun side of the Potomac" and see what it's all about.
For a history buff, such as myself, this area is an endless source of early US history. The old seaport of Alexandria, founded in 1749 by Scottish merchants, is my favorite town in the country http://visitalexandriava.com/. I've lived here since 1998, and and impressed by it each time I visit the downtown area. Every street, church and building has some historical significance and if you look closely, you'll find the plaque or marker telling you which colonial founder or civil war officer slept there! A walk along the Potomac waterfront is a history lesson for any child, from the colonial founding all the way up til the making of torpedoes during WWII http://torpedofactory.org/. Throw in a snow cone and a balloon animal, you'll have some pretty contented children.
Running through the center of the city is the George Washington Parkway, as you drive south, you'll drive along the Potomac shoreline, through some of the most sought after addresses and zip codes in the country. Large estates line the shore, and quiet neighborhoods cover the hillside. The parkway ends at the front gates of George Washington's Mt Vernon estates. http://www.mountvernon.org/ Any person with an interest in history, colonial life, or the founding of the country will be amazed and inspired by this location. I have spent hours walking the property, and trying to imagine how it must of looked at the end of the 18th century. The on site museum will give you a sense of pride in your first President, and a wish to learn more.
As with most tours, the last stop is the gift shop, and rightly so. No visit would be complete without buying a new book, or stocking up on some mature Virginia wines. I like to visit during the holiday season, to get some new decorating ideas or to feel a connection to how Christmas must have been spent in the 1700's.
I'll digress for now, and let you draw your own conclusions. If and when you travel to Washington and are wondering "what is across the river?", make the trip to the "fun side of the Potomac" and see what it's all about.
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