few days before our return to Princeton, I met with Daniel on Kollwitz Platz. Daniel had worked for five years as a correspondent in Washington, before returning to Berlin two years ago. We talked about politics (why has it made Angela Merkel at the top political and Hillary Clinton not), the economy and society (whether the high oil price itself converted the Americans for driving small cars).
Once there, however, went to the personal experience of living in the U.S., we all agreed: It is not the big issues that determine the Native or foreign feeling in the other country. But first of all the little things that in the typical condition for new immigrants probably a strong increase in sensitivity amazing dimensions can take.
During his first year in Washington, told Daniel that he had stocked up on every flight to Germany in the drugstore with shower gel, shampoo and toothpaste. So great was the desire for familiar smells and proven effects in a foreign land. And I remembered immediately the fact that one of the most important packing cases v of our containers or two years, this little box of soap, deodorant sticks and cream cans was that we had hoarded before departure at "Ross" in Berlin.
Today Daniel buys a lot of small things in his favorite "drugstore" whenever he returned to the USA verschlägt. Things he missed, since he has moved away from Washington.
From our second summer trip to Germany and of course we have brought back a lot. Clothing and shoes in particular. (Other European consistent preferences for either - Furniture - too heavy, or - food - imposed import bans.)
But Shampoo? Shower gel? bought virtually nothing. Apparently I'm used to the local produce, since the first hour of our supplies from Germany are exhausted.
We now have a whole series of small things in life in New Jersey appreciate. Such that it itself is not a problem in a small town to shop on Sunday evening at 8 clock fresh fish or vegetables. That you get at any department store and supermarket cash paid free of charge and thus save time and money to cash machines. (When I think of the Saturday morning queue at the Post Bank ATM at Prenzlauer Allee ...)
As we have enjoyed the other hand, in Germany, in the corner store and the same for a beer and a bottle of wine carry - no extra for "liquor store" to have to go! Letting the boys playing and climbing naked on the beach, without incurring a penalty. Or make a call to a public authority, both friendly to get uskunft and competent A . (Yes, I know from he telephoned one of you already with the U.S. IRS.?) Such small - once - of course, can move with a certain distance suddenly very strong at the center of everyday perception.
Now we are back here. And conjured while around us the specter of an Moose beset Sarah Palin is that soon only a heartbeat from the power of America's nuclear arsenals could be removed, we find it beautiful that nobody in this country forecloses his front garden with fences. And are pleased that the Arzthelferi n one days before the screening calls appointment so that you can not forget him. Without doubt: On the whole, this country can put off quite a bit. Eight years of Bush / Cheney. Big SUVs, where the eye can see. And now: bad debts and wild bets, the Wall Street lay in ruins.
In the small, everyday things, however, it is amazing attractive. Hard to say why this diffuse power of the pleasure principle at all distances (which over the last two years is manifested also more likely to have at least not reduced) can not escape. Perhaps the gratitude the foreigners who move every sign of affection especially hungry in itself?
Perhaps the attraction has a strong ability to hide unpleasant and see things positively. To worry, but always desired to keep for possible ch and feasible - in doubt, just on credit. We Germans are not so good in it. But: Let's see if this mentality to withstand the pressure wave of very large financial market crisis is ...
The most reliable integrated force at the end probably has the force of habit. A personal milestone on the long path of small described steps: Even after a whole summer in Europe like the taste of tap water from New Jersey American Waters now completely normal.
That was not always so. After the move two years ago, I have every week for months two, three gallons carried water from the eco home, because even the chlorine smell of the "tap water" was intolerable - not to mention the taste completely.
N., then six, needed only one way, two weeks to find the local tap water tasty.
(Princeton Post XX)
0 comments:
Post a Comment