Obviously I am waaaay behind in my blogging. I always keep a running list of blog topics, and presently I'm overwhelmed with all that has transpired since mid-February, and here we are almost into April...yikes! Trust me, the hiatus is not due to a lack of Irish Encounters, but rather the abundance of such...
Briefly, I will give you a glimpse: I spent 5 days in Northern Ireland with my fiancee and his family...there are 30+ of them in the clan, and essentially all of them living on the same property in County Tyrone. It was quite the cultural experience! Hopefully I can blog more about this later. We enjoyed long runs through the farm land, along Loch Neagh, and past old Celtic high crosses...to return home to a standard Ulster fry (also known as "heart attack on a plate") and tea. We also spent an afternoon in Belfast (saw where the Titanic was built). Oh, that reminds me, I also spent a night in Portadown and saw places of significance during the Troubles...again, more on this later...
Then we returned to Dublin and had an eventful weekend celebrating St. Patrick's Day. Some friends of mine threw a party with a real traditional Irish band: accordion, fiddle, mandolin, Irish harp, dulcimer, and recorders/penny whistles. Special music was interspersed with readings of Irish poetry and general sing-a-longs. (I wondered if we in the US have so many traditional songs that can be sung together, where everyone present knows all the words and such?)
We went to the St. Patrick's Day parade, the ceilidh dancing in the town square, and to a pub for the mandatory glass of Guinness (hopefully more about all of this later). It was fun to be in the midst of so many people dressed in green and filled with lively, friendly Irish spirit and camaraderie! (I sported a scarf with green shamrocks given to me by the relatives.)
Some friends also took us to prehistoric site of Newgrange, a fascinating passage tomb dating back to the Neolithic times, 5,000 years ago! Again, I will hopefully write more about this. We also went to Monasterboice, a Christian settlement that dates to the late 400's, where there are two 14th century abbey ruins, a round tower, and two very well-preserved 10th century Celtic high crosses.
I worked during the week, then we went back up to the relative clan in Co. Tyrone for the final days of Holy Week. I was back in Dublin for Easter--played my violin at church as usual and had lunch with friends. So there ya have it. A very surface glimpse at some highlights of March, though definitely lacking proper elaboration and reflection...
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Irish Music Jam
Last night I accompanied a friend to an Irish-speaking-only pub where musicians gather for a traditional Irish music jam…and I joined in with my fiddle! We were 15-20 musicians in a circle playing together, and other portions of the building had similar groups, one even with some ceilidh dancing--oh my, what an experience! This was a total immersion in Irish culture, as if being taken back many decades and into the country many miles. There were no tourists present, and I was not merely an observer but a participant. :)
Saturday, February 16, 2008
German History and the Flag
It is my host's birthday, so he had a gathering of his parents and grandparents. Those generations only knew German, so I spent considerable time in my own world thinking.
It's pretty neat to be sitting her with four generations of Germans. My, what a broad range of experiences this lives have had and will have. I imagined each one representing a different facet of German history and experience. These young boys are being raised in a society that is vastly different from that of their grandparents and great grandparents. So much has transpired here over the past 80 years.
I thought of the memories the great grandparents must have, living through World War II. The stories they could tell, the reflections held deep within. And my generation present would speak of the fall of the Berlin wall and the changes before and after the German reunification in 1990, when East Germany was incorporated into West Germany.
We have even seen a significant shift within the last 2 years. Ever since WWII, there has been a serious reluctance by Germans to display their flag. Any show of patriotism conjured up negative images of what nationalism did as Germans blindly followed their leader in the past. It seemed to have an association with aggression and the continuity of the Third Reich (even though it used a different flag...). So while national pride could be present, one certainly did not want to proclaim it by waving flags and other symbols of their allegiance. Until 2006, the German flag was only seen in official government contexts, such as flying over the Parliament building, but never by the general public.
Then came the surprise. Germany hosted the 2006 World Cup, and German flags were suddenly flown by the exuberant sports fans. Germany was a top contender in these soccer championships, and the black, red, and gold began to appear on t-shirts, stickers, umbrellas, etc. It seems so natural for us Americans to see the flag of our country, but for the Germans this was a new development, a step of freedom from the past and great hope for the future. Way to go, Germany!
It's pretty neat to be sitting her with four generations of Germans. My, what a broad range of experiences this lives have had and will have. I imagined each one representing a different facet of German history and experience. These young boys are being raised in a society that is vastly different from that of their grandparents and great grandparents. So much has transpired here over the past 80 years.
I thought of the memories the great grandparents must have, living through World War II. The stories they could tell, the reflections held deep within. And my generation present would speak of the fall of the Berlin wall and the changes before and after the German reunification in 1990, when East Germany was incorporated into West Germany.
We have even seen a significant shift within the last 2 years. Ever since WWII, there has been a serious reluctance by Germans to display their flag. Any show of patriotism conjured up negative images of what nationalism did as Germans blindly followed their leader in the past. It seemed to have an association with aggression and the continuity of the Third Reich (even though it used a different flag...). So while national pride could be present, one certainly did not want to proclaim it by waving flags and other symbols of their allegiance. Until 2006, the German flag was only seen in official government contexts, such as flying over the Parliament building, but never by the general public.
Then came the surprise. Germany hosted the 2006 World Cup, and German flags were suddenly flown by the exuberant sports fans. Germany was a top contender in these soccer championships, and the black, red, and gold began to appear on t-shirts, stickers, umbrellas, etc. It seems so natural for us Americans to see the flag of our country, but for the Germans this was a new development, a step of freedom from the past and great hope for the future. Way to go, Germany!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Utrecht and Fairy Tales
We went to Utrecht, The Netherlands, for a one-day workshop. Utrecht is yet another charming city! Canals, old churches, etc.
A professor invited a small group of us over for lunch during the break (easily walkable city). We were amused by the international representation: German, Dutch, French, American, Turkish, Iranian, Argentinian, Chinese...all having mathematics as a common "universal" language. :)
The drive back to Aachen was 3 hours...so I had one of the guys tell us Fairy Tales--I thought many were of German origin, assembled by the Brother's Grimm, so this might be fun. We started with Rapunzel ("Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!"), then Rumpelstiltskin ("how good that no one knows that Rumpelstiltskin is my name!"), then Little Red Riding Hood ("my, what big eyes/ears/teeth you have!").
What fun this story-telling was, indeed! Boy, I really have forgotten so much, it was very entertaining to hear the details...and together we sometimes had to brainstorm to try to remember parts of the story ("Now how did the peasant girl have a necklace to give to Rumpelstiltskin if she was so poor?") or what the moral/message was supposed to be...("never sneak into a witch's garden for some rapunzel salad...?" haha). It's neat how these fairy tales cross over the ocean and country borders, common memories we all had as children. :)
A professor invited a small group of us over for lunch during the break (easily walkable city). We were amused by the international representation: German, Dutch, French, American, Turkish, Iranian, Argentinian, Chinese...all having mathematics as a common "universal" language. :)
The drive back to Aachen was 3 hours...so I had one of the guys tell us Fairy Tales--I thought many were of German origin, assembled by the Brother's Grimm, so this might be fun. We started with Rapunzel ("Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!"), then Rumpelstiltskin ("how good that no one knows that Rumpelstiltskin is my name!"), then Little Red Riding Hood ("my, what big eyes/ears/teeth you have!").
What fun this story-telling was, indeed! Boy, I really have forgotten so much, it was very entertaining to hear the details...and together we sometimes had to brainstorm to try to remember parts of the story ("Now how did the peasant girl have a necklace to give to Rumpelstiltskin if she was so poor?") or what the moral/message was supposed to be...("never sneak into a witch's garden for some rapunzel salad...?" haha). It's neat how these fairy tales cross over the ocean and country borders, common memories we all had as children. :)
Germany and Scientology
My hosts have informed me that a really hot topic in the news right now is concerning Germany's move towards banning the Church of Scientology from Germany. My hosts asked if this is a trend in the US also. I assured them it wasn't, and I inquired to know more of the facts.
The German officials are not viewing it as a religion, but as an organization or business, that they believe has ambitions contrary to a democratic order and possibly in violation of the constitution. Basically, it seems that the government officials are very sensitive to any anti-democratic activity, due to the traumatic occurrences in German history, and so now they are serious about preventing the rise of an organization with any possible resemblance to the rise of the Nazi regime. They have had a special surveillance on the Scientology since 1997.
Just this week, a German court upheld a ruling sanctioning the monitoring of Scientology by Germany's intelligence service. The ruling stated: "There are concrete indications that Scientology's activities are to implement Scientology's program in Germany and to expand more and more Scientology's principles in government, economy and society". The court cited "numerous indications" that "central constitutional values such as the dignity of mankind and the right to equal treatment would be suspended or restricted," in a Scientology society.
The above synopsis is taken from Deutsche Welle, as is the following:
"During the court proceedings the German court heard testimony concerning anti-democratic statements made by L. Ron Hubbard, the American founder of Scientology who died in 1986. The court did not find any evidence that the organization had distanced itself from Hubbard's statements. Certain statements made by Hubbard detail how to harass ex-members and critics of Scientology."
Very interesting...
It seems some rulings in this case will hinge on the distinction between a religious movement and a political one. Has Islam in Germany has escaped these trials--despite the honor killings that are also taking place there--because Islam is a "religion?" (What about Sharia law...? Last week I learned that some in England are proposing having parallel laws following the Sharia system.)
Can a distinction be made between a person's involvement in a religious versus political movement, or does faith, when it is truly upheld, encompass one's entire involvement in society, and hence manifest itself in realms outside the confines of the church/temple/mosque/synagogue?
Seems these were issues the founding fathers of the US wrestled with as well...and aimed to establish a land where religious freedom is upheld, and yet where a democratic society is not at peril. Indeed, the more I travel and live in other countries, the more I realize the differences in the principles on which America was founded.
The German officials are not viewing it as a religion, but as an organization or business, that they believe has ambitions contrary to a democratic order and possibly in violation of the constitution. Basically, it seems that the government officials are very sensitive to any anti-democratic activity, due to the traumatic occurrences in German history, and so now they are serious about preventing the rise of an organization with any possible resemblance to the rise of the Nazi regime. They have had a special surveillance on the Scientology since 1997.
Just this week, a German court upheld a ruling sanctioning the monitoring of Scientology by Germany's intelligence service. The ruling stated: "There are concrete indications that Scientology's activities are to implement Scientology's program in Germany and to expand more and more Scientology's principles in government, economy and society". The court cited "numerous indications" that "central constitutional values such as the dignity of mankind and the right to equal treatment would be suspended or restricted," in a Scientology society.
The above synopsis is taken from Deutsche Welle, as is the following:
"During the court proceedings the German court heard testimony concerning anti-democratic statements made by L. Ron Hubbard, the American founder of Scientology who died in 1986. The court did not find any evidence that the organization had distanced itself from Hubbard's statements. Certain statements made by Hubbard detail how to harass ex-members and critics of Scientology."
Very interesting...
It seems some rulings in this case will hinge on the distinction between a religious movement and a political one. Has Islam in Germany has escaped these trials--despite the honor killings that are also taking place there--because Islam is a "religion?" (What about Sharia law...? Last week I learned that some in England are proposing having parallel laws following the Sharia system.)
Can a distinction be made between a person's involvement in a religious versus political movement, or does faith, when it is truly upheld, encompass one's entire involvement in society, and hence manifest itself in realms outside the confines of the church/temple/mosque/synagogue?
Seems these were issues the founding fathers of the US wrestled with as well...and aimed to establish a land where religious freedom is upheld, and yet where a democratic society is not at peril. Indeed, the more I travel and live in other countries, the more I realize the differences in the principles on which America was founded.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Baseball and Kniffel
My host family in German has two boys, ages 5 and 8, and they are totally into football (soccer). But their grandparents were in the US and bought the equipment for playing baseball, so they needed me to teach them this great American past-time.
Well, let's just say it's a lot easier to kick a soccer ball than to hit a tiny baseball with a bat! The boys struggled for a long time and eventually the older one could hit the ball, while the younger one ran around the bases...and kept running around, past home plate multiple times, until the pitcher (me or the father) chased down the ball. Then it would be time to pitch, hit, run again.
I decided not to enforce the rules of strikes, balls, and outs, for we were just thrilled they were finally making contact with the ball and weren't utterly bored...Plus, baseball isn't so easy to play with just 2-3 players, whereas fun can be had with soccer with such minimal people.
Soon the neighborhood kids joined and were fascinated by this new sport. But eventually
they all returned to playing soccer.
We adults went inside for a game of Kniffel. This is the German form of Yahtzee. It's exactly, 100% the same game. Yet nowhere on the box or in the instructions is the word Yahtzee mentioned. One yells, "Kniffel!" when they get 5 of a kind with the dice.
(I wonder which came first, or what the rules are about copying another company's game...?)
Just for the record, I won, with 328 points.
Well, let's just say it's a lot easier to kick a soccer ball than to hit a tiny baseball with a bat! The boys struggled for a long time and eventually the older one could hit the ball, while the younger one ran around the bases...and kept running around, past home plate multiple times, until the pitcher (me or the father) chased down the ball. Then it would be time to pitch, hit, run again.
I decided not to enforce the rules of strikes, balls, and outs, for we were just thrilled they were finally making contact with the ball and weren't utterly bored...Plus, baseball isn't so easy to play with just 2-3 players, whereas fun can be had with soccer with such minimal people.
Soon the neighborhood kids joined and were fascinated by this new sport. But eventually
they all returned to playing soccer.
We adults went inside for a game of Kniffel. This is the German form of Yahtzee. It's exactly, 100% the same game. Yet nowhere on the box or in the instructions is the word Yahtzee mentioned. One yells, "Kniffel!" when they get 5 of a kind with the dice.
(I wonder which came first, or what the rules are about copying another company's game...?)
Just for the record, I won, with 328 points.
Having children and working in Germany
From what I've been told (I haven't researched for the official documents declaring this, but I have reputable sources...), in Germany you get paid 150 euro per child per month. The amount changes as the number of kids increases, but I know this is the case for the first 2. Pretty cool, helps to pay for day care when they're young, if needed, etc. Also, the mother gets paid 60% of salary the first year she stays home (with a different percentage in subsequent years). She is allowed 3 years off and return to work, the job cannot let her go.
In the Aachen area (it may vary for the various states in Germany), the school day for grades 0-5 is from 8:00am-10:30am, with a few adjustments on certain days. Then for all subsequent grades, until graduation, the day ends at 1:00pm. Wow! Can you imagine? All the time the kids have for other activities, and all the time the parents have either with the kids, or needing to find care for them while parents are working.
(In Texas, the school day was from 8am-3pm for early grades, then 9am-4pm for middle grades, then 7:30am-2:30pm for upper grades.)
Regarding adults' working schedule, employers are required by government regulation to give their workers 4 weeks of paid holiday vacation! (Same in Ireland). Furthermore, Germans tell me it is quite standard to actually get 6 weeks paid vacation off. Wow, in the US, you are lucky to get 2 weeks?
In the Aachen area (it may vary for the various states in Germany), the school day for grades 0-5 is from 8:00am-10:30am, with a few adjustments on certain days. Then for all subsequent grades, until graduation, the day ends at 1:00pm. Wow! Can you imagine? All the time the kids have for other activities, and all the time the parents have either with the kids, or needing to find care for them while parents are working.
(In Texas, the school day was from 8am-3pm for early grades, then 9am-4pm for middle grades, then 7:30am-2:30pm for upper grades.)
Regarding adults' working schedule, employers are required by government regulation to give their workers 4 weeks of paid holiday vacation! (Same in Ireland). Furthermore, Germans tell me it is quite standard to actually get 6 weeks paid vacation off. Wow, in the US, you are lucky to get 2 weeks?
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