Postcards from Germany: my new column about life in Deutschland

For three years now, I've been trying to get up the nerve to ask my hometown newspaper if they'd like me to write a short column about my overseas experiences. I finally did it, and the first one should publish this weekend! I'm really excited about the opportunity, and I hope that those of you in Guymon will enjoy it! For the rest of you, I've included the text below:

Postcards from Germany
By Ashley Moore
April 5-6, 2008
For Guymon Daily Herald

I can’t say that I knew what to expect when I first moved to Germany. I’d done my research and met Germans in my travels, but none of that could have truly prepared me. I mean, historically this is the country of Grimm’s fairy tales, the Huns, Cinderella’s castle and Hitler. But it’s also the country of beer-toting, sock-with-sandal-wearing Alpine yodelers. Stereotypes all, but each is a part of the knowledge I brought with me. In my six months here, I’ve seen some of these clichés in action while others have proved to be mere myth. It’s true that Germans love their beer, but it’s also true that the country is seen as a world leader in the medical field. You won’t find many blondes in braids and traditional lederhosen dancing to “oompah” music, but Germans are proud of their intellectual, artistic and folk heritage while simultaneously haunted by the history of the Holocaust. It's a fascinating country conspicuously devoid of KFCs and street trash, a place where BMWs and delectable breads abound. I’d like to use this column to tell you more about it, so feel free to send your questions and comments to guymongirl1@gmail.com. Until next time, or as we say in Germany, “Bis später!”

tags: germany  expatriates  europe  lifeingermany  deutschland