Thank you Armand, always interesting and informative!
"Although Germany is stereotypical for beer, the Rheinpfalz is the home of the Romantischestrasse — The Romantic Way — with white wines, which are strictly graded by EU standards."
Susan Niemann: You are always so welcoming. Nancy and I are spending time with dear friends. Today, with tears in the old-lawyer's eyes, I reflected on the loss, over the years, of dear friends in semi-rural Rheinpfalz. Over 45 years, the older generation, our dearest among friends, have passed away. Dear, dear People, who are always with me like dear cousins. The next generation, and even a new generation (9 year old, highly energetic, boys). So, there is a bittersweet emotion with dear friends -- memories of their departed parents and aunts, even grandparents.
A couple of them, one my dear friend even today, were absolutely HILARIOUS to share drinks and stories with. OMG, there were tears in the eyes from hearty laughter. Oh, my sides hurt. A couple of these guys are and were outrageous!
Others are reflective, thoughtful, and are precious, compassionate persons whom I love to be with for reflective fellowship and friendship.
There is Heidelberg, my favorite city anywhere, where GWF Hegel could stand in the Old-Town and today I stand there and see exactly the scene available to Hegel.
Walk across the Neckar River to the Philosophenweg (Philosopher's Pathway) -- an uphill grand walking-garden, where one looks across the River and sees the whole prospect of the 18th century city.
Then there is Trier, not far from my Mom's Belgium, where the Baths of St Barbara are and the Basilica of Constantine and the Porta Negra (Black Gate) of ancient origin, and where a parking lot easily turns into an archeological dig.
Hmm. There is Köln (Cologne) with its Roman remains and the Kölner Dom (Cathedral of Cologne), whose twin spires overlook the river.
And Alsace-Lorraine (Elsaß-Lothringen), Strasbourg, where the first edition of the National, Till Eulenspiegel (Dyl Uhlenspiegel) was published in the early 16th century, the time of the Reformation.
I could easily make my "Second Homeland" my First.
Ach du lieber! I am born of German immigrant parents and am currently practicing my German on Duolingo so I can refresh what was my first language. Enjoy your trip!
Ilona Goanos: One very good medium is the Goethe-Institut.
I have ZOOM classes at the C-1, C-2 (CERFL) with Goethe-Institut/Atlanta with excellent instructors, Barbara Hager and Börge Deist. They are entertaining and instructive.
Goethe offers Zoom classes at all levels, A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, the categories of competency measured by the Common European Reference for Foreign Languages.
You can Zoom at a number of Goethe-Institut locations, from New York, Chicago, Atlanta. There is a German Institute for the Southwest (GIS) in Houston that offers similar services, and tests at all CERFL levels for Goethe.
Ilona Goanos: I enjoy your writing very much, and feel like you and I share so much as kindred spirits in common, and I am glad that this platforms enables us to meet and grow with new friends.
Thank you Armand, always interesting and informative!
"Although Germany is stereotypical for beer, the Rheinpfalz is the home of the Romantischestrasse — The Romantic Way — with white wines, which are strictly graded by EU standards."
Lorraine Evanoff: We leave soon. I LOVE, always LOVE hearing from YOU, my dear friend!
I have never been anywhere in Europe and looking forward to my first adventure! This sounds so wonderful!! Have a great time!!
Susan Niemann: You are always so welcoming. Nancy and I are spending time with dear friends. Today, with tears in the old-lawyer's eyes, I reflected on the loss, over the years, of dear friends in semi-rural Rheinpfalz. Over 45 years, the older generation, our dearest among friends, have passed away. Dear, dear People, who are always with me like dear cousins. The next generation, and even a new generation (9 year old, highly energetic, boys). So, there is a bittersweet emotion with dear friends -- memories of their departed parents and aunts, even grandparents.
A couple of them, one my dear friend even today, were absolutely HILARIOUS to share drinks and stories with. OMG, there were tears in the eyes from hearty laughter. Oh, my sides hurt. A couple of these guys are and were outrageous!
Others are reflective, thoughtful, and are precious, compassionate persons whom I love to be with for reflective fellowship and friendship.
There is Heidelberg, my favorite city anywhere, where GWF Hegel could stand in the Old-Town and today I stand there and see exactly the scene available to Hegel.
Walk across the Neckar River to the Philosophenweg (Philosopher's Pathway) -- an uphill grand walking-garden, where one looks across the River and sees the whole prospect of the 18th century city.
Then there is Trier, not far from my Mom's Belgium, where the Baths of St Barbara are and the Basilica of Constantine and the Porta Negra (Black Gate) of ancient origin, and where a parking lot easily turns into an archeological dig.
Hmm. There is Köln (Cologne) with its Roman remains and the Kölner Dom (Cathedral of Cologne), whose twin spires overlook the river.
And Alsace-Lorraine (Elsaß-Lothringen), Strasbourg, where the first edition of the National, Till Eulenspiegel (Dyl Uhlenspiegel) was published in the early 16th century, the time of the Reformation.
I could easily make my "Second Homeland" my First.
I love hearing about all this. What a meaningful, and fun, trip. ❤️
Ach du lieber! I am born of German immigrant parents and am currently practicing my German on Duolingo so I can refresh what was my first language. Enjoy your trip!
Ilona Goanos: One very good medium is the Goethe-Institut.
I have ZOOM classes at the C-1, C-2 (CERFL) with Goethe-Institut/Atlanta with excellent instructors, Barbara Hager and Börge Deist. They are entertaining and instructive.
Goethe offers Zoom classes at all levels, A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, the categories of competency measured by the Common European Reference for Foreign Languages.
You can Zoom at a number of Goethe-Institut locations, from New York, Chicago, Atlanta. There is a German Institute for the Southwest (GIS) in Houston that offers similar services, and tests at all CERFL levels for Goethe.
Ilona Goanos: I enjoy your writing very much, and feel like you and I share so much as kindred spirits in common, and I am glad that this platforms enables us to meet and grow with new friends.
Danke schön. Ich werde sie nachschlagen.