Where In The World Is Sum1?

Frankfurt Germany

Frankfurt, Germany

         The Nine Days I spent in Franfurt flew past all too quickly.  The class went very well with an open invitartion to return in 2025.  Rondall (my contact point for the Department of State) knows I plan to retire in April, he also knows I'm tentatively sheduled to return the last week of January, and be there two weeks.  We talked about courses his new techs should receive, so we'll see where this goes.

         This is my second time in Frankfurt, I was here in December 2017 and was able to experience their Christmas Market.  There was no Christmas Market in August of course, but I did find a street market of sorts.  A few places sold traditional German food, a few sold beer, but the biggest selling item was wine.  It was crowded, but the crowds didn't bother me.  I enjoyed walking thru the market, and found myself wondering  why this was happening.  My students said that Germans don't need a holiday to celebrate together.  Being that they were all Americans, what do they know?    I kid a little, but I'm also serious.  There was a reason they were gathering, but that part escaped me.  I found the market on Wednesday, and dined there every night until I left on Saturday morning.  Th first night I had a foot long frankfurter (not a hot dog really), and a mix of sauteed vegetables.  The second night I had a much shorter Frankfurter in a bun.  I forfgetr what I had Friday night.  One of the benefits of all this, is that I walked far more than normal for me.  I've become a bit sedentary in my old age, an enjoyed walking, no matter how much it hurt or bothered me.

         Tuesday night about half the class gathered at Moxy's Irish Pub to say Goodbye to a teammate, Mike.  He had 'bid for', and gotten a post with the Embassy in New Delhi, India.  He flew out the next day.  It was an enjoyble time seeing the guys in an environment other than the classroom.  Abbout the 'bid for'.  Every 3-4 years, the bid on being assigned to an Embassy, a post.  Mike had bid on the New Delhi position and gotten it.  I would love to be able to do that.  That kind of travel really appeals to me, and if I was 20 years younger, I'd be applying for a position with them.  But I'm not, so I won't.  Besides, I don't think my other half would want to move around like that, and neither one of us would want me to do this job unaccompanied.  But think of the places you could go!    No, I'm not going.  I'd love to, but I'm not.

         I snapped a few photo's while out tha first weekend.  Here is one of a statues of Goethe.  (A repeat of a previous post)

It's a very appropriate photo of the man who is widely regarded as the greatest and most influential writer in the German language.

         That's it for now.  Until my next entry, write all you can, and love everyone, especially those special people who fill your life!





Jim Dorrell