Tourist?

On a sunny day in Munich in September 2010, Susanne, her son Frederic, and I went on a bike ride through the famous Englischer Garten in Munich. Along the way I admired the beautiful scenery and enjoyed the company of 2 people who are basically family. Once we got into town, and we had gotten our ice cream, we were ready to do a bit of site-seeing. Susanne kept asking if I wanted to take pictures, if I wanted to look at this or that. And that is when I discovered: I'm not much of a tourist.

Sure, I do enjoy the occasional tourist trap, and there are certain things one must see in every city one visits, but I honestly prefer spending most of my time in Europe as an anthropologist. I like to live with families and experience their everyday life. It sometimes leads to mishaps, but also to good memories and amazing stories.

I have also been able to better understand what German people are truly like. What have I experienced? They are strong and tough, honest to a fault, caring, and loyal. They are a people that I have truly grown to love. They have become a part of me.

I'm starting to think that I was German in another life ;)