There are a few things you should never talk to a German about. On top of the list is Hitler and the Holocaust. Especially to those of the older generation. It is a very sensitive topic for them. I have even heard first-hand from a German, that many Germans are not proud to be german due to this unerasable black mark in their history books.
From history lessons in school, but mainly due to my association with my German Employer Company in India, I was aware of the history of Europe, especially during the World Wars. But I got better insight into the german perspective of these times, during the intercultural trainings that I attended in India, which focused on Germany. What added credibility to the presentation, was the fact that the trainer was a German. So I heard it from the mouth of the proverbial horse!
During the last weeks I could impove my understanding of the matter, through a lecture at the University and an excursion to the former concentration camp at Dachau, close to Munich (or München as the Germans call it).
The cloudy, rainy and cold morning seemed befitting of the scheduled visit to Dachau. Today it stands as a memorial to the innumerable victims of the attrocities of the 3rd Reich (12 year long reign of Hitler). The atmosphere of the place felt gloomy and depressing, like at a funeral. As we walked through the museum halls, which once housed the prisoners, our guide tried to be as cheerful as possible, while she narrated the shocking realities of those dark years. The harassment and cruelties that the inmates - political dissidents, journalists, homosexuals, gipsies and above all - the Jews, had to withstand would melt hearts of stone. But apparently not of the National Socialists (or Nazis as they are better known). The narration, graphic images and documentary video of the horrific torture inflicted by these demons, sent chills through my spine. As we took a tour of the compound from workshops to cellars to experimental gas chambers to dead-body incinerators to mass graves, the heavens seemed to shed cold tears on our raincoats and umbrellas. The most aweful experience was at the main gate to the concentration camp bearing the line "ARBEIT MACHT FREI" (German line meaning 'work makes you free'). The most sarcastic and absurd statement to be made in the context!
Dachau was one of the several thousand concentration camps spread over Germany, Poland, Austria, Russia and few other countries that Hitler managed to conquer. But its purpose was to impose forced labour under inhumanable living conditions and working schedules. The deadlier ones were some camps, mainly in eastern Europe built for the sole pupose of genocide - of primarily the Jews, about 6 Million of whom lost their lives during the 12 years in addition to large number of others previously mentioned.
I am just glad that the Holocaust lasted only for 12 years and that Germany has been able to recover and build itself up to what it is today. However I feel that, the sad memories of the past will continue to haunt the Germans for a long time to come.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Street Smart
Rules are very important to Germans and most of them follow these rules to the finest detail, although there are like always, exceptions.
The most obvious manifestation of this is their transportation system. Every foreigner getting off the plane has to immediately fall in line. There are rules to walk on the pavements, cross roads, use escalators, drive cars and to use the public transport. In the fast paced routine, the clockwork of the transportation system works smoothly as everybody plays by the rules!
The most impressive instance for me is crossing roads. At every signal crossing is a button, which those intending to cross have to press and wait till the crossing signal light goes green to walk across. Seldom do you find people crossing streets anywhere else on busy streets or walking across when the light is red, even when there is no vehicle in sight till oblivion! And these are no loafers with all the time in the world! They are busy people with things to be done, trains to be taken, places to be reached. It seems as though life pauses for a second and then goes on as they hurry towards their next destination.
Apart from the written rules there are many unwritten ones, which the people follow religiously. Cars stopping to let people cross, people helping strangers with their luggage, making way for those in a hurry on escalators, helping old people and women with kids in buses and trains, all vehicles on the road coming to a standstill to let police cars and ambulances pass - to mention a few.
Another aspect that I noticed is the honesty of the citizens with the transportation system. Most times, there is no one checking our tickets in buses and trains. But everyone promptly buys one from the driver or a machine or has a long term ticket.
In all, the transportation system and the citizens work hand in hand to make the complicated network of planes, trains, buses, taxis and private vehicles simple to get around Germany.
The most obvious manifestation of this is their transportation system. Every foreigner getting off the plane has to immediately fall in line. There are rules to walk on the pavements, cross roads, use escalators, drive cars and to use the public transport. In the fast paced routine, the clockwork of the transportation system works smoothly as everybody plays by the rules!
The most impressive instance for me is crossing roads. At every signal crossing is a button, which those intending to cross have to press and wait till the crossing signal light goes green to walk across. Seldom do you find people crossing streets anywhere else on busy streets or walking across when the light is red, even when there is no vehicle in sight till oblivion! And these are no loafers with all the time in the world! They are busy people with things to be done, trains to be taken, places to be reached. It seems as though life pauses for a second and then goes on as they hurry towards their next destination.
Apart from the written rules there are many unwritten ones, which the people follow religiously. Cars stopping to let people cross, people helping strangers with their luggage, making way for those in a hurry on escalators, helping old people and women with kids in buses and trains, all vehicles on the road coming to a standstill to let police cars and ambulances pass - to mention a few.
Another aspect that I noticed is the honesty of the citizens with the transportation system. Most times, there is no one checking our tickets in buses and trains. But everyone promptly buys one from the driver or a machine or has a long term ticket.
In all, the transportation system and the citizens work hand in hand to make the complicated network of planes, trains, buses, taxis and private vehicles simple to get around Germany.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Love At First Sight
My love affair with Germany (not with a German! ;o)) actually started before the touch down at Frankfurt! As the plane started its gradual decent towards the ground, the view from the window changed from heaps of cotton like clouds, to a blur of green patches, to a clear view of the meadows and fields and later the city. The vehicles on the well planned roads seemed to move about in a very organised manner, at a fast pace, like a group of trained honey bees. Being the photography - maniac that I am, I grabbed every opportunity to click the button! ;oD But it soon became clear to me that most sights here are worth a picture and I gradually learnt to be more selective! ;-)
As I stepped out of the plane, began my experience with the highly planned and organised systems of Germany, of which I had heard a lot earlier from my colleagues at my previous German employer. Having met at the airport, 6 of us fellow students collected our luggages and took the train to Esslingen via Stuttgart. The first shock awaiting me at Esslingen was the taxi stand outside the train station. Mercedes Benz cars with yellow number plates! Back home, these cars are usually associated with the rich and the famous. But with the variety of cars I noticed on the road day after day, it stopped surprising me and became a common-sight!
Similarly many of the aspects here, have become common-sight for me now. But I am eager to discover and explore more. In the posts to come, I will share some of them with you.
As I stepped out of the plane, began my experience with the highly planned and organised systems of Germany, of which I had heard a lot earlier from my colleagues at my previous German employer. Having met at the airport, 6 of us fellow students collected our luggages and took the train to Esslingen via Stuttgart. The first shock awaiting me at Esslingen was the taxi stand outside the train station. Mercedes Benz cars with yellow number plates! Back home, these cars are usually associated with the rich and the famous. But with the variety of cars I noticed on the road day after day, it stopped surprising me and became a common-sight!
Similarly many of the aspects here, have become common-sight for me now. But I am eager to discover and explore more. In the posts to come, I will share some of them with you.
Friday, September 17, 2010
The Flight
Here I was at the Bangalore International Airport, with my 4 pieces of baggage on a trolley, waiting by the electronic signboard to be signalled in for check-in. Having been a 'land-lover' till then, it was to be my first time off the ground! And I behaved just like a first-time-flier in an airport - TOTALLY LOST! ;-D The innumerable travellers, counters, signboards and announcements baffled me and I was luckily rescued by two of my to-be collegemates who were also travelling to Germany the same day!
What added to my nervousness, was the fact that I was carrying a few kgs more than I was allowed to! Somehow the weighing machines in the airport showed the bags to weigh a good 3 kgs more than the machine at my aunt's house! I was preparing myself to plead with the Air India staff or in the worst case pay up. Finally it was time for me to face the moment of truth at the weighing counter! But miraculously the person at the counter didn't seem to notice the overweight of my luggage. :-) He infact was very friendly and even enquired about the details of my studies. The specialization of my Masters, Automotive Systems seemed to fascinate him enough to overlook the meter-reading! ;-D Well, good for me. Maybe most manage to get away with excess baggage anyways, but it was a lucky start for me all the same. :-) The rest of the customs formalities and security check went on eventlessly. (I am not complaining. Thats a good thing! ;o))
But the take-off was exciting for me! I became as excited as a kid with his first bicycle, annoying another student who was travelling with me to the same University! ;-D The lights of Bangalore and Mumbai (where there was a stopover) from above was breath-taking. Well I guess it doesn't amuse you anymore after the first time! But I enjoyed Numero-Uno thoroughly. Good food, good sleep, cordial airhostesses and the lovely view from my window seat kept me engaged till our touch down at Frankfurt.
What added to my nervousness, was the fact that I was carrying a few kgs more than I was allowed to! Somehow the weighing machines in the airport showed the bags to weigh a good 3 kgs more than the machine at my aunt's house! I was preparing myself to plead with the Air India staff or in the worst case pay up. Finally it was time for me to face the moment of truth at the weighing counter! But miraculously the person at the counter didn't seem to notice the overweight of my luggage. :-) He infact was very friendly and even enquired about the details of my studies. The specialization of my Masters, Automotive Systems seemed to fascinate him enough to overlook the meter-reading! ;-D Well, good for me. Maybe most manage to get away with excess baggage anyways, but it was a lucky start for me all the same. :-) The rest of the customs formalities and security check went on eventlessly. (I am not complaining. Thats a good thing! ;o))
But the take-off was exciting for me! I became as excited as a kid with his first bicycle, annoying another student who was travelling with me to the same University! ;-D The lights of Bangalore and Mumbai (where there was a stopover) from above was breath-taking. Well I guess it doesn't amuse you anymore after the first time! But I enjoyed Numero-Uno thoroughly. Good food, good sleep, cordial airhostesses and the lovely view from my window seat kept me engaged till our touch down at Frankfurt.
The Background
Disclaimer: This is NOT about a dream! Rather about the realisation of one! ;o)
After about a year of dreaming, wishing, planning and working, here I am living the outcome of my efforts! But I would not call this a 'success story'! Rather a 'success journey'! And along the way, I would like to share my experiences, observations and opinions with you.
Coming from India - a country with a wide variety of cultures, religions, languages, landscapes and people, it is an enriching experience for me to explore Germany. I look forward to observe and appreciate the similarities and the differences, the positives and the negatives in comparison to my home country. My intent is to expand the horizon of my thinking and approach, rather than criticizing anything or anyone.
I hope that you will enjoy reading this blog and that I will be able to keep your attention till the end of each post! :-)
After about a year of dreaming, wishing, planning and working, here I am living the outcome of my efforts! But I would not call this a 'success story'! Rather a 'success journey'! And along the way, I would like to share my experiences, observations and opinions with you.
Coming from India - a country with a wide variety of cultures, religions, languages, landscapes and people, it is an enriching experience for me to explore Germany. I look forward to observe and appreciate the similarities and the differences, the positives and the negatives in comparison to my home country. My intent is to expand the horizon of my thinking and approach, rather than criticizing anything or anyone.
I hope that you will enjoy reading this blog and that I will be able to keep your attention till the end of each post! :-)
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